2024•4 min read.css-1ht3mas{margin-block:40px;}.css-1abu0ph{text-align:right;font-size:12px;font-weight:var(--chakra-font-weights-bold);margin-top:0.5em;}SkySat image of tulip fields near Hillegom Easily integrate Earth observation (EO) into your data science and GIS workflows with powerful Planet APIs — watch our webinar to learn more Agile EO is a monthly webinar series that keeps you in the know on Planet’s latest product releases and product roadmap updates. We share the latest developments on Planet Insights Platform, as we apply the same agile mindset to our software development as we do to aerospace and satellite development and how behind a recent product release in an informative In this episode, we look into the recently launched Planet Insights Platform The platform includes capabilities from Sentinel Hub and stream EO data to generate useful insights Watch now — or read on to learn a little bit more about theses topics or cloud-processing to scale data science workflows We also look at how you can get started with Planet Insights Platform. If you are already a Planet user, you have access to these new capabilities through your existing Planet account Planet users have complimentary access to Sentinel Hub for six months with a limited number of Processing Units Processing Units are a unit of measurement that represents usage of the platform We’ll discuss how Processing Units relate to new platform capabilities Once you set up your trial, you can explore sandbox data for all of Planet’s data layers Sandbox data is pre-loaded into Sentinel Hub so that you can immediately see how to use the platform you can test and experience a substantial amount of Planet data samples made available under a CC-BY-NC license to all active Planet and Sentinel Hub users with a paid subscription If you’re not already a Planet customer, you can still watch the webinar to learn about the platform capabilities and powerful applications of our APIs. Or, you can get up to speed on our platform offerings or get in touch with our team to learn how Planet Insights Platform can empower you to take action and make change happen And when you are ready to use the platform yourself, you can order your Planet data and deliver it to Sentinel Hub you’ll learn how to use these new capabilities with the Planet and Sentinel Hub Python SDKs you’ll see how Planet Insights Platform can fit into your workflows whether you’re building a data pipeline for EO data or doing analysis in Python you will learn how to use Planet data with the Sentinel Hub APIs to: In just 30 minutes you can learn about all of this and more! Watch now and feel free to share with your colleagues who might find this valuable Interested in our full archive of Agile EO recordings? Access our library of on-demand webinars to catch up on recent updates about new datasets like Field Boundaries or Forest Carbon Diligence We'll help you find the right products and pricing for your needs Homeowners will pay an average of 4.8 percent more in municipal taxes and levies in 2025 This is evident from a sample survey by the homeowners association Vereniging Eigen Huis (VEH) into housing costs in 113 municipalities that have already published the figures Although the average increase of 4.8 percent seems limited there will be significant outliers again next year the costs will increase by 10 to 17 percent Homeowners will pay between 70 and 180 euros more according to the research that De Telegraaf first reported about on Friday The differences between municipalities are large the most decisive component of municipal housing costs the property tax for a homeowner here increased by an average of 277 euros and Ridderkerk are also charging their residents at least 15 percent more The largest decrease is in Dongen by 4.8 percent That saves homeowners there approximately 20 euros per year VEH warned that local housing costs could increase considerably again next year Deficits in the municipal budgets will have to be covered by a higher tax on homeowners “Despite the predicted financial deficits in 2026 municipalities are not yet anticipating this with a property tax increase,” said the organization New site demonstrates commitment to global biopharma industry and expands cleanroom capacity in the region RADNOR, Pa., Oct. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR) a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences advanced technologies and applied materials industries announced that it has opened a new single-use facility in Hillegom The site is Avantor's second single-use location in Europe after its Tilburg Netherlands site and is a significant addition to the Company's overall cleanroom capacity in the region Located between Amsterdam and Leiden in the industrial corridor of the Netherlands the Hillegom facility enables Avantor to manufacture package and deliver single-use solutions that support all stages of biologics manufacturing including upstream "We continue to grow our single-use footprint and capabilities to serve the needs of the global biopharma industry," said Dr Executive Vice President of Biopharma Production at Avantor "We are proud to be part of the Hillegom community and boost our presence in the Netherlands Opening this site also reflects our commitment to support the growing demand for speed and efficiency in bioproduction This facility will enhance the regional single-use supply chain in Europe and Avantor looks forward to continuing to grow our business in this important market." Avantor's global single-use footprint includes multiple sites in the United States as well as a site in Changzhou China that was acquired as part of the Company's recent acquisition of RIM Bio Avantor has recently announced its intent to acquire Masterflex® a leading global manufacturer of peristaltic pumps and aseptic single-use fluid transfer technologies which will strengthen its offering across all bioproduction platforms Avantor Regional Media Contact Kristopher AkanaDirector, Communications - Americas and EuropeAvantorM: +33 (0)6 60 11 12 19[email protected] Avantor Biopharma Media ContactHannah Mooney MackDirector, Biopharma CommunicationsAvantorM: 239-216-0209[email protected]  https://www.avantorsciences.com/site/ a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences and advanced.. a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services for the life sciences and advanced technology industries General Manufacturing General Manufacturing Computer & Electronics Medical Equipment Do not sell or share my personal information: Here are her favourite ways to experience the season Few images are as indelible as the sight of candy-coloured tulips bursting through the dark winter ground But in the Netherlands – the world's largest exporter of the magical bloom – venerating tulips is a way of life In the weeks leading from icy winter to spring rows of flowers stud the country's landscape in technicolour streaks most famously in the Bollenstreek "Bulb Region" stretching between the towns of Haarlem and Leiden And with tulips come tourists; eager to experience the blooms for themselves Nienke Panis-Ringersma is the owner of the photography and Dutch culture blog Tulips in Holland which now also shares its tulip photos and weekly flower updates via X "They are quite used to the flower fields because the roads are clogged with people on a bike who are not used to riding bikes." It's the start of many tulip festivals leading up to the start of spring It's a magical place and I love the flower Here are Nienke Panis-Ringersma's favourite ways to experience tulip season in the Netherlands "So, you ask for absolutely number one place? Visit Keukenhof," says Panis-Ringersma Keukenhof Gardens is undoubtedly the most popular tulip experience in the Netherlands; its lushly landscaped "inspirational" tulip gardens and windmills drawing over a million visitors each year during its eight-week season "Around 7 million bulbs are planted by hands whose budding love for