The service, to around 750,000 passengers per year, is currently provided by approximately 1,000 Axxicom Airport Caddy employees under a contract with the branch of Facilicom Groepin place since 2003 and set to continue until early 2028.

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Reduced mobility assistance is described in a statement by Royal Schiphol Group’s Chief Operating Officer Patricia Vitalis, as “a vital and growing service” and “important work that affects large numbers of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s passengers.” The press release praises Axxicom for its “impressive care, skill and dedication for over twenty years.”

After forecasts of “significant further growth in the numbers of passengers requiring such assistance in the coming years,” Vitalis said the hub has “decided to take on this responsibility … taking over the organisation and making it part of our daily practice.”

Promising to work with Schiphol to ensure a “careful transition focused on continuity: for passengers, for the services provided and last but not least, for our workers,”Vincent Kas, Managing Director at Axxicom Airport Caddy, said its staff’s services were valuable because of their “knowledge of the work, but above all, patience and an ability to put people at ease.”

The “timing, fulfilment and handover” arrangements are still to be confirmed, with continuity of service a high priority and regular updates planned, the press release said, but employment protection agreements are already in place between Schiphol and Facilicom Groep, meaning “all Axxicom Airport Caddy workers are assured of a job,” the statement said.

Both Schiphol and Facilicom Groep said they will be consulting closely with unions, one of which, Dutch FNV, was an organisation that previously had actively campaigned for internal contracting of the mobility assistance service to bring an end to third-party contracting for core roles and ensure standardized working conditions.

The move comes amid demographic data showing an ageing European population and changing travel behaviours—factors that mean the number of passengers with additional mobility requirements is increasing over time. The shift to internal provision and control typically reduces disruptions linked to vendor procurement cycles and external corporate issues and is likely to make it easier for Schiphol to trial and roll out innovations, such as the WHILL Autonomous Mobility Service self-driving wheelchairs currently being piloted at the hub.

L’article Amsterdam Schiphol to bring reduced mobility assistance in-house by 2028 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Dutch government and the Dutch railway operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen are gathering their forces this summer in order to offer customers a train promotion that is hard to resist. For two months only, travellers can benefit from an unlimited rail subscription for just €49 per month, which can be used on all trains except for Eurostar, Nightjet, ICE Frankfurt, and ICE Berlin services.

“For €49 per month, you can travel endlessly throughout the Netherlands during off-peak hours. From Groningen to Middelburg and from Maastricht to Den Helder, the Netherlands lie at your feet,” the Nederlandse Spoorwegen said in a statement.

The special subscription is called Nederland Dal Vrij and allows travellers to take a train during off-peak hours. This includes Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and from 6:30 pm to 6:30 am, as well as during weekends from 6:30 pm on Fridays until 4:00 am on Mondays. The Nederlands Dal Vrij offer normally amounts to €127.95 a month but is thus temporarily discounted to €49.

However, travellers who want to take advantage of the full two months will need to hurry up. Only subscriptions purchased before 1 July 2026 can benefit from two full months at the discounted tariff. Afterwards, the offer stands for one month before being upgraded to the normal €127.95 price. For example, when purchasing the Nederland Dal Vrij on 15 July 2026, travellers enjoy the €49 offer until 14 August. Afterwards, the €127.95 applies. A one-month subscription can be bought until 31 July 2026 at the latest.

The subscription can only be combined with a so-called personal OV-chipkaart, a smartcard that needs to be used when entering and leaving the train station and which allows travellers to either use a pre-paid subscription or to travel with a pay-and-go formula. The card can be ordered at the same time as the Nederland Dal Vrij offer and will be delivered within five working days. When doing so, customers can choose when the subscription starts.

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When travelling with kids, it is good to know that children up to 11 years old travel for free with the Nederlandse Spoorwegen using a so-called Kids Vrij subscription.

Moreover, travellers who want to combine rail travel with a car journey can take advantage of the summer offer at one of the Nederlandse Spoorwegen’s 270 Park & Ride locations. From 21 June 2026 until 31 August 2026, parking amounts to a maximum of €2 a day. The promotion only applies when travelling with the Nederlandse Spoorwegen using a personal OV-chipkaart.

