Treat your eyes to the most beautiful tulip festivals around the world (PHOTOS)
Spring has arrived, which means that Mother Nature is getting all dolled up to mark the new season.
With it comes the full bloom of stunning tulips, and the beginning of many tulip festivals around the globe.
The vibrant blossoms make for the perfect Instagram background, and depending on where you are, the festivals can also serve as a full day affair, so you can enjoy picnics and activities while surrounded by a sea of tulips.
Here are some wanderlust-worthy destinations with some of the largest tulip festivals around the world. Fair warning: They just may inspire you to get out and capture some colourful shots of your own.
Keukenhof, Netherlands
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This stunning tulip festival takes place at Keukenhof in the Netherlands, and Dutch windmills can serve as the signature Dutch backdrop to your Instagram post. According to the festival website, over seven million bulbs will bloom this spring, with a total of 800 varieties of tulips.
Tulip festival-goers are warned, however, to admire the beautiful bulbs responsibly, as many tulips in the Netherlands end up getting trampled by tourists trying to get the perfect shot.
Abbotsford, Canada
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This stunning tulip festival in Abbotsford allows tourists and locals alike to stroll through the sea of colourful flowers — and even take some home.
The festival website invites guests to pack a picnic basket, visit the food trucks on-site, enjoy the covered picnic area, photo cut out boards, and childrenâs play area. Visitors are welcomed to wander through the garden’s u-pick and build a bouquet, or pick up some fresh cut tulips from the on-site flower market.
Portland, USA
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Open rain or shine, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Portland, Oregon is filled with fields of stunning tulips, and a number of activities for the whole family, including wagon rides, on-site food and treats, train rides, and a number of activities for kids and adults.
Visitors are also treated to the stunning views of distant mountains in the background, the Wooden Shoe Vineyards wine tasting room, and much more.
Make sure to visit our Portland Travel Guides for top recommendations on things to do, where to eat and drink, and a neighbourhood guide!
Ottawa, Canada
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Beautiful tulips aren’t the only thing this tulip festival has in common with the one in the Netherlands! The Canadian Tulip Festival was established to celebrate the historic royal gift of tulips from the Dutch to Canadians immediately following the Second World War as a symbol of international friendship.
The Canadian Tulip Festival takes place in Ottawa, Ontario, and according to its founder Malak Karsh, tulips bring “colour back into a very grey world.”
Srinagar, India
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These gorgeous tulips can be found at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Festival in Srinagar, Kashmir. Spread across 12 hectares, this tulip garden is currently the largest in Asia. With 70 varieties of tulips, it is the largest tourist attraction in Srinagar.
Check out our tips for a smooth and rewarding first trip to India to help plan out your trip!
Silvan, Australia
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Tesselaar Tulip Festival in Silvan, Victoria, Australia has an impressive field of more than 900,000 brightly-coloured tulips for tourists and locals to admire. The festival also features delicious food and a number of activities for guests of all ages.
If you ever happen to find yourself in any of these beautiful destinations, just be sure you don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers.
Share your adventures with us using #dailyhivemapped!