tulips was ignited by childhood visits to Keukenhof where her grandfather volunteered as a ticket taker "It's the most beautiful spring garden in the world." it's illegal to park near or walk through tulip fields "Flower fields are commercial fields," says Panis-Ringersma "You can damage crops by entering with your normal shoes especially the hyacinths are very sensitive to that And you don't want to have people over in the fields taking photos Some tourists think that the fields are for there for them." Visitors enjoy a wide variety of experiences at Keukenhof including picnics flower exhibitions and didactic "whisper boat" cruises through the gardens where contemporary art sculptures dot the grounds But plan ahead; Keukenhof is open for just two months usually from the first day of Spring to the first week of May "The best time to go is the $1m question," says Panis-Ringersma "It's different every year… right now we have an extremely warm winter I think the best time to visit for this year is around the middle of April." Website: https://keukenhof.nl/en/ Address: Stationsweg 166A 2161 AM Lisse Instagram: @visitkeukenhof Best cultural experience: Catching the Bloemencorso Flower Parade To truly get swept up in the excitement of tulip season, be sure to catch the Bloemencorso Flower Parade "A flower parade is a very festive flower festival," says Panis-Ringersma cars very lavishly decorated with all kinds of flowers street entertainment… every town is a very festive atmosphere." Panis-Ringersma encourages visitors to also catch the events surrounding parade day "Not many people know that there's the Night Parade on Friday evening," she says People gather there to look at the parade floats have a drink and have something to eat outside on the terrace." During the Night Parade And on float Construction Days (Wednesday to Friday) spectators can watch volunteers decorate the floats with thousands of flowers the floats are displayed for one last time in the city of Haarlem The Bloemencorso parade takes place each year on the third Saturday of April marching along the road from Noordwijk to Haarlem through the Bollenstreek and past Keukenhof "It's a full day," says Panis-Ringersma "People line up at least three four lines thick to see Some people get their seats ready at least three hours before the parade to make sure… it's like a Disney parade People are sitting down on the streets waiting for the parade to pass by." Panis-Ringersma's tip: watch from Noordwijk "Lots of people try to see the parade around Keukenhof because it passes the gardens," she says "But that's an extremely busy spot While waiting for the parade, feast on Dutch Stroopwafel cookies, or have lunch at Panis-Ringersma's casual Dutch dining pick, Hudson Restaurant "It's a very festive day," says Panis-Ringersma "Every town is having markets … it's an absolute must-see for people traveling to the Netherlands." Website: https://bloemencorso-bollenstreek.nl/en/ Phone: +31 (0)252 428 237 Instagram: @bloemencorsobollenstreek Best interactive experience: Visiting a tulip farm For those who aren't satisfied merely admiring the blooms from afar Panis-Ringersma suggests visiting a tulip farm "Because everybody really wants to go into the fields please go to a tulip farm where it is allowed!" Panis-Ringersma's three farm recommendations are all found in the heart of the Bollenstreek "All three are founded by bulb growers," she says They're all a very hands-on experience." Alternatively, visit Tulip Barn in Hillegom just 30 minutes outside of Amsterdam where visitors can immerse themselves in the 750,000 tulips sprawling across the farm's gardens and production field "They are more focused on making Instagrammable photos," says Panis-Ringersma Heading further south, Panis-Ringersma also likes De Tulperij in Voorhout "You can go together with the bulb grower," she says He will dig up some tulip bulbs and will show you how they are growing and what they are doing each year to make them grow It's a very interesting environment." Website: https://tulipexperienceamsterdam.nl Address: Delfweg 37 Instagram: @tulipexperienceamsterdam Panis-Ringersma loves tulip picking in the Bollenstreek "Not in the regular fields where you can say as you're walking just go to a to a picking farm and pick your own tulips." When roaming the Bollenstreek, it's helpful to have a plan – like Panis-Ringersma's helpful tulip road trip map; perfect for navigating the area by car or by bike "The green map square is Keukenhof," she explains "All the yellow stars are flower fields The pink line is a long route among various flower fields; the blue is a route towards the beach you will absolutely find tulip fields in bloom regardless the time of season during springtime." There are several picking farms in the Bollenstreek area, but Panis-Ringersma recommends heading to Annemieke's Pluktuin a tulip nursery in Hillegom run by husband-and-wife team "Pluktuin is literally 'picking garden'," explains Panis-Ringersma "Tulip picking is an absolutely brilliant experience especially when you go with children to walk into the field and get the tulip with the bulb and you can take the bulb and the tulip with you back home or to the hotel." Website: https://www.annemiekespluktuin.nl Address: Haarlemmerstraat 15A Instagram: @pickinggardenholland Best for tulip aficionados: Hortus Bulborum For Panis-Ringersma, whose passion for tulip photography led her to become an expert in tulip horticulture, the Hortus Bulborum historical bulb garden in Limmen is a sacred institute of learning "An interesting fact about tulips," says Panis-Ringersma "It's not native to the Netherlands but people think it is." Tulips are where they flourished as a small red mountain flower before being brought to Turkey in the 1400s "People from Turkey went to the Himalayas and took this magical flower," says Panis-Ringersma Let's see if we can make it taller or different colours.' At the end of the 16th Century but there comes a beautiful flower out of it.'" "It's like a living museum," she says "Tulips entered the Netherlands around the 16th Century And people loved them from the very beginning there is one place in the Netherlands that keep the bulbs alive from the 16th Century and later on this is a place where you can visit and find the oldest bulbs of the Netherlands still blooming." The Hortus Bulborum houses more than 4,500 varieties of historical spring bulbous plants The garden's star bulbs include a specimen of Fritillaria Persica and the ancient 16th-Century tulip Duc van Tol Red and Yellow you can visit and it's a very small garden," says Panis-Ringersma So absolutely visit and drink some coffee with apple pie over there and have a look at all the different kinds of flowers." Website: https://hortus-bulborum.nl/en/ Address: Zuidkerkenlaan 23A Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hortusbulborum/ This article was originally published 31 March 2024 and has been updated to reflect the 2025 opening and closing dates for Keukenhof Gardens BBC Travel's The SpeciaList is a series of guides to popular and emerging destinations around the world as seen through the eyes of local experts and tastemakers If you liked this story sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked selection of features For more travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. Lemur mom has ingenious idea to save newborn from ticksNewly discovered behaviour shows a group of lemur mothers inventing a self-medication method involving ants. Watch rare Gobi bear's reaction to finding waterSo rare they were thought to be a myth and undertake arduous journeys of up to 100 miles to find water. 