Floriade 2012: Ode to flowers returns after 10 years

More than 100 participants will be bringing an ode to horticulture.

The park is made up of five unique worlds which are linked together by woodland. Here the most beautiful gardens and pavilions in the world can be admired for six months. Worlds in which you will constantly see, feel and experience nature in an ever changing way.

Global spectacle

Floriade is a global spectacle which dozens of countries will be taking part in again in 2012. Nations from every corner of the globe will be represented at the Floriade park.

Gaze in wonder at gardens from countries including China, Italy, Germany, Mexico and Thailand. The exhibit from Indonesia features various traditional buildings such as Balinese towers and a Javanese and a Sumatran house. A lake, a waterfall and paddy field are examples of natural elements typical of Indonesia that will be presented at the pavilion. Traditional Indonesian performances will be given in a small amphitheatre. All the participating countries will be contributing to the daily cultural program presented at Floriade 2012. So guests at Floriade 2012 can get to learn about other customs and rituals and be immersed in a melting pot of different cultures.

Five Unique Worlds

The Floriade park consist of five unique worlds. Environment is all about the importance of green in an urban environment.

The Dutch horticultural sector will be providing a stunning and thought-provoking welcome in its golden dome. A 360 degrees virtual tour will introduce you to the diversity and richness of horticulture in a unique way. A scintillating welcome that leaves you wanting more. The Environment Restaurant is located right at the water's edge and is the beach club at the Floriade Park. Here you can enjoy delicious dishes from the barbecue and heavenly cocktails. 

In Relax & Heal the central focus is on health and welfare. Rebalance your senses in the energetic garden, relax in a hot tub and enjoy some delicious food in an Oriental restaurant.

Green Engine centres on sustainability and the economic importance of horticulture. It will also be home to the greenhouse-style building Villa Flora. Here landscape gardeners will be demonstrating how a grey office can literally burst into life. Plus you can discover the story behind the towering tulip in the flower bulb pavilion.

In the world of Education & Innovation you can experience life as a bee and take a journey through the pavilion of the Netherlands Government. In the building, which resembles a seed, you are surrounded by flowing water, fragrant flowers, buzzing robots and bubbling test tubes. These are the laboratories of tomorrow.

World Show Stage features a stunning amphitheatre where you can enjoy spectacular performances. Floriade Boulevard runs along the imposing water garden of the World Show Stage. Revive your feet after a long walk by dangling them in the water and tuck into the delicious snacks and drinks.

Architectural icons Sustainable, innovative architectural eye-catchers as never seen before will be shown for the first time at Floriade 2012. The hypermodern Innovatoren and Villa Flora are the landmarks of the Floriade park. These buildings will remain behind as a legacy in Venlo GreenPark after the World Horticultural Expo has ended: a cutting-edge business park in natural surroundings.

The Innovatoren is the no. 1 Floriade icon all over the region and beyond. The 70 metre building towers above the North Limburg landscape. Visitors to Floriade will be the first people to use the Innovatoren; from April to October 2012 it will serve as the entrance to the World Horticultural Expo.

In this transparent glass edifice you will be absorbed by a unique world of flowers and plants. With its combination of state-of-the-art environmental technologies it is also a landmark of sustainability and the epicentre of the Cradle-to-Cradle philosophy. It will help to set the standard for sustainable building for years to come.

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