04 Apr 5 Best Places To Visit In Spring
Fragrant gardens, warm temperatures, and stunning landscapes are just a few reasons why many flock to Europe in the spring. However, with the vast amount of places to see, it can be difficult to pinpoint the best locations during this season. If you’re on the search for some great Europe tour packages for your spring bucket list, you will find my suggestions for some fantastic destinations listed below. They are not only beautiful during this time of year, but will help you to immerse yourself into the European culture even more.
Wander Through Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, Netherlands
Keukenhof is a stunning garden located in Lisse, Netherlands. Also known as the Garden of Europe, it serves as one of the world’s largest flower gardens due to its 7 million planted flower bulbs. The colorful flowers are planted in unique patterns so when they bloom, they will amaze you with their designs. These designs are based on the theme the garden chooses for the year so there’s always something new to see. The garden is also home to Tulpomania which is located at the Juliana Pavilion and features hundreds of famous Dutch tulips, including the rare black tulip. You can learn more behind the history of these flowers as well as the significance they have had on Dutch culture.
A Cruise to the Norwegian Fjords
These winding waterways pass through massive cliffs providing you with breathtaking scenery. While many think winter is the best time to visit the fjords, the spring is just as nice. Because the temperatures aren’t as frigid, the fjords are more colorful so you’ll see flowers, houses, and the stunning designs in the cliffs that surround you.
Go Hiking in Cinque Terre
Situated on the edge of the Italian Rivera, the Cinque Terre features pastel-colored homes built into the edges of the local cliffs. This section in Italy is home to five unique villages you can explore during your hikes: Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare, Manarola, Corniglia, and Riomaggiore. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features numerous hiking paths with tunnels carved into the nearby cliffs that take you to the local beaches, cafes that serve fresh seafood, and shops that sell exquisite wine. You’ll also find that there are no cars driving around the island (they have been banned) so you can take a hike peacefully through the villages without problems.
Walk the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago is a long pilgrimage route (it runs over 500 miles) that extends across Europe and eventually ends at the Tomb of St. James in Spain. The rocky paths along the route will take you by stunning landscapes across Europe that most often don’t get to see. You’ll discover local farms, bridges, bubbling brooks, and ancient structures along the way. While the route is very long, it is considered to be an easy path to venture down and takes about a week to fully walk. You can tour the route yourself or sign up for a guided tour that will take you down the route with a professional who can point out interesting things along the way.
Tour the Gardens of England
England is known worldwide for its magnificent gardens and the springtime is the perfect season to experience them. You’ll find a handful you can visit, like the Biddulph Grange Garden and the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden. There’s also the renowned Royal Botanic Garden, also known as Kew Gardens, which is a World Heritage Site and is home to hundreds of unique flowers and plants. You can even stop by one of the many horticulture talks held throughout the day which dive deeper into the history of certain plants, some of which include guided tours around the grounds.