There’s really not much to say about this post beyond TULIPS! And WINDMILLS!
Okay, I lied. I actually do have more I want to say.
You know all those gloriously beautiful photos of a single perfect windmill surrounded by a perfectly-arranged field of tulips?
Yeah, it turns out that’s actually really hard to find.
So if you travel to the Netherlands expecting that scene everywhere you look, try not to be too disappointed when all you see are muddy, functional fields and awkwardly placed windmills surrounded by crowds.
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The most convenient place to see tulips is at the Keukenhof Gardens, which are located near Lisse (about thirty minutes outside Amsterdam).
You can take a train or a bus or a tour or a bike (if you’re feeling particulaly adventurous) to see the World’s Largest Flower Garden, but keep in mind that thousands of other tourists will be doing the same thing.
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At Keukenhof they tell you not to step on the grass, but go ahead. Break the rules a little (everyone else is).
Don’t step on the flowers, but tiptoe between the rows and smell the tulips, or hand your camera to a stranger and pose for a photo with someone you love (awwww…).
If you like your flowers with a side of solitude, then Keukenhof’s probably not the right place for you; luckily it’s easy to rent a bike and explore the fields of Holland all on your own.
When you’re done with flowers, though, you should head to Leiden, an adorably quaint Dutch town just a little south of the Keukenhof Gardens. They have two beautiful windmills within the city center that are surrounded by grass and boats (rather than tourists), as well as dozens of small cafes that are perfect for escaping the rain.
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{ 80 comments… read them below or add one }
Awww what a cute photo
I loved the Keukenhof gardens, I’d never seen anything of this scale before! Great macro shots opportunities 
We took so many macro shots… mostly because it was easier to get them w/o other tourists in the picture, lol.
I really really really want to see the flowers and the windmills. If all the postcards have that stereotypical photo – there MUST be a destination to see them. But the flowers are perfect and the couple hiding in-between them even cuter. Yes – I just called you two cute. Deal with it.
chrystal McKay recently posted: The Islands of Lace and Glass
That’s what I thought, Chrystal – but google totally failed me! I tried to figure out where in the Netherlands we could find those fields, but no one seemed to know. I guess everyone is keeping it a secret.
Oh I am so jealous. This is something I really wanted to do while I was in Holland. This is beautiful…
Jaime recently posted: 60 images from Tahrir Sq. after the historical announcement of Egypt’s new President.
It’s something we’ve wanted to do for years as well, so I’m glad the timing worked out for us to see the tulips!
Aww, that photo of you guys is really sweet!
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These pictures are absolutely gorgeous! I love how you captured the fields and the tulips up close. I have always wanted to visit the Keukenhof Gardens. Unfortunately, the last time we were in Holland was during a snowy November in Amsterdam and the only tulips we saw were at the flower marts. Thanks for the virtual tour.
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted: Iceland’s Blue Lagoon: The good, bad and the naked
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We lucked out on the timing; anything outside a two-month window and you can’t really see the fields in their full glory… but of course that means most tourists visit all at the same time. I think it was much more expensive when we visited, but seeing the tulips was definitely worth it!
That picture of the two of you in the tulips is ri-dic-u-lous. I literally said “Aww” out loud. #Crushinghard
Caanan @ No Vacation Required recently posted: Minds Blown by Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
Well, now you just made me saw awwwww as well. Thanks, guys.
Crowds or not, those flowers are amazing! Its like a carpet of color.
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted: Miltenberg Calling!
And the crowds actually weren’t too terrible; we just ducked into some fields and pretended we were alone when we couldn’t see anyone else.
That first photo is as pretty as, well, a picture! I lived in Holland but was only there in the fall and winter so I completely missed tulip season. Visiting during April/May to see the tulips, though, is totally on my bucket list.
Camels & Chocolate recently posted: The Adventures of Kiki & Coco
Were you studying abroad, Kristin? Fall and winter seem like the most unideal seasons to live in Holland.
I love that photo of you guys, you look so cute.
Ayngelina recently posted: Thoughts from a traveling spinster on her birthday
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What beautiful pictures! I did manage to see a windmill all by myself when I was near Amsterdam. But that’s probably because of the icy rain I stood in. I couldn’t even get a picture until I got back in the car and took it through the rain-spattered window, which actually turned out pretty neat. But I didn’t get to see flowers. These look beautiful.
