An Insider’s Guide to Tulip Season in the Netherlands

May 9, 2025

As the Vice President and Luxury Travel Advisor of WhirlAway, Sara Samuel has been known to plan some special travel experiences. Yet her recent trip to the Netherlands with her father and sister might just top her list.

The backstory: Her grandfather was a wholesale flower grower in Southeastern Pennsylvania and her dad grew up working in his greenhouses. Years later, Sara and her sister often rode along on deliveries, helping load and unload flats of flowers. Their grandfather received his bulbs from a man they called “the Dutchman,” whose shipments sometimes came packed along with a special pair of wooden shoes (Sara still has hers). Later in life, her father dreamed of visiting the Netherlands during “tulip time” with his two daughters. In April, they made it a reality with a next-level trip and customized itinerary featuring a deep dive into the flower business during peak bloom. Here, Sara shares her insider tips for taking it all in.

If you want to experience millions of blooming tulips in a park setting…

“The famous Keukenhof lives up to the hype! Known as the Garden of the World, it’s a massive park that is absolutely worth visiting. Very different from visiting farmed tulip fields, Keukenhof feels like a giant art exhibit. It’s completely different every year because at the end of the season, they dig up and replant the bulbs in different designs across the 80 acres of gardens. More than seven million bulbs were planted this year. It's only open eight weeks a year and about 26,000 people visit it every day during that time, so you really want to get there early or late in the day.”


If you’re a gardener who loves unusual tulips and is curious about their history…

“Take a private tour of the Hortus Bulborum. While everyone knows Keukenhof, Hortus feels like a secret gem—and it’s only a 35-minute drive from Keukenhof. Hortus is home to a historical collection of rare tulip varieties that you probably can’t see anywhere else in the world. It's a volunteer organization, and they're preserving the history of these bulbs—some of them from the 1500s. It’s a vast garden of spring-flowering bulbs—tulips, as well as daffodils, hyacinths, fritillaries, and more.”


If you’ve ever wondered where the tulips you buy at your grocery store are grown… 

“You absolutely should meet with a grower. Our entire visit was inside a family’s giant warehouse of a greenhouse, where bulbs and cut flowers are grown. We got to see the whole process. This was not at all touristy—it was just us and the grower. If you just want to see pretty flowers, this isn’t for you, but anyone interested in the tulip growing process will find it fascinating.”


If you want to capture that perfect shot amongst the beautiful blooms…

“Be sure to visit the Tulip Experience Amsterdam. On your trip, you’ll drive through fields and fields of blooming flowers, but growers, understandably, don’t allow you to walk in their fields for photos or picking. But here, there are big expansive fields of flowering tulips with wide rows that are meant to be walked through so you can get the perfect photo. Yes, it feels a little touristy, but it serves a great purpose. And with your admission, you can pick a few tulips on your way out.” 


If you’re ready to be wowed by the magnitude of the fresh flower industry…
“The flower auction in Aalsmeer is astounding. It’s the largest in the world, where they move 40-some million flowers a day to florists and stores all over the world. You're watching it all from above—hundreds of people riding around on these little scooters that are zipping through all these traffic lanes, pulling carts and coming in and pulling massive trains of flowers behind them. It’s hard to grasp how massive it is—the size of 250 football fields, and that's not even the shipping part of it. We arranged a visit with a guide who was a retired rose grower and used to be on the board of the organization, so he took us behind the scenes and we were given private access to the live auction board. I absolutely recommend this experience for anyone, whether they’re in the business or not. You’ll never look at a bunch of flowers the same way!”

A Roar-Worthy Safari Specialist

April 3, 2026
For the fifth year in a row, WhirlAway Travel’s Jamie Jones has been named a Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist—a prestigious honor reserved for advisors with extensive expertise, trusted global connections, and a deep understanding of how to craft truly tailored journeys. It’s a distinction she’s earned through her focus on African safaris and her ability to create meaningful, insider experiences. Jamie’s philosophy is simple: “I have always believed that travel is essential for the future of our world. It connects us to nature, to different cultures, and most importantly to one another.” That approach comes to life on every African safari she curates. And that’s just one reason why she’s so exceptional at what she does. 1. She Knows Safaris Inside & Out Jamie has traveled to Africa more than 15 times over the past 12 years, earning her Signature Travel Network’s Select Safari Specialist designation—an exclusive recognition for highly vetted advisors with “feet on the ground” knowledge and proven expertise in creating luxury, customized African safaris. For Jamie, it’s about so much more than the wildlife: “I continually return because of the people I have met, friendships created, cultures I have learned from, and the peace that fills my soul with every journey.” And through WhirlAway’s Africa Apprentice Program, Jamie also helps train the next generation of safari specialists, providing extensive education and hands-on experience in planning these journeys, ensuring every client benefits from a highly personalized approach.

