| Keukenhof |
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Keukenhof (in Dutch: Kitchen Court), also known as the Garden of Europe is situated near Lisse, Netherlands, and is the world's largest flower garden. According to the official website for the Keukenhof Park, there are approximately 7,000,000 (seven million) flower bulbs planted annually at the park. Keukenhof is located in South Holland between the towns of Hillegom and Lisse, south of Haarlem and southwest of Amsterdam. It is accessible by bus from the stations of Haarlem or Leiden. The flower garden was the idea in 1949 of the then-mayor of Lisse, a small town south of Amsterdam. The idea was to have a flower exhibit where growers from all over the Netherlands and Europe could show off their hybrids which will help the Netherlands as it is the world's largest exporter of flowers. Keukenhof has been the world's largest flower garden for over fifty years. Keukenhof is open annually from the last week of March to mid-May. The best time to view the tulips is around mid-April, depending on the weather. In 2008 the Keukenhof will be open from March 20 to May 18. ADDRESS: - - - It would appear that Keukenhof isn't the easiest place to visit by public transport. By train from Amersfoort you have to travel via Schipol and on to Leiden. Then take a bus to Keukenhof. Journey time of an hour and 7 mins. BY CAR From Apeldoorn, take the A1 motorway to Amsterdam. Then follow the signs to Schiphol and take the A4 in the direction of The Hague (Den Haag). Turn off the motorway at exit 4 and follow the signs 'N207-Lisse'. From Utrecht, take the A2 to Amsterdam and then the A4 to The Hague. Turn off the motorway at exit 4 and follow the signs 'N207-Lisse'. From Rotterdam, take the A4 to Den Haag-Amsterdam. Turn off the A4 at exit 4 and follow the signs 'N207-Lisse'. From The Hague, take the A44 and turn off at exit 3 'Noordwijkerhout/Lisse'. Then take the N208 to Lisse. The signposts in the area will take you on to Keukenhof. Depending on how busy it is Keukenhof uses one or two car parks. PUBLIC TRANSPORT During the opening of Keukenhof, bus nr 58 (Keukenhof Express) will drive from Schiphol Airport non-stop to Keukenhof. From Leiden Central Station Keukenhof Express nr 54 will bring you directly to Keukenhof. The busses run at least every half hour. A combi-ticket for the bus and admission to Keukenhof costs EUR 18,00. Combi-tickets are available at the Connexxion ticket offices at Schiphol Plaza and at Leiden Central Station as well as at the Tourist Information (VVV) in Amsterdam. TAXI You could take a taxi (www.treintaxi.nl). |