Our trip to holland’s tupip festival

We took this trip from April 26 through May 4, 2026, visiting at what appeared to be the tail end of the peak season this year. Timing a tulip trip is famously difficult as bloom windows shift every year based on winter temperatures, rainfall, and sunlight, and even locals cannot predict perfectly (although some certainly claim to, just all with different claims) with certainty when fields will be at their absolute best. Still, late April and early May remain a fantastic time to visit the Netherlands. The fields were very much alive with color and the country feels as if it’s starting to awake after winter with long daylight hours, open-air cafés, plenty of bikes (although the winter doesn’t stop the Dutch from this), and a full calendar of seasonal events.

Tulips are deeply associated with Dutch identity, but not in the way that I had originally thought. The Netherlands is home to bulb farmers, not flower farmers. The blooms that blanket the fields each spring are not the final product. They are a temporary stage in a much longer agricultural cycle. After a short display period, the flowers are cut off so the plant can redirect its energy into the bulb underground. This allows the bulb to grow stronger and larger before it is harvested later in the summer. Seeing entire fields of flowers removed can feel abrupt and, for tourists like myself, really quite sad. However, farmers were good to teach everyone that this practice is essential to maintaining the Netherlands’ position as the world’s largest exporter of flower bulbs.

Tulip cultivation here dates back to the late 1500s, when bulbs arrived from the Ottoman Empire and quickly captured the imagination of Dutch society. By the early 17th century, tulips had become the center of one of history’s earliest speculative bubbles, known as Tulip Mania, where rare bulbs were traded for prices equivalent to canal houses today. This coincides well with Amsterdam’s trading and financial focused history of markets (home to the first stock market in the world). While the market eventually collapsed, tulips never lost their cultural importance. The only pause occurred during World War II when flower production was forced to be stopped as farmland was converted to food crops out of necessity. Stores of the Hunger Winter of 1944 and 1945 where tulip bulbs were even consumed as a last resort were told at many information points. After the war, tulip farming returned in a more organized, export-focused form that laid the groundwork for the modern industry.

The geography of the Netherlands is a major reason tulips thrive here. Much of the country sits at or below sea level and exists only because of centuries of land reclamation. Through an intricate system of dikes, canals, and pumping stations, water is carefully controlled, and farmland is kept dry and fertile. This is why you see so many windmills, most of them with the sole purpose of pumping water out of the ground to reclaim land for crops and livestock. Amsterdam itself began as a small settlement around a dam on the Amstel River and expanded as surrounding wetlands were drained and stabilized. The flat terrain, sandy coastal soil, and easy access to water create ideal growing conditions for bulbs, particularly in regions like the Bollenstreek between Haarlem and Leiden, about 30 minutes south of Amsterdam by train, where today’s Tulip Festival is hosted.

The modern tulip festival is synonymous with Keukenhof Gardens , curated perfectly and designed to showcase the varieties of tulips at peak bloom, while the surrounding countryside reveals tulip farming at scale, with long, geometric fields best explored by bike. Add in historic windmills, canal cities, world class museums, and a food scene that quietly exceeds expectations (drawing on Indonesian ties during the exploration period), and spring in the Netherlands becomes a well rounded itinerary that extends far beyond the flowers themselves.

Why and when visit amsterdam during the tulip festival

the daily sight, bite, highlight:

In order for each day (1-7) these were the sight, bite, and highlight of each day. Some days had delights and frights this trip, all of which is expanded on in the detailed itinerary.

Sight	Bite	Highlight
The Play that Goes Wrong @ Duchess Theatre London	Afternoon Tea in the Palm Court at the Langham	Energy of the London Marathon
Canals of Amsterdam	Creative Modern & Verlan	Amsterdam Free Walking Tour
Keukenhof Garden	Rijstaffel @ Tujuh Maret	Tulip Bulb Farm in Lisse
Zaanse Schans	Restaurant De Kas	Countryside Bike Tour w/tour of working windmill
Tulip Fields in Bollenstreek	Fresh Stroopwafel	Biking around the Tulip Farms
Bruges City Center Walking Tour	Belgian Frites	Wandering Bruges: Small bridges, chocolates, parks
Borough Market	Bao Mary	Football Match @ Emirates Stadium

Travel and accomodations

Air & Destination travel

Arrival: Although Amsterdam was the primary destination for this trip, we chose to fly into London Heathrow after finding a strong points and miles redemption on a nonstop flight from Salt Lake City. London is an easy and efficient gateway to Amsterdam, with direct high-speed train service connecting the two city centers in just a few hours. We also love London, so starting the trip there allowed us to spend our first day enjoying the city before continuing on to the Netherlands.

