BEAUTIFUL SPRINGTIME IN HOLLAND
If you want to witness the Dutch love for flowers, there are several places you can go:

Keukenhof: 7 million flower bulbs are planted in the park Keukenhof. Gardens and four pavilions show a fantastic collection of: tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, orchids, roses, carnations, irises, lilies and many other flowers. Keukenhof is by far the most impressive international flower exhibition you’ll ever see.

Floriade: a world horticultural expo held in a different town every ten years. Enjoy the most exquisite and exceptional flowers, plants, trees and fruit and vegetables. Mark your agenda, because the next Floriade takes place in Venlo in 2012.

Flower Parade: the most amazing flower parade in the world. 50 enormous floats and cars richly decorated with flowers form a flower parade that drives along a 40 kilometer route. This visual feast is visited by hundreds of thousands of people.

Floating Flower Market: Holland’s best known flower market is located in Amsterdam. Merchandise is displayed on floating barges along the Singel canal,. The great variety of flowers make it one of the most colorful places of Amsterdam.

FloraHolland: the flower auction in Naaldwijk is the largest cut flower and plant auction house in the world and is responsible for over 90% of Dutch trade in those products. The second largest auction house is VBA Aalsmeer. You will have to get up early but then you’ll be able to experience the excitement of the flower auction from a vantage point and with English commentary.

Photos copyright Anne Gordon

Posted by Anne Gordon on Tuesday, 20th March, 2012