Tulips in the Netherlands – “Heaven on Earth”

By – Adv Pranita Deshpande

@advpranita_a

Den Haag: “Flowers are Heaven’s masterpiece” – Dorothy Parker

I truly believe in this quote when I saw Tulips in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is known for its tulips, the “flower shop of the world.”

I can assure you that no humankind in this world whose heart will not melt after seeing beautiful fields of tulips in the Netherlands. You will certainly spend less time looking at your phone when You are on the train in the Netherlands.

As one said, we can’t go to visit heaven that’s why God created flowers on earth.

Originally cultivated in the Ottoman Empire (present-day Turkey), tulips were imported into the netherlands in the sixteenth century. When Carolus Clusius wrote the first major book on tulips in 1592, they became so popular that his garden was raided and bulbs were stolen regularly.

As the Dutch Golden Age grew, so did this curvaceous and colourful flower. They became popular in paintings and festivals. In the mid-seventeenth century, tulips were so popular that they created the first economic bubble, known as “Tulip Mania” (tulipomania)

From mid-March to the end of May, the weather is turning for the better, and the Netherlands is transformed into a technicolour wonderland, as millions of tulips bloom all at once. Currently, it is spring in the Netherlands.

Unfortunately, this year too we have lots of restrictions due to coronavirus (COVID-19) but of course, tulips are going to bloom like every year. There are some options available that will make sure you still enjoy tulips season this year.

As we know there are restrictions on travelling due to covid 19 and due to pandemic the museum’s, amusement parks are forced to close their doors. But still, you can enjoy the tulips digitally via social media i.e Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and websites.

For those who live in the Netherlands, there are several bicycle options available to admire the tulips. But you must have to follow all the coronavirus measures for these activities. Renting a bicycle option is always available in the Netherlands.

From Leiden, I would recommend going for a day of cycling in the flower fields. You’ll be able to go through amazing fields, with windmills, for complete scenery! Because the Netherlands is the perfect place to explore by bike. The country has many cycle paths and signposted cycle routes, the landscape is flat, distances are short and there are lots to see and do along the way.

Most tulip farms in the Netherlands are located in the Noordoostpolder in the province of Flevoland. The flower bulb fields along the coast of The Hague and Leiden up to Alkmaar in the north are also a great way to enjoy these beautiful flowers.

Keukenhof, also known as the Garden of Europe, is one of the world’s largest flower gardens, situated in Lisse, South Holland, Netherlands. But due to pandemic, Keukenhof is not permitted to open the park.

During this pandemic, it’s important to continue looking after your physical and mental health and try to stay positive. This will not only help you in the long term, but it will also help you fight COVID-19 if you get it.

Sometimes we get so busy with our daily lives, overlooking the importance of nature. Time spent amongst nature is never time wasted. Nature never hurries.

As Henry David Thoreau said,” Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.”

So, please stay safe and to admire Nature is to worship god.

The writer settled in Den Haag, Netherlands and she writes for Indian media on various issues from the Netherlands.) She can be contacted through email – advpranita@gmail.com