Reds bleed into pinks, purples complement blues, and oranges meet fiery golds. Every year, from mid-March to mid-Could, the Netherlands and Belgium change into drenched in pure colors. Such is the sensible great thing about tulip season. The vibrancy of the colours is cause sufficient to plan to go to within the Spring.
Which additionally helps illuminate Windstar’s 7-day Tulip Season in Holland & Belgium journey aboard Star Satisfaction, departing from Amsterdam, house to the annual Amsterdam Tulip Pageant, on April 21, April 28 and Could 5, in 2026. Amsterdam provides method to Dutch city Harlingen, adopted by futuristic Dutch metropolis Rotterdam, medieval Belgian metropolis Bruges, and Belgium’s fashionable Antwerp. Every of which can be adorned by tulips, to various levels, presently of yr.
“Our tulip season itinerary has the identical enchantment as a river cruise,” says Ricky Trautwein, Windstar’s product supervisor for western Europe. “The cruise is per week lengthy, and your ship is a floating resort that transports you to every port of name. Whether or not you’re planning to discover independently or make the most of our vary of shore excursions, from culinary and biking to after all, tulip backyard visits, it’s a beautiful method to expertise this pleasant area.
For these questioning why these neighboring nations are so intertwined with tulips, the reply is of their light climates. That’s as a result of they’re hardly ever too chilly, hardly ever too scorching, and near the coast. These give tulips an amenable house and watch them blossom.
The perfect-known tulip fields are Keukenhof and Lisse. Situated halfway between Amsterdam and the Hague, these neighbouring areas boast actually thousands and thousands of tulips and are simply accessible. So, too, are the Dutch tulip spots of Noordoostpolder, Overijssel and Kop van Noord-Holland, and the Belgian fields of Groot-Bijgaarden Citadel, and Koningskieldrechtpolder. Some might be explored by bike, others on foot, and plenty of permit guests to handpick their very own tulips, for a worth.
“What actually shocked me is the number of cities – from the super-modern Rotterdam, to Belgium with its French influences,” Trautwein tells me. “Ghent was once one of many energy home cities again within the day, a college city, and it’s super-cool to see the way it mirrors each its grand historical past and its up to date vibe. And, unique to Windstar, from Amsterdam we’ll take you to a tulip farm the place you’ll be able to choose your individual tulips and convey your bouquet again on board. I can’t wait to return to Belgium and the Netherlands at any time of the yr.”
Whichever time you go to the Netherlands or Belgium, there’s a lot else to see
And right here’s the factor about cruising on this a part of Europe: Whereas Belgium and the Netherlands are famed for its tulip experiences, that are unsurpassed by every other European nation, don’t overlook its array of different alluring actions, landmarks and sights. In Amsterdam, spectacular artwork galleries, majestic metropolis squares, splendid parks, charming canal neighbourhoods, and a rare trove of greater than 600 museums, together with the world-renowned Rijksmuseum.
Belgium, too, has myriad interesting attributes past its tulip shows. Antwerp seduces with its chocolate, beer, artwork galleries and heritage fort, whereas Bruges, with its medieval splendour, feels as if AI (synthetic intelligence) was requested to concoct a picture-perfect, old-world European metropolis.
Right here’s our rundown on what to know, see and do in Belgium and Netherlands’ ports of name – whichever time of the yr you go to.
First, some tulip enjoyable details
Tulips didn’t originate in Belgium or the Netherlands. As a substitute, the flower grew in Central Asia, as a wildflower and, extra particularly, got here from Turkey. It bought its title from the Turkish phrase for turban and, to at the present time, there’s an annual Istanbul Tulip Pageant each spring.
Tulips had been launched within the Netherlands within the sixteenth century and the Dutch had been besotted: In keeping with the College of Oxford, “the introduction of tulips to Holland within the latter a part of the sixteenth century coincided with the style for the newly emergent center and higher courses to maintain gardens.”
