Keukenhof Gardens

Keukenhof is a 32-hectare park near Lisse, planted every autumn with around seven million bulbs that flower from late March to mid-May. Tulips of every colour fill beds under old trees and around ponds, and in the pavilions growers show off new varieties.

Around the park, the bulb fields of the Dutch flower region stretch away in stripes of red, yellow and pink; see them from the windmill in the park, or by bicycle or boat. Bollywood fans will recognise the scenery from the song Dekha Ek Khwab in Silsila.

Keukenhof is about 40 minutes from Amsterdam. Weekday mornings are the least crowded, and mid to late April is usually the peak of the bloom, depending on the weather. The paths are flat and easy for prams, wheelchairs and senior travellers.