TulipFields
5
Day Itinerary •
Netherlands
Five days in the Dutch tulip and flower region gives you the complete extraordinary depth of the Netherlands' most spectacular seasonal landscape, from Keukenhof's 7 million bulbs and the striped Bollenstreek fields through the world's largest flower auction, the hidden Anna Paulowna polder fields and the extraordinary Enkhuizen maritime museum to the year-round greenhouse landscape of Westland and the finest craft heritage of Royal Delft. This route covers every dimension of Dutch flower culture from the famous Keukenhof and Bollenstreek cycling routes through the finest hidden tulip growing areas in North Holland to the extraordinary global flower trade of Naaldwijk and the Delft Blue pottery tradition that has decorated Dutch interiors since the 17th century. Five extraordinary spring days in the most colourful landscape in Europe.
Best Time To Visit
Mid to late April for the widest variety of blooms
Getting There
Fly into Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Getting Around
Bicycle, train, car for North Holland day
Budget Per Day
Approx 105 to 270 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat cycling and walking
DAY 1
KEUKENHOF
MORNING
KEUKENHOF GARDENS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY FLOWER GARDEN IN THE WORLD
Keukenhof near Lisse is the most extraordinary flower garden in the world, its extraordinary 32 hectares containing 7 million flower bulbs planted annually in extraordinary themed gardens with over 800 varieties of tulip, daffodil, hyacinth and narcissus. Open only 8 weeks per year from late March to mid-May. The Wilhelmina Pavilion and the extraordinary windmill above the garden give the finest views. Entry approx 22 euros. Book online — sells out on peak spring weekends. Train/Travel: 30 min bus from Leiden
MIDDAY
THE BOLLENSTREEK TULIP FIELDS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY FLOWER LANDSCAPE IN EUROPE
The Bollenstreek bulb growing region between Haarlem and Leiden is the most extraordinary flower landscape in Europe, its extraordinary striped fields of red, yellow, pink and purple tulips stretching to the horizon in every direction in April, the remarkable cycling routes through the fields on dedicated flower paths and the extraordinary roadside flower stalls selling the finest fresh tulips in the Netherlands. The fields are free to view from the road and cycle paths. Train/Travel: Cycle or drive
AFTERNOON
LISSE AND THE MUSEUM DE ZWARTE TULP
The Museum de Zwarte Tulp in Lisse is the most extraordinary tulip heritage museum in the Netherlands, its extraordinary account of Dutch tulip cultivation from the Ottoman Empire origins through Tulipomania in 1637 when a single Semper Augustus bulb sold for the price of a canal house, to the modern global bulb industry. The temporary exhibitions on flower varieties are remarkable. Entry approx 7.50 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Robbenoordbos forest walk near Anna Paulowna in North Holland passes through the extraordinary spring bulb fields of the Anna Paulowna polder, where wild-growing naturalised bulbs create the finest free tulip landscape in the Netherlands away from the tourist routes. Best last week of April. Entirely free by bicycle from
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Anna, Lisse Outstanding flower country breakfast at the finest cafe near Keukenhof. Local Dutch bread and fresh-cut flowers on every table. | Lunch: Keukenhof Oranje Nassau Pavilion Outstanding garden lunch inside the extraordinary flower exhibition hall. Book the restaurant table for the finest setting. | Dinner: De Nachtegaal, Lisse Outstanding South Holland dinner at the finest restaurant in the bulb growing capital. Local seasonal ingredients.
