Every year Canada pays a tribute to these glorious flowers with the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa. This festival is the largest of its kind, and with over five million tulips that flower every year, Ottawa is the uncontested tulip capital of the world. The Tulip Festival commences in the first week of March and lasts ten day to celebrate the time honored friendship and alliance between Canada and Holland.

During World War II, when Germany launched an attack on Holland in 1940, the royal family had to flee the country. They were provided political asylum in Canada and they stayed in the Government House. Here, in Ottawa, Princess Juliana gave birth to a daughter, Princess Margriet.

On her return to the Netherlands in 1945, Princess Juliana made a gift of 100,000 tulip bulbs to the Canadian government, as a sign of her gratitude. This beautiful tradition continued even after the death of Princess Juliana, and now, 20,000 tulip bulbs are given annually to Canada. These tulips are planted before the beginning of the Tulip festival and mark the beginning of spring

For those who just can’t seem to have enough of the tulips, there’s a designated Tulip Route that extends about twenty-five mile and winds its way through Ottawa and its suburbs. You can explore this route anyway you like – walk (if you can!), by car, bike, or on the Tulip Shuttles that takes you through all the major attractions en route. The most scenic part of this entire route is ‘The Loop’, a semi circle surrounded by tulips within which are Ottawa’s three most distinguished buildings – The Parliament Building, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, and the American Embassy.

Usually, the Canadian Tulip Festival has a special theme every year. Some of the popular past themes have been “A Friendship that Flowered” which celebrated the relationship between Holland and Canada; “Turkish Tulip Tribute” to honor the land where these beautiful flowers were first cultivated; and “The Floral Artistry of Japan”, a tribute to the country that has perfected and popularized the art of arranging flowers with Ikebana.

Though the tulips are the star attraction of the festival, there are loads of other things to entertain the visitors. Concerts, a parade of flower-decked floats gliding down the Rideau Canal, floral competitions, and spectacular fireworks displays are just a few of the things that will have the visitors on their toes.

The Hull-Chelsea-Wakefield Steam Train is the oldest operating steam train in Canada, and the route that it takes you through is probably the most scenic one in eastern Canada. This steam engine was built in 1907, in Sweden, and it is more than a 100 years old. The journey lasts half a day and the train moves along the Gatineau River ending in the quaint village of Wakefield, where the train stops for two hours.

The 64 km trip that the train chugs down on takes passengers through the Gatineau Park, a natural reserve in Canada. While there is so much to see outside the window, you are also entertained on board with a licensed souvenir shop and snack bar along with musicians and tour guides. They are sure to regale with you interesting stories and trivia about the region and the steam train itself.

The Hull-Chelsea-Wakefield Steam Train has 8 period train cars with the capacity of accommodating 504 passengers. Each of these train cars is climate controlled for maximum comfort of the passengers. When the train stops for a while at Wakefield, the passengers get the additional treat of watching the steam locomotive being turned on the last operating manual turntable in Canada. Definitely a moment that you would want to capture on your camera, so keep it handy!

If you are wondering what to do next, don’t worry. The town of Wakefield has several places worth exploring. You can meander up and down the lanes and check out interesting gifts and crafts shop for some curio to take back with you. Or, you could also participate in the walking tours that take you around the village and tell you about its history and culture. If the excitement of the trip has made you hungry, there are many local restaurants and cafes that will offer some mouthwatering delicacies.

The Hull-Chelsea-Wakefield Steam Train is also renowned for the Sunset Dinner Train that happens from June to September, on Friday and Saturday evenings. Along with the breathtaking scenery, you are also treated to a four course meal made on board and served with great panache. Just the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion and spend some time with your family, isn’t it?

Whether you are a nature lover, rail fan, history buff, or simply someone looking for something out of the ordinary, the Hull-Chelsea-Wakefield Steam Train has something for everyone on board.