Exploring Springs Tulip Fields

in the Netherlands & Belgium

The Tulip Time Cruise 2015
Sail into Northern Europes most colorful season on a luxury European river cruise. The
waterways of Holland and Belgium have brought visitors and merchants from around the world to
marvel at the vast fields of tulips for hundreds of years.

Today, river cruisers join enthusiastic flower-lovers streaming into historic cities like Amsterdam,
Willemstad, and Kinderdijk in Holland, and nearby Antwerp and Ghent in Belgium.

They come to experience an overwhelming flood of color that carpets the countryside and
brightens northern cities during the few short months of tulip season.
Spring Color: Tulip Time 2015 in Netherlands and Belgium
Amsterdam and Keukenhoe
The Tulip Time tour begins and ends in the 700-year-old city of
Amsterdam, passing through the heart of the ancient tulip industry,
where gardens and parks host floral shows on a grand scale.

South of Amsterdam lies the village of Lisse and the famed Keukenhof
Gardens. This sprawling park displays up to seven million blooms
around the grounds, as well as countless more in indoor pavilions.

As a kind of floral bonus, youll be treated to panoramas of other
blooming flowers, like narcissus, hyacinth, and more, often
integrated in alternating rows among the prized tulips.
We stop for visits to cities like 400-year-old Willemstad, plus
Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the
Netherlands largest number of windmillsall 18
th
century
vintage.

Throughout the Netherlands are swathes of tulips in naturalistic
fields, manicured formal gardens, and greenhouse displays for
the garden shows of peak season.

Prepare yourself for bold, strong colors that scream out spring,
with only a few pastels. Think jelly bean colors, with plenty of
orange, reflecting the official color of the Royal Family of
Orange, the Dutch monarchy.
The Netherlands: Tulips and Windmills
The imposing Castle and Gardens of
Groot-Bijgaarden, or Chateau de Grand-
Bigard in French, will celebrate a 12
th

anniversary of its Floralia Brussels show
in 2015. The castle was first built in the
early 12
th
century, and fully renovated
in the early 20
th
century.

The spring flower show finds the
grounds strewn with up to 500 varieties
in one million planted bulbs. The 400
types of tulips, strewn together with
rare varieties of narcissus and daffodils,
guarantee blooms across the early,
middle and late micro-seasons.

A visit to historic Antwerp might include
a tour of the home of 17th century
Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens. See
his extraordinary art collection with
many of his works. Watch for examples
of prized tulips sprinkled throughout
engaging still lifes and portraits.
Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium
A Tulip is a Tulip is a Tulip
Yes, but there are more varieties
than just the one classic shape that
we learned to draw as kids.

At Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, find
examples of the beautiful red and
white Lustige Witwe, and iconic
parrot tulips, as seen in many 17
th

century Dutch paintings.

At Belgiums Groot-Bijgaarden, the
400 varieties of tulips include names
that read like a botanic litany, with
classics, lily flowers, viridiflora,
parrots, and multi-flora.
The splendid gardens and artful displays inspire
many to add some color to their own yards.
Thinking of ordering some prized tulip bulbs to
ship home? Here are a few helpful hints:

Many local growers exhibiting in the big
garden shows will sell bulbs to take
home.

Find miles of bulbs in every variety of
tulip and more at the Flower Market, or
Bloemenmarkt in Amsterdam.

Look for the section marked certified for
Canadian and U.S. Customs. Bulbs should
come with a certificate of inspection,
allowing you to carry them into the U.S.
within six weeks. If your trip exceeds
that time frame, inquire about having
the vendor ship them to you.

Squirrels a problem? Try placing peanut-
filled feeders around to distract them
with an easier-to-reach treat.
Tulip Time at Home
Stop and Smell the Tulips
Most of us are familiar with supermarket tulips, with all the
fragrance of wax flowers. Good news, thoughmany tulips have
retained their scents, ranging from mild to exotic.

The pale peach-colored Apricot Beauty gives a sweet, fruity, scent.

The deep orange Generaal de Wet is another sweet scent that
doubles as a tasty addition to fresh salads.

Couleur Cardinal, in deep dark red with violet blush, carries a
lighter scent.
The Complete River Cruise Experience
Your Tulip Time Cruise 2015 is about more than floral
gardens. As you calmly float along peaceful canals and
waterways, you are entering the heart of a very old
civilization.

Historic cities, like Antwerp and Ghent in Belgium,
preserve centuries of architecture and culture.
Optional excursions open up more fascinating
wonders, like Bruges, one of the oldest perfectly
preserved medieval cities, and a UNESCO World
Heritage site.

A side trip to nearby Brussels, capital of the European
Union, may include a visit to EU headquarters.

All along the way, enjoy AmaWaterways white glove
service on board your luxury cruise ship, and the fine
foods, wines, and beers of each location. Return
home with memories of a springtime like no other,
and a longing to return for next years blooms.
Contact Us: Tulip Time 2015 in Netherlands and Belgium
AmaWaterways is an award-
winning river cruise operator,
providing all-inclusive excursions
that open cultural doors along the
great waterways of Europe,
Africa, and Asia. Their rapidly
growing fleet of custom-designed
ships leads travelers to life-
changing, restorative experiences
that always exceed expectations.

For more information, please
visit www.amawaterways.com.