Departure: We departed from London Heathrow at the end of the trip, returning after several days in the Netherlands and Belgium. Getting to Heathrow is now significantly easier thanks to the “Lizzy Line”, which runs directly from central London to the airport and eliminates the need for the Heathrow Express. While Heathrow remains a less-than-ideal airport to depart from, being prepared makes a big difference. Liquids must be packed in a small clear bag, seating in the main terminal is limited, and having lounge access is well worth it. Primeclass is our favorite Priority Pass lounge at Heathrow, with No1 also being a solid option, and the Centurion Lounge is a great choice for those with access (plat card).

Travel Between Destinations: We traveled entirely by train between destinations on this trip. High-speed and intercity rail connected London, Amsterdam, Bruges, Brussels, and back to London, and all long-distance tickets were booked in advance through either Eurostar or the NS International app. The TrainLine app was less helpful for this trip, but still good to have in case. Local travel within London was handled using contactless tap to pay on the Tube, and we did not use trams in Amsterdam since our hotel was within walking distance of nearly everything we wanted to see. International train travel on the Eurostar, although not as bad as airports, does require you arrive early since Brexit. Be warned, you will need to wade through long lines, and you will wait. I recommend getting there early, as recommended by Eurostar in your pre-departure email. We found Brussels to be, at the time, much more chaotic than St. Pancras.

Departure	Arrival	Duration	Type / Notes
London St Pancras	Amsterdam Centraal	4hrs	High speed Eurostar (reservation req.) ~$60-100
Amsterdam Zuid	Brugge	2hrs 50min	EC Direct → Antwerpen Central | IC → Brugge (Can book via NS International)
Brugge	London St. Pancras	3hrs 45min	Belgian IC → Brussels Midi | Eurostar → London. ~$130
Central London	LHR	30min	Elizabeth Line (Tap on Tap off) $15

Accomodations:

I typically prefer to have a home base and go from there. For this trip, we did have to position from London to Amsterdam. However, once there we stayed in the same Amsterdam hotel our whole time there and it was great! However, as always when we travel to Europe, navigating trains and cobblestone streets is easier when your luggage is on your back and we love our Cotopaxi bags for that.

If you would like to use my rubric for scoring or want more details on the categories, see the score card here or go to the ‘about’ page to learn more.

We stayed at 4 hotels, with my full review of each listed below:

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & London

Overview of the Day

We’ve found that the first day after an international flight is best approached gently, but not passively. Rather than writing the day off entirely, walking around and easing into the city helps us reset while still making the most of our time. London felt familiar and comfortable right away, and arriving on a sunny day made it especially pleasant to be back. Afternoon tea gave the day a clear anchor point, while the rest of the time was spent wandering, settling in, and letting the trip begin at a manageable pace. London served as a bookend to this itinerary, an enjoyable place to start and end the journey, without being the central focus of the trip itself.

Sight: The Play that Goes Wrong @ Duchess Theatre

Seeing a show (in this case in the West End) is something we always enjoy major arts cities like London. London’s West End has been the heart of the city’s theatre scene for more than three centuries, with performances dating back to the seventeenth century. Centered around areas like Covent Garden, Soho, and Leicester Square, the West End developed alongside London’s growth as a cultural and commercial capital. Many of the theatres still in use today were built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, creating one of the most concentrated and historic theatre districts in the world. Seeing a show here feels less like a single event and more like participating in a long-standing tradition, where going to the theatre has been a central part of London life for generations. This time we saw “The Play That Goes Wrong” and it was a perfect arrival night choice. The humor leans heavily on clever writing and strong audience energy rather than anything that requires intense focus, which made it approachable even while fighting jet lag (a feat that I failed at a couple times during the show, admittedly). One tip worth sharing is to get the ice cream at intermission, which is part of the fun and very much worth it.

Bite: Afternoon Tea at the Langham

Afternoon tea at the Langham was one of the highlights of the day and something we would absolutely do again. Afternoon tea has long been a British tradition, dating back to the mid nineteenth century as a light meal between lunch and late dinners, and today it is typically presented as a leisurely experience with unlimited tea, sandwiches, scones, and pastries (don’t skimp on the clotted cream… one of the best things that the UK has given the world) over a set window of time. At the Langham, the experience felt refined but not stuffy, with thoughtful service and attention to detail throughout. A funny, but telling encounter was when the server brought by an individual cloth side table for handbags. I’m sure this is expected by many of the crowd sporting Luis Vuitton, etc. however, for this outing we just had one Lululemon crossbody bag to place on the stool. We got a kick out of it, but it did speak to the level of care regardless of what you were carrying that the Langham provided. For afternoon tea, Lululemon bag or LV bag, getting dressed up is expected and part of the experience. This ended up being a surprisingly perfect way to spend the first afternoon off the plane.

