Fact Sheets & Video - Netherlands

"God created the world, but the Dutch created Holland" is an expression often used by locals here. When you think of the country, you think of windmills, cheese, bicycles flowers, bulbs and more bulbs. And yes, true to the stereotype they can be found around every corner. If you're a real green thumb and into your tulips, you've have to pick optimum blooming time which is usually Spring from mid-April to mid-May.

And the best way to experience all this blossoming beauty? Cycling of course!! And why wouldn't you when Holland is the ultimate bicycling country, and it's no strange phenomenon knowing that 15 million people own approximately 12 million bicycles here.

The Dutch use the bicycle as a way of transportation rather than just for recreation, and as such there are many special lanes and paths for cyclists with a total length of approximately 11,000 miles!

Following the special routes for cyclist, recognizable by the round blue sign with a white bicycle in the middle, will take you through some of the most attractive regions of Holland. The VVV Tourist Office in Noordwijk issues a cycling route, called "The Spring Cycling Tour along the Bulbfields".

The Keukenhof in Lisse is the most exciting and colourful spring attraction in Holland. In the last fifty years millions of visitors, both from Holland and abroad, have discovered that springtime in the Keukenhof offers an exuberant feast for the eyes.

Some 80 acres of winding paths, gurgling streams, placid ponds and more flowers than you have ever seen in one place at one time. There are tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other flowering bulbs, flowering shrubs, ancient trees and countless natural surprises. Furthermore there are ten ever-changing indoor exhibitions or flower parades, seven theme gardens, a corn mill, a sculpture trail and a special route for children.

Panorama Tulipland in Voorhout is a relatively new tourist attraction in the heart of the Dutch bulb fields showing a panorama of these bulb fields as they were in the past (Bollenstreek). It's an impressive work of art (62 meter long and 4 meters high) that forms part of a circle to give visitors the idea that they are standing in the flowering bulb fields. As the panorama is still being painted almost every day visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee and watch the artist at work. It is the worlds largest and most colourful flower-panorama.

The 'Bollenstreek' (bulb-growing area) Flower Parade is the first and biggest parade held in Holland every year, at the end of April. Fifty years ago, initiators of various small parades in the villages of the Bollenstreek decided to join forces and organize one big parade.

It was to become the calling card of the flower bulb culture. The Flower Parade winds through the bulb region from Noordwijk to Haarlem. In and around the Dutch bulb area you'll find a lot of interesting cities, like Haarlem, Leiden, The Hague and of course Amsterdam.

Costs & Contacts

Thai Airways International - Return to London from $ 2010 ex west coast and $ 2060 ex east coast. Prices correct at 8/3/07. Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.

BMI - fly return to Amsterdam from $ 410 ex London. Call BM on 1800 221 625. Prices correct at 8/3/07. Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.