Flower Travel Destinations in Europe
Spring and summer to many means one thing, landscapes brought to life again with colorful floral blooms. Europe holds a wide variety of flora for all to enjoy. Here are 6 amazing flower travel destinations for your next trip.
Keukenhof Gardens – Lisse, Netherlands
Experience tulip mania in Amsterdam, arguably the most iconic floral destination, as you immerse yourself in the land of windmills and tulip fields. Keukenhof Gardens is home to an impressive seven million flowering bulbs that blossom into an amazing kaleidoscope of colors each spring. In addition to the dazzling array of tulips, the garden also features Castle Keukenhof, a Japanese Garden and four Pavilions that exhibit rotating displays depending on the blooming season. A visit to the Keukenhof will leave you with a deep appreciation of the beauty of the art of garden design and cultivating.
When to go?
Open seasonally from mid March to early May, this immaculate garden is home to countless varieties of crocus, daffodil, hyacinth and of course tulips.
How to get there?
Public Transit: Purchase combitickets online which includes your entrance to the gardens and public transportation. Buses depart several times an hour in Amsterdam from the following stations: Amsterdam RAI, Amsterdam Schiphol, Haarlem and Leiden.
By car: Pre purchase a parking token online with your entrance ticket and park on site. Drive from Amsterdam to Lisse, approximately 40 km from the city center.
https://keukenhof.nl/en/plan-your-visit/
Monet’s Garden – Giverny, France
Art lovers will enjoy visiting the inspiration for many of Claude Monet’s most iconic artworks at his former home and garden in Giverny, France. Located just outside Paris, spend a day wandering through the flower-filled gardens, walk along the famous Japanese Bridge and be inspired by the beauty and rich colors of the iconic water lily pond. The garden also includes the painter’s former home and art studio, where he lived for 43 years with his family. You will gain a greater appreciation for his life and work in the place that served as inspiration for some of the world’s greatest impressionist works.
When to go?
The garden is open from April to late fall, be sure to check when the season opens on the official website and purchase tickets in advance. Private guided tours are also available in English, French, Spanish and German.
https://giverny.org/gardens/fcm/visitgb.htm
How to get there?
Train: Depart from the Saint-Lazare Paris station (which interestingly was the subject of one of Monet’s Paintings) to the Vernon- Giverny Station on the Rouen Line. The trip takes approximately 45 min. Once you arrive there are Bus shuttles or taxis available to take you the remaining 7 km to Giverny.
By Car: Drive to the city of Vernon, cross the bridge over the river Seine and turn right on the D5. Follow the road for 5 km. Parking is free at Giverny and you will find ample parking in front of Fondation Claude Monet.
Madeira, Portugal
Known as the “island of eternal spring” this subtropical island off Portugal’s Atlantic coast is a nature lover’s paradise. The Botanical Garden in Funchal offers a beautiful and rich collection of tropical flowers, but the true beauty of Madeira lies in the natural landscapes dotted with lush forests and wildflowers. In fact, a large majority of the island is a National Park, which preserves the amazing diversity of flora and fauna native to the island. The Madeira Flower Festival, held four weeks after Easter, is another must see event which celebrates the island’s love for all things floral.
When to go:
Unlike mainland Europe, Madeira boasts a subtropical climate which makes it an enjoyable year round destination. Flowers are at their best during the warm spring from March to May, although the island remains green and lush even in the winter which makes it an ideal destination to escape the cold of mainland Europe.
How to get there?
By Plane: Fly into Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport in the city of Santa Cruz. This main gateway offers a number of flights to and from mainland Europe.
By Boat: If Madeira is a stop along your European cruise, you will be arriving in the Port of Funchal. Porto Santo Ferries also offer ferry routes to Madeira from Portugal.
Lavender Fields in Provence, France
Picture summer in Provence and you most likely are picturing the vast stunning fields of purple lavender. Visitors from around the world flock to the southern French countryside every summer for picture perfect, vibrant landscapes, but these fields are not just aesthetically pleasing, they produce fragrant flowers which are then distilled to create aromatic essential oil. Lavender essential oil is a key ingredient in another famous French export, perfume. If you visit during mid July you can experience another floral sight as the sunflower fields reach peak bloom.
When to go?
Due to the short peak flowering season, expect crowds of tourists. The best time to catch the blooms is from mid June to mid July, depending on weather, variety of lavender grown and area of Provence.
How to get there:
The main growing areas in Provence are located near Luberon, Valensole and Sault. Renting a car is the easiest option, with a variety of rental agencies in the main hubs of Provence such as Avignon, Aix en Provence or Marseille.
Hydrangeas in the Azores, Portugal
Located off the coast of Portugal, the island region known as the Azores boasts an incredible array of natural beauty, but perhaps the most iconic are the island’s abundance of blue hydrangeas. The warm year round climate and plenty of rain made for the perfect ecosystem for these plants to thrive. You can see the gorgeous hues dot the landscape and marvel at the sheer size of blossoms found here. Drive around the islands to truly appreciate the natural beauty. You may even see the hydrangea bushes used as a natural fence dividing neighboring farmer’s fields.
When to go?
The best time to experience the blooms is from late April to early September, with May and June being peak season. The time you go can also dictate the colors you may see, with lighter blue shades in the spring that become deeper and more purple towards the end of the season with the hot summer months.
How to get there?
Fly into Ponta Delgada on the largest island of São Miguel via João Paulo II Airport (PDL) . It is strongly recommended to rent a car while on the island in order to see all the island has to offer. There are also ferries that operate between the islands, offered by Atlânticoline.
Sea of Blue in Hallerbos, Belgium
Every spring visitors flock to an ancient forest in Belgium to experience the beauty of the blooming bluebells which transform the forest floor into a carpet of vibrant blue beneath the giant sequoia trees. Hallerbos Forest covers an area of 1360 acres with plenty of walking trails for visitors to admire the scenery and breathtaking natural phenomenon. One of the best walking paths is Reebokwandeling, a 7km round trip which offers stunning views of the wildflowers.
When to go?
The season can change from year to year, generally mid to late April is considered to be the best time to go. It is important to note the bluebell season is very short, these beautiful blooms only last about 2 weeks.
How to get there?
Located only 20km from the capital Brussels, there are a few ways to reach the forest.
There is the train from Brussels to Halle, once you arrive in Halle there are bus connections to the forest or you can rent a bike at the Halle station and ride approximately 5 km to Hallerbos.
If you have your own car you can drive to Hallerbos, however be warned that during bluebell season traffic can become congested and the roads can be closed to prevent overcrowding.
Conclusion : Flower Travel Destinations in Europe
If planning a trip to Europe these 6 destinations are sure to wow you. From subtropical islands to fields of lavender, gorgeous well kept gardens and natural forests, the diversity of colors, varieties and landscapes will serve as the perfect backdrop for these amazing flower travel destinations.
One Response