Keukenhof: The Garden of Europe

Think of the Netherlands, and you'll inevitably think of tulips, the country's most popular flower. And there's nowhere better to enjoy its rich floral bounty than at the Keukenhof, otherwise known as the Garden of Europe. On the outskirts of Lisse, in what's widely considered the "bulb belt" of the Netherlands, Keukenhof is the largest public garden in the world encompassing more than 70 acres of what was once the former kitchen (or "keuken") garden of a large country estate. Along with its excellent restaurants, sunny patios, and exhibitions - not to mention its more than 700 varieties of tulips - the site is home to the world's largest open-air flower show. The charm of Keukenhof lies in its endless variety of color which, thanks to its massive commercial hot houses, is almost a year-round occurrence. In them, you'll see endless rows of flowering tulips, along with thousands of hyacinths, crocuses, and daffodils.