Keukenhof Holland…A Bucket List MUST!

As a military spouse you know what it’s like to have your significant other come home from work and break the news to you….”I’m sorry babe but I have to go into work on Sunday (Mother’s Day) so we are going to have to celebrate early”. You would think that I would get used to hearing things like that but I don’t. I admit, I threw my little fit (yes, like a toddler…I learned from the best in my house) but in the end it wasn’t going to change the fact that he had to be at work. It did make me feel a tiny bit better to say my piece though. I’m only human right?

Since work was on the schedule, we couldn’t do a weekend trip anywhere. It had to be a day trip to ensure he was back in time for his meeting. Lucky for him I have been wanting to visit Keukenhof Garden in Holland. It’s definitely further than what we like to drive in a single day round trip but we had no choice. So we set out to explore what Keukenhof has to offer.

If you haven’t been stationed overseas then you may not know what Keukenhof is but let me tell you, it’s the most beautiful place that I have ever seen. Imagine almost 80 acres of over 7 million bulbs in full bloom with over 800 different types of tulips. It’s unlike anything you have ever seen. For someone who loves tulips like I do, it’s the perfect Mother’s Day experience. This year’s theme is “The Golden Age” which is the era when Holland became rich from worldwide trade. They have costumed personnel walking throughout the gardens and many of the flower shoes incorporate the theme as well. You can even take a 45 minute boat ride (price in addition to the entrance fee) that explores the bulb fields just outside of Keukenhof. We decided to skip this activity due to our kids being stuck in the car far too long, having lots of energy and knowing they wouldn’t ride in “virtual silence” as the boat ride is advertised.

It’s much more than just a garden full of flowers though. There are places to sit and have a picnic, an authentic Dutch windmill, along with places to eat as well as playgrounds and a petting farm. I was pretty worried about taking my two young kids to a place, in my mind, that only had a bunch of flowers. I was worried they would be bored within minutes. That most definitely was not the case. They both enjoyed the experience as much as my husband and I did. You should definitely add Keukenhof, Holland to your bucket list. I actually had pinned it to my Pinterest before moving overseas so I can now say that I have been and hope to return again next year.

The photograph possibilities are ENDLESS at Keukenhof and as an amateur I was so excited to take so many photos. I promise not to overload you with them (I did take HUNDREDS) but I will share a few of my favorites. I hope you enjoy them.

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