If you’re anticipating the start of spring and can’t wait to admire flowers and blossoms, perhaps consider a trip away to one of the best places in the world to admire spring blooms? Here are six destinations that are known for their spectacular spring displays, drawing in visitors from far and wide to admire some of the most spectacular collections of flowers you will ever see.
Valley of Roses, Morocco
Every year, from April to May, the Valley of the Roses is rich with the sweet scent of the flowers that bear its name. Located about six hours’ drive southeast of Marrakech, the town of Kelaat M’gouna on the Asif M’Goun River is home to 54 public gardens, as well as an abundance of wild roses growing all throughout the valley. Every morning, locals gather the roses to sell on to be used in everything from essential oils to perfume. Visitors can wander around, admire the flowers and purchase rose-scented products as mementos of their trip. At the beginning of May, the Festival of Roses takes place, with parades and celebrations.
Monet’s Gardens, France
Claude Monet’s house may be closed to the public, but his iconic gardens are one of France’s most visited attractions. Guests can stroll around, cameras at the ready, spotting scenes from his paintings, such as the large pond filled with water lilies. The gardens are closed during the winter months, and reopen at the end of March for visitors to admire the first of the spring flowers. It’s possible to visit all through spring and summer and admire different blooms on each occasion, as the gardens change with the seasons.
Sakura Blossom, Japan
All through late March, April and early May, Japan is covered in a froth of pale pink cherry blossoms. Known as Sakura, the blossom starts in the south of the country at the beginning of the season, lasting for approximately two weeks before the petals fall. Visitors at the end of the season will have to head north to catch the last of the blossoms. It’s hard to get your timing right to experience the sight of hundreds of pink-topped trees, but the Japan Meteorological Corporation release a cherry blossom forecast, helping you to plan your trip. Do as the Japanese do and picnic beneath the trees, wander around the parks for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) and join in with the cherry blossom festivities.
Keukenhof, The Netherlands
The Netherlandsare known for their tulips, and in spring time you won’t need to travel far to see fields filled with colourful blooms. By far the most impressive display can be found in Keukenhof, in south Holland, where the locals celebrate a spectacular festival every spring. Here, visitors will find over seven million flowers decorating colourful gardens, arranged in neat rows and even creating murals on the ground. Alongside tulips, guests can also admire other colourful spring flowers as they explore the gardens.
Bluebell Woods, United Kingdom
Anyone with an interest in spring flowers should head to the U.Kduring the spring months (mid-April to mid-May) to wander around a bluebell woods. Usually found in ancient woodland, or forests with thick summer canopies, vast carpets of bluebells create enchanting environments during a fleeting month once a year. These displays can be found all around the U.K, but two of the most impressive bluebell woods to discover are Blickling Estate in Norfolk and Hardcastle Crags in West Yorkshire, for classic English countryside landscapes.
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, California
If you like the sound of a vast landscape covered in orange and purple poppies, head to Antelope Valley in California to admire a spectacular display of the state’s iconic flowers. Every spring, the wildflowers erupt from the ground in abundance, with the display usually peaking in mid-March. This year, the flowers have been so spectacular that officials have had to carefully monitor the hordes of visitors to protect the blooms.
Emma Lavelle is a UK based writer and photographer and has her own blog Field and Nest.
