Leaving Your Mesquite Home Behind for Tulip Season in Holland

Spring is one of the best times to be in Mesquite. The golf courses are green, the evenings are mild and the summer heat hasn't arrived yet. It's also the one time of year when the fields of Holland burst into color, which makes it a tempting moment to lock the front door and go.

If you've been thinking about a spring trip to the Netherlands, this guide covers both sides of it. Where to go and how to travel, and how to leave your desert home so it's in good shape when you get back.

Why Tulip Season Is Worth the Trip

Tulip season is short. The fields usually start blooming in late March, peak around April and fade by mid-May. Miss that window and you'll find green stalks and bare soil.

When you hit it right, though, the scale is hard to believe. According to Statistics Netherlands, Dutch growers planted tulips on more than 15,000 hectares in 2023, or roughly 37,000 acres. That's a 32 percent jump from 10 years earlier. Tulips now take up more than half of all the land used for flower bulbs in the country.

Tulips aren't the only draw. Near Rotterdam, UNESCO recognizes the mill network at Kinderdijk, where 19 historic windmills still stand ready to pump water if the modern system ever fails. Seeing them in early morning light is a highlight for a lot of travelers.

For many Mesquite residents, the timing works out nicely too. You can enjoy the best of the local spring, slip away for a couple of weeks and be home before the real heat sets in.

Why a Spring Tulip River Cruise Suits Desert Homeowners

Holland is small, but planning a spring trip there can still feel like a lot. Trains, hotels, bulb fields and luggage all need sorting out.

A spring tulip river cruise takes much of that off your plate. Many bloom-time sailings begin in Amsterdam or Brussels and stop at places like Keukenhof, Delft, Rotterdam, Ghent and Bruges. You unpack once, and the ship moves while you sleep.

This style of travel is also easy on the body. There's no hauling bags between hotels and no long bus days. For retirees and seasonal residents, that alone can make the difference between a trip you enjoy and one you need a vacation from.

Getting There From Mesquite

Most trips start with the drive down I-15 to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. St. George Regional Airport in Utah is another option, with connections through larger hubs. If you're driving yourself, book airport parking ahead or arrange a shuttle so you're not hunting for a spot at dawn.

Either way, expect a long travel day. The CDC notes that anyone traveling more than four hours can be at risk for blood clots. Get up and walk the aisle every hour or two, flex your ankles while seated and ask your doctor about compression socks if you're at higher risk.

Plan to arrive in Amsterdam at least a day before your sailing. It gives you a buffer for flight delays and a chance to shake off jet lag before the fun starts.

Your Home Prep Countdown

Leaving a desert house empty for a few weeks takes a little planning. Here's a simple timeline to follow, and our look at how Mesquite heat affects home security systems can help with the camera and sensor checks.

Four weeks out

• Tell your HOA and a trusted neighbor your travel dates.

• Book pool service and landscape care if you don't already have them.

• Check that your homeowners insurance doesn't have restrictions on vacancy periods.

Two weeks out

• Request a mail hold. The US Postal Service will hold your mail for free for anywhere from 3 to 30 days.

• Sign up for a vacation check with the Mesquite Police Department. Volunteers will drive by registered homes while you're gone.

• Test your security cameras and smart locks from your phone.

The day before you leave

• Set your irrigation timer to the current seasonal schedule.

• Raise your thermostat instead of turning the air off completely. Late spring days can still get warm.

• Switch your water heater to vacation mode, and consider shutting off the main water valve.

• Empty the fridge of anything that won't keep, and unplug small electronics.

Making the Most of Your Time in Holland

Once you're there, slow down. Take an extra hour at Keukenhof, rent a bike for a short ride along the bulb fields or sit at a canal-side café in Amsterdam and watch the city go by.

Spring weather in the Netherlands is cool and changeable. Pack layers, a light rain jacket and comfortable walking shoes. Coming from the desert, a breezy morning by the water can feel colder than you'd expect.

Try the food, too. Grab a warm stroopwafel from a market stall, taste fresh herring if you're feeling brave and save room for Belgian chocolate once the ship crosses the border.

Come Home to Spring Still Going

The best part of a tulip season trip from Mesquite is the return. You'll fly home full of color and stories, and you'll land to find your desert home exactly as you left it. And when friends at the Sun City clubhouse ask how the trip went, you'll have the photos to prove it.

Book early, prep the house and let someone else handle the itinerary. Holland in spring is worth every mile.