History of Keukenhof

Keukenhof has a rich history. For centuries, the area was part of the estate of Teylingen Castle. During the 15th century, game was hunted and food collected in the region’s untamed woods and dunes, for the kitchens of the castle of Jacoba van Beieren. This is where ‘Keukenhof’ gets its name, which means ‘kitchen courtyard’ in Dutch.

Landscape architects Jan David Zocher and his son Louis Paul Zocher, who also designed Amsterdam’s Vondelpark, redesigned the castle gardens in 1857. That park, in the English landscape style, still forms the basis of Keukenhof.

In 1949, the Mayor of Lisse joined forces with a number of flower bulb growers to organise the very first flower exhibition. It soon developed into an annual event. Every spring, Keukenhof now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the world for the most beautiful and flower-packed day out

 Safaripark Beekse Bergen B.V.

Enjoy a safari on foot, by boat, bus and even with your own car in the Beekse Bergen Safari Park. View more than 1,250 animals! Experience Africa dangerously close in Hilvarenbeek.

Amsterdam

Holland is only at a stone’s throw away and nevertheless the country is strikingly different. Passing the city of Antwerp, we cross the Dutch border and driving through the endless polders with typical windmills we reach the Amsterdam area after a drive of 3 hrs.

First we visit a traditional crafts centre and get familiar with all that makes the glory of Holland : tasty cheese, wooden clogs and beautiful pottery. Then, following the river Amstel, we make a photo stop at one of those beautiful windmills. Driving directly to the center of Amsterdam by passing the Dutch National Bank and the famous Heineken brewery, we will offer you the opportunity to make a boat tour along the many picturesque canals (optional).

From here, we go to the famous Damsquare, where our guide will make a walking tour along the Royal Palace of the Dam, the red light area along the canals, the house of Anne Frank, the shopping streets.