The Keukenhof Gardens provide visitors view at 7 million flower bulbs bloom over 32 hectares. Gardens near Lisse is the world’s largest flower garden park. It is an easy day trip from Amsterdam. It is open only two months in spring each year to show off the best of Dutch tulips, crocuses, narcissus. The main attraction of Keukenhof is obviously the flowers but the park is truly a destination for visitors of all ages. Small children will enjoy the various playgrounds while a full-scale windmill, public art and performances, as well as special displays add further entertainment to visitors of all ages.

Opening hours
Monday – Sunday: 08:00 until 19:30

credit: Keith Yahl

The tale of the house and the man illustrates the Chesapeake’s problem with rising oceans and sinking land. Holland Island reached its peak population between 1890 and 1910. By 1910 approximately 360 people lived on the distinct ridges of high ground. Sea levels in the Chesapeake, scientists say, are rising faster than they are in some other coastal regions of the United States. The land here has been slowly sinking for thousands of years, settling itself from bulges created by the weight of Ice Age glaciers. The weight of glaciers to the north pushed the Earth’s crust down, and the crust in this area went up like the other end of a see-saw Holland Island started to noticeably lose shoreline in 1914. The residents tried desperately to save their island by importing stones to build walls and in some cases sinking boats in an attempt to slow the erosion, but all attempts failed.

credit: baldeaglebluff

Keukenhof is the place to celebrate Easter. The park is unique, world famous for spring blossoms. This place has been one of the most popular destinations in the Netherlands for sixty years. At over 70 acres, you could easily spend more than one day, especially if you are manic about flowers. According to the official website, 7 million flowers are planted here each year.

credit: kevinmcgill

Autocross is an ideal discipline for novices looking to get their first taste of competitive motor sport. Autocross has a low cost of entry. Most sanctioning bodies only require a car in good mechanical shape, and an approved helmet. Autocross vehicles are vary from virtually standard road cars, some of which are driven to and from the events, up to Rally-spec cars, Autocross saloons and even modified Specials. The cars of same type compete against each other. The Foundation Autocross Abcoude was founded in 1974 with the vision of organizing an autocross annually. The autocross is organized every year – the Saturday before Abcouder festival week. This week is always the last Thursday of August. The cars at a time go wheel-to-wheel on a circuit that is part mud and part gravel, with the winner being the first person to reach the chequered flag.

credit: Greg Tee