The famous tulip fields of The Netherlands lie between the cities of Haarlem and Leiden. Called the "Bollenstreek Route" or "Bloemen Route" by the Dutch, most tourists know it as the "Flower Route."
Tulip farmers typically sell some of the flowers to local markets, but the real value of the plant lies in the bulb, which are exported all over the world. Bulbs producing flowers with rare colors can sell for many times more than those with common colors. One of the most famous economic bubbles ever, known as tulip mania, occurred during the 1600s when the prices of rare tulip bulbs were bid up to obscene prices and subsequently crashed.
These pictures were taken on the backroads of the tulip farms. Keukenhof Garden, the most famous stop along the Flower Route, is typically packed with tour buses, so the backroads provide a more authentic and relaxed experience.
