See The Tulips in Amsterdam

Q: I am investigating the possibility of taking my mother to see the flowers in Holland. When would be the best time to go, where should we go and do you have any special tips? - Rene Thompson

A: The best time to visit is during April and May, as spring breaks out. The best place to see the tulips in bloom is in the Keukenhof Garden near Lisse. Most visitors stay in Amsterdam and travel to Lisse for the floral display. It is an amazing collection of gardens, with more than seven million flowers. It can take a few days to see all the displays thoroughly, but even a day visit will be a memorable experience. If you book a flight and hotel in Amsterdam, you should be able to join one of the organised tours to Keukenhof (www.keukenhof.com). As you are booking close to the actual event, you may find that prices are high. You can start planning for next year or visit the Netherlands later in the year. There are always wonderful flower markets to visit and you can check out the flower-growing industry without the spring crowds.