April is the time when spring is starting to get warmer. Flowers are starting to bloom and the birds are singing. Nature has awakened. It is the time of Easter where we commemorate the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ. It is a perfect time to Explore the Nature and Culture in The Netherlands when the crowds have not arrived yet. And the temperature is pretty nice. We highlighted some of the top reasons you should visit The Netherlands in April.
Visit the beautiful flower bulb fields
In the western part of Holland, between Haarlem and Leiden lays the Dutch Flower Region where you can see millions of bulbs growing tulips and other flowers in many different colors.
It is not allowed to walk through the bulb fields since those are owned by the Bulb growing companies (flower farmers). It is their daily job.
In Lisse, the Keukenhof Gardens shows beautiful flowers such as tulips, crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths etcetera from mi-March to mid-May. The Keukenhof Gardens attracts more than a million visitors from all over the world every year. With good reason: with 32 hectares it is the world’s biggest bulb-flower garden.
Since the Keukenhof Gardens are closed for visiting due to the Coronacrisis, they opened a “virtual Keukenhof” showing the flowers in several video’s and blogs.
For more information, check the Keukenhof website.
Watch the newborn Lambs
Most of the lambs are born in March but it can still be quite cold visiting the sheepfolds. However a lot of Dutch people do since a lot of sheepfolds open their doors for visitors to see the newborn lambs frolicking in the meadows. Many sheepfolds organize so-called lambs-days. A lamb-day is sort of a maternity visit for lambs, which farms give for their newborn lambs. On this day you visit your new lambs with your children, as it were, and you participate in a variety of activities.
There are several sheepfolds scattered across The Netherlands which are worth visiting. Think of places like Heerde and Elspeet in The Veluwe region, the Reden sheep flock near Arnhem. In Ruinen or (Drenthe) you will find the only sheep flow with horned sheep. To the South you can visit the flock in Epen in Limburg. And in North Holland, there’s a nice sheep flock on the isle of Texel.
At some of the sheepfolds you can adopt a lamb for a small amount of money that gets the name you have chosen. You will receive a birth announcement card and can come and cuddle as often as you like.
Listen to Classical Passion Concerts
April is the time of Easter. It is the time where we commemorate the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ. This world-changing historical fact depicts the misery of man and the goodness and greatness of God. Many famous componists wrote musical masterpieces about those events in Jerusalem.
It’s a Dutch tradition that in many places in the country during the Easter period many classical concerts take place. Johann Sebastian Bach’s beautiful Matthaus passion and the Johannes passion with their beautiful arias are impressively performed. Or Händel’s Messiah. In concert halls but also in many churches.
Since all concerts are cancelled it is a good idea to explore online. A lot of artists are putting their performances on their websites and on Youtube.
The Dutch Bach Society traditionally gives a concert every year in the church of Naarden and is considered one of the best performances of Bach’s music. They recorded a lot of Bach’s music which you can listen for free on their website. and on their Youtube Channel.
Celebrating King’s Day
On the 27th of April King Willem-Alexander of Orange-Nassau celebrates his birthday. This day is a National holiday and almost everyone in the country participates somehow. Think of flags, decorated streets, parades, and brass bands.
Every year, the Royal family visits a different city in the country where the King and his family are welcomed and a lot of activities are organized. In most cases a tour through the city. Visiting local details and cultural things. In 2019 the festivities were organized in Amersfoort and in 2020 the city of Maastricht is host to the Kingsday Celebration. However, unfortunately, everything was canceled due to the corona crisis.
Apart from the organizing city it’s important to notice that all major cities in The Netherlands are organizing festivities and concerts. In most of the major cities there’s a lot to do for everyone.
Corona Crisis
Since due the Corona Crisis almost all activities and destinations are closed for visit, you might wonder; why post a blog about it anyway? Well it’s a pity that it is not possible to visit those beautiful places or enjoy the events but we hope to welcome you in The Netherlands as soon as it is possible again. In the meantime we will share reasons why you should Explore The Netherlands.