Highlight: London Marathon Energy!

We happened to arrive on the same day as the London Marathon without realizing it in advance, and that spontaneity ended up being the true highlight of the day. Streets near our hotel were closed, crowds filled the sidewalks, and the city felt noticeably more energized. Once hotel staff mentioned what was happening, we made our way toward the course and eventually the finish area, catching glimpses of runners and soaking in the atmosphere. The weather could not have been better, and the combination of sunshine, cheering crowds, and shared excitement gave the city a lively, celebratory feel. It was a great reminder that some of the best travel moments are the ones you never plan for, they simply happen when you are in the right place at the right time.

day 2: Amsterdam

Overview of the Day:

Day 2 marked the true start of the trip. After an early morning departure from London, we arrived in Amsterdam late morning and spent the rest of the day orienting ourselves to a city that feels more intriguing than immediately lovable. Amsterdam has a slightly mysterious quality to it, shaped by its history, reputation, and a long-standing culture of tolerance and relative religious agnosticism. Tolerance is something that locals would often emphasize when talking about this history of the city. Amsterdam neither promotes nor condones much. Rather, people have always generally been free to do as they wish (particularly if it makes the city a bit of money). Unlike many European cities, there is no single dominant cathedral anchoring the city center. Instead, the city unfolds horizontally along canals, neighborhoods, and narrow streets. This felt very much like a discovery and orientation day, getting our bearings and beginning to understand how Amsterdam works.

Sight: The Canals of Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s canals are as much an engineering achievement as they are a defining visual feature of the city. Built primarily in the seventeenth century during the Dutch Golden Age, the canal system was designed for water management, defense, transportation, and residential development all at once. The narrow canal houses that line the water are equally fascinating. Many of them lean noticeably, either due to settling over time on wooden pilings driven into soft ground, or intentionally, as a slight forward tilt made it easier to hoist goods up to upper floors using pully systems that are still visible on the rooflines and top floors. We also did a canal cruise, which is a fun and relatively inexpensive way to see the city from the water, though the best views of the canals are often from walking alongside them rather than floating through them. Even so, experiencing the canals up close feels like an essential first step when visiting Amsterdam for the first time.

Bite: Creative Modern at Cafe Verlan

The food scene in Amsterdam feels distinct from much of Europe, and not always in a straightforward way. There is a creative, slightly grungy edge to it, both culturally and aesthetically. It feels as though you’re in a modern renaissance of cuisine. Sometimes that experimentation really works, and other times it misses the mark. Our meals reflected that mix. While Cafe Verlan did not necessarily stand out as a culinary highlight, the atmosphere and creativity behind the restaurant, as well as the thinking behind the menu helped give us a perspective to Amsterdam’s evolving dining identity. For this reason, from a food perspective and cultural, I would not recommend Amsterdam as a first destination if you’ve never been to Western Europe before. It is more interesting once you have context from other cities, where the contrast makes its food and culture fascintating.

Highlight: Amsterdam Free Walking Tour

We almost always start our time in a new European city with a free walking tour, and Amsterdam was no exception. These tours operate on a tip-based system and are common across Europe, making them an easy and low-risk way to learn the basics of a city’s layout and history on the first day. In Amsterdam, the tour provided helpful context around the city’s trading past, its development during the Dutch Golden Age, and its long-standing culture of tolerance. A good example of tolerance comes through in the marijuana cafés, which operate legally in the Netherlands and consumption of marijuana is permitted under specific regulations (like calling your store a “cafe” instead of a weed shop) even though production remains technically illegal. So, due note: if you see a sign for a “Cafe” – this is not for coffee and a pastry. Having this background early on helped frame much of what we would see over the rest of our time in Amsterdam.

The Red Light District

The Red Light District is one of those places that is difficult to fully explain and something you ultimately need to experience for yourself. Located primarily along De Wallen near the city center, it operates openly in the evenings, while during the day it feels surprisingly ordinary, so much so that walking into the area at night you’re almost caught off guard that you suddenly are in the middle of the Red Light District. Legal, regulated sex work has been part of Amsterdam’s identity for centuries, historically tied to its role as a major port city. Seeing it both during the day and at night orients you to how it changes. I recommend seeing it first at night, then walking back through the next day. More than anything, it felt simply fascinating. Regardless of personal opinion, it is a central part of Amsterdam’s identity and an unavoidable element of understanding the city as a whole. The museum about sex, located in the Red Light District, offers good informational guidance to understanding how the area operates today in a safe manner.

