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Admire the jacaranda trees in Pretoria.
Jacaranda trees are believed to originate from Brazil. However, the weather and climate in South Africa are very suitable for this vibrant flower. In 1800, a nanny named William Nelson was the first to bring jacaranda trees to the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria in South Africa to plant them. Pretoria is where they are most abundant, so much so that tourists call Pretoria the City of Jacaranda Flowers (similar to how Hai Phong in Vietnam is considered the City of Red Flame Trees).
Visitors can find the most jacaranda trees along Bosman Street in central Pretoria or Celliers Street in Sunnyside. For a panoramic view of the city bathed in purple, head to the Union Building or the Klapperkop Nature Reserve for an elevated vantage point.
- Best time to visit: September to November
Viewing poppies in California
Poppies are native to California, and the locals even celebrate April 6th as their national flower. Because of the vibrant bloom of this state flower, the first Spanish settlers in America nicknamed California "The Land of Fire."
Tourists also see road signs in California decorated with poppy motifs. The symbolic meaning of the poppy was reaffirmed in May 2018 when it appeared extensively at the Royal Wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
- Best time to visit: March to April
Visit the wisteria garden in Tokyo.
Wisteria flowers are found in many places throughout Japan. However, the most beautiful wisteria gardens are located in Ashikaga Park in Tochigi Prefecture, about 80 miles north of Tokyo. The trees there are over 150 years old and can spread up to 80 meters.
For this type of flower, the milder the climate, the earlier it blooms. Therefore, visitors should check the information before going to see the flowers. From mid-April to early May is usually the best time for visitors to see the flowers.
- Best time to visit: From April to May
Experience the almond blossom season in Morocco.
When the foothills of the Anti Atlas Mountains turn a pale pink, it signals the arrival of spring in Morocco. The seemingly endless groves of almond trees here appear to blush the hills and valleys, illuminating the road to Tafraout, a tranquil village in the Ameln Valley and a center of almond production in Morocco.
Almonds play a crucial role in Morocco's economy and culture, as they are an indispensable ingredient in dishes, pastries, and desserts. In fact, this North African nation is one of the world's largest almond producers. Almonds are also very significant to Tafraout. Every year, a grand almond blossom festival is held there, featuring music, dance, and theatrical performances. The festival is also a place where merchants meet and exchange almond products. The timing of the festival is not fixed, as the locals decide when the almond trees bloom.
The best time to go: February
Admire the hydrangeas in the Azores, Portugal.
The Azores Islands are beloved worldwide for their abundance of hydrangeas. For many years, hydrangeas have become a symbol of the Azores, as visitors can see them along all the roads and pathways on the nine main islands of the Azores.
For breathtaking scenery, head to Faial Island, known locally as the "blue island" due to the seemingly endless hedges of blue hydrangeas lining its coastal roads. Alternatively, you can visit Pico, one of two UNESCO World Heritage islands in the Azores, where the impressive volcanic landscape is adorned with the blue of hydrangeas in the summer.
- Best time to visit: June and July
Visit the lavender fields in Provence.
The image of the rustic Sénanque Abbey in Gordes, Provence, nestled amidst world-famous purple lavender fields, has become an icon of the French countryside. The abbey dates back to the early 1100s, which was also the time when monks began cultivating and harvesting lavender to earn a living.
Additionally, along the lavender route of Provence, which runs through the Luberon, Mont-Ventoux, Sault, and Valréas regions, visitors can learn more about lavender from local monks.
- Best time to visit: From June to August
Admire the lupin gardens of Mackenzie in New Zealand.
It's a delight to see the towering lupins (a type of legume) surrounding the turquoise lakes and riverbanks of Mackenzie, in southern New Zealand, during the summer. These beautiful flowers are now gradually disappearing from the New Zealand countryside due to other economic interests. So, take advantage of the opportunity to see them while you still can. Some good locations for viewing lupins include Lakes Tekapo, Wanaka, Twizel, and Taupo.
- Best time to visit: From November to February
Visit the tulip fields in Lisse, Netherlands.
The Netherlands is the land of tulips, and Lisse is considered the place with the most beautiful tulip fields. Lisse boasts the 32-hectare Keukenhof Gardens, the site of an annual spring festival featuring a collection of up to 7 million tulips in a variety of colors.
The cool climate and long spring provide favorable natural conditions for tulip cultivation in the Netherlands. Central and northwestern Netherlands are also among the best places to admire tulip fields.
Noordoostpolder in the Flevoland region probably has the most tulips, and you can travel along the coast from Leiden to Alkmaar to discover more of them.
- Best time to visit: From April to May
Enjoy the cherry blossoms of Washington DC.
The Tidal Basin area in Washington DC is always awash in pink every spring. It boasts over 3,000 cherry trees, originally from Japan and introduced in the early 20th century. This year's festival will run from March 20th to April 13th.
Each year, the festival attracts millions of visitors, so you should arrive early and find a good spot to view the cherry blossoms. If you don't like crowds, you can choose to go kayaking or pedaloing to see the cherry blossoms from the Tidal Basin.
- Best time to go: Early April