DAY 2
HAARLEM AND AALSMEER
MORNING
THE HAARLEM FLOWER MARKET AND THE GROTE KERK
The Haarlem Saturday flower market on the Grote Markt is the finest flower market in the Netherlands outside Amsterdam, its extraordinary stalls of cut flowers, potted tulips and spring bulbs in the shadow of the remarkable St Bavo church, the finest Gothic church in North Holland. The Frans Hals Museum holding the greatest collection of Dutch Golden Age group portraits outside the Rijksmuseum is extraordinary. Grote Kerk approx 4 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min train
MIDDAY
THE AALSMEER FLOWER AUCTION, THE LARGEST FLOWER MARKET IN THE WORLD
FloraHolland Aalsmeer is the most extraordinary commercial operation in the Netherlands, the largest flower auction in the world by floor space at 518,000 square metres — larger than 70 football pitches — where 20 million cut flowers are sold daily by Dutch auction clock. The public gallery above the auction floor is the finest industrial spectacle in the Netherlands. Entry approx 10 euros. Auction runs Monday to Friday, starting at 6am. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE FLOWER PARADE ROUTE AND THE BOLLENSTREEK VILLAGES
The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek flower parade route between Noordwijk and Haarlem is the finest flower parade in the Netherlands, 40km of the finest coastal bulb field cycling passing the extraordinary villages of Sassenheim, Voorhout and Hillegom in the heart of the flower growing region. The parade itself runs on the last Saturday of April. The route is spectacular for cycling throughout tulip season. Entry to route free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Cruquius steam pumping station museum near Heemstede is the finest industrial heritage site in North Holland, the largest steam-powered water pump ever built, its extraordinary Victorian engine house preserving the original beam engine that helped drain the Haarlemmermeer polder where Schiphol Airport now stands. Entry approx 7 euros. Entirely
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Jopenkerk, Haarlem Outstanding craft brewery cafe breakfast in a converted church, the finest breakfast setting in Haarlem. | Lunch: Aalsmeer harbour cafe Outstanding Dutch lunch at the market town harbour after the flower auction. Local stroopwafels and coffee. | Dinner: Aan de Poel, Amstelveen The finest restaurant near the flower region. Outstanding two Michelin star tasting menu. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 3
NOORDWIJK AND LEIDEN
MORNING
THE KEUKENHOF CYCLE ROUTE AND THE FINEST TULIP FIELD CYCLING IN EUROPE
The official Keukenhof cycle route through the Bollenstreek bulb fields is the most extraordinary flower cycling experience in Europe, its extraordinary 30km circuit passing the finest concentration of striped tulip fields, the remarkable Kasteel Keukenhof grounds and the extraordinary windmill at Lisse giving the finest single day of flower cycling in the Netherlands. Bicycle hire from Lisse or Leiden from approx 12 euros per day. Train/Travel: Cycle
MIDDAY
NOORDWIJK AAN ZEE AND THE FINEST COASTAL FLOWER RESORT
Noordwijk aan Zee on the North Sea coast is the most extraordinary coastal resort in the South Holland flower region, its extraordinary wide beach backed by dune fields and the remarkable bulb growing fields beginning immediately behind the dunes creating a unique combination of North Sea and tulip landscape. The Noordwijk Space Centre is the finest aerospace museum in the Benelux. Beach entry free. Train/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE LEIDEN BOTANICAL GARDEN AND THE ORIGINAL TULIP BEDS
The Hortus Botanicus Leiden planted the first tulip bulbs brought to the Netherlands in 1590 by Carolus Clusius, making it the origin of the entire Dutch tulip industry. The extraordinary heritage garden still contains the direct descendants of those first tulips, the remarkable Clusius garden and the extraordinary Victorian greenhouses giving the finest botanical heritage in the Netherlands. Entry approx 9 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Anna's Hoeve farm near Hillegom opens its tulip fields to visitors in April, allowing visitors to walk directly between the flower rows for free. The farm also sells freshly cut tulip bunches direct from the field for 2 euros. One of the finest and most accessible open farm fields
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Villa Breakers, Noordwijk Outstanding North Sea beach breakfast at the finest hotel restaurant on the Noordwijk coast. | Lunch: Beachclub Vroeger, Noordwijk Outstanding Dutch beach lunch on the finest North Sea terrace in the flower region. | Dinner: De Beukenhof, Oegstgeest The finest country house restaurant near Leiden. Outstanding seasonal Dutch cuisine. Book ahead.