Tulips have cultural significance, symbolizing love, new beginnings and rebirth – and their that means adjustments with their colours. White tulips signify forgiveness, respect, purity and honor. For a really romantic gesture, ship a bouquet of crimson tulips as a substitute of roses; each point out romantic love. An orange blossom factors to vitality and enthusiasm and purple, thought-about extravagant as a result of the colour’s die was so costly, evokes royalty.
Amsterdam
Antwerp’s demise earned Amsterdam a prize. Amsterdam started as a fishing village within the 1300s, grew right into a small metropolis throughout the 1400s, after which boomed from the late 1500s because of the misfortune of Antwerp, which Spanish forces seized in 1585. The Dutch responded to Belgium’s disaster by blocking entry to its personal busy port. This induced most of Antwerp’s maritime commerce to shift to Amsterdam port. Amsterdam exploded in measurement and wealth throughout the next centuries, as Dutch ships departed its port on world missions to increase the Netherlands empire.
Tulip season hotspots:
This may shock you: Large fields of tulips aren’t discovered within the metropolis of Amsterdam and but you gained’t go with out as a result of do get planted within the metropolis heart in gardens, pot vegetation, on windowsills. Vibrantly colourful blooms adorn enterprise and embellish Amsterdam’s verdant parks, such because the one mile-long Vondelpark, the place lots of of shiny tulips sprout beside its fairly ponds and plush lawns. And don’t miss the Bloemenmarkt, a floating flower market; it’s house to the Amsterdam Tulip Pageant.
Past the tulips:
Amsterdam is designed to be pierced by boats and traversed by bicycles. But it is usually very walkable, because of its greater than 1,500 bridges, which make sure you’ll stride over, not into, town’s seemingly countless canals. Exploring by foot will expose you to the vices famously peddled in Amsterdam. Scent the pungent smoke wafting from its distinctive marijuana cafes, and witness escorts standing behind home windows in its red-light district.
However Amsterdam isn’t nearly tulips, intoxication, and titillation. The Dutch additionally cherish creativity. Which explains why Amsterdam has extra cultural amenities per capita than every other metropolis, in response to a current research. The colossal Rijksmuseum, seemingly Europe’s fifth-largest museum, relays the story of 800 years of Dutch historical past and artwork, and showcases work by Dutch masters like Vermeer, Rembrandt and Van Gogh.
The latter pair have their very own devoted museums, too, with Van Gogh’s set inside his stately former house. As does Anne Frank, the Jewish woman whose tragic diary of her household’s two years hiding from the Nazis in an Amsterdam house is among the most generally learn books in historical past.
Simply 600m east of Anne Frank Home lays town’s magnificent fundamental plaza, Dam Sq.. Right here vacationers can enter the magnificent Royal Palace Amsterdam, the place the Dutch royal household hosts galas and world leaders. In addition to its hulking fifteenth century church, De Nieuwe Kerk, which now hosts exhibitions on historical past, artwork and images.
Rotterdam
How a lot can change within the area of simply 35 miles? A large amount, it seems, as exemplified by Rotterdam, which is that very same distance from Amsterdam, but feels prefer it’s on a unique continent. Whereas Amsterdam is low rise and brims with heritage buildings, Rotterdam has a lofty skyline spiked by gleaming towers, which makes it extra carefully resemble a contemporary metropolis within the US or Australia.
The explanation for that is quarter-hour of bloody bedlam. On Could 14, 1940, on the peak of WWII, the historic metropolis of Rotterdam was all however erased by a really transient but catastrophic bombing marketing campaign by the Nazis. Over the next many years it was rebuilt in a brand new picture, which Rotterdam embraced by investing in hyper-modern structure.
Tulip season hotspots
Much like Amsterdam, the streets and parks of Rotterdam are flecked by tulips throughout their season. However really memorable blankets of blossoms can solely be admired in its surrounding countryside. Tulips abound on Goeree Overflakkee, a sparsely populated island wealthy with meadows and seashores, some 12 miles south of Rotterdam. In the meantime, hectares of tulip fields dazzle guests to Noordwijk, a serene coastal city 20 miles to the north. Keukenhof and Lisse, in the meantime, are solely barely additional away.