Day 3: tulip fields

Overview of the Day:

Day 3 felt like the reason we planned this itinerary in the first place. It was a full, structured day centered entirely around tulips, but in a way that never felt rushed or overwhelming. By the time we were on the bus ride back to Amsterdam, we were happily fulfilled, even managing to sleep a bit on the return. If there is one day that defines a spring trip to the Netherlands, this is it. Everything else on the itinerary builds around this experience.

Sight: Keukenhof Gardens

Keukenhof is best understood as a curated showcase rather than a representation of how tulips actually grow in the wild. Open for only a short window each spring, the gardens were created after World War II as a way to promote Dutch bulb growers and have since become one of the most visited seasonal attractions in the country. The displays are immaculate, with carefully designed beds, themed gardens, and an overwhelming variety of flowers beyond just tulips. While it can be busy, crowds felt manageable, and the sheer scale of the grounds allows you to spread out once you move beyond the main paths. You could drive out to Keukenhof independently, but pairing it with a tour like we did simplifies logistics and adds important context that you would otherwise miss.

Bite: Rijsttafel at Tujuh Maret

Highlight: Tulip Bulb Farm in Lisse

Visiting a working tulip bulb farm was the most visually impactful part of the day. As part of the Tulip Festival package we booked, we were taken directly to a farm in the Lisse area, where growers walked us through how tulips are cultivated and harvested. Being able to walk through the fields offered a level of authenticity that Keukenhof intentionally does not aim to provide. It was quieter, more intimate, and made for incredible photo opportunities. Booking a package like this removes much of the guesswork and guarantees access to a quality farm experience, making it well worth it whether you prefer guided travel or would normally plan something independently.

Day 4: Biking to the windmills

Overview of the Day

Day 4 felt like one of the most distinctly Dutch days of the entire trip. After a few days of cities, canals, and curated tulip experiences, this was the day that tied together windmills, biking, and everyday life in the Netherlands. It was active without being exhausting and offered a glimpse into how people actually live outside of the central city center. More than anything, this day deepened our appreciation for how central windmills and biking remain to Dutch culture.

Sight: Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is a collection of historic windmills and traditional buildings that were relocated here to preserve them and make them accessible to the public. Historically, this region was one of the first industrial areas in the world, with windmills powering everything from sawmills to oil presses and pigment production. Today, Zaanse Schans exists as an open-air museum of sorts, allowing visitors to walk freely through the area and see working windmills up close. While it is undeniably tourist-facing, it is still absolutely worth visiting. I’d recommend arriving by bike on a guided tour like we did rather than by tour bus, as the bus area felt crowded and chaotic, while arriving by bike allowed us to approach the site easily and then be on our way, enjoying the surrounding landscape along the way. Seen this way, Zaanse Schans feels less like a stop and more like a continuation of the countryside.

Bite: Restaurant De Kas

Highlight: Countryside Bike Tour with Mike’s Bikes

The bike tour with Mike’s Bikes was the highlight of the day and one of the most meaningful experiences of the trip. Riding e-bikes from Amsterdam out to Zaanse Schans allowed us to see parts of the city and suburbs that we would never have encountered otherwise. It was especially interesting to experience suburban Europe, seeing where people actually live and how seamlessly biking is integrated into daily life. The true standout moment came when we stopped at a working windmill owned by a retired man who lives there with his wife. He is a friend of the tour leader and invited us inside, offering an intimate look at the windmill and what it is like to live in one. This kind of personal connection is nearly impossible to replicate on your own and made the experience feel special rather than transactional. The dedicated bike infrastructure throughout the entire ride was impressive and made the journey accessible to anyone, particularly with the power of the ebike. This is not a day we would recommend trying to DIY, the guided experience is what makes it exceptional.

Day 5: Tulip Region by Bike

Overview of the Day:

Day 5 felt like the independent counterpart to the tulip experiences earlier in the trip. After seeing the fields through curated gardens and guided tours, this was our chance to explore at our own pace and take in the countryside as we pleased before leaving the tulip region. Three full days in and around Holland for the tulips felt like the perfect amount of time and I would not do less than that. If doing more, I wouldn’t do more than four days before moving along. Despite traveling onward to Bruges later that evening, the day never felt rushed as we were able to see all we wanted on bikes. It was about 6hrs that we had them (10 AM – 4 PM) and the weekend energy made the transition between destinations feel smooth rather than hectic.

