From sights to flowers - a trip to Lisse

Longing for flowers

The violets finally bloomed in Poland. They scattered in the grass as densely as the accompanying modest daisies. Beautiful magnolias also bloomed, delighting the eyes and noses of people passing by, not to mention the lush yellow forsythia. If, despite this, flora lovers feel unsatisfied, they can nourish all their senses with a visit to a place that fully deserves the term "flower kingdom". Where is this mysterious place? Nobody should be surprised by the answer: in the Netherlands, the country of tulips. The sea of flowers that awaits us stretches out in Lisse, a town about 35 km from Amsterdam.

From the Polish-German border, Lisse can be reached in less than 7 hours (if we pass it in Frankfurt (Oder)). The route is simple and pleasant - all the time along the international route E30.

The proud capital of Brandenburg - Potsdam

On the way to the city of flowers, we meet Potsdam . The cultural, historical and tourist center in Brandenburg, Germany, will dazzle you with the splendor of Baroque mansions and Classicist buildings. The beauty and value of the local monuments can be seen in the fact that the Potsdam cultural landscape was entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990. The complex on the list includes the Pavia Island and its palaces, as well as the Sanssouci park and palace complex, Babelsberg park with an astronomical observatory, Neuer Garten, and the Sacrow palace and park complex and the Church of the Savior. This is only a fraction - the world heritage includes 150 buildings from the period 1730-1916 and extends over 500 hectares of parkland.

A stroll through Potsdam's historic downtown is a delight for architecture enthusiasts. In the Old Market Square you will find the royal stable, which now houses the Film Museum. Speaking of films, it is worth mentioning that Potsdam is home to the largest and oldest film studio in Europe, Babelsberg - it has produced over 3,000 cinema and TV films. They can be visited from March to October.

In addition to the historic buildings, Potsdam impresses with its beautiful city gates. Being here, you must see the Brandenburg Gate, which is a monumental triumphal arch, and the Nauean Gate, built in the English neo-Gothic style. It is also worth paying attention to the 16-meter obelisk depicting the main Potsdam architects (Schinkel, Gontard, Persius and Knobelsdorff). Immediately behind the stable, in the New Market Square, there is a magnificent House of Brandenburg-Prussian History, established in a former carriage house. The aforementioned New Market Square is one of the best-preserved baroque squares in Europe and the most beautiful market square in the city.

Brunswick

You have to go on with a slight dissatisfaction. The next stop on the way to Lisse is Brunswick . He can also take pride in the splendor of historic buildings - tourists are delighted by the Huneborstel and Veltheim houses at the Castle Square, not to mention the magnificent, monumental St. Marcin, which will attract the attention of everyone, not only a fan of the gothic style. The Romanesque Dankwarderode Castle, which houses a branch of the Prince Anthony Ulrich Museum, is also beautiful. Visitors can see there, among others an original bronze sculpture of the Lion of Brunswick and a rich collection of medieval art.

Not necessarily as beautiful as the Church of St. Martin, but noteworthy even for its age, Cathedral of Saints Blaise, John the Baptist and Thomas Becket in Braunschweig - one of the oldest temples in the city (from the 12th century). In its cathedral, a group of gothic sculptures from the 13th-16th centuries has been preserved, and in front of the altar there is also the historic tombstone of Henry the Lion and Matylda Plantagenet.

The Campingplatz-Winsen (Aller) is located in Winsen, about an hour from Braunschweig . This is a place where 2 people who came with a motorhome will spend the night for 17.50 €. The area is very picturesque. The River Aller meanders right outside the camp site and hectares of the Lüneburg Heath, a region of moors, forests and meadows stretches around. 10 km away is a true gem of German campsites and a paradise for nature lovers - the huge Camping Park Hüttensee . As the name suggests, it is located in a large park. Accommodation for 2 people is a bit more expensive (18-20 €), but the heathers grow here exceptionally abundantly, and tourists have access to a swimming pool with a sandy beach. They can go fishing for hours and practice water sports such as sailing , surfing and canoeing .

Lisse in the sea of flowers

The last stop is the Dutch Lisse and its main attraction - Keukenhof. It is over 60 years old, the world's largest flower bulb garden and the only place where you can see more than 7 million tulips , daffodils and hyacinths . Over 32 hectares spread 7 impressive gardens, between which there are 100 wonderful works of art from glass, bronze, metal and stone . In 2013, the main theme of the garden is inspired by Great Britain, so visitors can see, among others a flower mosaic depicting Big Ben and the Tower Bridge. Keukenhof is the most beautiful spring garden in Europe, which blooms with millions of flowers each year in huge colorful compositions. Visitors are stunned by the richness of plant species, the colors shimmering in the eyes, and the aroma floating in the air. The garden is only open when the tulips are blooming, that is in spring.

In case of bad weather, you can admire flowers in modern pavilions. The seas of tulips and other plants flourish here, including anthurium, hipeastrum, hydrangeas and giant orchids. In Lisse itself, there is the Museum voor de Bloembollenstreek (Museum voor de Bloembollenstreek), also worth exploring. Like Huys Dever, a restored 14th-century castle, and Keukenhof Castle, which can be visited all year round.

Lisse is small but cute. It is worth coming here, even for a romantic weekend among flowers. You will never forget this aromatic trip.