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KEUKENHOF

SPRING GARDEN OF EUROPE

The facts and figures and all you need to know about the Keukenhof are given here, for more descriptive information you have to move on to the Sea Of Flowers.

Keukenhof
P.O. Box 66
2160 AB Lisse
Holland
Telephone number: 00 - 31 - 252 - 465 555
Telefax number: 00 - 31 - 252 - 465 565

History

From 1401 until 1436 Keukenhof grounds were part of the property of Countess Jacoba of Bavaria. She and her entourage used to go hunting, while vegetables and herbs were grown here to be used in the kitchen of the Countess' castle. Kitchen in Dutch means "keuken" and garden stands for "hof". In 1949 plans were developed to create the bulbflower garden Keukenhof for the purpose of showing the visitors the many varieties and the splendour of the Dutch bulbflower industry.

Park

6 million tulips, narcissi, daffodils, hyacinths and other flower bulbs on 7O acres, ancient trees, flowering shrubs, splendid ponds, fountains and works of modern art. Indoor pavilions: eleven successive flower exhibits (Parades), flower arrangements, painting exhibitions and a permanent orchid show.

Theme gardens: examples of garden layout with information provided on the spot. Themes: color, scent, rennaissance, abstract, style, rock-water-shadow, borders. Nature garden: unfamiliar bulb varieties combined with perennials and shrubs in a woodland area with a lovely waterplay.

For children: "Whiz-kids"route, animal pasture and play area. View of the bulb fields from an old Dutch windmill (1892). Hundreds of acres of bulb fields surround the park. Selfservice restaurants (info/reservations, phone O252 - 413814), sunny terraces, coffee shops and an atmospheric 'poffertjes' restaurant. 'Poffertjes' are typical Dutch small pancakes. The park is readily accessible for the disabled. Wheelchairs and push-chairs are available free of charge (please reserve early).

Location: Keukenhof is situated in the midst of the bulb fields between Amsterdam and the Hague and only a few miles away from the dunes and the seaside. Parking area for coaches and cars: 50 acres.

How to reach Keukenhof by public transportation: Travel by train from any station to either Haarlem or Leiden station. From Leiden one can take the Express bus 54 to Keukenhof. From Haarlem one can take the regular lines 50 and 51, including a transfer at Hyacintenstraat in Lisse. For combined train/bus/ ticket of admission, ask about "Rail Idee" at Dutch railway stations. Telephone: 06-9292.

Opening period: From Thursday March 27th through Thursday May 22nd 1997, 8 a.m. - 7:3O p.m. daily (ticket sales until 6).

Price of admission: Fl. 17.00 per adult Fl. 8.50 per child (4 through 11) Special group rates (minimum 20 adults).