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It is nearly that time of the year again, the season of breathtaking landscapes brimming with colorful and flourishing tulips that is sure to captivate just about anyone. In Holland, the tulips and other national flowers come into full bloom annually, creating lofty visuals and sceneries.
Needless to say, these landscapes lure in millions of tourists annually. The period between March to mid-May is believed to be the perfect season for tourists. The North Sea dunes are a particular highlight. It is an area located between Leiden and Den Helder and is home to the most impressive fields of tulips. These fields often go on for miles on end.
Another favorite among tourists is Keukenhof. It is a historic park that stretches on for 32 acres. It is home to a myriad of colorful flowers, from tulips to daffodils, hyacinths, and several other spring flowers, the park is buzzing with vibrant hues. Also, consider visiting Noordoostpolder, which is a municipality that is mostly covered in tulips. Many farms offer guided tours while the region is biker friendly too.
And although it may sound strange, the capital, Amsterdam is also a great place to spot tulips. Especially in spring, you can find several events and activities that revolve around plants. The floating flower market is a particular highlight while the city also hosts an annual Tulip Festival. Many corporations and institutes within the city take part in the festival, often adorning their office with tulips.
And thanks to advances in technology, those interested can enjoy the scenery without having to splurge on a visit to the Netherlands. With software like Google Street View, images on Instagram, and videos on YouTube, one can experience the wonder of it all as if they were really there!
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Five Best Destinations for Backpackers
Backpacking is a rite of passage for many - something people choose to do during their summers at uni, or a year away before entering the world of work. It’s completely different to staying in a luxury resort, and gives you far more opportunity to connect with other travelers and really immerse yourself in the culture of a destination. In many countries, hostels are situated in forests, by beaches and lakes so that you can truly appreciate nature - sleeping in a hammock under the stars, with the sounds of exotic birds waking you every morning. With a whole world of choice, it can be difficult to know where to go with your backpack, so here are the top five suggestions.
The beautiful European country of Portugal is a favorite with backpackers. From the wild Atlantic coasts with many unspoiled coves to quaint mountain top villages, there’s spectacular scenery everywhere you look. Portugal also has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so you can delve into the history of the country on your trip. Highlights are Evora, a university city, and Porto, by the sparkling blue sea.
Next up is Cappadocia in Turkey. The region is famous for its conical rock formations and cave dwellings carved into the rocks in the Bronze Age. The people here are very friendly, and often invite strangers to their homes for tea. The churches in Cappadocia also have beautiful frescoes that visitors love. Horse riding is a common pursuit here, so store your backpack and hop on.
Bali has long been a haven for backpackers. The Indonesian island is a tropical paradise, with cheeky monkeys and stunning beaches. If you like surfing, stay in Uluwatu or Canggu, whereas party-lovers will prefer the lively hostels in Kuta.One must-do for backpackers is a trip to Machu Picchu, a mysterious city high in the Andes mountains. You need to prepare if you are going to hike up to it, as some people suffer from altitude sickness. Peru also has great ceviche and friendly llamas.
Finally, Honduras is a great place for backpackers, with very cheap scuba diving and beautiful national parks for nature lovers. There are amazing Mayan ruins at Copan, and Tegucigalpa has some wonderful colonial architecture to admire.