Sight: Tulip Fields of the Bollenstreek

Exploring the tulip fields in the Bollenstreek on our own was a natural extension of what we had already seen earlier in the week. By this point in the season, many farmers had already cut their flowers, which is part of the normal bulb growing process, so the fields were a mix of full color and freshly trimmed rows. That said, there was still more than enough to feel immersed in the landscape. There are a few dedicated flower fields that allow visitors to enter designated areas for a small fee. There are many farms that you admire from the road or sidewalk, as their active agricultural sites for these local farmers. It is important to respect farming etiquette here. These are working farms, not public parks, and visitors should never wander into active fields without permission. We saw a few people do this and it was pretty sad and disrespectful, don’t be that guy. Experiencing the region this way reinforces how agricultural and lived in this landscape really is and, for some farms, feels like you’ve been dipped into the Wizard of Oz’s yellow brick road.

Bite: Fresh Stroopwafel

Highlight: Biking Through the Tulip Region

Biking through the Bollenstreek on e-bikes was one of the most enjoyable and accessible experiences of the trip. This was entirely self directed, although there is a good biking tour map that can be followed and stands on the bikes we rented for your phone to help keep directions sound. We were able to stop whenever something caught our eye and move on when we were ready. We even were able to bike out to the beach for a few moments and enjoy some of the Netherlands beach culture (which felt similar to something in like, Carlsbad, CA – not super posh, but nice). The Netherlands’ extensive biking infrastructure makes this kind of day easy, even for travelers who do not bike regularly. Dedicated paths, clear signage, and flat terrain create a stress-free environment, and e-bikes remove any remaining physical barriers. This is a must-do for anyone visiting the region, and – as biking is so popular – it is very easy to find many shops offering full-day bike rentals. I recommend dedicating a whole day to this, with no real itinerary, as it offers a sense of freedom and connection to the landscape, allowing what comes to come, which is hard to replicate any other way.

Delight: Arrival in Bruges with Waffles

Day 6: Bruges

Overview of the Day:

Bruges is an undeniably romantic city, the kind of place that feels carefully preserved without feeling artificial. While smaller than Amsterdam, the pace of the day did not feel slower so much as more contained, with everything unfolding within a compact, walkable core. The city’s scale makes it easy to move from one place to another without effort, but that ease also hides how much there is to take in. By the end of the day, it was clear that Bruges rewards time. This is not a place that should be rushed or treated as a box to check. If anything, it is a city that deserves at one more day if your availability allows and should NEVER be considered a day trip from Brussels. You want to stay a night or two like we did (or three if you want two full days) here.

Sight: Bruges City Center Walking Tour

As with Amsterdam, we started our time in Bruges with a free walking tour, which proved invaluable in understanding the city’s layered history. Bruges was one of Europe’s most important trading cities during the Middle Ages, growing wealthy through wool, cloth, and maritime commerce before its access to the sea slowly silted up and economic prominence shifted elsewhere. That decline, paradoxically, helped preserve its medieval core. The tour walked through key landmarks including Market Square, the Belfry, the canals, and former guild houses, explaining how Bruges’ prosperity shaped its architecture and layout. One detail that stood out was the frequent appearance of the half moon symbol throughout the city, which the guide explained is tied to the De Halve Maan brewery and its long history in Bruges. Today, beer from the brewery is famously transported through underground pipelines beneath the city, a modern solution designed to preserve the historic streets above.

Bite: Belgian Frites and De Halve Maan

Highlight: Wandering Bruges

The highlight of the day was unstructured wandering, particularly in the late afternoon as the city began to transition toward evening. About an hour before sunset turned out to be the ideal window. By then, most of the large walking tours had finished, but the nighttime tours had not yet begun, and the city noticeably quieted. This made it the perfect time to cross the smaller bridges, walk along the canals, and linger in parks without the crowds that dominate midday. Bruges is extremely popular with day trippers, and while it is beautiful at any hour, it truly shines once that wave recedes. This is not a city that should be visited on a tight schedule. Wandering without an agenda, especially as the light softened, was when Bruges felt most romantic and rewarding.

Day 7: Return to London

Overview of the Day:

Day 7 felt like a celebratory and intentional way to close out the trip. Returning to London after several days in the Netherlands and Belgium felt familiar rather than jarring, and it reinforced how much we enjoy using London as both a starting and ending point for European travel. There is something satisfying about easing into a trip with a city you know and then coming back to it at the end with a different perspective. I would also say, for first timers, London deserves a trip in and of itself, with at least 4 days dedicated to the city. So, I would only do this if I had visited London before. If not, then flying directly in and out of Amsterdam would have allowed for an extra day in Bruges or a stop in Brussels and would be appropriate. That said, we genuinely enjoyed the rhythm of bookending the itinerary with London and would highly recommend do it this way again as long as you’re ok with a little switch up at the beginning and end.

