YOUR
Netherland
spring
Spring in the Netherlands runs from March 20 to June 20, a period known for its vibrant flower blooms, especially the famous tulips from mid-April to mid-May. The season sees milder temperatures, longer days, and a burst of outdoor activity, with locals and tourists enjoying the changing scenery. Key highlights include visiting the Keukenhof Gardens, exploring flower fields, cycling through the countryside, and attending traditional spring festivals and markets.
Their tulips are beginning to bloom, a fresh wind blows and the sun is shining. Before you know it, the Dutch emerge to enjoy the season and the terraces are packed with people. This is no surprise because the Netherlands really comes alive in the spring. Let us guide you through this wonderful spring season with our tips, ideas and beautiful sights.
- 🟣Admire the beautiful flowers in the world-famous flower bulb region and beyond.
- 🟣Visit various events and festivals and celebrate King's Day.
- 🟣Enjoy a walk through nature in bloom.
Welcome to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Schiphol is the principal hub for KLMand its regional affiliate KLM Cityhopperas well as for Martinair. The airport also serves as an operating base for Corendon Dutch Airlines, easyJet, Transavia, TUI fly Netherlands, and Vueling. The airport also serves as a de-facto hub for Delta Air Lines, due to the Americanization of Amsterdam and The Netherlands as a whole.
Hotels at Schiphol
Whether you have a long transfer time, need to catch an early flight or just want to relax, a hotel room after security at Schiphol offers comfort and convenience. The facilities of the Mercure Hotel and YOTELAIR ensure a pleasant and stress-free travel experience, where you can relax and recharge optimally in the hustle and bustle of the airport.
Conveniently located next to the airport, this modern hotel offers Park, Sleep & Fly packages so guests can enjoy up to 15 days’ parking, with a free airport shuttle bus from 03.45am to 00.40am. Check-in is friendly and efficient. A hot buffet breakfast, served from 4am until noon, will satisfy even the earliest flyers.
Pancake farm Meerzicht
Craving pancakes? Meerzicht Farm is the perfect spot to enjoy Amsterdam's most delicious pancakes after a lovely walk. They offer 55 different types of pancakes, so there's something for everyone. The pancakes are freshly baked in their open kitchen.
Out with the kids
Relax on the terrace while the children climb and clamber in the adjacent playground and orchard. There's also an animal meadow with deer, peacocks, and chickens. Children's parties can also be held at Meerzicht Farm. Enjoy pancakes, color in pictures, and watch the animals.
Opening hours
- During the winter months (November to February), Meerzicht Farm is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm.
- From March to October, Meerzicht is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).
- Christmas holidays: Boerderij Meerzicht is closed during the Christmas holidays
- Pancake heaven. The place offers a huge selection of pancakes and other dishes and beverages. Food is delicious and nicely presented. There is ample sitting space indoors and outdoors. Dogs are also welcome on leads. Staff is friendly and welcoming. You can also explore the farm and see deers and peacocks.
- Recommended dishes
Pancakes with Bacon and Cheese, Pancake with Cheese and Ginger
Dietary restrictions
Has an option for all allergies, prepares their own gluten free dough, and doesn't charge to much more for the altered pancakes! - The pancakes are over rated, nothing special for the price and it took about 40min for them to be ready. The place itself was very nice especially if you have kids that can enjoy the playground.
Walking in the Forest
From the farm, you can take various walks, such as a circular walk along the Meerzicht islands or a pleasant trail to the Grote Speelweide (Large Playground), where there's plenty to do. You can also take the ferry across the Nieuwe Meer to the Noordelijke oeverlanden (Northern Banklands) on Sundays during the season from mid-April to mid-September.
Accessibility
Meerzicht Farm is located on the other side of Bosbaan. From De Boswinkel , drive along Bosbaan and park in the free parking lot at the farm. Check 9292.nlFor travel advice by public transport, please contact the Boswinkel. You can reach Meerzicht Farm from the Boswinkel by foot (approximately 30 minutes) or by bike (approximately 10 minutes).
