SPRINGTIME IN BLOOM WITH DFDS
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Springtime in the Netherlands is a magical experience, where fields are lit up by row upon row of beautiful bright tulips. A trip to see them is a must for every keen gardener as the sight of these blooms en masse is something that you’ll never forget. And if you’re planning a trip this year, you can get there in style with DFDS, which offers daily crossings from Newcastle to Amsterdam.
Tulips from Amsterdam and more
Lasting from late March to mid May, one of the most well-known places to enjoy tulip season is the area around the city of Lisse, 40km south of Amsterdam. This region is home to the world-famous Keukenhof Tulip Gardens.
These stunning gardens have been open to the public since 1950, so this year they’re celebrating their 75th anniversary. Each year 6m tulip bulbs are planted here, making for a superb spring spectacle. There are also many other areas to explore, including the ‘red romance’ garden and ‘tropical beach’ garden.
Outside of the Keukenhof, you’ll also find hundreds of tulip fields in the Lisse-Noordwijkerhout area, as well as the fields of Noordoostpolder further east. Whether you view them from the train or take a slower approach by cycling past, the sight of these flowers en masse is something you won’t forget. Many farmers also offer guided tours of their fields, so you can really get close to the beautiful blooms.
Heading to the Dutch capital, Amsterdam holds an annual tulip festival for the entire month of April, where you can see them in all their springtime glory in the Bloemenmarkt (the floating flower market), plus many other gardens and venues.
Horticultural gems to explore
Of course, there are more to Dutch flowers than just the tulip, and there are plenty of other beautiful gardens to discover throughout the year.
Gardens to check out in Amsterdam include the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, where you can explore a variety of exotic plants from around the world, the rooftop garden of Nemo Science Museum’s Urban Oasis, and Amsterdamse Bos, a park in the south of the city with over 710 acres of forest, meadows and ponds. And from 14-16 June, the Dutch capital holds Open Garden Days – your chance to explore the stately gardens hidden behind the city’s canal houses.
Across the rest of the Netherlands, gardens to put on your list include Royal Palace Het Loo in Apeldoorn, Leiden Botanical Garden and Rozentuin in Kortrijk, which is renowned for its glorious roses.
Save up to 33% with DFDS
You can save 15% on DFDS crossings from Newcastle to Amsterdam, plus 33% on mini-cruises to Amsterdam, which give you a two-night adventure in the Dutch capital.
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