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I bet there are some super cool windmills around that nobody but the locals know about. A lot of tours go to the same old windmills, but if you have your own car that would open things up a lot! Sad that you didn’t get to see any tulips though — maybe next time?
Who can resist all of those colors?! Gorgeous photography work. What a fun day!
Abby recently posted: Bliss in the city: Panama City Trump Ocean Club
It was a blast! Of course our camera battery ran out partway through, but that just meant we had more time to smell the flowers instead of just taking pictures.
When I saw the title of this post, I knew the photos were going to be gorgeous. I’m so jealous you were there for the tulips! My all time favorite flower.
Christy recently posted: Cinque Terre – A Photographer’s Dream
I think tulips are my favorite as well – they’re gorgeous, but best of all they don’t make me sneeze.
It’s been many years since I’ve been to Holland. However, I was there in the Spring and the Tulips were beautiful. Beautiful photos and a great reminder that I need to go back and visit!
Jeremy Branham recently posted: Find your freedom – where travel meets life
Spring is definitely the best time to visit! We’d definitely like to go back again, and maybe stay for Queen’s Day.
See, this is something I would love-love-love to see. It’s stunning! And your photo there is very adorable! And did I mention the colors are stunning? Since I’ll probably find myself in Holland at some point because of my friend who lives there….. When’s the best month for tulip sightseeing?
Ayelet – All Colores recently posted: Jerusalem’s Ice Festival – Fairy Tales on Ice
Thanks, Ayelet!! Spring is the best time to see the tulips – mostly the end of April and the beginning of May. You can still find tulips in the markets during other times of the year, but the Keukenhof Gardens are only open in the spring/summer and most of the tulip fields get cut in early summer.
Gorgeous pics! Would love to visit Holland when the flowers are in bloom. About windmills — can you believe that I only saw a couple of old windmills when I was there and that was from my seat on the train. My time there was too short – must go back.
We didn’t see many, either! We were actually quite stunned to find two beautiful windmills in the central area of Leiden.
Awww…there are people ruining that lovely shot of those tulips. Oh wait, it’s just you two. Nevermind.
Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted: The Creepily Peculiar White Temple of Chiang Rai
What were we thinking?!?
If I had a clue who the proper authorities were, I’d so turn you guys in for being on the grass.
That really is a great picture of the two of you, which begs the question as to how many instructions you had to give the guy who took it for you? Or did you just happen to luck into handing your camera to a semi-professional?
Steve recently posted: Begging for the Blue Fairy
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So. Gorgeous.
Loved the Netherlands in the fall, I think I would like it even better in the spring.
Dalene recently posted: Making Friends with the Genus Camelus
I’m sure the fall is amazing, but spring brings the tulips!
Love these photos! Tulips are some of my favorite flowers. And the picture of you two is really cute
Dani | Globetrottergirls recently posted: Life on the water: A floating village on Lake Tonle Sap in Cambodia
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As cliche as things like this are, I think they are so important to your understanding of culture there! I can’t wait to do this – even though I’m not sure the tulips will even be in season by the time we get there lol.
Erica recently posted: Guest Post: Provence Market Days
It’s sort of annoying that they’re only in season for a short time; it’s hard to see them unless you specifically plan a trip for that time.
Lovely photos! I totally agree. I visited Utrecht and Amsterdam last year and only saw one distant windmill the whole time. Hardly anyone was wearing clogs either. I was a little disappointed if I’m honest!
Arianwen recently posted: London south bank: a farewell to remember
Me too! Although the clogs look really uncomfortable, so I can sort of understand why most people don’t wear them anymore.
Amazing! This is one of the things I’ve always wanted to see. This year missed it by just a couple of weeks
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Masha (2away) recently posted: Someday we’ll own a Schrebergarten
Oh no! How frustrating to be so close but still not see the tulip fields.
This is so beautiful. I am going in August/September. Is there a season?
Jonathan Look, Jr. recently posted: Climbing Tonina
I think most of the fields will have already been cut by August, unfortunately. There still might be a few around, though, and you’ll almost definitely find some tulips in the flower market in Amsterdam. But yeah… that’s a little late for the tulip season.
