A Day in a Tulip Farm without Tulips - De Tulperij, Netherlands

priyanarc (80)in Worldmappin • 2 years ago

People say that if you leave the Netherlands without visiting tulip fields, you have seen almost nothing in the Netherlands. People from all over the world come to Holland to see the vast and beautiful thousands of tulips fields. Well, my title might be catchy and might give you the wrong information but after reading my post, you will understand the meaning of the given title. Anyway, I have been staying in the Netherlands for almost a year and I haven't visited any tulips fields until May 2023. Well, because of so many personal reasons and also because of a lack of opportunities, I was not able to see the beautiful Tulip fields.

In my opinion, tulips are very sensitive flowers and they maintain a very specific timeline to stay alive. Google will tell you that from the end of March until mid-may, you can see the tulips in Holland and the best time to see blooming tulips are in mid-April. Well, here tulip fields and farms excursions start in March, and people started buying/booking tickets in January/ February. I knew all the information but unfortunately, I did nothing due to my sickness. So, my planning and desire remained only a wish.

Anyway, a long beck story short, I suddenly decided to visit a Tulip farm far away from my city. I was too late obviously because I visited the farm in May. Or I can say I was too early for the next Tulip season.

I also came to know about this farm very late, I knew about the famous Keukenhof but I was not very interested in that garden because it stays crowded during tulip season. Considering my health, I thought it would be a good idea to visit a farm and walk surrounding to see the Tulip fields.

Reaching the location was not so easy from the city where I live. First I had to take the train to Schiphol Airport and from Schiphol Airport I took the train to Leiden Central. Well, my next destination was Sassenheim which is located near Leiden Central. After 1 hour and 30 minutes of travel, finally we reached Sassenheim station. It's a very small station and seemed almost empty.

To reach the De Tulperij farm, I had to take a taxi to Lisse from Sassenheim station. I could have taken the bus as well but the taxi was more convenient though it was expensive. The taxi took 20 euros from Sassenheim to De Tulperij.

The taxi driver was nice, he started talking about the location when I asked him and explained what I can see there and how I can spend time there. He also mentioned Keukenhof but I was not interested.

The farm is located in Lisse.

After reaching the farm, I decided to walk around a bit before entering the farm. I started looking around with a lot of expectation and I saw these fields with almost no tulips. The day before my trip, heavy rainfall happened and only a few tulips survived from heavy rainfall. Like I said my expectation was high because I have seen thousands of amazing photos of tulip fields. I was kinda disappointed in myself for not doing proper planning for the trip and also kinda dissatisfied seeing the empty field. But it is what it is, I made around 2 hours journey just to see the empty fields.

		With a broken heart, I thought to visit the farm "De Tulperij" in the hope of seeing some tulips. The entrance of the farm was nice, fresh yellow daffodils welcomed us to visit the farm. Also, it was nice to read the board as well.

After entering the farm, I was expecting a garden or something but I discovered a beautiful shop that was decorated inspired by tulips and Dutch culture. At first, I started looking around, started exploring every corner of the shop, and then went to see the tulips that were for sale.

It was mesmerizing to experience the colors and variations of tulips. I have seen tulips before but I have never seen so many variations together in one place. The heavenly smell and bold colors instantly made my mood fresh and I had to let my disappointment go to enjoy the small moment.

20230512_145217 (1).jpg

This variety of tulips reminded me of Carnation flowers, they look so similar. They were so pretty that I thought to buy one flower pot for my home. But then I recalled that I don't have any place to keep this flower pot or nurture it.

My phone did a really good job taking these photos.

This was not an ordinary farm shop, this shop was holding the Dutch history, Tulip Business, and family business history of the farm. I was not so sure where to pay for my visit because I saw at the entrance that I have to pay if I want to go to the garden. But the lady from the shop told me that I can be there for free and can spend time inside and outside. I saw only one tourist like me who came to visit the field and was disappointed like me. Later they bought some souvenirs, tulip bulbs, and seeds and then left.

Because I got the chance to stay there for free, so I was walking around and started taking photos of the shop. As I have said it was not an ordinary shop so I will show you why this farm's shop was not ordinary. I didn't have any guide so I explored everything by myself.

This shelf represents the pottery of the Dutch. Dutch pottery known as Delft Pottery or Delftware can be found in Delft city. The original work of this pottery is identical and follow very specific white and blue color. These interior decors are just exceptional but not traditional.

On this wall, you will see a glimpse of Delftwares but the design is inspired by tulips and Hyacinth flowers. This unique design is only available on this farm, nowhere else.

In this photo, you can see the royal Delft products, very expensive and beautiful decorations. The stacking vase is a unique piece to keep the flowers in an innovative way and the cost was around 100 euros.

I wanted to purchase at least one decors but I thought I will buy something when I will visit Delft city, Netherlands.

Each corner of the shop will give you a unique experience as well as knowledge of the history of tulips. Interior ideas, Dutch pottery, Dutch tradition and culture and, last but not least, you will see the tools that farmers/ gardeners had used before for tulip cultivation. The touch and history of the tulips were everywhere, you just need to spend time there. I was kinda lucky because no one was there and I had a lot of time to see each and every piece closely.

Many unique and creative decors were available there that you won't find anywhere else.

This wall is very personal and dedicated to the family who owns this business. This is a family business that dedicated itself to the tulip business. This business remained the same from generation to generation and in the future it will remain the same.

A world map to pin the country from where you came. I put pins both on Ukraine and Bangladesh.

Very few people from Greenland and Russia visited this place.

20230512_150231 (1).jpg

After spending an hour inside the big shop, I went outside to see the farm. Unfortunately, most of the tulips were dead but still, it was nice to sit in the garden. I bought an ice cream from the shop and enjoyed it while sitting in the garden.

More tulip photos from the Farm (outside)

The farm where many people take photos during the season

This greenish-yellow and red shaded tulips are called Flaming Parrot

		The pink shaded tulips are called "Sugar Baby", kinda funny from a sarcastic perspective. I was hoping to see Sugar Mommy or Daddy but didn't find them.

Unlimited photos I have taken but sharing those that I have found meaningful. It was a disappointing day not to experience the beauty of thousands of tulips but at least the day was well spent despite of less tulips.

After 4 hours of excursion, I had returned home with a smile...

Love

Priyan...

^{I am @priyanarc.... An architect, a dreamer, and a passionate writer who loves to write about life. I try to present my own perspective and experiences. Please leave your feedback and criticism because it's the only way I can know and reach your mind and thought easily...}