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Richard HollanderBirth date: Mar 3 Share a story where Richard's kindness touched your heart Describe a day with Richard you’ll never forget Photo/VideoCemetery DetailsRestland Cemetery & Memorial Park13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas TX 75243 (469) 925-1436 has announced that it will increase global capacity for high-quality single-use technologies used in the production of biologics and vaccines the Company will increase its single-use manufacturing footprint by 30% and double its cleanroom space The investment will support growing customer demand for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) novel cell and gene therapies for oncology and other diseases Avantor recently expanded its Morrisville single-use facility and expects completion of a cleanroom expansion at its Devens The Company also expects to open its second European single-use facility in Hillegom, the Netherlands The investment further strengthens the Company's single-use network providing product consistency and capabilities close to bioproduction customers to help ensure efficient and uninterrupted supply MM Activ Singapore Pte Ltd 1 North Bridge Road,#08-08 High Street Centre communications@biospectrumasia.com +65 90150305 Copyright 2025 MM Activ Singapore Pte Ltd there will be a rule in junior category competitions setting the time limits for apnea (head down under hips level) Este miércoles llegaron las confirmaciones desde el Comité Ejecutivo de Los Angeles 2028 se sacan conclusiones que no son tan positivas El equipo logró la de oro en la prueba técnica en la capital francesa Dennis González y Sara Saldaña ganaron medallas Iris Tió se hizo este viernes con la medalla de oro en la categoría de solo técnico mientras que Txell Ferré y Lilou Lluís se han proclamado como las mejores The 19-year-old came out on top in the supremely contested Men’s Tech Solo event in Paris with less than a point separating the podium places May 27th, 2015 Artistic Swimming, News, Press Releases Maria Lorenzini of AZC (from Capelle) got gold The silver was won by ZPCH’s swimmer Noortje Reijnen (from Hoofddorp) she remained ahead of bronze winner Emma Haverdil Femke Vos (from Hoofddorp) and Zärrin Sahertian (from Nieuw Vennep) represented ZPCH and won a silver medal one point behind ACZ’s duet Floor Schallenberg and Maria Lorenzini who were more than one point ahead of the duet of Alphen aan den Rijn’s AZC ZPCH had two teams competing in the group section highlighting the club’s approach to the sport: a talent team and a recreational team The team consisted of five swimmers: Noortje Reijnen Ilse de Heij (all from Hoofddorp) Zärrin Sahertian (from Nieuw Vennep) A standard group size should consist of 8 swimmers A half point is deducted from the total score for each missing swimmer the ZPCH team was a point ahead of Cadans’s team and was more than five points ahead of ACZ’s team ZPCH’s second team was made up of seven swimmers: Lina Baoudi Orane Brunsting (from Nieuw Vennep) and Adrienne van der Brugge (from Hillegom) They came in a very decent 10th place in the overall ranking Charlotte Brand was present in Zoetermeer as ZPCH’s head coach Brand stated: “With our teams taking gold and 10th place and silver for our soloist and duet … that is what you really sign up for It is the reward for all the consistent hard work in the training sessions It also shows that ZPCH’s talent and recreational teams go hand in hand The pride and joy which the swimmersradiate is great to experience It all adds up to the good vibe in preparation for the Synchrobeat the Dutchchampionships that are taking place in Eindhoven at the end of June Our Whitsun weekend could not get any better Swimming news courtesy of ZPCH Synchronized Swimming Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013) While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint She's also a high school graduate of The … More from Lauren NeidighSee All Subscribe to our newsletter and receive our latest updates he had more Fords in his collection than any other private owner in world—and he lived 4000 miles from Detroit The Dutch collector’s interest in the Ford began at a young age as den Hartogh’s father used Ford transport trucks in his family-owned company Piet quickly amassed a colossal collection with vehicles ranging from a pinky-out 1905 Model B to a throttle-down 1931 Model A race car Den Hartogh made a conscious effort to be the mirror of Ford’s versatility and he amassed almost every model the Ford Motor Company put on the road Den Hartogh’s collection-turned-museum has been open to the public for nearly 30 years,and much of the credit goes to his wife Seven years after Piet den Hartogh’s death in 2011 Bonhams’ den Hartogh Collection Auction will be held June 23 in Hillegom All vehicles will be offered without reserve (although non-European buyers will have the added cost of shipping—literally) Lot 191 Add 35 years and you have the eldest car in the den Hartogh collection One of 1750 Model As built in 1903–04 this Open Tourer was first purchased new by A.C Barker is known for being the first repeat buyer of the Model A owning the 10th and 17th vehicles to leave the Ford factory reflecting the number stamped on the flywheel The curation and condition of the vehicle has been upheld through multiple owners from several countries the winner of this auction will have the opportunity to participate in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run a race in which each competing vehicle must be built prior to 1905 Lot 195 Ford’s Model K aimed above the blue collar consumer and landed in the form of a large engine beneath a tulip-styled body in 1906 Fit for royalty (compared to its utilitarian siblings) the Model K was built out of necessity for a hypothesized growing high-end market The caviar-snorting inline-six was Ford’s only entry into the six-cylinder foray an arena where Rolls-Royce and Pierce Arrow dominated This particular car is labeled by Bonhams as “the highlight of the collection,” having received an immaculate American restoration decades back and physical presence of this ride urge you to enter the bidding war so you may sit in its lap of luxury Lot 240 Henry Leland sold his bankrupt Lincoln Motor Company to Ford Ford continued the L series to compete against the likes of the Mercedes 630 and the Rolls Royce I Brunn were kismet for the Leland-engineered chassis and drivetrain This car is one of 19 Lincolns in the den Hartogh collection and a modest amount of brightwork provide an anticipatory nod to Lincoln’s eventual mantra “What a luxury car should be.” Lot 148 Ford’s Model AA platform truck could be outfitted for various trades and businesses The abbreviated 88-A platform provided the ideal vehicle for smaller jobs while the exaggerated 185-B platform measured more than 13 feet long But what if you need to inconspicuously—or in this Capone-emblazoned case Lot 117 Maybe smuggling the hard stuff isn’t your ideal endeavor—perhaps you favor a more decadent flavor This Model A ice cream truck is the sugary solution businesses seized the opportunity to outfit the blank canvas of a Model A platform to match their efforts While most As were drafted into the rugged life of tanker or farm truck this specific vehicle was prepped to scoop out frozen confections Equipped with an extra-tall greenhouse so the purveyor can stand while serving this Model A pre-dates the original Good Humor trucks that typically fetch big bucks at auction So whether you have to smash the piggy bank or ask Mom for some dough and website in this browser for the next time I comment Sign up to receive our Daily Driver newsletter Holland-based international plants mail order company Bakker Hillegom BV has applied for suspension of payment Email: hwsupport@haymarket.com Register Subscribe Subscribe We are grief-stricken that our PhD student Maolin Zhang passed away during the early morning of January 17th 2019 He died during a terrible fire that took place at his house in Hillegom Maolin was born on July 25th 1991 and grew up in the countryside near Yangtang Village he was admitted to the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing He obtained a Masters degree in Engineering from the Department of Engineering Physics there in July 2016 His Master’s