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Tulips in Bloom
There’s no more dramatic transition than the one from winter to spring when flowers fill stark landscapes and cities, marking the start of the new season. This guide of places to visit in spring rounds up some of the destinations that do it best.
And the flora isn’t the only reason to dig out your passport and jet off — springtime presents the perfect weather for exploring before the heat and crowds of summer descend. From cherry blossoms in Tokyo to rainbows of tulips around Amsterdam, the blooms in these seven stunning spring destinations will surely make you swoon.
1. Tuscany, Italy
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Tuscany, Italy
As if Tuscany wasn’t pretty enough, the vibrant red poppies that blanket the countryside take it up a notch every spring. Head to Val d’Orcia (preferably in a vintage Fiat 500, for authenticity’s sake) in April or May to see stunning meadows blanketed in red flowers.
About halfway between Rome and Florence, Tuscany is the perfect road trip to add to your city break with a picnic and an impromptu floral photoshoot. Alternatively, you can stay the night to appreciate the charming Tuscan villages and spectacular scenery a little longer.
More spring destinations in Tuscany
Florence: Admire the blooming Boboli Gardens and explore Renaissance art at the Uffizi Gallery
Siena: Visit Piazza del Campo and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Lucca: Walk along the historic city walls and enjoy the vibrant botanical gardens
2. New York City, United States
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Central Park
You don’t have to leave New York City to get a breather from its hustle and bustle — some 14 percent of the city’s area is parks. But there’s one oasis of calm that stands above the rest: Central Park.
More than just NYC’s most famous green space, Central Park is the go-to spring destination for New Yorkers and excited visitors for its prime cherry blossom display around the Central Park Reservoir and the aptly named Cherry Hill. The trees, introduced from Japan, flourish on New York soil. Other top sakura spots to check out are Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Roosevelt Island, and the botanical gardens in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens.
More spring locations in New York City
Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Witness the stunning Sakura Matsuri cherry blossom festival
High Line: Walk along this elevated park with lush greenery and art installations
New York Botanical Garden: Visit the Orchid Show to see vibrant floral displays
3. Tokyo, Japan
Who hasn’t dreamt of visiting Japan during the sakura season, when the cherry trees bloom? They turn already impressive landscapes across the country into something truly magical.
Visiting Tokyo in March or early April? A city tour will no doubt be geared to show you all the best sakura spots, but you’ll also want to explore them on foot with plenty of camera memory available. Even at night, many trees are lit up to fantastic effect.
Where to visit in spring in Tokyo?
Ueno Park: Experience hanami under the cherry blossoms and visit the Ueno Zoo
Sumida River: Take a scenic boat ride surrounded by blooming sakura
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: Admire diverse cherry blossom varieties in a tranquil setting
Asakusa: Explore historic temples and enjoy seasonal street food
4. Perth, Australia
Down Under, there are fields of floral magic in and around Perth. In August and September, the Western Australia Botanic Garden in the city’s King’s Park and swathes of Western Australia’s countryside are carpeted in wildflowers, making it one of the best places to visit if you’re seeking out some spring freshness in the latter half of the year.
Check out more than 500 species in Ellis Brook Valley Reserve, John Forrest National Park — the oldest in Western Australia — and the many wild orchids on the Kensington Bushland Reserve Loop. If that isn’t enough, the Wildflower Society of Western Australia is your Wildflower Country bible.
More spring destinations in Perth
Rottnest Island: Relax on pristine beaches and spot adorable quokkas
Araluen Botanic Park: Marvel at blooming tulips and enjoy serene picnic spots
Swan Valley: Indulge in wine tasting, fresh produce and scenic countryside
5. Keukenhof, the Netherlands
No springtime trip to Holland is complete without visiting the colorful tulip fields of the Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, just southwest of Amsterdam. Known as the Garden of Europe, with some 7 million bulbs planted annually, Keukenhof’s sea of flowers and traditional windmills combine to create a spring scene so perfect it could be AI. And in a country so famous for its bikes and tulips, it is undoubtedly one of the best places in Europe for a springtime cycle to see the fields in the Bollenstreek, or flower region, around Keukenhof.
More spring destinations in the Netherlands
Bollenstreek: Explore vibrant tulip fields between Leiden and Haarlem
Zaanse Schans: Discover historic windmills and traditional Dutch crafts
Giethoorn: Enjoy serene canals and charming thatched-roof houses
Hoge Veluwe National Park: Experience lush landscapes and wildlife on white bikes
6. Madeira, Portugal
Madeira, the Portuguese island off the coast of Morocco, is one of the best places to visit in spring thanks to its amazing floral display. Thousands of plants in all shapes and colors cover the green hills, and both the Madeira Botanical Garden and the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. But the most impressive is the Madeira Flower Festival in April or May, four weeks after Easter, where vibrant parades, shows and sweet-smelling blooms take over the streets of Funchal, Madeira’s capital.
More spring destinations in Madeira
Funchal: Celebrate the vibrant Flower Festival with parades, flower carpets and cultural performances
Porto Moniz: Relax in natural swimming pools surrounded by stunning volcanic landscapes
Cabo Girão: Visit the breathtaking viewpoint with a glass floor overlooking the cliffs
Levada Trails: Explore lush landscapes and waterfalls on Madeira’s famous hiking paths
7. London, United Kingdom
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Windsor Castle
London charms visitors throughout the year, but its appeal is dialed up to 11 when winter passes and it becomes one of the best spring destinations in the world. The ideal way to enjoy a spring day in London is by strolling through its best-tended green spaces, the Royal Parks. It’s worth heading to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew or Windsor Castle. Windsor Great Park, and its Long Walk extending from the royal residence, is prime picnic territory.
More spring destinations in London
Regent’s Park: Enjoy blooming flower beds and tranquil green spaces
Holland Park Kyoto Garden: Experience serene Japanese-inspired landscapes with cherry blossoms
St. James’s Park: Stroll through daffodil-lined paths and picnic by the lake
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