Keukenhof 2009 60th anniversary - 19th of March until 21st of May Theme: USA, New Amsterdam/New York, 400 years.
· Noordwijk
Noordwijkerhout is a small town with exceptional natural surroundings with woods, dunes and beaches, ideal for a peaceful bike ride. The never-ending tulip fields, enormous areas used for the growing of this flower is without doubt, the most outstanding aspect of the town, a landscape that is seen in all its splendour in the spring time. Besides the Noordwijk beach and large dunes are very close by and it is only half-an-hour drive by car to Amsterdam.
There are many outdoor cafes in the centre where, souvenir shops and restaurants with typical Dutch food such as the Het Stockpaerdje, on the Dorpsstraat 30, or the Indian restaurant, Invitation, located at 12, Duinschooten Street.
The Noordwijk annual flower parade begins on Friday evening 24th April with an illuminated parade in Noordwijkerhout. On Saturday the floats leave Noordwijk and continue past Keukenhof and arrive in Haarlem where they remain until Sunday April 26th until 17.00 hours.
· Space Expo in Noordwijk (children)
Besides the beaches it is also worth visiting the Space Expo in Noordwijk. This is definitely the best place for kids since there we can see how astronauts are trained. Satellites, rockets and space suits are also on display. Another fascinating place for children is the Sealife aquarium where all kinds of sea creatures live. Finally there is the Oosterduinse lake where we can swim and practice different types of water sports on big facilities. See Website Space Expo
· Lisse
This is the small town bordering Keukenhof and is worth exploring especially during short breaks out of season. The Black Tulip Museum offers a history of the bulb industry in the Netherlands, and youll find several interesting castles around the town.
Visit the Black Tulip Museum at Grachtweg 2a in Lisse, as well as the history of the tulip, the museum demonstrates how the land was reclaimed from the sea and how this affected the landscape.
· Panorama Tulipland Voorhout near Noordwijk
One of the attractions in this area is a panorama painting of the bulb fields. This impressive work of art is placed in a circle and gives viewers the impression that they are actually amidst the flowering bulb fields. The artist is still working on the panorama which he began in 1997 and expects to finish it in the year 2010. This wonderful sight is the worlds largest and most colourful Flower painting. The train between Leiden and Haarlem stops at Voorhout and Tulipland is about 15 minute walk from the station.
· Archeon at Alphen aan de Rijn
Not to be missed under any circumstance is the theme park in the nearby town Alphen aan den Rijn; it deals with Hollands history and is called Archeon. It shows three important periods of history: Prehistory, the Roman period and the Middle-ages. Each period is represented by actors and set in ancient times, which transports you back in time. We can even enjoy a meal in a restaurant in the Roman period section which serves dishes that are based on recipes by the famous Roman cook Apicius.
· IJmuiden
Take an educational and adventurous boat trip in the harbours of Ijmuiden and - weather permitting - along the coast. There is a marina and plenty of seaside activity and surrounding all this are some of the most beautiful Dutch landscape sceneries very much like those that already inspired 17th century landscape painters.
Important sights are the municipal hall designed by the famous architect Dudok and the North Sea locks. The latter are among the largest in the world and one set is able to close off a shipping lane of 50 meters wide and 12 meters deep. There are however plans to enlarge or build a new set to facilitate even larger vessels.
· Aalsmeer Flower Auctions
You can buy various bulbs from stalls at Keukenhof, ready to take home and you can also visit the flower auctions at Aalsmeer, near Schiphol airport. The auctions start early and visitors can visit between 7.30 to 11am, but the best time to arrive is before 9am. Mondays are usually the busiest days and the quietest on Thursdays. Visitors can watch the auction and the activities from the gallery. For more information contact the VBA at 312 Legmeerdijk, Aalsmeer, tel: 0297-392 185.
Take a Tour along the Oude Rijn to Leiden passing many villages on the way. Cruises leave from nearby Katwijk aan Zee near Noordwijk with Rederij Triton