Sight: Borough Market

Borough Market is a non negotiable stop when visiting London, and it continues to evolve while still honoring its roots as one of the city’s oldest food markets. Dating back more than a thousand years, it began as a wholesale market serving London and today operates as a showcase for standout producers and prepared food vendors. Some stops have become almost ritual. Turnips is famous for their chocolate dipped strawberries, which are consistently excellent and somehow always worth the line. Brindisa is the go to for Spanish food, especially their paella, which is one of the most popular hot dishes in the market. Kappacasein remains legendary for its grilled cheese, drawing a constant crowd, while Bread Ahead is known for its filled donuts and baked goods. The Ginger Pig is a must for sausage rolls and meat pies, and Roast serves classic British sandwiches like roast beef and porchetta. You will also find excellent seafood, including fish and chips and fresh oysters, along with high-quality coffee, cheese, and chocolate stalls throughout. It is crowded and chaotic, especially midday, but absolutely worth it. Be prepared to eat standing up, leaning against a wall, or sitting on the curb nearby. Borough Market works just as well for repeat visits as it does for first timers, and it remains one of the best places in London to sample a wide range of the city’s food scene in one stop.

Bite: Bao (Mary)

Dinner at Bao was exceptional and easily one of the standout meals of the London portion of the trip. BAO (multiple locations, we went to Mary) specializes in Taiwanese style steamed buns, which are soft, pillowy bread pockets typically filled with rich, savory ingredients – called Bao! The concept is simple, but when done well, it is incredibly satisfying. Bao has earned widespread acclaim in London for both its food and atmosphere, and it lives up to the reputation with the original soho location making the Michelin Guide. The restaurant balances a lively, energetic vibe with consistently excellent execution, making it feel special without being overly formal. This was a planned reservation and well worth it. This highlights an element of London, which is the food. Although traditional English food can be, in my opinion, hit or miss – London has some of the best international foods. From Indian to Taiwanese Bao there is no shortage of good meals in London.

Highlight: Football Match at Emirates Stadium

Seeing a football match at Emirates Stadium was the highlight of the day and an unforgettable way to end the trip. While we are not newcomers to live football, we are to being in the lower bowl with singing supporters and the atmosphere here stood out. We purchased tickets through StubHub on the day of the match, which technically operates in a gray area, but the advantage of day-of purchases is having certainty, as stubhub will show you that they are verified tickets and send you a PDF of the ticket shortly after purchase. We ended up seated in a long time Arsenal supporter section in the lower bowl, just behind the goal, where the crowd energy was constant. Everyone was standing, singing, and fully engaged for the entire match. Paying attention to the chants and joining in dramatically enhanced the experience. The atmosphere in these lower sections is where the magic happens, and it is worth splurging for immersion rather than opting for higher, quieter seats. Even for those who are not die hard fans, the communal energy alone makes attending a match well worth it.

Like this itinerary? How to book:

This trip took place from April 26 through May 4, which we would absolutely recommend for a tulip focused itinerary like this. Tulip season in the Netherlands is short, typically lasting four to six weeks from late March through early May, and true peak bloom is unpredictable year to year. Late April into early May strikes a strong balance. There is still plenty of color in the fields while everything across the country is fully open for the season and weather is more favorable. This timing also benefits from long daylight hours and comfortable spring weather, making it ideal for walking and biking. That said, still expect rain and, we felt that we were there really on the last few days of good viewing season and certainly missed the “prime” which was the week before. However, people told us that it was raining all day every day the week before so, “prime” here is subjective. We would much rather take the more predictable good weather and reduced amount of tulips but some may prefer to risk weather a bit more for more full tulip fields.

So, with that in mind, I think the biggest thing to remember about this trip is that tulips are only part of the appeal. Many fields may already be cut by early May, which is normal, as growers remove flowers to strengthen the bulbs. This itinerary works best for travelers who are flexible, curious, and interested in understanding how tulip farming actually works, not just seeing flowers at peak Instagram moments. If you’re searching for peak tulips, I recommend going a bit earlier and being ok staying longer so that you can time it while there, in country. You will also need to book airfare, hotels, etc. at a different pace as you’ll want to wait until about 30 days out to time it perfectly.

I recommend this itinerary for travelers who are comfortable walking and biking, moving between destinations, and maintaining a full but intentional pace. Seven days felt ideal. You could add an extra day in Bruges or Amsterdam if you wanted a slower rhythm, but we would not shorten it much further without losing the balance between cities, countryside, and tulip experiences.