thesis was entitled ‘Interferometric imaging and data processing’ During the summer of 2014 he participated in a student program at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) at Dwingeloo Supervised by Tom Oosterloo he used observations taken by the Westerbork radio telescope to study the distribution of hydrogen gas in galaxies His exposure to radio astronomy motivated Maolin to apply for a scholarship from the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) to pursue a PhD in radio astronomy at Leiden Observatory After being awarded this prestigious scholarship Maolin travelled to Leiden in mid-2017 and started on a PhD project supervised by Prof Huub Röttgering that involved observations of the distant Universe by the LOFAR radio telescope During his first year at Leiden Maolin’s research concentrated on the analysis of LOFAR results on the formation and evolution of massive galaxies and black holes He reduced data for a sample of radio sources whose properties indicate that they are located at extremely large distances The results provided an important contribution to a paper that was led by Aayush Saxena Maolin helped develop a new Bayesian technique to select large and well-defined samples of quasars from a multi-wavelength combination of data from recent surveys from optical telescopes and radio surveys from the LOFAR telescope Jonah Wagenveld and his promotor Huub Röttgering he was well on his way to publishing his first paper hardworking and dedicated student with a passion for astronomy modest and grateful for his chances in life He had many interests outside of astronomy As a board member of the Leiden Science China community (LSC) he was an active member of the Chinese community at Leiden University and helpful way he was responsible for promoting various events organized by the LSC.  He designed the nice logo of the LSC The loss of Maolin leaves a deep hole at the heart of our institute It has been a privilege to know Maolin and to work with him and it is hard to realise that he is not among us any more Maolin’s journey to unravel the mysteries of the universe has come to a shocking and unexpected end We will always remember Maolin as a bright star in our universe Chinese children traditionally take care of their ageing parents Maolin was planning to provide his parents with an honorable life when they would no longer be able to work friends and colleagues have started a crowdfunding effort we knew a rival to Kate Middleton had been spotted we're not talking about rivals to the throne While the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge has been wowing us with her modern take on classic day and evening wear Maxima has been silently treading her own path to fashion fame The Dutch Queen was photographed at the opening of Fioretti College on May 29 And no Queen can be seen without her favourite pearl necklace The blond beauty looked happy and kind of adorable cheering after setting off a tempest of streamers in the rain But Middleton is providing stiff competition Photo: Planet Labs PBCThe amount of Dutch farmland devoted to the bulb industry has grown 21% over the past 10 years and the industry now covers 28,000 hectares national statistics agency CBS said on Friday Over 1,600 companies are now active in the bulb industry but fewer firms focus purely on seasonal bulbs The export of bulbs has also gone up over 30% over the past five years and in 2022 almost seven billion were exported to other countries The bulb fields of the Netherlands are also becoming an increasingly popular tourist draw attracting thousands of people and organised tours Inburgering with Dutch News: Key facts about tulips However, the industry is not without its critics and the pesticides used to ensure a good crop are not only killing insects but are also thought to be a contributing factor in the development of Parkinson’s disease We could not provide the Dutch News service without the generous support of our readers Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days We could not provide this service without you Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey Most motorcycle enthusiasts would consider 50 two-wheelers to be the pinnacle of ownership But in the Piet den Hartogh Collection and Museum in Hillegom the sizeable motorcycle collection is an afterthought Bonhams will auction off the bikes on June 23 a footnote to the real show stoppers—200 immaculately restored Fords thought to make up the world’s largest single collection of Ford automobiles After highlighting the top cars from the den Hartogh auction we turn our attention to the best of the two-wheel classics on offer Lot 13 Ariel got its two-wheeled start with bicycles the English manufacturer produced its first motorcycle Before the company was sold to BSA in 1951 the Square Four 4F originally packed its power into a 500-cc package the displacement increased to 600 cc to accommodate a sidecar This Square Four is the product of an older restoration with correct corresponding engine and frame numbers this Square could be doing circles around the neighborhood Lot 38 Tula (Tulamashzavod for long) began manufacturing small motorbikes in 1955 Tula bikes served civilian and military agendas and this specific Soviet scooter is believed to be unused Bonhams states that there are only six kilometers of “push distance” on the bike This mini-machine lacks documentation but does have the ignition key Lot 24 Belgium’s Sarolea was founded as a weapons manufacturer in the late 1800s Sarolea captured the inaugural FIM Motocross World Championship This AS model features a side-valve single cylinder 350cc engine Full-fendered with two seats and steel side bags this bike could serve as the Euro countryside cruiser you’ve been looking for Lot 4 BMW began its march to motorcycle prominence with production of engines Eventually it built bikes to cradle its motors The 1928 R52 is a case study of the subtle deviations manufacturers were experimenting with while motorized bikes were in their pre-war infancy Some of this two-wheeled teething includes inverted handlebar levers and a fuel tank that sits below the frame’s top tube stemming from numerous years since a restoration though don’t let that discourage you from owning a vintage “ultimate driving riding machine.” Lot 1 Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); MENUART & DESIGNThe Rembrandt CollectionOld Master specialist Jan Six XI shakes up Sotheby’s sleepy Amsterdam office and shares his family’s own Rembrandt with the world Jan Six XI had a small errand to run recently from the Dutch royal residence in The Hague and delivered it to the nearby Mauritshuis Museum The painting just happened to be a Rembrandt; priceless it is considered the artist’s most valuable work still in private hands “Otherwise you call too much attention to yourself.” Six is perfectly at ease around the type of art most people wouldn’t dare touch a 58-room palazzo on the Amstel River in Amsterdam as well as Dutch Golden Age furniture and an archive of family history dating to approximately 1023 He is heir to one of the last great European family art legacies He is also head of the Old Masters department for Sotheby’s in Amsterdam routinely selling works of art that are nowhere near as valuable as what his family owns which depicts the 17th-century merchant and Amsterdam mayor who founded the family collection is the most significant item in that trove One Old Master dealer has valued it at $150 million Making its first public appearance since it was completed three and a half centuries ago the painting is on display through January 13 at the Mauritshuis as part of the exhibition “Dutch Portraits—The Age of Rembrandt and Frans Hals.” The Sixes have kept the collection private for 10 generations they’ve been renovating their Amsterdam palazzo and at Six’s urging they’ve allowed the work to travel a little has described the work as “the most beautiful [portrait] in the entire world.” Peter van der