Past the tulips
Pause the weight loss plan to devour a caramel stroopwafel whereas sat beneath a shady sycamore tree in Rotterdam’s pretty Het Park. Then erase these energy by hitting the pavement. Be a part of Windstar’s structure tour to witness the hyper-modern enchantment of Rotterdam Centraal station, and the pleasing extravagance of Market Corridor, which from exterior seems to be like a gray, metallic area station, and but inside has a playful inside drenched in color and swirling patterns.
Rotterdam can also be the gateway to one of many Netherlands’ most revered exports. Simply to its north is the small metropolis of Delft, which for the reason that early Seventeenth century has produced Delft Blue, a extremely sought-after type of earthenware, which options delicate blue patterns on white ceramics. At Royal Delft, Windstar company can go to this metropolis’s final Delft Blue retailer, known as Porceleyne Fles, to do a manufacturing unit tour, and expertise a ceramics lesson.
Antwerp
Antwerp’s fortunes have lengthy mirrored that of its port. When it grew to become a hub of maritime commerce within the 14th century, this Belgian metropolis blossomed, with seamen touchdown right here to be dazzled by Antwerp’s stately look. These days, Antwerp’s port isn’t solely the second-busiest in all of Europe, however the metropolis nonetheless makes an impression through its structure.
As cruise ships strategy this Belgian metropolis, alongside the calm Schelt River, company witness an avant-garde marvel spawned by a genius. The Antwerp Port Authority constructing was transformed from a derelict fireplace station right into a brash constructing that melds heritage with the leading edge. One of many biggest architects in historical past, Iranian-British star Zaha Hadid selected to renovate the charming outdated station, after which construct a sharp-angled, large glass field on prime. It’s a becoming method to crown Belgium’s profitable port.
Tulip season hotspots
Rubenshuis is the epitome of high quality over amount. It could not have the huge tulip fields many vacationers covet, however every April its lots of of blossoms personal a splendid backdrop, including color to the manicured gardens of this Seventeenth-century Antwerp mansion turned artwork museum.
Tulips bloom in higher numbers at close by Hortus Conclusus, which implies “enclosed backyard” in Latin. As much as 5,000 tulips, consisting of greater than 100 varieties, blanket this walled backyard, alongside Antwerp’s good-looking St George’s Church.
Past the Tulips
Antwerp is just beautiful. Many non-Europeans are responsible of lumping this continent’s cities collectively, labelling all of them as pretty. However there are ranges to such magnificence, as Antwerp makes patently clear. It’s simple to search out your self wandering round staring, in appreciation, on the elegant Neoclassical and baroque structure that ornaments this splendidly well-preserved metropolis.
Biking is a good way to discover town. Much like the strolling excursions supplied by Windstar, the biking adventures reveal downtown Brussels’ most interesting sights. Don’t miss locations embody the lavish Grand Place plaza, the Gothic surprise that’s the Cathedral of our Woman, Antwerp’s historic Het Steen fort, and the futuristic MAS Museum, which focuses on town’s historical past.
Driving excursions, in the meantime, stray additional afield, to the Royal Citadel of Laeken, King Boudewijn Stadium, the Centenaire exhibition halls, and Brussels’ quirky Atomium, a museum designed to resemble a molecule.
Bruges
Many cities comprise UNESCO World Heritage websites. However only a few cities are so outstanding that their whole historic centre earns UNESCO standing. Bruges is one such metropolitan unicorn. UNESCO calls Bruges an “excellent instance of a medieval historic settlement, which has maintained its historic cloth as this has advanced over the centuries.”
Bruges’ medieval metropolis is pierced by canals, related by cobblestone streets, and enhanced by lots of of memorable brick Gothic buildings. Initially it was protected by twelfth century metropolis partitions, the stays of which now embody ramparts, 4 hulking gates, and a water tower.
