In the 17th century, a single tulip in Holland was worth ten times the annual salary of a skilled worker. This massive value attached to tulips is reminiscent of the modern tradition where a diamond engagement ring is expected to cost the giver two months’ worth of salary. This goes to show why tulips have historically been seen as a symbol of love, admiration, extravagance, and sometimes even obsession.
The tulip season in Holland no longer just consists of the iconic three-week period in spring when the fields burst with vibrant colors. The festivities now start much earlier, with National Tulip Day falling on a Saturday in January. This is because tulips begin blooming as early as the New Year in Dutch greenhouses.
A picturesque scene of colorful tulips decorating the edge of a canal can be seen in Amsterdam, the charming Dutch capital. The Tulip Museum on Prinsengracht canal is a delightful place to learn about the fascinating history of tulips. Originating from the Himalayas, tulips were seen as symbols of birth, life, and fertility in both the East and the West.
It’s interesting to note that tulips made their way to Europe thanks to Turkish soldier-traders who brought them along the silk route to Istanbul. The name ‘tulip’ itself comes from the Turkish word for turban. Even Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent couldn’t resist the allure of these beautiful flowers and frequently gifted them to Western diplomats.
In Holland, tulips became a symbol of affluence during the Golden Age, a period when the country was a thriving economic power. The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam proudly displays the opulent lifestyle of wealthy merchants from that time, showcasing how tulips and related items were essential decorations in their luxurious homes.
The Rijksmuseum, also known as the National State Museum, is home to various displays showcasing the opulence of Holland’s ‘Golden Age’. Among the treasures on show are intricate floral ‘still lifes’ and exquisite Delft Blue pottery, including stunning tulip vases resembling pagodas. Mary II, the wife of William of Orange, was so captivated by these porcelain masterpieces that she commissioned several for their palaces on both sides of the North Sea.
In a portrait by Rembrandt, his wife Saskia is painted as Flora, the goddess of spring and flowers, with a striking red-and-white tulip nestled in her wreath of blossoms. The tulip’s vivid reds are depicted in elegant flame-like patterns. During the height of ‘tulipmania’, three bulbs of the Semper Augustus variety were once worth a staggering 10,000 guilders, equivalent to the value of the grandest canal-side homes in Amsterdam.
“We often admire the British for their practicality and aptitude for gardening, especially in the way they cultivate tulips at places like Sissinghurst,” remarks Sjoerd van Eeden, co-owner of Amsterdam’s Tulip Museum.
The photo shows the Amsterdam Tulip Museum, situated along the beautiful Prinsengracht Canal.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono chose the Hilton near Vondelpark in Amsterdam for their honeymoon back in 1969. The famous couple staged a ‘bed-in for peace’ at this hotel, while being photographed in their pajamas with white tulips. Nowadays, visitors from around the world flock to this suite to experience the same romantic ambiance.
For those who are looking to explore beyond the city, the Hilton can arrange day trips to the Keukenhof garden near Leiden, known for its stunning spring flowers. Additionally, less than an hour away from Amsterdam, visitors can take tours of a family farm owned by the friendly 6 ft 8 in fourth-generation grower, Joost de Jong, also known as Mr. Tulip.
As a special treat for Valentine’s Day, Joost can even help you pick a new tulip variety and have it officially named after your loved one. It’s not uncommon to find tulips named after famous brands like Heineken, with its unique pale yellow and white flower. The beauty of April brings a burst of vibrant colors to the tulip fields, including those in Joost’s village that stretch for half a kilometer.
With Eurostar offering up to three daily direct services from London to Amsterdam, the Dutch capital has become more accessible than ever before. Tourists can choose from a variety of good hotels, making it easy to plan a memorable and romantic getaway in this charming city.
Explore the beautiful landscapes of Keukenhof Gardens, just a short drive away from Amsterdam. For a unique experience, consider taking a helicopter ride for a bird’s-eye view or cruising through the waterways on a small vessel, a traditional mode of transport in this flat region.
At Joost’s farm, you’ll discover a fascinating cycle of life that holds its own symbolic meaning. The flowers are carefully tended to, with stems cut off after blooming to allow new bulbs to flourish underground. These bulbs, belonging to the same family as onions, were a vital food source during the Nazis’ imposed Hongerwinter from 1944 to 1945.
According to Joost, while roses may be seen as romantic flowers, tulips offer a wide range of colors and shapes and can thrive year-round with proper care and attention. Isn’t that romantic?