Art at the Keukenhof

Spring is almost here and there’s really no better place for observing it in its full bloom than at the garden of the Netherlands, Keukenhof. It’s not an excursion we do frequently: the Dutch of us, Lydian, has in fact never even been here until our visit in 2014, and for the Amsterdam expat, Pal, this was the first re-acquaintance after the first visit some fourteen years. Thus, about time to check it out: Keukenhof, its tulip fields and a bit of Dutch history.Ask most Amsterdammers, or any Dutch person in general, if they’ve been to Keukenhof, the Garden of Holland, and quite likely you’ll be met with intriguing eyes asking if you take them for some tourists. Somehow it remains one of those typical things to do in the Netherlands for visitors, but what the locals tend to avoid. Or is it really the case? Maybe it’s even one of those secret pleasures, but we who live here just don’t talk about it?The reasons for the usual reservation is definitely not related to a Dutch rebellion against their beloved blooming bulbs that flood the global markets every year. It’s a flower-loving nation, some of the highest spenders per capita (and then a nice bouquet is still fairly cheap here) and there will be tulips and other blooms everywhere. The objections come from the fact that going to Keukenhof sounds like a quite hectic endeavour, with busloads of tourists invading the 32 hectares reserved for this colourful spectacle. Since the yearly “lifespan” of this annual explosion in colours is just some eight weeks it does indeed get very busy here. But it’s touristy for a reason, the experience is unique and absolutely beautiful.