Has anyone been to Holland to see the tulips? When is the best time to go? We are interested in traveling from town to town by bicycle. One company offers a tour where you sleep on a barge every night in a different city. Any feedback? Thanks!

Kim: Although I have never done the barge/bicycle-thing, I have been to Holland at tulip time. It is absolutely beautiful! The tulips bloom for about six weeks and it starts only when the weather is right, so it isn't a date exactly. You can see tulips of different colors for miles and miles, everywhere. Be sure to see Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Keukenhof (misspelled, I'm sure) Gardens, which are amazing. You could probably check with the Dutch Tourist Board for when they think is the "ideal" tulip time, this year. Have fun!

Tulip time can be the best and the worst time to visit holland because it is more crowded during this period. sept and early october are have nice weather but without the crowds, bes sure to go to maastrict...

Hi Kim

As I am Dutch, I can say that I have been to Holland. Live currently in Seattle but I would recommend you to check with the Dutch tourist board on the best time as it depends on the weather. Yes it will be busy but it is worth it. Weather in April/May (the time you will go) can be anything from 45 and rain to 85 and sun. Lets hope for the last.
Do not really recommend Rotterdam as this town was bombed during WWII and there is not much to see. Go to maastricht, just like Marci recommends (my hometown) and Amsterdam, by far the two most interesting towns in Holland.
Might want to go to Brussels as well if time permits.
Anyway, enjoy

Kind regards
Charles

Hej Kim,
I am Danish and went to Holland last year as a guide
for 40 people with special wish to enjoy the many beautiful flowers. And I can tell you, you will not be disappointed. The best place to visit is Keukenhof close to Harlem. There is the annual flowershow - very nice.We went there in April, but of course the tulips will be in flower depending on the weather. We stayed just outside Deventer in a good hotel, which also had a speciel offer for bicyclists. They can bring your luggage every day from one hotel to another by car, and then you can travel by bicycle without having trouble with too much luggage. Deventer is also a nice city and close to many good attractions, ex. Arnhem with the War-museum at Hartenstein, wellknown as headquarter for the allied in 1944.
If you want more details please contact me.

Have visited Holland at the height of Tulip season, it was spectacular. Most official photos in the brochures are taken at the Kuekenhoff Gardens in Lisse. Depending on how cold a winter it was, the gardens open about the first day of spring and continue to mid May. Got that info from tourist office along with brochure on the Kuekenhoff Gardens. We went the end of April in 95 it was perfect! Stayed in the Hague which is much cleaner and quieter then Amsterdam. Day trips are very easy to plan. Enjoyed Delft, Volendam, the museums and canals of Amsterdam, Madurodam in the Hague, andThe Casino beachside of the Hague. The Dutch tourist office had a brochure on anything you ask for, from bike rides to diamonds. Keep in mind a warm winter means early blooms, and the season will end sooner.

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions! They were most helpful, and I will certainly be considering your recommendations when planning our trip. I am surprised that no one out there has done the bicycle/barge tour. Maybe someone will pop up with feedback. Thanks again! Kim

Kim I found a lot of information of bicycle trails and the tulips in the lonely planet website. I saved it but then my computer crashed. I think by typing the key words into your browser you should be able to find it. Also, have you heard of Holland, Michigan. It is a Dutch town settle by Duch colonists and they re-create the tulip festival every May. I am going there this year. Found a neat website on it. People open their homes for you to stay in, or there are B & B's and nice hotels with Dutch ambiance. There are black Freisian horses there, Dutch Klompen dancers, food, authentic Dutch windmills and farms etc. Much closer and cheaper. There are over 8 miles of tulip lanes and trolley cars to take you there. The tulips begin blooming in April. E mail me if you need any more info.