Amstelveen
Amstelveen was called Nieuwer-Amstel. It is technically a large dorp (village), because it was never walled. The Amstelveen flag and coat of arms, both present 5 strips in a red, black, red, black, red pattern, with three crosses on the top black strip, and a single cross in the middle of the lower black strip. The symbols bear great similarity to that of Amsterdam's, though the exact nature of the relationship remains unclear. The Thijssepark (in full the Dr Jac. P. Thijssepark), was the first heempark in the Netherlands, and is one of sixteen heemparks or heemgroen in Amstelveen. Designed by landscape architect C. P. Broerse, following the ideas of the great Dutch naturalist and conservationist Jac. P. Thijsse, it was developed between 1940 and 1972 and covers an area of 5 hectares (about 12 acres), and is situated just south of the Amsterdamse Bos. Amstelveen was chosen as an unlikely host of a match in the 1999 Cricket World Cup, for which the Netherlands had not qualified. South Africa played Kenya in the match. Former Dutch prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende started his political career as member of the council for Amstelveen. As a result of the vicinity of Schiphol (Amsterdam Airport), and its links to Amsterdam, Amstelveen has grown and become a cosmopolitan mix of many cultures.
PLUKTUIN AMSTELVEEN
Het Oude Dykhuys
Home
Hospitality and culinary enjoyment at Het Oude Dykhuys
Restaurant "Het Oude Dykhuys ," located on the Ringvaart canal in Lisserbroek, is the perfect place for a delicious lunch or dinner, either in the restaurant or on our patio in good weather. Whether for business or pleasure, this is the perfect place. It's a charming restaurant with a warm atmosphere, where you can truly unwind and enjoy your meal.
The menu follows the seasons and, in addition to the à la carte menu , offers a three-course lunch suggestion (which can be expanded with more courses) and a changing four-course Dykhuys menu for dinner.
October is the month of Classics , celebrating 50 years of culinary history.
In addition, you can enjoy the Jubilee Autumn Menu in honor of the 50th anniversary .
If you would like to enjoy delicious dishes from Het Oude Dykhuys at home, you can order the Dykhuys Home Menu or choose from the à la carte Home menu .
Lisserbroek is easily accessible from the A4 motorway. Schiphol Airport is about a 15-minute drive away, and Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse is about a 5-minute drive away.
Only the best ingredients, regional products and preparations find their way onto the menu.
"Freshness and quality are paramount."
Alfred van Dijk's perfect motto .
The World Peace Flame is a flame in Wales that has been burning non-stop since 1999. Attention is drawn to world peace by spreading this flame. The first world peace flame in the Netherlands was installed next to the gates of the Peace Palace on 18 April 2002. The column reads: ‘World Peace, Flame”. Since 2004, the monument is surrounded by a ring of 196 pebbles and rocks from 196 countries. Some stones carry special meaning; for example, a piece of rubble from the Berlin Wall and a rock from Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for years.
The World Peace Flame is a sign of hope and an instrument for inspiring people to work on a better world. The design of the monument is based on the elements fire, water, earth and air, each depicted symbolically in all its simplicity and naturalness.
Binnenhof & Ridderzaal
The Binnenhof (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbɪnə(n)ˌɦɔf] English: Inner Court) is a complex of buildings in the city centre of The Hague, Netherlands, next to the Hofvijver (Court Pond). It houses the meeting place of both houses of the States General of the Netherlands, as well as the Ministry of General Affairs and the office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Built primarily in the 13th century, the Gothic castle originally functioned as residence of the counts of Holland and became the political centre of the Dutch Republic in 1584. Together with the Buitenhof it is ranked among the Top 100 Dutch heritage sites. The Binnenhof is among the oldest parliament buildings in the world still in use.
Originally built as a ballroom, the Gothic Ridderzaal (a great hall, literally 'Knight's Hall') today forms the centre of the Binnenhof. Every third Tuesday of September, on Prinsjesdag, this is where the King holds his annual Speech from the Throne. Other buildings shape a rectangle around the Ridderzaal, creating a large courtyard in front of the building, and a smaller square behind it. A gilt Neo-Gothic fountain adorns the courtyard and a statue of King William II, one of few Dutch equestrian statues, guards its gate, the Stadtholder's Gate, which dates from 1620.