Multi-Gen Magic

March 20, 2026
Multi-generational travel is booming—and it’s easy to see why. Families are seeking curated journeys where every generation—from grandparents to grandchildren—can experience the world together, yet on their own terms. At WhirlAway Travel, that means private excursions, seamless logistics, and experiences that let everyone focus on what matters: connection. Denise Booth is one of WhirlAway’s multi-gen travel experts. She leverages her insider access and relationships with global partners to create itineraries perfectly suited for every age and interest. “Travel does not have to be all or nothing,” she says. “We craft experiences that can be enjoyed by each person, from modified activities or alternatives for those who cannot participate.” Here are three recent journeys planned by Denise and the WhirlAway team.

Just Back From … Japan with WhirlAway’s Stacey Blum

March 11, 2026
Why Japan & Why Now The neon-lit energy of Tokyo, the zen temples of Kyoto, and the restorative calm of mountain onsen towns define this unique journey across time. “It’s a place that feels both ancient and futuristic at once,” Stacey says. Japan also rewards travelers who slow down. For Stacey, early mornings—what the Japanese call the “blue hour”—were especially poignant. Known as the time just before sunrise or after sunset when the sky turns a deep indigo, the serene, otherworldly atmosphere is the perfect window for photography in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, capturing the magical light over temple roofs, as locals cycle along rivers, and as shops open their doors. To fully appreciate Japan’s diversity, Stacey recommends giving yourself at least 10 days in the destination (plus two days of travel) and visiting three distinct regions. Stacey’s Takeaway: “Japan is not a place you try to see it all in one trip. It’s somewhere you’ll want to return to again and again.”

Sail Beyond the Expected

February 17, 2026
No summer travel plans yet? Consider this your fast track to an experience that ticks all the boxes for value, ease, culture, scenery, and laid-back luxury. What: A seven-night Mediterranean cruise aboard Silver Nova with Silversea and Signature Travel Network. Where: Roundtrip from Athens, visiting seven ports throughout Greece and Turkey. When: August 16-23, 2026. Why: It’s a remarkable blend of epic history, island charm, and elegant cruising. You’ll visit spots that feel straight out of a postcard, from the delightful seaside town of Gythion and the Olympic roots of Katakolon to Santorini’s bucket-list sunsets and the lively markets of Bodrum. Onboard, the suites are beautifully spacious, the butler service is effortlessly attentive, and the all-inclusive approach is indulgent yet smart, inviting you to savor the experience without a second thought. Yes, please!

Just Back From … Northern Italy with WhirlAway’s Sara Samuel

February 12, 2026
Recently back from an immersive journey through Verona, Venice, and Trieste, WhirlAway’s Sara Samuel discovered a trio of destinations that feel worlds apart yet effortlessly connected. From Shakespearean streets and quaint canals to culture shaped by shifting borders, this is Italy beyond the expected.

Just Ask Jamie …

January 21, 2026
Why stay home for the holidays when you can discover chocolate, castles, and Christmas decorations across Europe? That’s just what WhirlAway’s Jamie Jones had in mind when she took her family on a holiday river trip through Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Brussels, and Antwerp. Here’s what happened along the way.

2026 is the Time!

January 14, 2026
If “someday” is starting to sound suspiciously like “never,” this is your sign. From polar ice to private yachts, safaris to southern skies, these six monumental journeys are proof that the best trips happen when they’re meticulously planned with insider expertise.

Just Back From … Italy’s Puglia Region

December 15, 2025
Nestled in the heel of Italy, these spots have long been Italian favorites and are now drawing travelers from around the world. But visit in the fall or winter, and it still feels like you have them all to yourself. Sara says it was nearly impossible to choose favorites—and she could easily share dozens more—but here are the places and experiences she loved most.

’Tis the Season for Travel!

December 15, 2025
In 2025, WhirlAway planned dozens of amazing vacations for the holiday season, and we’re sharing a few of our favorites. Consider this your cheat sheet to the dreamiest destinations, including a sun-kissed sojourn to Costa Rica, a multi-gen escape to South Africa, an Antarctica cruise, and the best of Turks and Caicos, and London. Happy holidays, and even happier travels!
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