Place I Want to Visit (In Netherlands) : Keukenhof - Tugas Kepariwisataan

Keukenhof: The Garden of Europe

Actually there are so many countries that I want to visit someday, such as Turkey, Netherlands, England, America, Paris, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and so on or I can say that I want to visit every countries in this world, because i believe that every single countries in this world has its own charms and beauty to attract people and of course every countries has their own beautiful places that is worth to visit. But I won’t talk about all of the countries, I will only talking about Netherlands here. Netherlands has so many beautiful places that can make you stun because its beauty. Netherlands is really worth to visit. You won’t regret it.  Not only Amsterdam, but almost all cities in Netherlands has tourist destinations. 

While most visitors to the Netherlands focus on Amsterdam, the country's vibrant capital with its great museums and art galleries, there are many charming towns and villages in this small yet fascinating country to explore. And because the country is so flat, it's extremely easy to do at least a little sightseeing the Dutch way: by bicycle. Many communities actively encourage the use of pedal-power and provide bikes to explore the sights at no cost. 

Place that i want to visit is Keukenhof: The Garden of Europe. I want to visit this place because, this place is really beautiful. Just by looking from the picture itself. I love flowers, everyone sure love flowers. And for those who enjoy flowers very much, this place is really suit them. Keukenhof is like heaven on earth. Although i have never been there before, but, the pictures can tell that.

Think of the Netherlands, and you'll inevitably think of tulips, the country's most popular flower. And there's nowhere better to enjoy its rich floral bounty than at the Keukenhof, otherwise known as the Garden of Europe. On the outskirts of Lisse, in what's widely considered the "bulb belt" of the Netherlands, Keukenhof is the largest public garden in the world encompassing more than 70 acres of what was once the former kitchen (or "keuken") garden of a large country estate. Along with its excellent restaurants, sunny patios, and exhibitions - not to mention its more than 700 varieties of tulips - the site is home to the world's largest open-air flower show. The charm of Keukenhof lies in its endless variety of color which, thanks to its massive commercial hot houses, is almost a year-round occurrence. In them, you'll see endless rows of flowering tulips, along with thousands of hyacinths, crocuses, and daffodils.

A little story about Keukenhof 

Keukenhof, the best day out among the flowers! There are more than 7 million bulbs in bloom this spring, with a total of 800 varieties of tulips. An unique and unforgettable experience!

Besides the spacious 32 hectares of flowers you can enjoy the spectacular flower shows, surprising inspirational gardens, unique artwork and wonderful events. Do not miss the Tulpomania exhibition in the Juliana Pavilion.

2015 is the van Gogh-year in Keukenhof. Van Gogh formed the inspiration for the flower shows and the new Selfie garden. The highlight this year is the spectacular flower bulb mosaic of a 'self-portrait' of Vincent van Gogh made up of thousands of tulips.

Keukenhof is also one big party for children. They will have a blast with the treasure hunt, petting farm, maze and the playground.

The history of Keukenhof, the name of meaning "kitchen garden", goes back to the 15th century. Countess Jacqueline of Bavaria, Jacoba van Beieren (1401-1436) gathered fruit and vegtables from the woods and dunes her for the kitchen of Teylingen Castle. Keukenhof Castle was built in 1641, and the estate grew to an area of over 200 hectares.

Landscape architects Jan David Zocher and his son Louis Paul Zocher, who also designed Amsterdam's Vondelpark, redesigned the castle gardens in 1857. That park, in the English landscape style, still forms the basis of Keukenhof.

In 1949 a group of 20 flower bulb exporters came up with a plan to use the estate for a permanent exhibition of spring-flowering bulbs, signalling the birth of Keukenhof as a spring park. The park opened its gates tot he public in 1950 and was an instant success, with 236,000 visitors in the first year alone. In 2015 the 66th edition of Keukenhof is taking place, with Van Gogh as its theme. During the last 65 years Keukenhof has grown into a world-famous attraction.(Keukenhof Official Website)

To reach Keukenhof, first you have to fly to Amsterdam. Because I am an Indonesian and live in Jakarta so I have to fly from Jakarta to Amsterdam by plane. The airfare from Jakarta to Amsterdam is start from around IDR 8.000.000,- you don't have to transit if you choose Garuda Indonesia. The travel takes 16 hours from Jakarta to Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam. You can book a plane ticket from websites but make sure you book it from the trusted website. 

Next step is how to reach keukenhof from Amsterdam?

There are so many ways to go to Keukenhof

1. By car

Keukenhof is located in an area known as the Bollenstreek (Bulb growing region) between Amsterdam and The Hague and is easily accessible via motorways A4 (exit Nieuw-Vennep) and A44 (exit 3, Lisse). 'Keukenhof' is well signposted after the exit.

2. Public Transportation

You can travel to Keukenhof very comfortably by public transport. Certainly with a good value Combi-ticket (OV + park entrance), with which you can enter the park directly without queuing.

You simply take the Arriva Keukenhof Express from, for example, the center of Amsterdam, or from Schiphol Plaza, or from Leiden Central Station. This brings you to the Keukenhof main entrance directly and within half an hour. You do not have to wait long as the bus departs 4 to 12 times an hour!

3. Daily excursions from Amsterdam City Center Save

Time with a direct excursion from the center of Amsterdam to the Keukenhof. Lindbergh Tour & Travel offers regular daily departures, up to 6 departures per day! The tour includes fast track entrance tickets and departs from the our office, located in Amsterdam between the Central Station and Dam Square. The drive from Amsterdam to the Keukenhof only takes about 1 hour and is a real treat due to the many colorful flower fields we drive trough.

4. Holland Pass   

Holland Pass is an all-in-one city pass for Amsterdam and other major sights of interest. Use your tickets for admission at more than 100 museums and attractions. Visit Keukenhof for FREE with Holland Pass and enjoy fast track entry! Easy & convenient with departure from Amsterdam city center.

But note that Keukenhof   is open annually from mid-March to mid-May. The best time to view the tulips is around mid-April, depending on the weather. And this year Keukenhof open from open from 20 March - 17 May 2015 from 08.00 - 19.30. The ticket office is open from 08.00 - 18.00.

If you plan to visit Keukenhof to enjoy the garden you have to make a schedule to visit Amsterdam around March to May. 

Keukenhof is really large, so it is better to have a map with you when you visit this place in case you lost. so this is the Keukenhof's Map

Keukenhof is really beautiful and Keukenhof also provides hotels for those who want to spend a night there enjoying the night view of Keukenhof.

There is no words that can describe the beauty of Keukenfoh I think, because beautiful itself is not enough. Keukenhof is such a heaven. The garden is full of flowers and the combination of each solors of flower make such a really beautiful view. I bet there will be no time to take a selfie there because I will be probably just stun in my shoes with my mouth gaping. Just by looking from the picture is really beautiful. I hope that one day i can go there with my family, enjoy walking and sightseeing there. I hope one day i get the opportunity to experiencing Keukenhof's beautiful scenery directly.

Oh, and i almost forgot to tell you the prices of the tickets to Keukenhof. Here are the list :

Admission prices 2015

Adults (incl. 65+)	€ 16,00
Children (aged 0 to 3)	Free of charge
Children (aged 4 to 11)	€ 8,00
Groups (20-200 people)	€ 13,50
Park guide	€ 5,00
Parking cars	€ 6,00

source : 

http://www.keukenhof.nl/en/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keukenhof