Last week I mentioned interesting historical spots within Netherlands. This week I want to talk about a few more typically Dutch features – these are aspects of the culture that will tickle the fancy of the eager traveler. So here goes; today, it's about those famous bulbous plants known as tulips.

Photo Source: jot.punkt via Flickr

Tulips

I know, I know. Visiting a country just to catch a glimpse of a hyped-up cultural aspect? Isn't that sticking too close to a guidebook mentality? Maybe it is, maybe it is not. However, you will hopefully agree that these colorful bulbs are a rather romantic feature of this quaint nation. Fields of flowers? Tulips in a can? Or floral art based on tulips? See, just when you thought you had heard it all, it just got interesting.

We all know the story. The good folks in Netherlands went a bit overboard with tulips when it was first introduced. Everyone wanted one and, surprise surprise, everyone was suddenly eager to sell them. At ridiculous prices, just to make a fancy little profit. Things fell apart as they do and as all of you already know, there was a bit of dent in finances do to this fluctuation. That is commonly known as tulip mania.

Tulip Museum

On that note, if you are reaching curious about that mad mad trend from the golden days, here's the place for you. There is a Tulip Museum in Amsterdam which has all sort of weird and wonderful information about tulips. This includes fascinating little tidbits about the tulip craze. In addition to that, the museum also covers the basics about tulips – best ways to cultivate it, how to give a bit of TLC to the flowers as well as listing a bunch of well-liked tulip types. If you love flowers and yet, have not been acquainted with the various types of tulips, I do recommend checking them out. Keep an eye out for the Rembrants, which are my personal favorites.

Flower Markets

Good news is, people still love tulips; they cultivate and display them as well as sell them at decent prices. Of course travelers like me welcome this idea as it fulfills an almost fantastical image of the past. Which brings me to the first attraction – tulip markets. Well, there are no massive markets as such but you are bound to find charming little flower shops and stalls selling these flowers. There is one particular spot that I would suggest – Amsterdam flower market (Bloemenmarkt). This expansive market is located on Singel, Amsterdam and has been fondly touted by many news sources, travel agents and the like as 'the world's only floating flower market'. Imagine in between the numerous stalls - the smell of flowers in the air mixed with that sharp aroma of water from the canals. Wouldn't you agree, that is an experience in itself?

Keukenhof

Then there is one of the biggest tulip-related event in Netherlands. That's right, it's the Keukenhof. For those who have not heard about this park, it is a huge area dedicated to growing tulips! Actually, these grounds also grow a number of different flowers and plants as well as the bulbs and thus, comes to be known as one of the world's largest flower gardens. Other than the usual idyllic park-like setup, visitors also catch a glimpse of the creative side of the cultivators. And so, don't be surprised to find stunning sculptures and landscaping as well as artistic garden décor and various garden types.

What interested me the most is the annual theme set for Keukonhof. Apparently, each year the park celebrates its connection to the rest of the world by adopting a country-specific theme. 2009 marked years of friendship between Netherlands and U.S.A which was marked in various ways, the most prominent one being a quaint flower reconstruction of the Statue of Liberty! Nature does bring us all together, doesn't it?

Well, that's it for this week. Hopefully I have covered a few interesting tulip-related attractions to pique your curiosity about the Dutch culture. Or at least, helped reveal a little bit more about the laidback lifestyles and quiet way of life of these good folk.