Step 1: Book Flights [120 – 180 days out]

For this trip, we flew into London Heathrow (LHR) and out of London Heathrow, rather than flying directly into Amsterdam. We found an excellent points and miles redemption on a nonstop flight from Salt Lake City to London, which made this routing worthwhile. While London is not the primary destination for this itinerary, it works extremely well as both a starting and ending point due to its flight availability and high speed rail connections.

From London, Amsterdam is easily reached via direct Eurostar high speed train, making the transition simple and efficient. This routing also allowed us to bookend the trip with time in a city we love. That said, if maximizing time in the Netherlands and Belgium is your priority, flying directly into and out of Amsterdam Schiphol would allow for an additional day elsewhere.

Common flight routing options to consider:

• USA → LHR | LHR → USA (combine London with the itinerary, strong flight availability)
• USA → AMS | AMS → USA (most direct, best if skipping London – particularly good availability at Delta Hubs as KLM and Delta are in the same alliance)
• USA → CDG | AMS → CDG (Shorter train than London, while still direct and via the Eurostar network. Essentially changing London for Paris)
• Open jaw options if mixing cities, depending on airfare and points availability

If you’re flying KLM or AirFrance, be sure to note that the type of plane you fly makes a difference. Many of their widebodies are arranged in 3x3x3 in economy (vs. Delta’s common 2x4x2). So, depending on how many travelers, this may be a pro or con to you. Changing times will rarely change the plane. If you want to fly a different plane, you’ll need to look at flying out of a different hub city.

Step 2: Book Hotels [90 – 120 days out]

Look at my individual hotel reviews in the blog to determine if they are right for you before booking.

Trip Nights	City	Hotel	Method
1	London	The Waldorf Hilton	Hilton Points via Hilton: BOOK
2, 3, 4	Amsterdam	DoubleTree Amsterdam Centraal Station	Hilton Points via Hilton: BOOK
5, 6	Bruges	Hotel Dukes’ Palace	Via Capital One Portal or Direct: BOOK
7	London	Lost Property St Paul’s, Curio Collection	Hilton Points via Hilton: BOOK

Step 3: Transportation and Activities to book in advance [30 – 60 days out]

Long Train Legs

This itinerary relies heavily on trains, and booking key routes in advance will save both money and stress. We booked all long-distance rail through the Eurostar website, which worked well for managing tickets across countries.

Routes to book in advance:

• London → Amsterdam (Eurostar, direct, seat reservation required)
• Bruges → Brussels → London (Eurostar from Brussels)

High-speed trains can sell out or become expensive closer to travel, especially on weekends, so this is not something to leave until the last minute.

Tulip Festival Experience Package

I strongly recommend booking a Tulip Festival package that includes transportation, a visit to a working tulip bulb farm, canal sailing in the Lisse area, and entry to Keukenhof. This guarantees access to a high-quality farm experience and removes much of the logistical complexity.

These bookings can be found at the official Tulip Festival Amsterdam website.

Bike Reservations: Independent & Tour

There are two biking components to this itinerary, and both benefit from advance planning.

• Guided bike tour to windmills was one of our favorites and must be booked in advance.
• Independent biking day in the Bollenstreek: For the self-guided tulip field biking day, I recommend reserving e-bikes in advance, particularly during tulip season when demand is high. Rentals near stations like Hillegom are limited, and showing up without a reservation can mean missing out. We booked from here but there are many options.

Restaurant Reservations: De Kas, Tujuh Maret

Several of the best meals on this itinerary require planning.

• Restaurant De Kas (Amsterdam): Reservations should be made at least 2–3 weeks in advance, especially for dinner. This was one of the most memorable meals of the trip and absolutely worth planning around. Reserve Here
• Tujuh Maret (Rijsttafel, Amsterdam): Reservations are essential, particularly for evenings. Rijsttafel is popular, and this restaurant books out regularly. Reserve Here

Guided and free walking tours (reserve a spot in advance)

We almost always start time in a new city with a walking tour, and this itinerary includes multiple ones.

• Amsterdam Free Walking Tour
• Bruges Free Walking Tour
• London Free Walking Tours

These tours operate on a tip-based model, but you should still reserve a spot online in advance, especially during peak season. Groups are capped, and walk-ups are not guaranteed.

Important museum warning: Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum

We did not visit either the Anne Frank House or the Van Gogh Museum, not by choice, but because we did not secure tickets early enough. These are two of the most competitive tickets in Amsterdam, and walk-up entry is not an option.

• Anne Frank House: Tickets are released online only, typically six weeks in advance at midnight Amsterdam time and sell out very quickly. There are no same-day tickets at the door. If this is a priority, you need to plan around the ticket release schedule and book immediately.
• Van Gogh Museum: Tickets are sold as timed entry and should be booked several weeks in advance during spring and summer. Same-day availability is rare during peak season.