The Netherlands aren’t the only European country to offer discounted fares during the summer of 2026. Germany has installed the Super Sparpreis Last Minute initiative, while the Spain Rail Pass and the BritRail Great Britain Pass offer alternative ways to discover the countries’ numerous sights.

L’article The Netherlands launches €49 monthly pass for unlimited train travel this summer est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The proposals form part of a coalition agreement presented by Amsterdam’s new municipal government, which argues that while tourism remains a vital economic driver, visitor numbers have reached levels that increasingly affect the quality of life of those living in the Dutch capital.

The measures come as Amsterdam continues to grapple with record tourism figures despite years of efforts to control visitor growth.

Tourist tax to become Europe’s highest

Amsterdam already charges one of the highest tourist taxes in Europe. Visitors staying overnight currently pay a tax equivalent to 12% of their accommodation costs, while day visitors arriving by cruise ship are also subject to a separate levy.

Under the new proposals, the tax would increase to 16% in 2027 and then rise by one percentage point each year until reaching 20% in 2030.

According to the coalition agreement, visitors should contribute more towards the costs associated with managing tourism.

“Amsterdam remains an attractive destination for visitors from all over the world. Tourism contributes to the city’s economy, but at the same time places significant pressure on public spaces, quality of life and municipal facilities,” the document states.

City authorities say additional revenue generated through the tax increase would be invested in maintaining public spaces, improving safety and enhancing the living environment for residents.

Cruise ships face uncertain future

Among the most significant proposals is the planned closure of Amsterdam’s cruise terminal.

The coalition agreement states that the city wants to “end the option to reach Amsterdam by sea cruise” and will explore alternatives in consultation with regional and national authorities.

Amsterdam has already taken steps in recent years to reduce cruise tourism, which many residents and policymakers view as contributing disproportionately to overcrowding and environmental pressures while generating relatively limited economic benefits compared to overnight visitors.

If approved, the closure would mark one of the most decisive anti-cruise measures adopted by a major European city.

Transforming the city centre

The new coalition also wants to reshape Amsterdam’s historic centre by purchasing buildings and buying out businesses in order to diversify activities and reduce the area’s dependence on tourism.

Authorities are further considering increasing the entertainment levy paid by canal boat operators, tour boats, canoes and other vessel rental companies, ensuring that day visitors contribute more towards the upkeep of the city.

At the same time, the municipality plans to reduce tourism promotion efforts. Funding for Amsterdam&Partners, the organisation behind the internationally recognised “I amsterdam” brand, would be scaled back, while city marketing aimed specifically at attracting tourists could be reduced or discontinued.

The coalition says the objective is to create a “more balanced new visitor economy” that better reflects the interests of residents, businesses and local institutions.

Plans for Erotic Centre abandoned

The agreement also reverses one of the previous administration’s most controversial projects.

Plans to build a large Erotic Centre in Amsterdam Zuid have been scrapped. The project was intended to provide a safer working environment for sex workers, reduce criminal influence on prostitution and ease pressure on the Red Light District by dispersing visitors across the city.

Instead, the new government says it will focus on smaller-scale initiatives designed to relieve pressure on the city centre, although no further details have yet been released.

Long-running battle against overtourism

The latest proposals are part of a broader campaign against overtourism that Amsterdam has been pursuing for several years.

In September 2025, Travel Tomorrow reported on legal action launched by Amsterdam Heeft een Keuze (“Amsterdam Has a Choice”), a grassroots movement supported by 12 residents’ organisations. The group accused local authorities of failing to enforce the city’s cap on tourist overnight stays.

Amsterdam introduced a limit of 20 million overnight stays annually in 2021, becoming one of the first European cities to formally cap tourism. However, the threshold has been exceeded every year since.

According to municipal figures cited in the lawsuit, the city recorded 22.9 million overnight stays in 2024, a 3% increase compared with the previous year. Forecasts for 2025 suggest that figure could rise to between 23 and 26 million.

Residents involved in the legal challenge have argued that stronger action is needed, including higher tourist taxes and tougher measures against nuisance tourism.

Over the past five years, Amsterdam has already frozen new hotel developments, tightened short-term rental rules, reduced cruise traffic, introduced restrictions on tourist-oriented businesses and launched the controversial “Stay Away” campaign aimed at discouraging disruptive visitors.

Despite these efforts, visitor numbers have continued to grow.

