Bloemen Route, The Netherlands

For horticulture enthusiasts, cruising alongside fields of blooming tulips, hyacinth, narcissi and daffodils in early spring is the stuff of daydreams. Haarlem, in western Holland, is considered the gateway to the flower fields and an excellent place to begin a trip down the Bloemen Route, or Flower Road. Bursting with color, the trek embodies pastoral elegance at its very best. It is truly tulip mania here, with vendors hawking flowers alongside the road before it winds into the village of Naaldwijk, home of the largest plant and cut-flower auction in the world.

When to Go: Mid-April, when the flowers have just peaked. Choose weekdays over weekends to avoid traffic. holland.com.