Each year in April and May the Dutch show off their tulips at the Keukenhof Flower Show. We went there by express bus from Schipol Airport and we bought tickets at the airport. This allowed us to use our credit card to pay for admission and to bypass the ticket lines at the show. The gardens cover an area about the size of Epcot Center at Walt Disney World, so take walking shoes. Also take a camera, as the flowers are beautiful. For entertainment, there was a band concert, a windmill, a maze, and an indoor orchid show. We went on a Sunday, and that was great for people-watching because all the locals were there with their children. This is a must-see for anyone visiting when the show is open.

In this one of a kind park in the world, tulips of all sorts and colors bloom by the millions in the 2 months of the year that it is open (usually) from the third week of March to the third week of May.

The gardens are a veritable sea of color.

This year (2006), spring was late and the first warm weather weekend did not really arrive until the first week of May.

If you're planning to go, start at the crack of dawn. By public transport, take the train to Leiden and then jump on the local Connexxion bus. You can get a combination bus and park entrance ticket available at the Connexxion counter outside Leiden train station. Not only will you enjoy the park much much more before the tour buses arrive but you'll be able to relax on the trip back.

The gardens are the world-famous bulb fields of Holland and are stunning. The gardens are hugely busy, as the flowers only bloom for a limited time. There are hundreds of different types of tulip, narcissi, hyacinth, and other bulbs. There is a lake with stepping stones through part of it, a huge windmill, and lots of cafés and restaurants for when the flowers get a bit too much. There are also several glasshouses around the garden named after members of the royal family, each featuring something different, like orchids. The colours are endless and the displays stunning. If you aren't into flowers or gardening, you can still appreciate the colour and enormity of the gardens. It is well worth a visit at least once in your lifetime.

A short train ride from Amsterdam to Lisse took us to one of the most famous tulip gardens in Holland and one of the largest flower gardens in the world, the Keukenhof. The name literally translates to "Kitchen Garden" because its site is the former estate of a 15th-century countess who grew herbs and vegetables for her dining table.

There are not enough adjectives to describe how it felt seeing the beautiful tulips that came in all colors -- you just have to see it to believe it.

The promotional material states that the 'Keukenhof is the largest spring garden in the whole world' with more than 7 million flowering bulbs. It is truly spectacular, you can spend a whole day just wandering around the gardens. There is also a kids' play area and various pavillions which put on special display. Unfortunately it is quite expensive, especially for a garden, which is why I haven't given it a higher recommendation. In addition, given the entry cost having to pay for the toilets in the park just seemed a bit much.

Practicalities: for 2003 the entry fee is 11,50 euro or 15,50 with a round trip bus ticket from Leiden. If taking the bus from the station, you need bus #54. I understand that there is also a bus from Haarlem. In 2003 the park is open 21 March to 18 May, so you may need to visit in 2004.

Their website is www.keukenhof.com