Decision expected this month

The coalition agreement is scheduled to be debated on 10 June and will serve as the policy roadmap for Amsterdam’s municipal government over the next four years.

Individual measures will still require approval from the Amsterdam city council before they can be implemented.

If adopted, the proposals would represent some of the most ambitious tourism management measures introduced by any major European destination, further positioning Amsterdam at the forefront of the continent’s battle against overtourism.

L’article Amsterdam targets overtourism with 20% tourist tax and cruise terminal closure est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The 32 courageous passengers aboard the inaugural flight took 25 hours to travel from Amsterdam to New York. The Douglas C-54 Skymaster made refuelling stops in Prestwick, Scotland and Gander, Canada. Evert van Dijk captained the flight, and the mayors of Amsterdam and Rotterdam were among the passengers on this historic crossing.

Originally designed as a military transport aircraft during the war, the Douglas C-54 was later converted for civilian use. It remained in service until the late 1950s, quickly becoming a symbol of the new era of transatlantic travel.

Founded by a group of eight investors from the Dutch business and banking sectors at the end of the First World War, KLM (short for Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij voor Nederland en Koloniën, or Royal Dutch Airlines for the Netherlands and Colonies) was led by aviation pioneer Albert Plesman, often nicknamed “The Flying Dutchman”. Plesman became the airline’s president and oversaw its rapid post-war expansion and the development of its long-haul network.

During the German occupation, KLM could not fly from the Netherlands, but its West Indies division remained active. After liberation, the airline quickly rebuilt its operations and launched the Amsterdam–New York route using new aviation technology. This formed the core of its modern transatlantic network, which soon expanded to include Central and South America.

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KLM’s current CEO, Marjan Rintel, described the route as reflecting the “close ties between the Netherlands and the US for 80 years”.

“What began in 1946 as a groundbreaking connection has grown into a vital link for business travellers, tourists, and cargo traffic. For decades, this route has supported trade, investment, and cultural exchange, bringing people and economies on both sides of the Atlantic closer together.”

To mark the anniversary, KLM is hosting two exhibitions on both sides of the Atlantic.

A pop-up exhibition in Manhattan, running until 27 May, is taking place in the lobby of the New-York Historical Society. Among the objects displayed are vintage travel items and the original china once used on board the first flights, offering a glimpse into an era far removed from the plastic-wrapped sandwiches and disposable cutlery now commonly associated with economy-class travel. KLM has also unveiled a limited-edition Delft Blue miniature house modelled on the museum building itself.

Incidentally, KLM introduced economy class in 1952 in an effort to democratise flying. Members of the Dutch royal family have been spotted flying in economy. King Willem-Alexander is a fully licensed commercial pilot, and for over two decades, he secretly worked as a part-time co-pilot for KLM’s regional subsidiary, Cityhopper.

Meanwhile, the Dutch aviation museum Aviodrome has opened a new exhibition titled The PH-TAR and the Journey to the New World, where a carefully restored Douglas DC-4 awaits visitors. It was made to look exactly like the original 1946 service, painted in the PH-TAR livery. Visitors can even step inside the aircraft to experience the cabin as the first passengers did.

Today, KLM and Delta Air Lines jointly operate the route, offering up to four daily flights between Amsterdam and New York. Last year alone, nearly half a million passengers and over 17 million kilograms of cargo were carried on this route, underlining its continuing economic importance.

Aircraft have also evolved dramatically over the decades, from the iconic Boeing 747 to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which KLM now uses on many long-haul routes as part of its efforts to make flying more sustainable.

L’article KLM marks 80 years of transatlantic flights between Amsterdam and New York est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Under the new rules, advertisements promoting petrol and diesel cars, airline travel, cruise holidays and fossil fuel contracts are no longer permitted. Ads for meat products, including beef, pork, chicken and fish, have also been removed from public billboards and transport hubs. 

Amsterdam officials say the policy is intended to support the city’s target of becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and to encourage residents to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. The move builds on earlier environmental measures introduced by the Dutch capital, including restrictions on polluting vehicles and campaigns promoting cycling and plant-based diets. 

Environmental campaigners welcomed the decision, comparing it to earlier bans on tobacco advertising. Hannah Prins, a climate activist, said the restrictions could help reshape public attitudes over time, arguing that future generations may look back at such adverts in the same way people now view cigarette promotions. 