Ploeg adds that “what’s fascinating is that it’s still in the same family it was painted for It gives it an extra feeling of being an authentic portrait.” whose full name is Jan Six van Hillegom and who owns a graphic design and publishing company is currently in charge of the Six Collection He’s always been exceedingly private about the family holdings and doesn’t grant interviews to the press brought the collection into the 21st century by creating an archive of digital photographs documenting the more than 100,000 items and self-publishing a book on his family history called The House of Six will eventually inherit the title of van Hillegom and take control of the collection His goal is to make the great works available to a broader public both by welcoming more people to visit the collection in Amsterdam after the renovation is completed next spring and also by loaning the works to the world’s great art institutions and so I don’t mind showing it and sharing it with the world,” he says “I’d love the collection to travel to the Louvre the National Gallery in London or Washington At one time the Six Collection included masterpieces such as Johannes Vermeer’s The Milkmaid and The Little Street Rembrandt’s Portrait of Saskia in Profile and Jan Steen’s The Oyster Eater But these were sold over the years to pay estate taxes In the early 20th century the Dutch state made a deal with the Six family relieving them of inheritance taxes as long as they wouldn’t sell any more art and would keep the collection in Holland “And it’s quite abnormal for a modern person to live with a Rembrandt in their living room Especially when you’re a direct descendant of the person in the portrait and there’s a facial resemblance—then it’s a bit scary.” Jan Six XI doesn’t much resemble Jan Six I Contemporary Jan has straight jet-black hair in the nearly kohl eyes and the proud Roman nose Although he says he had a normal childhood playing football in the house with his younger brother Six also found it scary to be watched at all times by 270 ancestral portraits “I remember that moment walking down the hallway when all these paintings changed for me,” he says “They were first sort of two-dimensional images of my relatives and by 13 he was giving tours of the family house the Sixes informally welcome about 5,000 visitors a year Among the names signed in their 24 guest books are Czar Alexander II of Russia Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan and former President Jacques Chirac of France It was the personal contact with art that made Six want to pursue a career in the auction business “At a museum you can’t get close to a work without an alarm going off,” he says After receiving his art history degree at the University of Amsterdam Six interned for Old Master dealer Bob Haboldt in Paris and then at the Amsterdam Historical Museum before joining Sotheby’s London five years ago When he was sent to work in the somewhat sleepy Amsterdam bureau in May 2006 his boss encouraged him to “put it on the map.” Last spring he conducted a high-profile sale of what is thought to be the first known painting by Rembrandt’s contemporary Jan Lievens but for at least a century its Belgian owners had mistakenly attributed it to Gerrit van Honthorst Six helped establish that the painting was in fact a Lievens painted circa 1624 when the artist was 17 years old and sharing a studio with Rembrandt the highest price ever paid for a work of art at auction in Holland and in December the Amsterdam office will be selling another major Sotheby’s score: the personal collection of Robert Noortman who was the world’s leading Rembrandt dealer and died in January (Sotheby’s bought Noortman’s Maastricht gallery in 2006.) Since he’s about half the age of most Old Master collectors Six is often working with clients who have been in the game a lot longer and he insists he’s determined not to just fall back on his pedigree “I want to prove myself not only as the son of that family,” he says “but also as a person who knows about pictures.” Six will someday have his own portrait painted Six seeks out emerging artists for his personal collection and the artist he would like to sit for is the contemporary master Lucian Freud ‘Rembrandt painted my ancestor; would you paint me?’” Sign In Subscribe Now Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines if you're visiting a tulip field in the Netherlands actually walking through the fields (and through the flowers) isn't normally allowed but you are free to take as many photos as you like from around the edges So, where are some places you can visit to see tulips that aren't the Keukenhof This is probably one of the most well-known places to see tulips that isn’t the Keukenhof. Situated between Leiden and Haarlem the majority of tulip fields can be found around Lisse This area is majorly popular with tourists as it is close to the Keukenhof perhaps this is not the best destination for you If you are visiting this area though, it’s a good idea to explore it via walking or cycling. There are plenty of cycling routes available that you can take to explore the tulip region. Getting there is pretty simple too; it’s just a 30-minute train ride from Amsterdam This tulip region is a great alternative to visiting the Keukenhof as you’ll still get to see the gorgeous tulips the country is famous for Don’t flock to the Bollenstreek or Keukenhof like the rest; visit the Northern Bollenstreek instead Image credit: Riekus / Shutterstock.com you’ll find 2.000 hectares of tulip fields The Noordoostpolder (North East Polder) region is one of the largest bulb cultivation areas in the Netherlands Another reason to head to the area in the Netherlands is the great number of activities they have on offer Whilst in many tulip cultivation areas you will not be allowed to enter the fields here there is a field especially for taking selfies You can also venture to the Tulip Experience Field which has around 500 varieties of tulips. There’s even a tulip-picking farm for those who fancy taking some of the beautiful flowers home. Be sure to take a look at the tourist information website for more details on the tulip season in the North East Polder you can even see tulips in the province of Zeeland because the fields are so close to each other visiting Zeeland to see the tulips makes for a perfect cycling or walking trip As not many people associate Zeeland with tulips you can expect a relaxing trip without crowds of tourists battling it out for the perfect selfie The Dutch tulip season officially kicks off in January but the real peak of the season isn't until March The flowers are generally in bloom through to mid-May but note that some farmers will start heading them at the start of May so it’s best to check with the local tourist information centre as to whether there are actually tulips left to see Thanks to the mild weather and gorgeous colours, tulip season is easily one of the best times of year in the Netherlands, and luckily there are a number of places across the country where you can enjoy it. If you don't make it to the tulip fields (or the Keukenhof) in time this year, then be sure to make a note of these places so you know where to visit next spring! an ‘astonishing testimony to the first speculation craze in the modern age.’ is a catalogue of images carefully charting the market value of the tulip bulbs and which became the subject of a bizarre 17th century boom and crash the book by artist Jacob Marrel is now the subject of a fundraising campaign by the Six Collection One of the Netherlands’ most famous families wants to add the book to the collection of its foundations which aim to preserve Dutch culture and open it to public view Jan Six van Hillegom X says that once his nephews inherited and decided to sell the book abroad he temporarily raised the money from a bank and private lender and has now started a fundraising campaign to repay the loan ‘This is so special that this has to be in Holland,’ he told DutchNews.nl ‘You can’t imagine that this will go to Saudi Arabia or even to Kazakhstan or Turkey: it is Dutch so I’m looking for 104 people to donate €7500 and become one of the friends of the book.’ much of the family’s priceless heritage was donated to five foundations free for members of the public to visit and receive some state subsidy Six van Hillegom X has 42 donors who have pledged around €300,000 He says that he has until 31st December to repay the loan so that the book can join the foundations’ collection The House of Six museum-cum-home on the Amstel hosts up to 9,000 visitors a year and gives a unique impression of objects in the context of a real This is why Six believes the book belongs here where torn-out pages of other flower catalogues are on display ‘Every museum in the world is a collection of loose ends: they buy things The Collection Six has reproduced the tulip book in a printed version in English and in Dutch to raise awareness of the fundraising campaign and an introduction explains how the bulbs found their way from Kazakhstan to Turkey and were then sent back to Leiden by a Dutch ambassador in 1593 The flowers soon became so fashionable that they were worn as jewellery by French ladies of court By 1626, Six’s ancestor Claes Pieterszoon had qualified as a surgeon and decided to change his name to Nicolaes Tulp, after the exclusive flower. He even attached a board proclaiming his new name on to his house on the Keizersgracht. Most famously, he was painted by Rembrandt the ‘tulip’ surname had a slightly different flavour Historian Mak explains how the world’s first futures market took hold in the Netherlands as the bulb ‘suddenly went from being a luxury object to an investment project’ – a craze dramatized in the book and film Amsterdam and Utrecht started bidding on the bulbs’ estimated value before they had even bloomed using money from trade in the East Indies and loans One bulb went for the price of a small country estate ten times a labourer’s annual income…until the tulip mania bubble burst in February 1637 and the ‘onslaught of collective insanity’ stopped Ironically, the printed book says, the red and white stripes that made the tulip so attractive were caused by a virus that affects their reproduction – just as tulip fields today prove so attractive to tourists that they are being trampled The tulip book was probably created to record the look of the flowers as a catalogue for bulb buyers at auction – which may be why it contains the odd painting of a carnation although the leaves may have been painted by assistants in his studio and the Six Collection says Sotheby’s has valued it at €750,000 also believes that this book is a vital part of a bigger story in the Six Collection’s unique slice of history ‘It’s not about the book,’ says Six van Hillegom X It’s about emotion – you don’t find art [here] 2019After a very brief but courageous battle with cancer Selma passed away with dignity and peacefulness on 24 February 2019 Born to Jan and Ilse de Haas on 23 February 1948 in Hillegom Although her early years were spent in Vancouver her sense of adventure soon saw her travelling and taking in all the world has to offer Selma and her husband Tom retired in Courtenay BC where they quickly became dedicated and very active members of the Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community Selma was always extremely fit with plenty of energy and she was persistent at motivating those she loved to join her in maintaining good health a radiant soul and a terrific sense of humour with an infectious smile and firecracker personality far surpassing her physical stature Rarely does one person touch the lives of so many leaving numerous enduring friendships and so many special memories she will be forever missed but never forgotten She enriched the lives of all who knew her Selma is predeceased by her parents and older brother Wiebe She leaves behind her adoring husband Tom; her daughters Karen (Bobby) and Jayme (Jeff); her brother John (Carol); her nephew and nieces Robbie Kristen and Michelle; her grandson Silas; as well as her stepdaughters Gwen and Victoria (Christian) and grandson Drake Many thanks to all those fantastic people who provided support and encouragement to Selma in her final days especially the staff of the North island Hospital Comox Valley A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held from 1 to 4 pm on 24 April 2019 at the Crown Isle Resort Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be much appreciated When I think of photographers working in Vancouver in the 50s and 60s, I think of Foncie Pulice, Selwyn Pullan and Fred Herzog Foncie was a street photographer who opened Foncie’s Fotos in 1946 and shot millions of photos of people as they strolled Vancouver’s streets served in the Canadian Navy during the war worked as a news photographer for the Halifax Chronicle returned to Vancouver in 1950 and reinvented architectural photography Fred Herzog immigrated from Germany in 1953 and some of my favourite photos are ones he shot of vacant lots backyards in Strathcona and ordinary people on ordinary streets but all three photographers were creating a historical record of Vancouver and revealing intimate details of our changing city Wiebe de Haas sent me some photos that his father Jan de Haas shot during that period I liked how he’d captured different parts of Vancouver and the neon signs of the day and I wanted to know more about him Jan de Haas brought his wife and three children to Canada from the Netherlands in 1952 “Colour photography was on the rise and he thought coming to North America would give him the opportunity to advance in his field as a photographer,” says Wiebe Jan was hired at Photo Arts on Hornby Street and within a few years had opened a store front business with his wife Ilse on 10th Avenue in West Point Grey The de Haas’s built up a solid business shooting passport photos grad photos at UBC and some commercial photography Jan was a member of the Professional Photographers of Canada, and before he died in 1967, he created a trophy to be awarded to the photographer who shot that year’s most creative image. The trophy was designed by his friend George Norris a prolific sculptor best known for the giant metal crab that sits in the fountain outside the H.R “My father wanted to give something to the organization of his peers whom he respected and relied on,” says Wiebe “He liked the idea that the trophy was symbolic of birth It is as much a remembrance of George Norris as it is of my father.” A globe with five lens windows is mounted on a chrome stem and dome base and held in place by small bolts all cameras use a lens to focus the light onto a focal plane,” says Wiebe “The bolts seem to me to symbolize camera construction In 2011 Wiebe had the honour of presenting his father’s trophy to Langara photography student Christoph Prevost It was the first time a student had won in the history of the memorial trophy but these photos of De Haas seem to have an almost mythical quality Thanks for sharing them and the back story Very interesting bit of Vancouver photographic history I found a photo taken by Jan de Haas of 2 young women and would like to know of any possibility of finding out the names of the women As a teen-ager I remember helping my father in the darkroom at the back of the studio developing black & white film and photographs My grandfather (also a Jan) was also a photographer back in Hillegom in the Netherlands My father carried on with that studio until we came to Canada in 1952 So great to see my father’s work on this site he worked with me on the blog about your father and his awesome photography Let me know if you come across more of his work in Vancouver and we can do an update This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. the brilliant colors of tulip fields stretch across the Dutch countryside Your comment has been submitted and will be displayed after being approved by the editorial team.The editorial