If either museum is important to you, build your Amsterdam days around these tickets rather than trying to fit them in later.

Step 4: iTEMS YOU WILL BOOK WHILE ON THE TRIP

Item	City	What to Know
Amsterdam → Bruges train (via Antwerp)	Netherlands / Belgium	We booked this route the day before travel using the NS International app. Trains run frequently and advance booking far ahead is not necessary.
Canal cruise	Amsterdam	Easy to book same day or day before. Lots of options and not essential, but a fun and inexpensive way to see the city if the weather is good.
Football tickets	London	Same-day resale can work for confirmed seats if official tickets are unavailable. You can also book in advance via stubhub but run a risk of tickets not being confirmed.

Step 5: Daily flow

Day	AM	Late AM	PM	Late PM	Evening
1 (London)	Arrive LHR	Hotel Check In	Afternoon Tea	Stroll Covent & Casual Dinner	West End Theatre
2 (Amsterdam)	Eurostar to AMS	Walking Tour	Canals Strolling / Museums	Explore City	Dinner + Red Light
3 (Amsterdam)	Tulip Package Tour	Bulb Farm	Canal Sail	Keukenhof	Rijsttafel Dinner
4 (Amsterdam)	Bike Tour	Zaanse Schans	Bike Tour	Canal Cruise	Dinner (De Kas)
5 (Amsterdam)	Bike Bollenstreek	Bike Bollenstreek	Free (Museums)	Train to Bruges	Waffles!
6 (Bruges)	Walking Tour	Walking Tour	De Halve Maan Lunch	Food Stops (Chocolate, Frites, etc)	Canal Cruise, Dinner
7 (London)	Trian to London	Borough Market	London Strolling / Landmarks	Football Match	Dinner (Bao)
8 (London)	Elizabeth Line to LHR	Fly Home

STep 6: Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know

• Tulip timing is never perfect: Tulip season is short and highly dependent on weather. Some fields will be in peak bloom while others will already be cut, especially later in the season. This is normal and part of how bulb farming works. Go for the experience and the understanding of the process rather than chasing perfection.
• Respect tulip farming etiquette: Tulip fields are working farms, not public parks. Never walk into active fields unless explicitly allowed. Many farms offer designated walking paths or paid entry areas, which are the appropriate way to experience the fields up close. Respecting this keeps the landscape sustainable and accessible for future visitors.
• Biking is essential and accessible: The Netherlands is exceptionally bike friendly, with dedicated lanes, clear signage, and flat terrain. E-bikes make distances manageable for most travelers, even those who do not bike regularly. That said, biking culture is taken seriously. Stay in bike lanes, signal turns, and remain aware of faster riders.
• Guided versus independent experiences: This itinerary works best with a mix of both. Guided experiences, like the tulip farm visit and windmill bike tour, provide access and context that are difficult to replicate on your own. Independent days, like biking the Bollenstreek, allow flexibility and deeper immersion. Both are worth including but doing the guided experiences first will help you understand what is going on through the independent so, start with a guide.
• Book key meals intentionally: Some of the most memorable meals on this trip required planning. Restaurant De Kas and rijsttafel dinners book out well in advance and are worth building your days around. Long lunches and later dinners pair best with active sightseeing days.
• Amsterdam museums require advance planning: If the Anne Frank House or Van Gogh Museum are priorities, tickets must be secured well in advance. There are no walk-up tickets for Anne Frank House, and Van Gogh Museum availability is limited during spring. Plan your Amsterdam days around these tickets rather than trying to fit them in later.
• Bruges is not a day trip: While Bruges is often visited as a day trip, staying overnight completely changes the experience. The city becomes far more enjoyable once day trippers leave, particularly in the late afternoon and early evening. If possible, prioritize at least one overnight stay.
• London works well as a bookend but is not recommended if you’ve never been to London: Using London as both a starting and ending point adds flexibility, flight availability, and a strong sense of rhythm to the trip. High speed rail connections make this practical, and it allows you to combine familiar comforts with new destinations. However, London was very fun as a bookend since we’ve been before. I think it would be a little too much if you were doing this without having been. I would recommend extra time to take in London (I think 4 days in London is perfect) before going to Amsterdam (or after you get out of Amsterdam) if you haven’t been. Either that, or round-trip travel in/out of AMS or Brussels is great.
• Pack for spring variability: Spring weather can shift quickly. Bring light layers, a waterproof jacket, and comfortable walking shoes (both for walking and biking). Expect sun, wind, and occasional rain, sometimes all in the same day. Remember, you’ll be biking, so leggings/biker shorts and active wear for that are recommended for the two biking activities.