The ban was first proposed several years ago and formally approved by Amsterdam’s city council earlier this year, following growing pressure from environmental groups. Campaign organisation Reclame Fossielvrij, or Fossil Free Advertising, had long argued that advertisements encouraging high-carbon consumption conflicted with the city’s climate commitments. 

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Amsterdam is not the first Dutch city to restrict environmentally harmful advertising. Nearby Haarlem introduced a ban on most meat advertisements in public spaces in 2022, with the policy taking effect in 2024. However, Amsterdam is the first national capital to extend the restrictions to both meat and fossil fuel products on such a large scale. 

The measures have also sparked criticism from parts of the travel and advertising industries, which argue the policy limits commercial freedom and unfairly targets legal products. According to Deutsche Welle, travel industry groups previously challenged a similar advertising ban in The Hague, claiming it violated free speech and European trade law. A Dutch court rejected those arguments, ruling that public health and climate objectives justified the restrictions. 

Despite the controversy, city authorities say the policy reflects a broader shift in how governments approach climate action. Public advertising spaces across Amsterdam are now increasingly filled with promotions for cultural events, museums and local attractions rather than high-emission products.

L’article Amsterdam becomes first capital to ban public ads for meat and fossil fuels est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

This sprawling hotel and wellness centre stands on what was once a popular zoo. It is entirely possible that where guests now lay their heads at night or relax in the whirlpool during the day was once the very place where elephants were exercised or lions trained.

That all came to an end in 1989 when Thermae 2000 first opened. The zoo animals went their separate ways, and, instead, thermal spas, restaurants, wellness facilities, and, a few years later, hotel rooms took their place.

What did remain, and had to remain as it is protected by law, is a very large and impressive mammoth tree, one of the world’s largest, heaviest and oldest tree species. The new centre had to be built around the tree and, today, it still stands proudly among the state-of-the-art facilities.

A striking location above Valkenburg

The centre is located in the southern part of the country, just a 90-minute drive from Brussels, making it an easy escape for those seeking a restorative short break.

It is not only the oldest and biggest of its kind in the Netherlands but surely also one of the most distinctive in design.

Thermae 2000 resembles the eye-catching shape of a pyramid, which is fitting as it is perched on the Cauberg, probably the most famous “mountain” in the country, just outside the pretty and popular town of Valkenburg.

It was founded by two Dutch physiotherapists, Marcel Jaspars and Mijndert Verschuur, which seems appropriate because this is exactly the kind of place to head when body and mind are in need of some recharge and TLC.

When it came to naming the centre, the two men came up with a novel idea. They chose the first letter from their Christian names, M, and put them together to create MM, which, as every Latin scholar will know, means 2000 in Roman numerals, hence Thermae 2000.

The pair later went their separate ways but reunited a few years ago for a major staff reunion celebrating the centre’s 30^th anniversary.

Wellness on a grand scale

Today, the resort comprises just about everything needed for a relaxing getaway: a wellness centre, spa treatments, a four-star hotel and restaurants where guests do not even need to change for dinner, as dining in a bathrobe is perfectly acceptable.

The wellness facilities are second to none and include what must be the largest number of saunas on one site in the country. In fact, you could stay for a week, trying a different one each day, and still have several left to experience.

The largest and most popular is Infinitum, which comes with huge windows and splendid panoramic views over the unspoilt surrounding countryside.

But there is far more here than saunas, both indoor and outdoor. Guests can also indulge in a wide range of spa treatments, and whichever one is chosen, aching bones and tired muscles are likely to feel far less tense afterwards.

There is even a relaxation cinema where, for a relatively small extra charge, visitors can watch a nature-themed film while reclining in a massage chair.

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Signature treatments and loyal staff

As with much else about this lovely place, it is probably the friendly Dutch staff who truly make it what it is.

One good example is Patricia, one of the longest-serving members of the team, who has worked as a masseuse here for more than 30 years.

One of her specialities is the Lomi Lomi massage, likened to the therapeutic effect of waves rolling onto a Hawaiian beach. Guests are covered from head to toe in fragrant oil before being gently massaged for 50 minutes.

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Another option is the Lotus massage, also lasting 50 minutes, covering the front and back of the body as well as the face.

