Did you know there is a Tulip Museum in Amsterdam?
Well, there is and the best thing is that it was founded by an American bulb importer/colleague of us. The museum is on a beautiful location, kitty corner across the canal from the Anne Frank Huis on the Prinsengracht. The museum has a traditional store front and you have to go up some blue stone steps to get into the museum. If the weather allows they have an outdoor display of bulbs they sell, indoors you will find a wide assortment of seasonal flower bulbs and most of the times they will have blooming bulbs so you can see exactly what the colors of the different varieties look like. When we were there in the beginning of March they had a lot of Amaryllis in bloom. (some of my favorites: Benfica, a deep velvety dark red and Hercules a wonderful deep pink with huge flowers)
The people in the museum can tell you all you want to know about flower bulbs and how to plant them and they'll be happy to help you find gifts for everyone back home.
Downstairs you can learn all about the history of the flower bulb industry in Holland on flatscreen video's and there are several books available on everything connected with flowerbulbs.
If you love tulips and daffodils make sure to visit this place!
Should you you happen to go there on a Monday morning, combine your visit with a trip to the Noordermarkt, just a few blocks away, one of the traditional outdoor markets that Europe is so famous for. On this market you will find a surprising assortment of goods, from antiques to fabrics (vintage buttons and trims also) clothing, hardware, produce and if you'r lucky there will be one time only deals that are ever changing.
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