Capital cities are so often primary destinations that one tends to forget that there are whole countries to be explored beyond them. The Netherlands not only has a beautiful countryside and many wonderful smaller towns to explore, it is also particularly well suited for such exploration. Their train system is very well developed and the flat terrain is great for cyclists of all abilities. Using Amsterdam as a base, there are numerous day trips which can help you get to know more of the country.
If you planned your trip to coincide with bulb season, or just happen to find yourself in the Netherlands in April or May, take a trip to the Keukenhof, a 70-acre showcase of Holland bulbs. Long beds of various varieties of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths line the pathways, and small garden vignettes are planted strategically throughout the park and tucked into corners. You’ll soon figure out that the park is really a big sales pitch for Holland bulbs, but the plantings are so gorgeous that you readily forgive the growers. The most incredible display I saw this spring was a broad path completely filled with small blue hyacinths and bordered with clusters of tulips and daffodils. When it comes to bulbs, I learned, the more the better.
Had the day been nicer, we would have taken a train from Amsterdam to Haarlem, rented bicycles at the train station and ridden down to the park. Instead, because it was cold and cloudy, we took advantage of the Rail Idee package which included the cost of the train ticket to Haarlem or Leiden, the bus ride from the train station to Keukenhof and admission to the park.