The newest treatment is the Japanese head spa, focusing on cleansing, soothing and revitalising the scalp. It uses specially developed products and a nourishing mask carefully massaged in before finishing with conditioner that leaves hair feeling supple and healthy.

Guests can choose a 45-minute treatment (€89.95), focusing on deep cleansing, steam therapy and a refreshing scalp massage, or a 75-minute treatment (€114.95) for a more extensive experience with extra attention to the back, neck, face and scalp.

For Patricia, working here is also a family affair, as her husband does the same work at the centre.

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Stay the night in comfort

While many visitors come only for the day, the experience may tempt them to stay longer.

Thermae 2000 has 74 rooms in total, including 14 wellness suites.

Some of the newest suites opened last year in what used to be office space. Those offices were relocated to make way for impressive guest rooms featuring their own infrared sauna, modern comforts and cracking views of the countryside and recently renovated gardens.

All rooms are connected to the wellness centre, allowing guests to meander around in a bathrobe all day. The spa does, however, have designated swimwear and nude days, so it is best to check in advance.

Another long-serving member of staff, Patty, who works in the wellness area, explains how the centre first came about and reveals a curious link with the past.

Patty, who joined five years after it opened in 1989, recalls that her uncle both worked as a lion tamer and actually lived at the zoo that once occupied the site.

Food, drink and Dutch hospitality

If the friendliness of staff like Patty leaves guests with a feel-good glow, so too will the food.

There are several places to eat, including Bread & Bites, which overlooks the pool and wellness area. Tasty dishes currently include butter chicken curry, crispy skin salmon fillet, pork tenderloin skewer, burgers and local specialities such as Flammkuchen with goat’s cheese.

It is an ideal lunch stop between treatments and activities.

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Close by is another eatery, slightly more sophisticated, called The Lounge Bar, which appears to be the evening choice for many guests.

Current offerings include veal fillet, aubergine-filled ravioli and zander fillet. There is also an excellent selection of beers and wines, and, considering the quality, prices are very reasonable.

For a quick bite or drink, there is even an on-site food truck.

Again, the welcoming staff make the visit even more memorable and are a credit to the owners. Near-perfect English is spoken throughout, and all information is also available in English, which may be useful for visitors from the UK looking for a short Benelux escape.

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More than just a spa break

Not everyone immediately thinks of the Netherlands for a holiday, while this modest country does not claim to rival the South of France or Tuscany, this resort undoubtedly has something unique to offer.

One particularly distinctive feature is the source of the many gallons of water needed each year to supply the pools. This is pumped from its own 381 metre deep thermal spring in the Cauberg, dating back thousands of years.

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Yet the owners do not rest on their laurels. While this former zoo has been a roaring success over the past 37 years, it continues to evolve.

The garden was redesigned last year, last June, the resort unveiled a fully renovated lobby along with 12 new luxury hotel suites, each with a balcony.

Time permitting, visitors should also explore nearby Valkenburg, where parking is free for the first hour and where they can currently enjoy Everyday People, local street art featuring life-size concrete sculptures of real people, running until 8 June. There are also caves and castle ruins nearby, making for an excellent day out.

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So, if you are looking for a short break this spring or summer and do not wish to venture too far from Belgium, Thermae 2000 deserves serious consideration.

It is unlikely to disappoint, not least because of the warmth of the welcome, with guests even offered a glass of bubbles on arrival.

L’article Thermae 2000: the remarkable Dutch spa resort with a wild past est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

“The carefully thought-out Terminal design Schiphol took experience of the traveller as a starting point. This perspective aimed to contribute to a sense of calm, helping travellers feel at ease; Art was introduced to complement the peaceful environment and to provide points of reference. Over the years, as the airport grew and became more complex, it received a n additional role. Today, art also creates meaning and gets people to think about the human aspect of the airport”, Schiphol Airport writes in a press release.

One of the better-known examples of art at the airport is the so-called Real Time clock by Maarten Baas, which has been part of Lounge 2 since 2016. The clock features hands drawn on in real time with a roller and paint by the designer himself, dressed in a pair of blue overalls. It is part of Baas’ Real Time series, artworks designed to point out the strangeness of measured, a project which dates back to 2009.