board reserves the right to edit comments to comply with the Newspaper's content regulations Governing body: Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee granted by the Ministry of Information and Communications on May 10 Editorial information the first thing that comes to mind when they hear the name Harry Goemans is a nursery on Kommetjie Road in Sunnydale and hard-working man who made them peanut butter sandwiches shared his grandfather’s life story in a recent talk hosted by the Fish Hoek Valley Historical Association Henricus Joseph Maria Goemans was born in a small town He was the eighth child of 16 children and the fifth son The Goemans family had been bulb growers and merchants since the 1850s Petrus Goemans formed NVP Goemans & Sons in 1860 and his father he married Harry’s mother Aleida Dernison in 1905 and they built their house Harry’s early life revolved around being a choirboy at the Catholic Church and he was always a bit embarrassed to admit that he was a boy soprano in the choir He played soccer and kept racing pigeons and later followed his brothers to a Catholic boarding school boarding school was not for him and he was miserable and rebellious and was eventually sent home at age 11 to work as a labourer on the family farm their fortunes took a downturn after the Great Depression left the Netherlands to settle in France and the UK in the UK on one of his frequent business trips when the Germans invaded the Netherlands in May 1940 He was unable to go back home and was forced to remain in England until after the war He managed to set up a successful bulb import-export business in Spalding which was run by Harry’s brother He later became known as the father of alstroemerias worldwide because he was the first to start breeding new varieties in 1959 to mid-1960s specifically intended for glasshouse growing Adriaan entrusted the business in the Netherlands to his eldest remaining sons Then came the war and the years 1944 to1945 were particularly hard for the family The family resorted to eating tulip bulbs and Harry had to kill and eat his racing pigeons “My grandpa suffered from night terrors for the rest of his life after he was rounded up and forced onto a train destined for the Reich factories to work as a slave labourer He and a fellow prisoner decided to jump off the train which was guarded at each end of the carriage They jumped off and he was shot at and remembers wandering around lost,” Mr Fenn said he stayed in hiding in the basement of his family home playing bridge whenever there was news of an upcoming raid Harry travelled to Spalding with his brother His visa expired after a year but in the meantime Jos had fallen in love with a South African woman and when Harry couldn't renew his visa the two brothers decided to go to Cape Town and what skills and talents they had to open the original Alphen Farm Stall which was situated across the road from where it is now in Constantia Village and Harry grew bulbs all around the building and supplied flowers to flower sellers “My grandfather had a very difficult but very famous customer they would disappear leaving it up to my grandfather to have to deal with her In time he was the only one she wanted to serve her,” Mr Fenn said a South African and they married in 1951 in St Mary’s Cathedral in Cape Town and rented a house on a farm in Philippi where Harry grew his bulbs The couple had four children in quick succession Dora was very lonely on the farm and they moved to Bergvliet in the late 1950s where they established the first nursery on the corner of Bergvliet and Main Roads was the late Robert Stodel who would come to Harry for advice there is a Stodels Garden Centre on the same property where Harry had his first nursery When Harry was given notice for the Bergvliet property joined the business after matriculating from Bergvliet High School He went on to study horticulture at Cape Technikon Harry had a license to dig up wild flowering bulbs and plants from the mountains around Cape Town “This was one of his great pleasures in life in the early days.” Harry and Peter ran the business together until 1987 when Harry retired at the age of 70 He retained an interest in the business till his death on July 18 He was the second last of the 16 siblings to die the Sunnydale branch of Harry Goemans Garden Centre was opened The land had been acquired in March 1990 to be used as a propagation nursery to supply the Bergvliet branch that closed in 2007 were part owners of the nursery along with Peter until they purchased his share in 2000 built the building blocks for the nursery building himself using a block-making machine the nursery stretched over a 1200m² and today covers +- 4000m² Pat inherited money from him and invested it in setting up a concrete works behind the nursery that makes paving slabs Henry and Pat sold the business to their eldest son in March 2018 but retain ownership of the property Harry and Dora had 12 grandchildren and currently have 8 great-grandchildren “He always wanted his name to continue in the nursery business through his son and grandson and eldest grandson who carry on the business in his name five generations later,” Mr Fenn said Last Updated on 8th May 2024 by Sophie Nadeau A leafy and rather residential town with little by way of tourist attractions Hillegom still manages to make its way onto tourist itineraries thanks to its enviable proximity to tulip fields in the Dune and Bulb region (known as the  Duin- en Bollenstreek in Dutch) Best visited in April when the tulips are in full bloom here’s a guide to the best things to do in Hillegom The name Hillegom itself is actually a derivation of the name Hijlighem (an Old Frankish word for “Holy Home”) which is an abbey that has since ceased to exist the main mode of transportation in Hillegom and the surrounding region was via canals and streams and these waterways remain to this day Hillegom was home to the largest collection of Ford Cars (over 200 from pre WWII) in the form of Den Hartogh Ford Museum Hillegom is home to a population of just over 22,000 residents and much of the town’s industry is focused around growing bulbs The best time to visit Hillegom is undoubtedly in April when all of the tulips are in bloom When visiting during this time of the year do be sure to bring a rain jacket and umbrella as April showers are frequent and it’s not unusual to experience several seasons in one day The main church in Hillegom is dedicated to Saint Martin and the first church on site was constructed in the latter half of the 19th-century the town’s population grew too quickly for the size of the church on account of how quickly the bulb industry was growing and so a new church was built The original Saint Martin’s Church was expanded and the ensuing renovations were completed in 1926 Saint Martin’s Church is open between 9 AM and 4 PM and lies close to Hillegom’s town centre and restaurants in Hillegom are concentrated on one main high street which runs through the very heart of the town from the Saint Martin’s church all the way to a canal Hillegom is filled with two storey red brick houses One of the best parks in town is Juliannapark and is where several tulip borders are planted during spring One of the more unusual shops in Hillegom is the Puzzle shop which is located just a stone’s throw away from Juliannapark This niche store sells all kinds of amazing jigsaw puzzles and there’s everything from easier 100 piece puzzles to puzzles with over 1000 pieces If you want to take Instagram-worthy snaps together with props while in the Dune and Bulb region, you would be well served by heading to The Tulip Barn an attraction around fifteen minutes on foot from the centre of Hillegom the Barn is much quieter and off the beaten path than Keukenhof leading to a more relaxed experience where you can see tulips close up and admire their natural beauty you’ll also see plenty of beautiful tulip fields The Barn is also very close to genuine tulip fields- just don’t walk through any private fields and be respectful of farmers’ land! Purchase your Tulip Barn ticket here in advance. Located on the road between Hillegom and Bennebroek, Annemieke’s Picking Garden can be visited via public transport on the Bus 50 which runs between Haarlem and Leiden you’ll need to catch a train from Amsterdam Centraal The stop is Bethlehemlaan and you can also reach the Keukenhof Gardens using the #50 bus Open during the springtime and easy to visit as an Amsterdam day trip the flower garden offers the chance to pick your own tulips and even bring some of the beautiful blooms home with you!  