Admire the purple jacaranda flowers in Pretoria
Royal poinciana is said to have originated in Brazil. However, the weather and climate in South Africa are very suitable for this brightly colored flower. In 1800, a nanny named William Nelson was the first person to bring royal poinciana to the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria in South Africa to plant. And Pretoria is the place where the most are planted, so much so that tourists call Pretoria the Royal Poinciana City (just like Hai Phong in Vietnam is considered the Royal Poinciana City).
The most purple jacarandas can be found on Bosman Street in central Pretoria or Celliers Street in Sunnyside. For a bird's-eye view of the city, head to the Union Buildings or Klapperkop Nature Reserve.
- Best time to go: From September to November
Poppy viewing in California
The poppy is native to California, and the state even has April 6 as its official state flower. The brilliance of the state’s official flower led the first Spanish settlers to call California “Land of Fire.”
Tourists have also seen road signs in California decorated with poppy motifs. The poppy's symbolic meaning was once again affirmed in May 2018 when it appeared a lot at the Royal wedding between Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle.
- Best time to go: From March to April
Visit Wisteria Garden in Tokyo
Wisteria flowers can be found in many places in Japan. However, the most beautiful place to grow wisteria is in Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi, about 80 miles north of Tokyo. The flowers here are over 150 years old and spread up to 80 meters.
For this flower, the milder the climate, the earlier the flowers bloom. 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 scenery.
- Best time to go: From April to May
Experience 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. Seemingly endless groves of almond trees here flush the hills and valleys, lighting up the road to Tafraout, a quiet village in the Ameln Valley and the heart of Morocco’s almond production.
Almonds play a very important role in the economy and culture of Morocco because they are an indispensable ingredient in dishes, cakes and desserts. In fact, this North African country is one of the largest almond producers in the world. Almonds are also very meaningful to Tafraout. Every year, a grand almond flower festival is held here with music, dance and theater performances. The festival is also a place for traders to meet and exchange almond products. The time of the festival is not fixed, because the local people will decide the date when the almond trees bloom.
- Best time to go: February
Admire the hydrangeas in Azores, Portugal
The Azores Islands are loved the world over for their abundance of hydrangeas. Over the years, hydrangeas have become a symbol of the Azores as they can be found lining all the roads and walkways on the nine major islands of the Azores.
For stunning views, head to Faial Island, known locally as “the blue island” for the seemingly endless rows of blue hydrangeas lining the coastal roads. Alternatively, head to Pico, one of two UNESCO World Heritage islands in the Azores, where the dramatic volcanic landscape is bedecked with blue hydrangeas in summer.
- Best time to go: June and July
Visit the lavender fields in Provence
The image of the rustic Sénanque Abbey in Gordes, Provence, resplendent among the world-famous purple lavender fields has become an icon of the French countryside. The abbey dates back to the early 1100s, when monks began growing and harvesting lavender for income.
Additionally, along the Provence Lavender Route, which runs through the Luberon, Mont-Ventoux, Sault and Valréas regions, visitors can learn more about lavender from local monks.
- Best time to go: From June to August
View lupin gardens in the Mackenzie region of New Zealand
The towering lupins that surround the turquoise lakes and riverbanks of the Mackenzie region in southern New Zealand are a sight to behold in summer. These beautiful flowers are slowly disappearing from rural New Zealand due to other economic interests, so get out there and see them while you can. Some good places to see lupins include Lakes Tekapo, Wanaka, Twizel and Taupo.
- Best time to go: From November to February
To the tulip fields in Lisse, Netherlands
The Netherlands is the land of tulips and Lisse is considered the most beautiful place to grow tulips. Lisse boasts the 32-hectare Keukenhof garden, which hosts an annual spring festival with a collection of up to 7 million tulips of many different colors.
The Netherlands' cool climate and long spring seasons are natural conditions that are favorable for growing tulips. The central and northwestern regions of the Netherlands are also the best places to admire the 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 go: From April to May
Cherry Blossom Viewing in Washington DC
The Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, is awash in pink every spring. It features more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees imported from Japan, introduced in the early 20th century. This year’s festival will be held from March 20 to April 13.
The festival attracts millions of visitors each year, so you should arrive early and find a good spot to view the cherry blossoms. If you don’t like the crowds, you can choose to kayak or pedalo (a type of water boat) to see the cherry blossoms from the Tidal Basin.
- Best time to go: Early April
