Every tulip lover's dream is Keukenhof in Netherlands. Mine too! Infact there were organized day trips from Brussels to Keukenhof. However that would include 6-7hrs bus travel in 1 day which would be just too stressful for Atyudarini. May be next time. Hunting for the next best tulip festival, I came across this happening in this very city - Floralia Brussels!
This was happening in Groot Bijgaarden and Castle, located a bit farther to Koekelberg from city centre. The architecture of the entrance across a moat with an impressive bridge - In the first instant it definitely reminded me of Eltham Palace. This was built in 17th C CE. The bridge with 5 arches is the first stunner, followed by the 30m tall, 4 storied tower with 3m thick wall and then the main castle. All 3 are accessible till date. Following this is a spectacular huuuuge 14 ha garden (again reminding of Eltham Gardens!). Right now, when Keukenhof is in full bloom, so is Groot Bijgaarden!!!
The best thing I did was to reach there at its opening hour, coz by the time I was returning, the entire car park was filled and the crowd was too much! As soon as I entered, I was tempted to climb the tower, but then, since there weren't many people at that time, I decided to head directly to where most of the flowers were.
Just behind the tower, was a this charming, wooden bridge across a canal and beyond it was this heart shaped arrangement of red tulips. Further ahead was my favourite spot - rainbow valley! There were multitudes of tulips and several other flowers in several colors! Best part 2 geese and a.............. BLACK SWAN!!!!! Call me ignorant, I didn't know Black Swan existed!!! It a species that's originally from Australia and has been introduced in UK & Europe.
From there the next spot was the French Garden with tulips in rectangular arrangement. Further ahead from there was the cafeteria. Picnic isn't allowed in the garden (except for small babies like Atyudarini who cannot by any rules, lolz!), but the food & drinks variety here at the cafetaria is really good. The Cheese cake was divine. Beside it is the indoor arrangement. The floral arrangement around old horse carts was just exquisite.
Behind this was the maze! Honestly, it was a let down. When I saw the maze in the map, I was really expecting a human height or atleast waist high vegetation. Sadly it was on the ground. Tulips arranged like a maze, on the ground.
After walking about for some more time (the peacock had lost its sheen by the time we visited!), I was back at the tower. This has 4 floors and each floor has a beautiful floral arrangement by Sebastien Dossin, which very much reminded me of Flower Time, Brussels.
It wasn't very big and cannot be compared to the tulip fields of Keukenhof, but this is the best place to go in Brussels. Overall, it was a day well spent, esp., for Atyudarini, who we left on the ground behind the cafeteria. She did, totally enjoy the sun and the colorful blooms!!!
To Get There:
On Google Maps: Groot Bijgaarden & Castle
Nearest tram & railway station: Groot Bijgaarden
While the railway/tram station is located 750 mts from the entrance, the bus stop is located just opposite to it.
P.S: I was invited by Floralia Brussels to experience the city for review purposes, however the opinions are my own and this post does not to advertise the product/service.
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Oh, so there is some "Tulip activity" in Brussels. I was always thinking it is in Netherlands. Heh, Now I hope my boss will send me there again soon, so I can take pictures of all the tulips.
ReplyDeleteA picture perfect place! A great place to commune with nature, reflect and just walk. BTW, I would love to do landscape photography here!
ReplyDeleteFlowers always make me happy. And flowers festival are a delight for my spirit.
ReplyDeleteFloralia Brussels reminded my a little bit of FloraArt, the flowers exhibition in Zagreb, Croatia where I used to live.
Stunning pictures! Tha parks in Belgium are one of my favorite things and you had such a nice sunny day while visiting. I will keep this in mind for future visits:)
ReplyDeleteGlad to know about this festival. Nice frames.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to a Tulip Festival. Thanks for sharing the post on your trip to Brussels Tulip Festival. In my country, India; there is one such Tulip festival in Kashmir, which just concluded on the 15th of this month. I am planning to go for that next year.
ReplyDeleteNothing says spring has sprung than seeing tulips! I love these flower festivals in Europe, they're always so bright and colouful. Floralia looks like a great place to visit, and with a family too.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea there were tulip fields like this in Belgium! We try to visit our local one near Seattle, but this one is absolutely gorgeous! I'd love to bring my kids to Floralia for a family photo shoot!
ReplyDeleteOh wow...a trip like this has been on my bucket list for a long time. I love your photos, and it makes me want to go right now!
ReplyDeleteI just love flower fields like this! I had no idea there were tulips in Belgium! This is another reason Brussels is moving further up my bucket list!
ReplyDeleteTulip is one of my favorite flowers and this festival looks absolutely amazing! The vibrant tulips landscape looks surreal and picture perfect. I bet you guys had wonderful time out there!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, this is beautiful! I have heard of the one Netherlands but not this one. It's so fun sometimes when you discover an event close by that you didn't know about. And this is something I would love to experience. We do have something similar here in California too, in San Diego. Maybe someday I will get to see the tulip fields too.
ReplyDeleteWhile this may not be as grand as sight as the sprawling tulip fields of Netherlands, the location does impart a certain fairy tale like quality to your photos. I like the ones with multi colored tulips in the frame. This also reminds me that I need to visit Kashmir, for a Tulip experience closer home.
ReplyDeletehappy to read your articles, specially with pictures that you taken while travelling. thanks for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteWow, I would definitely love to get close to these beautiful belgian tulip if I get the chance. The good thing was that, it wasn't that crowded when you went in this beautiful garden. I would love to amble around this garden and embrace the refreshing feeling that it can provide. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteI have heard about this place but never been there. The garden looks so beautiful with tulips everywhere. The color is so colorful and brings the spring feeling. Would love to visit this festival one day.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. I will try to go there in future.Thanks for sharing this information.
ReplyDeleteRegards
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I love flowers particularly these tulips. I would be so happy like a kid to visit this place. Looka like your kid enjoys it too and have his cute pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear tulips, the image of windmills and endless tulips gardens in the Netherlands is immediately conjured. Nevertheless, it's really interesting to see that there's a festival dedicated to this beautiful flower in the neighbouring country of Belgium, so I would love to have the opportunity to visit and admire the flora there as well.
ReplyDeleteI am loving this post it reminds me of Bollywood romantic films straight out from 1970s. I will tell about this fest o my brother who will be staying in Brussels for a prolonged time. Absolutely beautiful and I like both the mixed colored one and those areas also where all flowers are of same color.
ReplyDeleteawesome traditional full of nature post sharing
ReplyDeletegreat clicks. Beauty captured.
ReplyDeleteI have read your blogs many times and I must say, every time I read it I get a good piece of information. Belgium is beautiful place to visit, One of my friends going to attend Devoxx Belgium 2018
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