- My friend and I took a day trip from Florida to Amsterdam to see millions of colorful tulips.
- We spent more time on a plane than in the tulip fields, but the trip was more than worth it.
- Seeing the flowers in person — even for one hour — was everything we'd hoped for and more.
I work for a major airline, which means I have flight benefits that turn wild ideas into boarding passes. My best friend is my go-to travel companion and always seems to be down for a spur-of-the-moment adventure.
So, when she texted me asking if I'd want to grab a matcha together on our shared day off, I responded by asking if she'd like to see the tulips in Amsterdam instead.
The trip had been on our bucket list for years, and when I saw open seats on a flight to the Netherlands, I knew we had to take advantage of the opportunity.
We spent more time in the air than in the tulip fields
Our flight left at 8 p.m., but because of the time difference, we landed at 10 a.m. local time. Our return flight was scheduled for 3:15 p.m., so I knew we'd only have about an hour to enjoy the tulips.
After we made it through customs, I did a quick TikTok deep-dive and found a place called The Tulip Barn, which is located about 30 minutes from the airport. We Ubered there, still half-asleep but buzzing with excitement.
When we arrived and saw the roughly 1.5 million tulips, we were in awe. The flowers were even more vibrant and magical than we imagined they'd be.
Red, pink, and yellow tulips stretched across the fields. They were so perfect it almost felt as though someone had Photoshopped them into a picture.
The Tulip Barn also has tons of photo ops, and it felt like every corner had been thoughtfully designed for the perfect shot. My friend and I set a timer for every three to five minutes to ensure we had enough time to hit them all.
The biggest surprise, however, was how friendly everyone was. Guests helped each other find the perfect angle and gave inspiration for fun poses.
Although we only had an hour to enjoy the flowers, we made it count. We frolicked (yes, actually frolicked), snapped tons of photos, and stood in awe, just soaking it all in.
Although our time in Amsterdam was limited, the experience was more than worth it
Three hours in Amsterdam might not be enough time for museums or canals, but it was perfect for enjoying the tulips.
The only downside was that because we had no accommodations, we had to haul our backpacks through the fields. However, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
I live for moments like these, turning an average day off into a full-on international adventure. Working in aviation means I see time zones as opportunities, not obstacles.
Seeing the tulips in person — even for one hour — was everything we'd hoped for and more.
