Real Life Fairy Tale Places
I’ve always been captivated by fairy tales, probably because I’m writing one myself right now. My mind is filled with images from Disney, Grimm, and The Arabian Nights. So, when I recently traveled to Europe, I was keen on visiting castles for some inspiration. However, what I ended up discovering were three other enchanting places that were not castles.
A Dream Come True
I’ve always dreamed of visiting the tulip fields and cycling through rows of vibrant flowers, imagining it would be just like a scene from a movie. Yet, I kept finding reasons not to go—be it money, time, or other commitments. But this year was different. After three of my friends were diagnosed with cancer and thankfully recovered, I realized life is fleeting. So, I packed up my husband and son and set off to Holland to finally fulfill my dream of cycling through the tulip fields!
Keukenhof Gardens
In the heart of the tulip fields lies Keukenhof Gardens. I thought, “Why not stop and see these gardens if we’re already going to the tulips?” Little did I know, Keukenhof Gardens are planted with over seven million spring bulbs, including tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and anemones. This place has been around since the 1600s and turned out to be even more awe-inspiring than the tulip fields themselves. While the fields are best viewed from above, the gardens are designed for visitors to wander and enjoy. With the sounds of running water, the faint fragrance in the air, and birds chirping, Keukenhof feels like stepping into another world. One tip: visit early or late in the day to avoid the crowds.
Hortus Botanicus Leiden
Located in Leiden, one of the world’s oldest botanical gardens, Hortus Botanicus has been around for five hundred years. Although small, it’s meticulously maintained, featuring ancient trees, medieval beehive replicas, and lush greenhouses. Walking through this garden is a slow process because it’s so beautiful. Leiden itself is rich in history, once home to the Pilgrim Fathers in the early 1700s and now bustling with university energy and cyclists.
Berlin’s Grunewald Forest
After our tulip adventure, we headed to Berlin, a city I hadn’t visited since 1991. Back then, it was full of old cars and rundown buildings. Today, it’s vibrant and lively. The highlight for me was discovering the Grunewald, a sprawling 3000-hectare forest on the city’s edge. This forest includes a ski slope, a toboggan run, and Berlin’s oldest palace, Jadgschloss Grunewald. The palace, situated by a lake, features an art gallery and a café. Walking through Grunewald Forest felt like stepping into a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Although the forest is free to enter and easy to reach by train, it can get busy on weekends.
Gardens Over Castles
I had set out to find old houses and fairy tale castles but ended up enchanted by beautiful gardens instead. These gardens, teeming with life, proved to be more magical and beautiful than any castle could be.
Reflecting on Your Fairy Tale Destinations
Would you prefer exploring a garden or a castle? What magical places are on your bucket list?
