Billed as one of the hottest events of the floral calendar in The Netherlands, Floriade 2012, is certain to be a hit amongst flower and gardening enthusiasts with more than 2 million visitors expected to attend on coach holidays including 100,000 from the UK alone. You could say that Floriade 2012 is the Oberammergau of the floral scene as it only happens once every ten years. With that in mind, we thought we would take you on a step-by-step guide so when Floriade 2012 begins you’ll know everything there is to know about this amazing floral experience…
When is it?
Floriade 2012 takes place once every ten years from 5th April to 7th October 2012 and this year the event takes place in Venlo, Southern Netherlands.
What is Floriade 2012?
Floriade 2012 began in Rotterdam in 1960 and is much more than a garden festival and flower show, it’s an international event with more than 100 participants – countries, businesses and horticultural companies – from around the world.
What can you expect to see?
Floriade 2012 is a spectacular journey of discovery across five uniquely themed worlds to include:
Relax & Heal
Learn how horticulture enriches our mental and physical well-being through stimulating the senses
Green Engine Shows
How we can harness the power of horticulture to deliver real and lasting benefits in sustainable energy and the environment
Education & Innovation
How horticulture can be used to promote knowledge and how this can be shared between society
Environment
Here you’ll find out how important it is to bring green into the city both indoors and outdoors
World Show Stage
Enjoy spectacular music, dance and theatre events, sample gourmet food and wine at a variety of restaurants/cafes
What else is there?
Floriade 2012 is a state-of-the-art showcase for the latest trends in gardening, horticulture and the environment, with
countless innovative attractions and activities awaiting your visit. You’ll find exquisite flowers, plants and trees from all four corners of the world, presented across landscaped gardens in a beautiful natural forest setting. Admire stunning architecture, glasshouses and international pavilions and enjoy a daily programme of music, dance, theatre and visual art. Walk along a thematic route together with a Guide or enjoy a bird’s eye view of the park from the 30 metre high cable car system – the highest in The Netherlands!
How can I get there?
You can get to Floriade 2012 by car, coach, ferry and Eurostar. There are a wide variety of Floriade 2012 coach tours available that allow you not only to visit Floriade 2012 but to also visit other locations within The Netherlands such as Amsterdam, Valkenburg and Arnhem as well as visits to popular attractions such as Dutch Bulbfields coach tours to Keukenhof Gardens and Holge Veluwe National Park to name but a few.
Are you planning to visit Floriade 2012? If so, we’d love to hear what you thought about the event on your return home. Are you visiting any other garden and flower shows?