Looking out over the Hofvijver, the Senate sits in a chamber in the western corner of the Binnenhof, while the House of Representatives originally sat in the southern corner, at the other side of the Stadtholder's Gate. Today, the lower house meets in a chamber in the large modern eastern part of the complex. The Prime Minister's office has since 1982 been located in the small tower in the northern corner, simply called the Torentje('Little Tower').[14] Located in the north-western wing, the Trêveszaal is a meeting room originally built for negotiations during the Eighty Years' War; today, it is the meeting room of the cabinet.
The Escher
in the Palace museum
Interior
In the rooms of the museum are fifteen chandeliers made by the Rotterdam artist Hans van Bentem. The artist designed these especially for the museum, with some references to the work of Escher and the palace. In the ballroom, a star chandelier is endlessly reflected in the two mirrors. In other rooms there are chandeliers such as a shark, a skull, spiders, and a sea horse.[3]
The parquet floor in the palace was designed in 1991/92 by the American minimal artist Donald Judd on the occasion of the opening of the former royal palace as an exhibition palace. Judd applied the principle of different colours and geometric patterns to the parquet floor in the palace.
The museum features a permanent display of a large number of woodcuts and lithographs by M.C. Escher, among them the world-famous prints, Sky and Water (birds become fish); Belvedere(the inside out of a Folly); Waterfall(where water seems to flow upwards); Drawing (two hands drawing each other). Escher in Het Paleis shows the early lovely Italian landscapes, the many mirror prints and a choice from the tesselation drawings, also the three versions of the Metamorphosis, from the first small one, to the third, of 7 meters. This one is shown in a circle. It underlines the new vision of the museum on the work of M.C. Escher.
M. C. Escher Maurits Cornelis Escher (/ˈɛʃər/;Dutch: [ˈmʌurɪts kɔrˈneːlɪs ˈɛɕər]; 17 June 1898 – 27 March 1972) was a Dutch graphic artist who made woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints, many of which were inspired by mathematics. Despite wide popular interest, for most of his life Escher was neglected in the art world, even in his native Netherlands. He was 70 before a retrospective exhibition was held. In the late twentieth century, he became more widely appreciated, and in the twenty-first century he has been celebrated in exhibitions around the world.
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| Hexagonal tessellation with animals: Study of Regular Division of the Plane with Reptiles (1939). Escher reused the design in his 1943 lithograph Reptiles. |
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| Forerunner of Escher's fantastic endless stairs: Piranesi's Carceri Plate VII – The Drawbridge, 1745, reworked 1761 |
Park Vlaskamp
Located in Den Haag, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands, Park Vlaskamp covers an area of 15.0 acres. This park is suitable for walking, and family activities. Park Vlaskamp is celebrated for its nice grassland. In addition to its natural scenery, this park also has playgrounds. This park is wheelchair accessible according to the Pacer community.
The Vlaskamp is a breathtaking park that captures the essence of outdoor enjoyment, blending beautiful natural scenery with vibrant community life. This inviting open space boasts lush greenery and well-maintained playgrounds, making it an excellent destination for families. Visitors can revel in the park's delightful surroundings while enjoying activities such as picnicking, walking, or cycling along well-defined paths. The highlight for dog owners is the ample space for canine companions to roam freely, despite some calls for enhanced designated areas.This scenic park also features a fantastic skate park, appealing to the energetic youth, and serves as a dynamic venue for various seasonal events, including summer festivals and winter markets. The diverse wildlife, from breeding swans to flocks of sheep, adds to the park's charm, creating a harmonious balance between nature and recreation. The Vlaskamp exemplifies the potential of community parks to enrich the outdoor experience, inviting all to explore its many offerings.