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The People’s Clock

Ten years later, Baas returns to Schiphol with yet another art installation. Just like last time, the designer put together a clock. However, contrary to his design from 2016, The People’s Clock was made with the cooperation of some 1,000 people.

“Thousands of people are involved in the clock. It’s a huge production and really the effort of so many people who did this behind the scenes. I don’t know any other example in which so many people for such a long time were concentrated on one place to make one artwork. So many people who are becoming, literally, time,” Baas explains in a docu about the process.

Not only does The People’s Clock show the passage of time, the project also demonstrates the power of cooperation. About 1,000 people, mainly airport employees such as security staff, baggage handlers, airline personnel, and cleaners, helped to make the piece of art become a reality. The volunteers were asked to move in sync in order to form the clock’s hour and minute hands. Meanwhile, a single person running a lap of the circular perimeter each minute forms the second hand.

The People’s Clock was filmed in real time at a hangar located at Schiphol, a process that took over 12 hours overall. In order to make sure that people stayed engaged, an array of activities was organised by the airport and its partners, such as yoga, silk-printing, games, meals, and workshops.

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Maarten Baas’ new art installation has been installed at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport’s Lounge 1. Measuring 250 x 250 x 250 centimetres, it will undoubtedly become an important point of reference for the millions of intra-European travellers going through the lounge every year.

L’article Schiphol Airport unveils ‘People’s Clock’ created with 1,000 participants est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The idea to revive ‘dusking’ or ‘schemeren’ came to van Heemstra while she was guiding a group of people on a night walk in Amsterdam. One of the participants said it reminded her of ‘dusking’, which she remembered doing on the farm where she grew up.

@nassy_b_ Moments that become beautiful memories. Stunning views and a lovely sunset Ditchling Beacon, UK #ditchlingbeacon #ditchling #sunset #london #travel ♬ Pt. 8: Starry dream. – Slowed Down – A. Blomqvist

After doing some digging through Dutch newspapers from the last century, the writer discovered that ‘dusking’ was popular in the country until the middle of the 20^th century. To put it concretely, at the end of the day, people gathered to watch the dusk settling over the landscape, as a way of winding down. That notion, however, faded over the years as life became more quick-paced, meaning people no longer had or took the time to watch the world go dark.

“It was a way of saving energy, but also, above all, a shared way of bringing the day to a close. A small rite of passage in which work was left behind and the evening’s rest began. An hour or so of neither producing nor consuming, simply sitting and watching the darkness fall, the boundaries blur, the day fade away and give way to the night,” Marjolijn van Heemstra writes.

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How to dusk

Since discovering the ancient practice, the writer has been trying to bring ‘dusking’ back through a series of events in the Netherlands and abroad. According to van Heemstra, it is a very simple way to take back control, while also being a small act of resistance in a culture that is all too often obsessed with efficiency. She also considers it a way to reconnect with and become aware of the nature surrounding us.

“People have a lot of problems focusing on things because there’s so much happening at once. But the crisis is much bigger for the world around us. If you don’t know a tree, even if it’s in front of your house, because you never take the time to look at it, you don’t mind it being cut. So, it’s about seeing things and trying to establish a relationship with them and then maybe caring for them,” she told the BBC.

So, how does one dusk? The only thing that is really essential to practice at home is a little chunk of time at the end of the day. A chair can bring a degree of comfort to the table, while some companies can give ‘dusking’ a social component. Especially when ‘dusking’ outside, it can be more enjoyable to dusk in nice weather, making it a little easier to stay in the moment. Now, all that remains to be done is breathe in, breathe out, and calm down while watching the world go dark.

L’article Dutch ‘dusking’ returns as people seek calm in a fast-paced world est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

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Keukenhof showcases around seven million spring-flowering bulbs, grown by more than 100 flower bulb companies. Over 500 growers present an enormous variety of cut flowers and pot plants in more than 20 flower shows. Every autumn, a team of around forty gardeners carefully plants millions of bulbs, arranging colours, patterns, and layers to create the park’s displays, making sure that visitors can enjoy a perfect blend of colours and textures throughout the season. 

The gardens cover 32 hectares in the province of South Holland, in the “Dune and Bulb Region” south of Haarlem. Castle Keukenhof, a 17^th-century estate at the heart of the park, provides a historic backdrop to the gardens, connecting visitors to the Netherlands’ long tradition of tulip cultivation.