Wonderful set of photos. Years ago I visited the Keukenhof Gardens and remember being wowed. The photos bring back good memories. Now if only tulips had a scent – what an experience that would be.
Leigh recently posted: My Favorite Hike in Boulder, Colorado – Between the Flatirons
On one hand it would be amazing if tulips had a scent… but one of the reasons I like them so much is that they don’t have a strong scent that makes me sneeze.
I fell in love with the pictures of denmarks windmills and tulips park from childhood from calendar posters. I wish i will be able to make it there in my lifetime. Great picture essay….very nostalgic of my childhood
Thanks, Robert – I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Wow! Look at the colors in those fields! I’ve been to the Kuekenhof three times, but always early in the season, when the fields are more white and yellow. Amazing!
Erik recently posted: Photo of the Day- Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Washington, DC
Wow, three times?? I can understand that, though – they’re absolutely beautiful, and I know we didn’t see all of the gardens while we were there.
Beautiful and colorful Tulips! It almost seems like a rainbow formed of Tulips!!
Wish you a happy Sunday:)
Arti recently posted: My Yatra Diary Goes International!
Isn’t it neat how the rows look like rainbows? That was one of my favorite parts.
I’ve been to the Netherlands so many times but never managed to get to Keukenhof – definitely an ambition. I have found some pretty windmills though
Love your tulip pics!
At least you found some nice windmills! Care to share where they’re located?
I love these photos – so much colour. My favourite is actually the one with the factory things in the background that appear to be cunningly colour co-ordinated with the field – that’s some careful planning!
Laurence recently posted: Free music at France’s Fête de la Musique
I really hope they did that on purpose. Painting a factory in bright rainbow colors is just the best idea ever.
Gorgeous colours! I love that pic of you two in the flowers
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I’m glad you posted this because when I was in the Netherlands, I found it a bit confusing about actually getting to the tulip fields…I just couldn’t find good information for some reason. This looks like a beautiful place to visit!
We struggled to find reliable information online as well; the Keukenhof Gardens are an easy choice, but it’s not always clear where people can explore on their own.
The colors and size of those flower fields are just incredible. Would love to see this in person one day.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted: Foto of the Week from … Sucre: Savory Salteñas
It’s definitely “bucket list worthy”, in my opinion.
Great photos! I always admire photographer’s patience. I usually just give up on taking photos in crowded places because I am unwilling to wait for the right opportunity.
Rease recently posted: Food Friday: Route 66 Stop: Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
Ha, that’s usually us as well. We’re the worst photographers because we just don’t have the patience to wait or take a million photos or get up at sunrise for the best light. But at Keukenhof I just glared at people until they moved!
That photo of you two in the tulips is adorable!
Bummer that the picturesque windmill-with-tulips scene doesn’t actually exist there though.
Amanda recently posted: Soaking at the Szechenyi Baths
I haven’t entirely given up on its existence… I just don’t know where to find it!! I was hoping someone would comment and give me exact coordinates, lol.
Oh wow–what gorgeous photos! The colors are almost unreal. I’m dying to go to Holland someday!
Emily @ Maiden Voyage recently posted: Adventures in Dining out in Las Vegas
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I haven’t visited your blog in a couple of weeks and this post has just brightened my day! Never mind the gloomy English weather when such beautiful pics are about. Considering it’s hard to get decent shots of tulips and windmills, you’ve done a pretty good job! Where, though, are the clogs?
Aww, I sympathize with your gloomy English weather. For what it’s worth, the weather was gray and drizzly when we saw the tulips – they were just so colorful and cheerful that we hardly noticed.
I’ve been to the Netherlands three times, but never had the right timing to visit the tulips… maybe next time
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The fourth time is the charm… right?
Great photos, I especially love the one of you guys.
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Those tulips are gorgeous! I now live so close to the Netherlands, but I still haven’t been there, and this is probably the top reason I want to go.
Ali recently posted: Freiburg, I Love You, But…
For us as well – I know there’s so much more to the Netherlands, but I can’t imagine visiting w/o seeing the tulips.
Holland is so pretty – and quirky!
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Our favorite combination!