Mauritshuis
Of the thirty Vermeers known to exist the Mauritshuis has three in its collection: the world famous and widely reproduced Girl with a Pearl Earring, The View of Delft and Diana with the Nymphs. Among the 11 Rembrandts, there are outstanding works such as the Lesson in Anatomy of Dr. Tulp, David and Saul, The Two African men and three masterful self-portraits. There are also thirteen paintings by Jan Steen, which depict Dutch daily life in the 17th century, as well as the famous painting The Young Bull by Paulus Potter.
One of the most iconic paintings in the world is in the Mauritshuis. The Girl with the Pearl Earring is by the Delft painter Johannes Vermeer. He painted it in the period 1665-1667. The painting is not a portrait but a tronie. The girl has never been identified.
Plein
Hillegom
Amsterdam to Keukenhof: Private day trip
Farmer Gracy at Keukenhof
Keukenhof gardens is one of the world’s largest gardens dedicated to flowers, and certainly the only one to be devoted exclusively to bulbs. 32 hectares of garden graced with magnificent trees and a meandering stream light up with all the colours of the rainbow and more as over 7 million flowering bulbs vie with each other for attention each spring.
The bulbs are provided and planted by flower bulb growers, and it’s considered as an enormous honour to be one of those chosen to show off their palette of varieties. The team from Farmer Gracy have been among these elites for generations now, and we’re still carrying on the proud family tradition.
Of course, we’d never give up our place at Keukenhof – and if we did, we’d struggle to get it back. The waiting list of hopefuls bide their time for 10 years or more before getting a chance to show off their growing skills and gorgeous blooms!
The most beautiful spring garden in the world!
During the 19th century, master-gardeners and landscape architects got to work turning the gardens into a unified landscape, and the basic framework of the garden has remained unchanged ever since. As you can imagine, just maintaining a garden of such size was quite a challenge, but in 1949, the mayor of Lisse had a brilliant idea: why not turn Keukenhof into a paradise of flowers? Dutch growers are keen to show off their flower varieties, and they like competing with each other to make the most colourful and beautiful flower gardens. Why not bring them all together in Keukenhof? The rest, as they say, is history.
Showcasing new varieties and gardening inspirations
Preparing for our proudest moment when our bulbs bloom at Keukenhof starts long before the autumn planting season. We like to show off something new and different every year. After all, new cultivars are only as good as they look in the garden, and people want to see how plants grow and how they look before trying something new.
Apart from deciding which cultivars will be part of the display, we also need to decide on design. Keukenhof gardens inspires gardeners with design ideas and combos that they can try in their own gardens at home – although they admittedly won’t have 32 hectares to play with! As you can imagine, choosing floral design ideas involves quite a lot of debate, and we change our minds several times before settling on the perfect plan.
Purple Peony Double Late Tulip
Crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis)
Fritillaria imperialis, commonly known as crown imperial, is a bulb native to mountainous regions in Turkey, western Iran and eastwards to Kashmir. It is grown for its large and spectacular clusters of bell-shaped flowers in late-spring.
Discover the Beauty of Double Daffodils
Double daffodils come in many beautiful colors, including yellow, white, peach, pink and orange. Some popular varieties include: Delnashaugh, Cheerfulness, Tahiti, Double Smiles, White Lion, Golden Ducat, Sherborne, La Torch, Lingerie and Sweet Pomponette.
While the traditional trumpet shape is still the norm, extra petals is not an entirely new option. In fact, many of these varieties are now considered heirlooms. Golden Ducat and White Lion were introduced in the 1940’s, and Tahiti has been popular since 1956.
In some cases, such as Double Smiles, the variety was the intentional result of hybridizing. Others began as "sports," which means they were naturally-occurring genetic variations. Golden Ducat, for example, was a sport of the legendary King Alfred daffodil. Growers cultivated that original double flower and then released the double version as a separate variety.
Inspiration that lasts a lifetime
Every year, tourists flock to Keukenhof between mid-March and May to see the incredible displays of flowering plants. To see the biggest variety of tulips in bloom, mid-April is usually the best time to visit. You may be sure you’ll see some of our finest flower bulb varieties there, and you’ll get enough inspiration to last a lifetime as you begin to plan how you’ll turn your spring garden into a little Keukenhof next spring.
