At that time of year when those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are longing for spring, unmistakable signs are in the air. Yes, it’s time to think about planning a visit to a tulip festival! They start in March and run through May, but the most likely month to see the flowers in full bloom is April.
There are many tulip festivals. In Canada, the biggest is the . Theme for this year’s 59th edition is “Kaleidoscope of Spring”. Over one million tulips in more than 50 varieties will bring a kaleidoscope of color throughout the National Capital Region May 6-23, 2011. The highest concentration tulips – some 300,000, can be found in Commissioners Park.
Down in the States, the best known fest is in Holland, Michigan. Their claim is 6 million tulips, which the organizers fervently hope will be in full bloom May 7-14, 2011.
Other notable tulip festivals include the in Oregon (March 25-May 1), in California (March 25-27), in Washington State (April 1-30), an in Virginia, in Washington State (April 2-30), in Utah (April 15-30), (April 16 and 17), in Iowa (May 5-7), in New York State (May 7-8) and in Iowa (May 19-21).
However, the tulip festival all flower-lovers have on their bucket lists is the one in the Netherlands. The in Lisse, Holland, is a floral adventure no gardener should miss. Tulips are, of course, the stars, but there’s every kind of bulb flower on display, including crocus and amaryllis. It’s open from March 24 through May 20, 2011.
Located 240km (150 miles) south of Rome (map), the ancient city of Pompeii (map) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Italy. Once a bustling port city and commercial center with a population of around 20,000 people, Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of...
Florida’s Grapefruit League Spring Training is as much a part of professional baseball as Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente. These baseball greats among others have run the baselines at various locations around the sunshine state since the first spring training began in February...
Recently, I extolled the virtues of Ojai, California (map) – a quaint town that’s just 90 minutes away from Los Angeles. While I thought the wine was the amazing, the food was delicious, and the hospitality way beyond expectations, there was one activity that I really thought was a bit underrated:...
Forget about the Spring Break party crowd that Daytona Beach was known for in days of yore. Now, while there might be a party, it’s hardly the type that a baby boomer can’t enjoy. Beach and sun, what’s not to love in one of Florida’s most famous cities? Indeed, with so much to do in Daytona...
Los Angeles, one of America’s biggest cities and the home of movie stars. But where some see smog, clogged highways and life at a hectic pace, others see love and romance in a oceanside city. You can’t deny that LA does fare pretty well when it comes to weather, and if you look close...
If you find yourself in the Los Angeles area, I’ve got a hot tip for a great side trip you can take. It’s the small town of Ojai (map) - pronounced as if you were meeting an old friend, “Oh, Hi!” – located in Ventura County, which is to the north of LA. The drive is...
Sparkling wine is a traditional toast to love, and where better to sip vintage bubbly than in Champagne, France! After all, European Union law reserves the term “Champagne” exclusively for wines that come from this region located about 100 miles east of Paris.
Let me point out that Champagne...
For me, the best place to hang out in Florida is Key West (map), a town perched at the end of the Florida keys, a long drive south off the tip of Florida – if you could keep going, Cuba wouldn’t be too far away!
Key West has its own airport, with planes flying in right over a beach and a...
Southern California is dotted with many small towns, from beach hangouts to hiking spots in the hills. One town is just an hour south of Los Angeles and is one of California’s most historic places: San Juan Capistrano, which claims is home to California’s oldest standing building, as...
“Wine” and “Arizona” are two words that don’t seem to belong in the same sentence. Isn’t it too hot in that southwestern state for wine grapes? Nope.
And, to prove it, there’s the Verde Valley Wine Trail. Meander through this part of Northern Arizona, and you’ll...
The Crystal River/Kings Bay area of Florida is the winter home to nearly 400 hundred West Indian Manatees. When the weather and water temperatures begins to drop, particularly in October through March, and occasionally into April, the manatees are drawn to the natural springs in the Crystal...
Desert Hot Springs Views
Many times, Palm Springs and other affluent Coachella Valley enclaves in the Southern California desert get all the respect when it comes to spa getaways. But just a 15 minute drive north of I-10 lies the town of Desert Hot Springs with stunning San Jacinto Mountain views in...
Rome is overflowing with sights and attractions, but trying to see and do everything can be exhausting. After a few days you may just find yourself considering a brief escape from the big city and you’ll be happy to know that you have several options. There are a few favorite day trip destinations...
San Diego’s Historic Gaslamp Quarter is known for its many beautifully restored Victorian and Edwardian commercial buildings that were built between the Civil War and World War I. The quarter gets its name from the gas lamps that were common in San Diego in the late 19th and early 20th centuries....
Made your way through most of Paris’s museums? Looking to get out of the city and see something new? Then I’d like to suggest Chartres (map), a popular tourist spot but often overlooked or forgotten in the rush to make it to the next Parisian cafe or art gallery. Here’s an overview...
The abundance of historic sites and attractions in Rome is nothing short of overwhelming. With so much to see and do, it can be difficult to decide where to begin. Chances are you won’t get around to seeing everything – whether it’s your first visit to the city or your 10th – but there...
Exploring your options for day trips outside of Paris? Well, I’ve got another that is well worth your time and effort: Giverny (map). It is like many towns in the French countryside: charming, cute, quaint, peaceful. But it’s in Giverny where painter Claude Monet found the inspiration...
Ringling! The name means “circus” to millions of Americans who grew up watching acrobats, clowns and performing animals under the big top. John Ringling — the leading force in this band of brothers behind the behemoth known as Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus left...
The Arc de Triomphe (map) is one of the largest triumphal arches in the world. Standing at a height of 162 ft (49.5 m), a width of 150 ft (45 m) and a depth of 72 ft (22 m), it’s one of the most famous monuments in Paris and a must-see for visitors to the city. The Arc de Triomphe is situated at the...
