Photo: eleni.menoutis /CC

The prettiest time of the year in the Netherlands is tulip season. The flat Dutch landscape most people regard as a bit boring — I find the evenness with the horizon quite beautiful — turns into a never-ending blanket of the most vibrant flowers.

Tulip season is as if Alice comes every spring to delicately paint each of the petals by hand. An ordinary train ride through the Netherlands transforms into a radiant floral exhibition when springtime comes around.

A visit to the Keukenhof, Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam Tulip Museum and Flora2000 site are four great ways to appreciate the tulip season. Below here I have listed all you need to know about these wonderful destinations. Tulip season is short but precious,

Hurry up!

Pst! Did You Remember Mother's Day?
Try the online store FLORA2000. A pet peeve of mine is tacky flower bouquets of carnations. With Mother’s Day around the corner, a tasteful floral Web site is always great to know about. Flora2000 delivers globally to 170 countries, offering a fine selection of 3,000 meticulously arranged flower bouquets to choose from.

The site is as sophisticated and luxurious as a wedding site, but a bit more colorful. Have your gift of flowers delivered in a basket, simply bound with a ribbon, held in a glass vase, or wrapped in beautiful paper. Your mother will surely be pleased.