If you’ve learned anything during your research about the Netherlands it’s undoubtedly that many Dutch people get around using bicycles that many swathes of the country are incredibly flat If you want to cycle for yourself together with a local guide, and see the tulips at sunset, then consider taking this Guided E-Bike Tour at Sunset near Keukenhof. Though Keukenhof (literal translation Kitchen Garden) is actually technically located in the town of Lisse it is just a short drive away from Hillegom thus making Hillegom a great base for those looking to visit the largest garden in Europe The town is served by its own train station, which has direct railway links to Leiden Hillegom train station is around a fifteen minute walk from the centre then another option to reach Hillegom if travelling from Amsterdam is to take a train to Haarlme followed by a bus from directly outside of the station (the Number 50) to reach Hillegom Just be aware that you can’t use the same ticket for the bus and the train (so buy your tickets in two goes if using different modes of transportation for different stages of the route) If you’re in search of a comfortable stay in the heart of Hillegom then you should be sure to book yourself into Hotel Villa Flora (to be honest there aren’t a great deal of accommodation options around and this is one of the best but make sure to bring earplugs as the soundproofing in the hotel isn’t the best) they have rooms for 3 people so it’s a good deal if you’re travelling as a three The best part is that the hotel is so close to Keukenhof and there is also a restaurant onsite where you can enjoy a hearty meal without having to travel too far after a day of exploring There are several vegetarian options available, though the restaurant’s speciality is actually its grilled meats. Check prices and availability here. Enjoyed reading about the best things to do in Hillegom Sophie Nadeau is a full time travel writer and photographer focused on cultural experiences in Europe and beyond When she's not chasing after the sunset (or cute dogs she sees on her travels) she can be found reading I started this site back in 2015 with one mission in mind: I wanted to create useful travel guides with a historical and cultural focus Today it has blossomed into my full time job and together with a small team of writers (including my husband and sister) we craft articles to help you travel better throughout Europe © 2015- 2025 Sophie Nadeau. Nadeau Pasquier LTD. All Rights Reserved. solosophie participates in various affiliate marketing programs. solosophie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Privacy Policy Last Updated on 11th May 2024 by Sophie Nadeau The Tulip Barn is dedicated to all things tulip related Located on the fringes of a little town in the Netherlands by the name of Hillegom the majority of the Tulip Barn is actually an outdoors location This is essentially a place where you can take ‘Instagram-worthy’ photos surrounded by swathes of tulips and indulge in the spectacle of vibrant colours in full bloom One of the best places to visit tulips in the Netherlands The Tulip Barn is open daily from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM during the tulip season which is typically late March – early May the Tulip Barn will open from the 29th of March to the 28th of April Tulip season has arrived much earlier than normal in the Netherlands and so while the barn was meant to be open until May the 12th The Tulip Barn is located just outside of the village of Hillegom which is a small residential town situated in the Western Netherlands The suggested way to get there is actually via public transport or by bicycle, as there are limited parking spaces. Just a 25 minute train from Amsterdam to Hillegom and then it’s a short 15-20 minute walk to the Tulip Barn you can take the cycle route through the picturesque Bollenstreek area Much of the Netherlands is flat so cycling or by foot is an idyllic way to soak up the surrounding flower fields before you reach the main event The Tulip Barn is a relatively new flower experience which only opened in 2021 the family behind this tulip treasure trove have been in the business of tulips for over a century Ruigrok Flowerbulbs history dates all the way back to 1880 when Willem Ruigrok started a small flower bulb nursery in De Zilk which today is the heart of Holland’s flower bulb district Carolus started his own bulb business in 1910 at the age of 20 Together they built two warehouses and soon began exporting products in Europe the bulb business reached its 6th generation of Ruigroks’ in 2018 Ruigrok Flowerbulbs is one of the Netherland’s largest growers and exporters of flower bulbs daffodils and tulips over a whopping scale of 300 acres the business pride themselves on their sustainability and use of over 2,600 solar panels The Tulip Barn was an addition to the family business and opens up the opportunity for people to learn more about their growth as a company as well as experience the Dutch delights of tulips for themselves General admission to the tulip gardens costs €8.50 adult (12+). We actually bought our tickets on arrival, but if you prefer to you can book your ticket online in advance through their official website people spend between 45 – 60 minutes visiting depending on whether you stop by the cafe for a refreshment or bite to eat (which I highly recommend!) Boasting of over 750,000 flowers which consist of 175 varieties of tulips this breathtaking sight is sure to amaze all those who visit The best part of this particular tulip garden is that you are allowed to walk through the tulips Most tulip fields in popular tourist spots actually have signs saying please keep out of the fields pick the flowers as this is someone’s livelihood The purpose of this tulip garden is to offer an interactive experience where visitors can fully immerse themselves in the vibrant blooms of colour and take photographs For those looking for that ‘Instagrammable’ shot at The Tulip Barn they have placed various colourful objects (a car heart shaped bench etc.) which compliment the flowers and allow you to get that perfect snap one of my favourite aspects of visiting The Tulip Barn was the quirky café set within a greenhouse beside the flower field This cosy café serves a variety of hot and cold drinks and delicious food Offering a tranquil spot to sit and relax in once you’ve got your fill of tulips you can relax with a light refreshment while enjoying the tulip themed decor The weather in the Netherlands is quite hard to predict, but generally speaking the Amsterdam tulip season tends to be from late March to early May, meaning that the best time to visit would be in mid-April. For an exact idea on which tulips are blooming and when, I recommend checking this website You should also know that the weather can change fairly quickly and so you’ll want to bring waterproofs and shoes that do well in rain with you, as even the clearest of days can turn rainy fairly fast. If you have to plan your trip well in advance, aim to visit mid April to be able to see the tulips Enjoyed reading about how to visit The Tulip Barn When she’s not curled up on the sofa with her newest knitting project (and Rico her cat!) you can find her out and about on long walks Currently living in the magical city of Edinburgh she looks forward to travelling and seeing more of the world