This Keukenhof day trip is not what you expect. Yes, in spring you’ll be surrounded by flowers, but it’s not just the tulips. This is another off the beaten path travel tip in the countryside around the world famous flower garden. Less crowded, charming places which are great for a family activity or just to bring out the child in you in spring or fall.
Let’s not compare apples with pears. A dahlia garden or tulip field is not the same as pear, apple or cherry blossom. On your Keukenhof day trip you want to see the tulips or the dahlias and not the fruit farms. Hey, I’m not saying one should rule out the other. In fact, why not combine a dahlia or tulip tour with a visit to a fruit farm? Here are some reasons why I, as your local guide, recommend a combination tour.
- Places in the Keukenhof countryside you didn’t know existed
- Childfriendly and bring out the child in you activities
- The ultimate one day Dutch experience: visiting a local festival in Keukenhof area
- Why combine tulip farm visit with a Dutch apple farm on your Keukenhof day trip
1. Places in the Keukenhof countryside you didn’t know existed
Cherry blossom and fruit picking on a farm. It’s not something you easily associate with Holland. An yet, the Dutch horticulture sector fares well. Surprisingly, even in the corona year of 2020 the total vegetable and fruit production was €3.9 billion. Especially the pear farmers did really well. As you know, I love seasonal products. The tulip was my first love and it will be my last. But, after 5+ years of experience in organising team events, tours and celebrations, I want to show you what else Holland has to offer. The bulb flower region, or Keukenhof area, has more in local store then the spring gardens and the tulip fields. In an earlier post I talked about the windmill. Fruit farms is another.
Also see: Windmill tour Keukenhof area
I have a lot on my plate right now. Local, seasonal food that is. I mean, on a Keukenhof day trip you have to eat as well, no? Besides the amazing beach restaurants and cafés with a lake view, I just discovered a fantastic greenhouse where you can pick fruit in late spring and summer. They have a beautiful terrace as well. And, then there’s the orchard offering spectacular views on apple, pear and cherry blossom in spring and fruit in – Indian- summer.
2. Childfriendly and bring out the child in you activities
The great thing about these charming spots in the countryside around the Keukenhof gardens is that they’re super kidfriendly. The orchard has a big playground. So you can rest, enjoy a drink and a bite with a view while your kids have all the space to run around. There are even amazing corners near the garden restaurant where you can sit and have the fruit trees all to yourself.
In fall, September, the apple and pear picking days are a great family activity. These are usually visited by a lot of local families. It is busier than usual in this time of year, but trust me, it’s nothing compared to spring visitors at a tulip farm.
The fruit greenhouse is usually open from May till September. It does depend on the weather though, so please get in touch when you are planning a visit to this fruit farm in 2022 or 2023.
3. The ultimate one day Dutch experience: visiting a local festival in Keukenhof area
Like I always say, if you truly want to live the Dutch life for 1 day, soak up the Dutch culture, then visit a local festival or event. I know many combine a Keukenhof day trip with the Flower Parade in April, but that’s not really the festival I’m talking about. It is when spring is at its peak and the fruit trees are in full bloom that the owners of the apple farm near Keukenhof organise fantastic artisanal product fairs and seasonal food festivals. These are events where you can easily connect with the Dutch locals, taste the local delicacies of the Dutch countryside and get a sense of the Dutch relaxed festival vibe.
Also see: Team challenge Leiden Ontzet & local festival
4. Why combine tulip farm visit with a Dutch apple farm on your Keukenhof day trip
Now close your eyes for a moment. You’re on a Keukenhof day trip. See yourself cycling past fields and fields of hyacinths, daffodils and tulips for a good picture. It’s difficult to find a good spot. The bulb growers have put fences around their land to protect it from the visitors who do everything for a selfie. You visit a Dutch flower farm where you are able to take a good shot of you and the tulip fields. It’s hard to have a photo without other tulip fans on it though.
Next step: picture yourself cycling through a quaint village, crossing an old bridge over a long canal. It takes a bit of effort to get to the orchard, but when you’re there you’re in for a surprise. It’s like entering a tranquil oasis. A large terrace, a Dutch greenhouse here, a barn there. The scent of fresh apple pie and the taste of fresh fruit you picked yourself. And all that you can see is just another fruit tree. Ahhhh. This is the Dutch way of life without the crowds in the countryside outside Amsterdam.
Also see: Why summer is the best time to visit Keukenhof area
On a Keukenhof day trip you should travel to the dahlia or tulip fields and visit a flower farm. There are two main reasons why I, as your local guide, recommend a combination with a tour to a fruit farm.
First of all, it’s the contrast between the amount of visitors. In spring, when Keukenhof gardens are open, it is busy between 11 AM and 3 PM. Not just in the tulip park itself, also in the tulip farms in the near surroundings. In late summer, fall, the flower garden is not open. The flower farms are. Peak is still between 11 AM and 3 PM. On the other hand, in the fruit greenhouse or apple farm it never gets that busy. Besides, isn’t it an idea to first visit the busier flower farm and then relax in the fruit farm? Or make a tour at the orchard first and then head over to Keukenhof and the flower farms when most of the visitors have been there?
The other reason is the timing of your visit to the Keukenhof and its surroundings. Many of my dear followers and readers will visit the Netherlands in April. That’s the ideal time to cycle through the tulip fields and enjoy the cherry blossom. In May you’ll be touring the tulips, the blossoms of apple and pears and if the weather gods permit you’ll be in time to pick the first fruit! September visitors, you’re maybe the luckiest of all. It is one of the best months to visit the countryside outside of Amsterdam. Climate is still good and you have the chance to see the dahlias and pick apples and pears. Goodbye summer, hello fall!
Interested in a Keukenhof day trip tour that combines the tulip fields with the cherry blossom farms and the dahlia gardens with apple festivities? Contact me for more information
—
Recommended tours
