Open Garden Days (Open Tuinen Dagen)

From 18 Jun 2009 to 20 Jun 2009

19 - 21 June 2009. Completely hidden behind every canal-facing stately house in Amsterdam's old quarter lie enormous secret gardens waiting to be discovered. Many of these gardens are hugged together by very old trees and lily filled ponds. Their collective serenity provides a surreal and beautiful escape from the city outside. The gardens however only open once a year, for three days, with the added twist that, as they can only be accessed via the 30 or so houses, visitors are allowed a glimpse into the owners' homes! This event has been happening for 20 years and all the proceeds go to the continued restoration of these venerable oases of greenery.