Full Bloom: Why Ought to You Cruise within the Netherlands and Belgium Throughout Tulip Season?

Reds bleed into pinks, purples complement blues, and oranges meet fiery golds. Every year, from mid-March to mid-Might, the Netherlands and Belgium grow to be drenched in pure colors. Such is the sensible great thing about tulip season. The vibrancy of the colours is purpose 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 Competition, on April 21, April 28 and Might 5, in 2026. Amsterdam provides technique to Dutch city Harlingen, adopted by futuristic Dutch metropolis Rotterdam, medieval Belgian metropolis Bruges, and Belgium’s trendy Antwerp. Every of which can be adorned by tulips, to various levels, right now of yr.

“Our tulip season itinerary has the identical attraction 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 reap the benefits of our vary of shore excursions, from culinary and biking to in fact, tulip backyard visits, it’s a beautiful technique to expertise this pleasant area.

For these questioning why these neighboring nations are so intertwined with tulips, the reply is of their mild climates. That’s as a result of they’re hardly ever too chilly, hardly ever too sizzling, 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 Fort, and Koningskieldrechtpolder. Some will be explored by bike, others on foot, and lots of enable guests to handpick their very own tulips, for a value.

“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 modern vibe. And, unique to Windstar, from Amsterdam we’ll take you to a tulip farm the place you’ll be able to decide your personal tulips and produce 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 another European nation, don’t overlook its array of different alluring actions, landmarks and points of interest. 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 info

• 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 obtained its identify from the Turkish phrase for turban and, to today, there’s an annual Istanbul Tulip Competition each spring.
• Tulips have been launched within the Netherlands within the 16^th century and the Dutch have been besotted: In accordance 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 modifications with their colours. White tulips signify forgiveness, respect, purity and honor. For a very romantic gesture, ship a bouquet of purple tulips as a substitute of roses; each point out romantic love. An orange blossom factors to vitality and enthusiasm and purple, thought of 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 as a result of 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 triggered 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 broaden the Netherlands empire.

Tulip season hotspots: 

This would possibly 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 a whole lot 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 Competition.

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, the town’s seemingly countless canals. Exploring by foot will expose you to the vices famously peddled in Amsterdam. Odor 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 services per capita than another metropolis, in keeping with a current examine. 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 without doubt one of the most generally learn books in historical past.

Simply 600m east of Anne Frank Home lays the town’s magnificent essential 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 15^th century church, De Nieuwe Kerk, which now hosts exhibitions on historical past, artwork and pictures.

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 special continent. Whereas Amsterdam is low rise and brims with heritage buildings, Rotterdam has a lofty skyline spiked by gleaming towers, which makes it extra intently resemble a contemporary metropolis within the US or Australia.

The explanation for that is quarter-hour of bloody bedlam. On Might 14, 1940, on the peak of WWII, the historic metropolis of Rotterdam was all however erased by a really temporary but catastrophic bombing marketing campaign by the Nazis. Over the next a long time 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 actually 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 food regimen to devour a caramel stroopwafel whereas sat beneath a shady sycamore tree in Rotterdam’s beautiful Het Park. Then erase these energy by hitting the pavement. Be a part of Windstar’s structure tour to witness the hyper-modern attraction of Rotterdam Centraal station, and the pleasing extravagance of Market Corridor, which from outdoors appears 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 17^th century has produced Delft Blue, a extremely sought-after type of earthenware, which options delicate blue patterns on white ceramics. At Royal Delft, Windstar visitors can go to this metropolis’s final Delft Blue retailer, known as Porceleyne Fles, to do a manufacturing facility tour, and expertise a ceramics lesson.

Antwerp

Antwerp’s fortunes have lengthy mirrored that of its port. When it turned a hub of maritime commerce within the 14^th century, this Belgian metropolis blossomed, with seamen touchdown right here to be dazzled by Antwerp’s stately look. These days, Antwerp’s port is just not solely the second-busiest in all of Europe, however the metropolis nonetheless makes an impression by way of its structure.

As cruise ships method this Belgian metropolis, alongside the calm Schelt River, visitors witness an avant-garde marvel spawned by a genius. The Antwerp Port Authority constructing was transformed from a derelict hearth station right into a brash constructing that melds heritage with the innovative. One of many best architects in historical past, Iranian-British star Zaha Hadid selected to renovate the charming previous station, after which construct a sharp-angled, big glass field on high. It’s a becoming technique 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 a whole lot of blossoms personal a splendid backdrop, including color to the manicured gardens of this 17^th-century Antwerp mansion turned artwork museum.

Tulips bloom in better numbers at close by Hortus Conclusus, which suggests “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 attractive. Many non-Europeans are responsible of lumping this continent’s cities collectively, labelling all of them as beautiful. However there are ranges to such magnificence, as Antwerp makes patently clear. It’s simple to seek out your self wandering round staring, in appreciation, on the elegant Neoclassical and baroque structure that adorns this splendidly well-preserved metropolis.

Biking is an effective way to discover the town. Much like the strolling excursions supplied by Windstar, the biking adventures reveal downtown Brussels’ best points of interest. Don’t miss locations embody the lavish Grand Place plaza, the Gothic marvel that’s the Cathedral of our Woman, Antwerp’s historical Het Steen fort, and the futuristic MAS Museum, which focuses on the town’s historical past.

Driving excursions, in the meantime, stray additional afield, to the Royal Fort of Laeken, King Boudewijn Stadium, the Centenaire exhibition halls, and Brussels’ quirky Atomium, a museum designed to resemble a molecule.

Bruges

Many cities include UNESCO World Heritage websites. However only a few cities are so exceptional that their total 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 material as this has advanced over the centuries.”

Bruges’ medieval metropolis is pierced by canals, linked by cobblestone streets, and enhanced by a whole lot of memorable brick Gothic buildings. Initially it was protected by 12^th 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 places. However for a very spectacular expertise, take a day journey 50 miles’ east to the spacious grounds of Groot-Bijgaarden Fort, the place tens of 1000’s of tulips showcase throughout its annual Floralia Brussels, from April 3 to Might 3. Or head 40 miles’ east to the huge tulip fields of Koningskieldrechtpolder in Meerdonk.

Past the Tulips

Belgian beer is nearly as alluring as Bruges itself. So it is sensible to pair them, as Windstar does throughout its tour to this metropolis’s long-running Bourgogne des Flandres brewery. At this downtown facility, visitors be taught this firm’s distinctive course of for mixing younger and previous beers to provide its two sorts 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 significant assortment of Flemish primitive artwork. And a canal cruise by way of Bruges’ iconic waterways affords a recent perspective on this beautiful 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 by way of 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 seek out the Northeast passage by 16^th century seamen Willem Barentsz, who froze to demise within the Arctic, however whose ship stays right here.

Tulip season hotspots

Close to to Harlingen is the most important 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 tourists in comparison with the Netherlands’ high tulip spots, the world’s largest, steady space of flowering bulbs. Discipline after discipline, blossom after blossom, hue after hue, this can be a place tailormade for pictures, and for burning indelible reminiscences.

Past the Tulips

Tiny? Sure. Irrelevant? By no means. Harlingen punches a number of courses above its weight on the subject of points of interest. In actual fact, a lot in order that this tranquil city on the Netherlands’ central coast is linked 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 marvel, 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 is just not solely the world’s oldest such facility, courting to 1920, however guests can enter this still-functioning facility to find out how its hydraulic powers pump away extra water, and forestall 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, in fact, 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, slightly scientists or college researchers.