Hyacinths are a prominent feature at Keukenhof Gardens, blooming from early April to mid-April, sometimes earlier, and are part of the garden's vibrant spring display. They contribute to the fragrance and color alongside other early spring flowers like crocuses and daffodils, and later blooming tulips. Keukenhof features hyacinths in various colors, often arranged in blocks or mixed with other flowers to create striking patterns
The Keukenhof windmill
Keukenhof Tulip Cruise – boat trip along the flower fields in Lisse
The electric tour boats take you past the tulip fields at Keukenhof.
In order not to disturb the nature too much, the tour is carried out with noiseless electrically powered canal boats. You will sail silently through the beautiful Dutch flower landscape. You sail peacefully along the endless flower fields. The whisper boats are suitable for young and old. It is important, however, that you are able to get in and out yourself (with a little help). Wheelchairs are unfortunately not allowed on the boats.
Keukenhof features a dedicated orchid show in the Beatrix Pavilion, where Dutch growers exhibit a wide variety of orchids alongside anthuriums and bromeliads. The show is a major attraction, showcasing creative floral displays, and is a key event during the park's spring opening season. Visitors can see impressive arrangements like a giant chandelier of cymbidiums and displays featuring phalaenopsis, paphiopedilum, and other exotic types
Experience Haarlem like a true local
Welcome to Molen De Adriaan
Amsterdamse Poort,
Haarlem
Amsterdamse Poort – The Last Surviving Gate
The Amsterdamse Poort was built in 1355, originally named the Spaarnewouderpoort, as the road led to the town of Spaarnewoude. It was renamed the Amsterdamse Poort sometime after 1631, after the completion of the canal Haarlemmertrekvaart. This new canal made travelling to Amsterdam much shorter and more convenient, and the gate’s name was changed.
The gate was slated for demolition in 1865, along with several other surviving gates. It’s condition had deteriorated, and it was in the path of a planned new bridge over the Spaarne.
As unexpected budget problems didn’t allow the bridge to be built that year, the Amsterdamse Poort was renovated in order to improve its safety in the meantime. In 1867, it was used as a storage facility for munitions after the demolition of the historic Papentoren.
The bridge was completed in 1868, and by 1889 the old gate seemed to have been spared the fate of all the other towers, and was renovated. In the 1960s, it was declared a rijksmonument (national monument), and it was fully restored in 1985.
De Olyphant
By Rick Steves
A Golden Age kind of town, friendly Haarlem is quintessentially Dutch, offering small-town warmth and quick access to nearby Amsterdam.
Bustling Haarlem gave America's Harlem its name back when New York was "New Amsterdam," a Dutch colony. For centuries, Haarlem has been a market town, buzzing with shoppers heading home with fresh bouquets.
Enjoy the market on Monday (clothing) or Saturday (general), when the square bustles like a Brueghel painting with cheese, fish, flowers, and families. Make yourself at home — buy some flowers to brighten your hotel room.
Grote Markt (Market Square), where 10 streets converge, is the town's delightful centerpiece...as it has been for 700 years. To enjoy a coffee or beer here, simmering in Dutch good living, is a quintessential European experience. Observe. Sit and gaze at the church, appreciating essentially the same scene that Dutch artists captured centuries ago in oil paintings that now hang in museums.
GROTE OF ST.-BAVOKERK
The Meat Hall, a museum since 1951, has exhibited the works of many famous artists from Rembrandt to Damien Hirst. The building was constructed in the 17th century as a municipal market hall for butchers. The hall was designed by the famous Flemish architect Lieven de Key. Much like Frans Hals’ family, Lieven de Key fled to Haarlem to escape Spanish rule.
St. Barbara Gasthuis doorway of former hofje ( almshouse ) in Haarlem The Netherlands Dutch
EXPLORE HAARLEM’S HIDDEN COURTYARDS
Haarlem railway station
in front of an entrance sign that reads "WACHTKAMER DERDE KLASSE" in Dutch, which translates to "Third Class Waiting Room". This sign is located at the former Haarlem railway station in the Netherlands.
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