“Come again during springtime and your eyes will be dazzled to see our landscape coloured by the blooming tulips,” the owner of a souvenir shop in Amsterdam, the Netherlands said to me many years ago when I was buying some ceramic tulips as gifts for family and friends back home in Australia.

As it was winter then, I had to be satisfied seeing Netherlands’ most loved blossom in photos, paintings and artworks. However, the shopkeeper’s comment seeded in me a desire to visit the country at least one more time to see flowering tulips in fields and gardens.

The word “Dutch” evokes images of slim, tall and vibrantly-coloured houses overlooking a network of canals or waterways spread across the landscape, with bicycles filling the streets and idle windmills standing as silent witnesses of the past.

Additionally, coffee shops that offer “something” other than the traditional coffee, tea and pastries, as well as a variety of cheeses contribute to this list. These characteristics can be enjoyed year-round in many Dutch locales, but the optimal time to witness the stunning display of tulips is during the two-month period in spring, starting at the end of March.

Everyone rides bicycles in big Dutch cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Making a return

After nearly 20 years since my first visit I returned to the land of windmills, this time ensuring my trip coincided with spring. Arriving in early April, I was delighted to find the Netherlands adorned with a multitude of bright, blossoming flowers – tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.

In cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, I found them in large pots in city squares, in floral beds in parks, in ceramic vases decorating hotel lobbies, and, of course, at stalls in flower markets.

The Bollenstreek region, conveniently situated near Amsterdam and other cities like Rotterdam, Haarlem, Leiden, The Hague and Delft, is said to be the premier destination in the Netherlands for viewing tulips in expansive fields and gardens, as depicted in photographs. This area is home to the Keukenhof Gardens, recognised as one of the largest and most renowned spring gardens in the world.

Spanning 32ha, the estate is open for only six to eight weeks each spring, typically from late March to mid-May, and attracts approximately 1.4 million visitors annually. These folks come to experience a breathtaking display of over seven million flowers, predominantly tulips of various types and colours.

The garden is also in proximity to several tulip fields and farms, where the vibrant tapestry of blossoms promises to enchant all who behold it.

The windmills of Kinderdjik, a World Heritage Site, have been around since the 19th century.

Although tulips are now emblematic of Dutch national identity and significantly contribute to the economy through exports, they are actually not indigenous to the region.

Brought in from Turkiye during the Ottoman Empire in the late 16th century, when the Netherlands was establishing itself as a global trading power, the flowers’ vibrant colours and elegant shapes distinguished them from other European flowers. This captivating appearance intrigued botanists, aristocrats, and art enthusiasts, paving the way for a cultural phenomenon.

The legacy of tulips in the Netherlands persists today, as they remain one of the country’s most iconic symbols. Their role in festivals, tourism, and international trade underscores their enduring influence.

And Keukenhof serves as a testament to this lasting heritage.

Tulips were originally brought to the Netherlands from Turkiye during the Ottoman Empire.

Garden of colours

My visit to this garden was truly unforgettable, as the remarkable array of bulb flowers filled the air with a unique fragrance and presented a stunning display of colours that perhaps can’t be seen anywhere else in the world. I was particularly impressed by the organisation of the floral exhibition, which was well-managed for visitors.

A dedicated bus service from the Leiden train station ensured smooth access to the garden, even amid large crowds. Inside, facilities such as restrooms and cafes were conveniently located, and friendly ushers were available to assist with inquiries and provide directions, although a garden map was distributed upon entry.

Instead of Amsterdam, this time I stayed in neighbouring Rotterdam to see Netherlands through 21st century eyes. During World War II, this second largest city of Netherlands was almost reduced to rubbles by the German warfare.

However, one suburb fared better than the rest – Delfshaven, where visitors go to check out traditional Dutch architecture.

I obtained an excellent view of the cityscape by ascending the 185m-high Euromast Tower, a prominent landmark in the city. From this elevated position, I observed the 800m-long Erasmus Bridge, which spans the Nieuwe Maas River and links the northern and southern sections of the city.

There’s also the bustling port – reputed to be the largest in Europe – filled with large container ships, and a skyline of ultramodern skyscrapers.

Rotterdam cityscape.

Rotterdam’s modern architecture is marked by unique and innovative structures, notably the Markthal, a market hall that has luxury residential apartments within it, and the curious Cube Houses, designed to resemble a village of trees.

The city also boasts a variety of world-class museums, with the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen being particularly captivating to me, as it is the world’s first art storage facility. As a fan of Rembrandt, I was fortunate to discover one of his rare artworks concealed among the racks in the storeroom.

A significant factor for my stay in Rotterdam was its closeness to Keukenhof and the Unesco World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, where I had the opportunity to see 19th century windmills proudly lining the waterway in a rural environment as enduring symbols of Dutch heritage.

I felt like I was transported back from a time of modernity to olden days when these windmills were the source of energy for the Dutch land.

Travel notes

How to get there: Malaysia Airlines codeshares with Qatar Airways and British Airways for flights to Amsterdam. Alternatively, you can get on the airline’s direct flight to London or Paris, and make your way to Amsterdam/Rotterdam from either city via train.

Where to stay: The Usual Hotel (the usual.com), which reflects the city’s modern approach.