For four brief weeks, usually every April, the Dutch countryside explodes in colour. The tulips and dozens of other species come into bloom and it's as if a modern artist has used the fields as his canvas.

Most people will recommend a trip to the Keukenhof, some of the most beautiful and colourful gardens in Western Europe, but there is another way to get close to the magic.

Early (too early) on a hungover Sunday morning I set out from Amsterdam with a group of friends. The plan? See some tulips. The method of executing that plan? Load ourselves and our bikes on a train to Haarlem and hope for the best. Surprisingly enough, it worked.

My bike had been stolen a few weeks before and I was riding a fold up mini-blue bike that my friend had lent me. It was great for the city, easy to bring on the train and it looked cool- but it was certainly not designed for long stints in the country due to its tiny size!

We frustrated ourselves with attempts to follow the map, particularly as we weren't sure which direction we were heading anyway. But we made for Zaandam and eventually ran into a host of multi coloured tulips along the way. Once we found one field, we soon found scores.

Cycling the quiet country roads that were so alive with brilliant colours we couldn't help but feel a little envy for those Dutch people who sat quietly on the porches of solitary houses enjoying the sunshine and the outstanding view.

We stopped many times for refreshments, and just to gawk at the singular miracle that occurs when nature's finest flowers meet The Netherland's finest cultivation skills.

If you are ever in The Netherlands during Spring do not miss this!