Keukenhof

Only 1km/.75mi northwest of Lisse is Keukenhof. During the Middle Ages this 28 hectare/70 acre park was the "kitchen garden" of an estate belonging to Countess Jacobaea of Bavaria. Since 1949 it has been a popular tourist attraction, with restaurants and sunny terraces, exhibitions and presentations of various kinds. The Keukenhof is the world's largest open-air flower show. Every year more than 700 varieties of tulips can be seen in bloom here. The charm of Keukenhof lies in its endless variety of color and, even before the flowers bloom in the open, thousands of tulips, hyacinths, crocuses and daffodils can be seen flowering in the 5,000 sq.m/6,000 sq.yd of hothouses. The park itself is also very beautiful, with its lakes and watercourses and old trees.