The Floriade, billed as the Netherlands's largest horticulture show, occurs only once every ten years and runs for just a little over half a year. This year's event started in April and runs through October 20, 2002. Situated in a lovely large park in Haarlemmermeer, just 11 miles from Amsterdam, this is a unique opportunity to see thousands of flowers planted over acres of land by a whole cadre of landscape architects and horticulturist. Planners expect over 3 million visitors. Visit the official Web site, www.floriade.nl, for complete details. To learn more about Haarlemmermeer, visit our free online destinations section here, www.frommers.com/destinations/haarlem.
And, of course, we're not going to leave out an affordable way to get there. Currently, one of our favorite packagers, Go-Today, is offering a weeklong fly-and-drive package from New York or Philadelphia into Amsterdam starting at just $579 a person, based on double occupancy. (Add just $40 more for departures from Boston, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.; $80-$300 more for other markets). This package must be booked by May 9, 2002 for departures through June 12. After that, prices shoot up to $849 per person for summer travel through September 2. Check out the specifics and fine print for the spring package by clicking here.
If this doesn't fit the bill, Go-Today has a long list of Dutch deals. To see the full roster, click here.
Want to see the flowers, but can't get away to Europe? Don't forget America's own Holland -- the one in Michigan -- where, starting this Saturday, May 4, is that city's ulip Time Festival, billed as the largest flower show in the country. This Holland, founded by Dutch settlers in 1847, is located on the "thumb" of the Lower Peninsula and is a convenient hour-and-a-half drive from Chicago. It's also easily within reach from and makes for a great road trip from not only the Windy City but other Midwestern destinations like Indianapolis, Detroit, Cincinnati, Louisville and Milwaukees well.
A warmer spring forced festival planners to move the event of one week this year to coincide with actual blooming of the bulbs. It's celebration of both the tulips and the city's Dutch heritage. Events include flower sales, parades, concerts (the Osmonds, original cast members of the Lawrence Welk show, and strangely mixed in, The Verve Pipe), an art show, a quilt show, dances, plenty of food and drink, fireworks and more. Event planners and the cities of Holland and nearby Grand Rapids (amongst others) have put together a planter's mix of packages for day visits and longer stays. For full details on the festival, ticket prices and package offers, visit the official Web site here, www.tuliptime.org/. For more information on Holland and surrounding areas, visit its visitor bureau's site here, www.holland.org.
