The Best Places to View Spring in Bloom
There may be no time more joyous than the greening of the year, when cold climates awaken from snowy slumber and flowers warm the world with cheer.
The tulip is a national symbol of the Netherlands, and the flower figures prominently in Dutch history. They take their tulips seriously here: The Netherlands’ Princess Máxima (with help from the wife of Russia’s president) presided at last year's opening of Keukenhof, the world’s largest flower garden. More than 7 million tulips in 100 varieties are planted by hand each year on Keukenhof’s 80 acres, provided by dozens of royally appointed growers. The 2011 season runs through May 20 at the gardens, located between Amsterdam and The Hague.