tulips in Holland

You will want to study the website for the Keukenhoff Gardens: http://www.keukenhof.nl/13/accessibility/. This is where you want to be. As to timing I would suggest the day or two following the Flower Parade which in 2011 will be Saturday, 16 April. The flower parade would be fine but the crowds that day are overwhelming. Using the website above you can buy your tickets online and you should consider one that includes transport. Do not plan on driving yourself. Also, investigate the flower market at Aalsmeer. It is nearby and easily worth a morning trip.

The staff at Keukenhof continually rotate the flower beds, so you can expect a near ideal display anytime during the few weeks it's open. I would disagree with the last poster about driving, especially if you're going to have a car anyway. There's a huge field for parking and it isn't hard to find by car.

I love traveling both by car and train to see the tulips in the fields as well as visiting Keukenhof gardens. I found the first two weeks of April are the best, depending upon the weather. Tulips seem to last longer if it is cooler with overcast skys. Aalsmeer is also great as mentioned but get their early,7am I would suggest, I found 9am may be too late. Don't miss my favorite flower market along the "old canal" in downtown Utrecht on Saturday. It is a feast for the eyes any time of the year. Traveled to Netherlands almost yearly since 1993 and will be back in November.