DAY 4
NORTH HOLLAND FIELDS
MORNING
THE WESTFRISIAN FLORA AND THE FINEST FLOWER SHOW IN NORTH HOLLAND
The Westfrisian Flora near Bovenkarspel in North Holland is the most extraordinary regional flower show in the Netherlands, held in late February and March when the Keukenhof is not yet open, its extraordinary display of spring bulbs, cut flowers and potted arrangements by local growers giving the finest early season flower experience in the country. Entry approx 12 euros. Train/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
THE ANNA PAULOWNA TULIP REGION AND THE FINEST HIDDEN FIELDS
The Anna Paulowna polder in northwest North Holland is the most extraordinary and least visited tulip growing region in the Netherlands, its extraordinary flat polder landscape with the Wadden Sea visible on clear days, the remarkable organic flower farms and the extraordinary early blooming fields giving the finest undiscovered tulip experience in the country. The cycle route from Anna Paulowna station through the fields is extraordinary. Entry free. Train/Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
ENKHUIZEN AND THE FINEST HISTORIC TOWN ON THE IJSSELMEER
Enkhuizen on the IJsselmeer is the most extraordinary historic town in North Holland, its extraordinary Zuiderzeemuseum giving the finest account of traditional Dutch maritime life, the remarkable Dromedaris tower from 1540 and the extraordinary harbour with the finest collection of traditional Dutch sailing vessels in the country making it the finest hidden town in the tulip region. Museum approx 17 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hoorn Roode Steen market square gives the finest unchanged 17th-century Dutch harbour town scene in North Holland, its extraordinary Waag weighing house from 1609, the remarkable St Jans church and the extraordinary Westfries Museum of Golden Age paintings in the finest municipal building in North Holland. Entry to square
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Anna Paulowna cafe Outstanding early morning field breakfast before the tulip fields open for cyclists. Local Dutch bakers. | Lunch: Enkhuizen harbour restaurant Outstanding IJsselmeer smoked eel and herring lunch at the finest harbour cafe in the historic port. | Dinner: De Vrijheid, Hoorn The finest restaurant in the historic Hoorn harbour town. Outstanding North Holland seasonal cuisine.
DAY 5
WESTLAND AND DELFT
MORNING
THE IJSSEL RIVER AND THE FINEST FLOWER GROWING GREENHOUSES
The Westland greenhouse region near The Hague is the most extraordinary horticultural landscape in Europe, its extraordinary 4,000 hectares of glass greenhouses visible from the air as the largest glass surface in the world, producing the finest tomatoes, peppers and cut flowers in the Netherlands year-round. The Westland heritage museum gives the finest account of Dutch greenhouse horticulture. Museum entry approx 5 euros. Train/Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
THE FLOWER AUCTION NAALDWIJK AND THE YEAR-ROUND FLOWER MARKET
The FloraHolland auction in Naaldwijk near Westland is the second largest flower auction in the Netherlands after Aalsmeer, its extraordinary year-round trading in cut flowers from Kenya, Ethiopia and Ecuador alongside Dutch greenhouse roses giving the finest account of the global flower trade. Public gallery viewings approx 7.50 euros. Open Monday to Friday. Train/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE DELFT BLUE POTTERY AND THE FINEST CRAFT HERITAGE NEAR THE FLOWER REGION
The Royal Delft factory in Delft is the most extraordinary surviving Delftware pottery in the Netherlands, its extraordinary hand-painting demonstration, the remarkable museum of historic Blue and White pieces and the extraordinary factory shop giving the finest single craft heritage experience in South Holland. Entry approx 17 euros. The Nieuwe Kerk where Vermeer is buried is 10 minutes walk.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The bulb fields of Goeree-Overflakkee island south of Rotterdam are the finest and least visited tulip growing area in South Holland, their extraordinary flat island landscape with North Sea visible on three sides and the complete absence of tourist infrastructure making the finest pure tulip field experience in the Netherlands.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Westland greenhouse cafe Outstanding horticultural breakfast at the finest glass-house cafe in the greenhouse capital of Europe. | Lunch: Naaldwijk market cafe Outstanding Dutch lunch near the flower auction. Local herring and Dutch farmhouse cheese. | Dinner: Restaurant De Zweth'se, Schipluiden Outstanding Michelin-starred dinner in the finest country house restaurant near Delft. Book well ahead.
Where To Stay
Lisse, Nights 1 to 3 Hotel Duinoord. Approx 100 to 200 euros per night. Enkhuizen or Hoorn, Night 4 Hotel Het Wapen van Medemblik. Approx 80 to 160 euros per night. Delft, Night 5 Hotel de Plataan or Hampshire Hotel Delft. Approx 100 to 200 euros per night.
Top Tips
1. Westfrisian Flora: book tickets online at westfriesflora.nl. Runs late February and early March only.
2. Anna Paulowna polder cycling: take the train to Anna Paulowna and hire a bicycle at the station.
3. Enkhuizen Zuiderzeemuseum: the open-air section is the finest in the Netherlands. Allow 3 hours minimum.
4. Royal Delft hand-painting: the 45-minute guided factory tour is extraordinary. Book ahead at royaldelft.com.
5. Goeree-Overflakkee tulips: best last week of April. Drive the N215 island road for the finest field views.
6. Naaldwijk auction gallery: binoculars useful for seeing the auction clock faces clearly from the gallery.
Total Budget
105 to 265 EUR/day