April 30, 2012
Gogh-ing to Ottawa for Flowers, Food - and Vincent
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Ottawa, ONTARIO - From May 4-21, 2012, the Canadian Tulip Festival -the largest festival of its kind-marks its 60th edition with over three million tulip blooms in Ottawa, Canada's Capital. Beyond the blooms, special festival programming comes alive with musical performances, tulip-themed displays and street animation throughout Ottawa neighbourhoods including the ByWard Market, Little Italy and Chinatown.
Visitors can delve into more food and entertainment from around the world at the International Pavilion, located near Commissioners Park-where 300,000 tulips bloom alone!
The Canadian Tulip Festival traces its roots to a gift of 100,000 tulip bulbs sent to the people of Canada by the Dutch Royal Family at the end of World War II. During the war, the Royal Family took refuge in Ottawa and Princess Margriet was born here. Canadian troops played a pivotal role in liberating the Netherlands, which led to the original tulip gift. Even today, the Royal Family and the Dutch Bulb Growers Association send tulip bulbs to Ottawa.
Another Dutch connection comes into focus at the National Gallery of Canada. From May 25-September 3, 2012, blockbuster exhibit, Van Gogh: Up Close, explores the famous Dutch artist's representation of nature, in particular his innovative use of the close-up view. Visitors can marvel at 45 of the renowned Dutch artist's paintings, including The Iris, plus 50 drawings and etchings from artists he heavily influenced.
To further bring these masterpieces to life, this Canadian exclusive exhibit is complemented by the award-winning IMAX film, Van Gogh: Brush with Genius on view at the Canadian Museum of Civilization from May 18 - September 3, 2012.
Want to make the most of your tulip and Van Gogh experience? Ottawa Tourism offers the following packages and more:
Tulip Celebration Package: includes accommodations, passes for a Double Decker guided city tour with Hop-on Hop-off service to various tulip beds, a Rideau Shopping Centre savings directory and add-on options.
Van Gogh Experience Package: includes accommodations, passes to the exhibit and to the IMAX film, and an optional Van Gogh inspired menu at Le Cordon Bleu Bistro @ Signatures.
Ottawa Tourism provides industry leadership and destination marketing to service the travel media and attract visitors, tours and conventions to Ottawa and Canada's Capital Region.
For more info, visit: www.tulipfestival.ca/site/whats_on/en
Or visit Ottawa Tourism at: www.ottawatourism.ca
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A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
