The saying may be ‘April showers bring May flowers,’ but you won’t have to wait that long to see a stunning display of tulips, daffodils and hyacinth if you head to this perfect springtime destination.

Amsterdam, along with the entirety of Holland, celebrates the Tulip Festival from late March to early May, signifying the start of spring.

And the millions of tulips are about to burst into full bloom.

This has been one of my top must-see destinations for a while now for obvious reasons. The breathtaking array of flowers and colors is a nature-lover’s playground, and a reminder of the beauty of nature.

But this isn’t just your normal stroll through a flower field. Let’s talk about why you should make this your next trip.

Exploring Holland

So first off, Holland, Amsterdam, the Netherlands — where are all these places, and how do they fit into each other?

Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands while Holland refers to two provinces, North Holland and South Holland, where Amsterdam — and the majority of the tulip fields — reside on the western side of the country.

Keukenhof Gardens:

Just 40 minutes outside of Amsterdam, you'll find Keukenhof Gardens - known as the most beautiful spring garden in the world. Every year, over 7 million flower bulbs are planted by hand, including over 800 different types of tulips. Spend your day walking through the garden's sprawling 80 acres filled with floral creativity or enjoying a unique flower show.

Blooming Tulip Fields:

While you are in the Bollenstreek, or Dutch flower region, you don't want to skip taking a stroll through the iconic rows of tulips. The colorful lines will simply leave you in awe, not to mention make for an amazing photo opportunity. And it's not only just tulips. Rows upon rows of daffodils and hyacinth are also in bloom this time of year.

Flower Parade:

You won't want to miss this cherished Dutch tradition. Volunteers work year-round to combine nature's artistry with human design, using spring's flowers to decorate parade floats. This year's parade is slated for April 18 — promising not just beautiful views, but the fragrant smells of spring.

Tulip Festival In Amsterdam:

The city itself blooms during tulip season. 85 of Amsterdam's most iconic locations create their own tulip display, making the city a living exhibition. And the best part, each year new venues are added and displays are refreshed, making for a unique experience as you walk through the city streets.

So, When Is The Best Time To Go?

The tulips typically bloom from the second week of April to early May. The daffodils and hyacinth are a bit earlier, with flowering expected to start in early March and mid-March, respectively.

But, as you might expect, the weather can have an impact on when the flowers rear their beautiful heads.

Cooler weather can lead to delays in flowering, while warmer periods can promote early blooming.

The most recent flower forecast noted that though the tulip season is progressing well, the cooler conditions this week have slowed down things down compared to the pace earlier this month.

The good news is that the tulips are still anticipated to bloom within their normal window. And the daffodils and hyacinth are already widely flowering.

Tulips Are More Than Just A Flower

If the endless, gorgeous rows of tulips and variety of fun flower events are not enough to entice you — maybe the history and significance of the tulip will be.

The tulip has long been a symbol associated with the Netherlands, but the flower didn't originate there. It was actually brought over from modern-day Turkey in the 16th century and found to thrive in the Dutch climate.

But not all tulips are the same.

The red tulip symbolizes love and romance and is the most popular one to give with a romantic message, similar to a red rose in the U.S.

Other colors and their meanings:

• Pink: Caring, Good Wishes — perfect for friends or family members!
• White: Innocence, Forgiveness, Respect — often given at weddings or with an apology.
• Purple: Royal, Rebirth — good for wishing someone a fresh, new start.
• Yellow: Brightness, Cheer — a great choice for spreading some happiness!

Whether you're ready to book a ticket and hop on a plane or you're just penciling it in on your travel bucket-list as well, I hope that the natural beauty of tulip season in Holland calls to you just like it does to me.

And who knows? Maybe you'll see me in a tulip field next year once my sister and I finally pin down that elusive sibling's trip!

Caitlin Kaiser graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences before starting her career as a digital meteorologist with weather.com.