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Keukenhof’s history stretches back to the 15^th century, when the land was part of the hunting grounds and kitchen garden for nearby Teylingen Castle. Herbs, fruit, and game were gathered for the castle kitchen, which is how the name “Keukenhof” (literally kitchen garden) came about. In 1641, a manor house called Keukenhof Castle was built on the estate, and the gardens were redesigned in the mid-1800s by landscape architects Jan David Zocher and his son Louis Paul Zocher in an English landscape style, with winding paths and open vistas. Keukenhof opened as a public flower park in 1949, with its first season in 1950 attracting over 236,000 visitors. 

Tulips, the flowers most associated with the park, have their own long journey to the Netherlands. Originally from Central Asia, they travelled through Persia and the Ottoman Empire before arriving in the Netherlands in the late 16^th century, largely because of botanist Carolus Clusius. Tulips became extremely popular during the early 17^th century, leading to the famous “Tulip Mania,” when rare bulbs were traded at very high prices. After this period, cultivation continued to grow, and the Dutch climate proved ideal for bulbs. Today, the Netherlands is the world’s centre for tulip breeding and trade, producing thousands of varieties and exporting them globally, a tradition that Keukenhof continues every spring. 

The park features more than 800 varieties of flowers across the 32-hectare site, including tulips, irises, lilies, daffodils, orchids and hyacinths. Among the highlights was the Tulip and Hyacinth Show at the Oranje Nassau Pavilion, held from 19 to 24 March, where Dutch growers presented their finest blooms, giving visitors a chance to see the rarest and some of the award-winning varieties.

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Keukenhof is open daily from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm until May 10, 2026. Tickets are best bought online in advance to avoid long lines, especially on sunny days, as Keukenhof can see up to 26,000 visitors per day. The park is located in South Holland, south of Haarlem and southwest of Amsterdam, in the “Dune and Bulb Region.” Visitors can reach it by car, bus, or a combination of train and shuttle, making it easy to plan a day trip.

The Netherlands’ long tradition of flower cultivation is highlighted in Keukenhof, while also marking the arrival of spring. The opening day brought a lively, colourful start to the season, and over the eight-week period, the gardens offer a constantly changing display of blooms. From early crocuses to towering tulips and carefully arranged floral patterns, the park provides visitors with a variety of sights and experiences throughout their visit. Curious when each flower reaches its peak? See the full schedule of blooming dates here to make the most of your visit.

L’article Spring arrives at Keukenhof with tulips in full bloom est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Netherlands’ highest administrative court overturned a 2024 government decision that aimed to limit annual flight numbers to 478,000. The cap had been introduced as part of a wider effort to reduce noise for residents near the airport and was expected to cut airport noise levels by around 15%.

According to the court, the government had not sufficiently justified the decision. It found that the measure failed to properly account for differences in aircraft noise levels and did not demonstrate clearly that the cap would actually reduce noise pollution. 

However, the court decided to keep a separate government measure limiting nighttime flights to a maximum of 27,000 movements. As none of the parties involved in the legal challenge contested this measure, it will remain in place.

Schiphol Watch is hopeful that this will cause a fundamental shift in how aviation noise and the rights of the local residents will balanced:
The question is no longer how many flights Schiphol "needs," but how much noise Schiphol is permitted to produce within legal limits.” 2/2

— The Aviation Environment Federation (@The_AEF) March 11, 2026

The ruling follows legal challenges brought by airlines, which argued the cap would severely impact operations at Schiphol and damage the aviation sector. At the same time, environmental campaigners and residents near the airport had pushed for stricter limits on flights due to concerns over noise pollution.

The debate over flight limits reflects a broader conflict in the Netherlands between environmental goals and the economic role of aviation. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is one of Europe’s busiest hubs, handling tens of millions of passengers annually and serving as a key international transit point. The airport has also announced long-term plans to invest billions of euros in modernising facilities, enhancing passenger comfort, and reducing emissions by 2035.

The court’s ruling comes after the Netherlands introduced a 2.9 percent increase in the air passenger tax, raising the basic fee from €29.40 to €30.25 to fund environmental and sustainable aviation measures, though critics say it could make flying more exclusive, affecting connectivity and the wider economy.

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