Tulip season hotspots
Bruges has no elite tulip recognizing areas. However for a really spectacular expertise, take a day journey 50 miles’ east to the spacious grounds of Groot-Bijgaarden Citadel, the place tens of hundreds of tulips showcase throughout its annual Floralia Brussels, from April 3 to Could 3. Or head 40 miles’ east to the huge tulip fields of Koningskieldrechtpolder in Meerdonk.
Past the Tulips
Belgian beer is sort of as alluring as Bruges itself. So it is smart to pair them, as Windstar does throughout its tour to this metropolis’s long-running Bourgogne des Flandres brewery. At this downtown facility, company be taught this firm’s distinctive course of for mixing younger and outdated beers to supply its two kinds of beer.
Key sights to see in Bruges embody its medieval metropolis heart, which is a UNESCO World Heritage website, its Markt (Market Sq.) and the Belfry of Bruges, the place you’ll be able to climb its tower for a panoramic metropolis view. Groeningemuseum options six centuries of Belgian visible arts, together with a serious assortment of Flemish primitive artwork. And a canal cruise by means of Bruges’ iconic waterways affords a recent perspective on this pretty metropolis.
If beer isn’t your factor, don’t fret; Bruges can also be well-known for its chocolate and waffles, and alternatives to expertise these types of the culinary arts can be found through shore excursions and impartial exploring.
Harlingen
You virtually want a magnifying glass to identify Harlingen on a map of Europe. This Dutch city of about 15,000 folks is tiny in comparison with the opposite ports on this itinerary. But Harlingen captivates with its rollicking maritime historical past, effectively preserved structure, picturesque New Willemshaven harbour, and quick access to the Netherlands’ distinctive Wadden Sea.
At that latter port, the place cruise ships dock, guests can admire towering tall ships and historic vessels utilized by famed Dutch explorers. Echoing throughout their decks are engrossing tales of daring expeditions. Such because the three unsuccessful missions to search out the Northeast passage by sixteenth century seamen Willem Barentsz, who froze to dying within the Arctic, however whose ship stays right here.
Tulip season hotspots
Close to to Harlingen is the largest steady flower bulb space on the planet. Named Kop van Noord-Holland, this hall of fertile land is flanked by Ijsselmeer Lake and receives a mere smattering of holiday makers in comparison with the Netherlands’ prime tulip spots, the world’s largest, steady space of flowering bulbs. Subject after discipline, blossom after blossom, hue after hue, this can be a place tailormade for images, and for burning indelible reminiscences.
Past the Tulips
Tiny? Sure. Irrelevant? By no means. Harlingen punches a number of courses above its weight in the case of sights. Actually, a lot in order that this tranquil city on the Netherlands’ central coast is related to not one, not even two, however three UNESCO websites.
Instantly offshore lies the Wadden Sea, the world’s largest unbroken system of intertidal mud and sand flats. This UNESCO surprise, which is house to seals and porpoises, stretches greater than 400km (about 250 miles) north from right here to Denmark, previous fauna-rich estuaries, neat seashores, huge salt marshes, and dramatic dunes.
UNESCO additionally protects Woudagemaal, about 20 miles south of Harlingen. Granted, a steam pumping station could not sound notably thrilling. But Woudagemaal isn’t solely the world’s oldest such facility, relationship to 1920, however guests can enter this still-functioning facility to learn the way its hydraulic powers pump away extra water, and stop its surrounding areas from flooding.
A lot nearer to Harlingen is one other UNESCO website, Franeker Planetarium. Some 4 centuries in the past, this extraordinary creation fell out of the sky. Not actually, after all, or this heavy, mechanical scale mannequin of the photo voltaic system would have dug a trench within the Dutch city of Franeker, 3 miles east of Harlingen. Moderately, this ingenious creation arrived on this planet as a shock, again in 1781. It was a shock as a result of it was constructed by a wool producer, moderately scientists or college researchers.
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