Keukenhof Gardens, The Netherlands
Come
celebrate the breathtaking awakening of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths
in the picturesque town of Lisse, just an hour by train from Amsterdam.
Known
as one of the world's most beautiful gardens, the local Keukenhof
boasts seven million blooms, stunning waterways, windmills and even a
petting zoo for children.
Kanazawa, Japan
It's
hard to know just when the cherry blossoms will bloom in Japan each
year, but in Kanazawa in the Ishikawa region of Japan, it's
traditionally during the first half of the month of April.
Because the winter is generally cooler in the area, compared to Tokyo and Kyoto, it takes a bit longer for the blooms to thaw.
The
nearby Kenrokuen Garden, designated as a National Site of Historical
Significance, is part of the Kanazawa Castle grounds and open the public
free of charge for the two weeks surrounding the cherry blossom season.
Hallerbos, Belgium
For those looking to walk among the Belgian bluebells, it's a race against the clock.
Admirers
flock to the Hallerbos, a forest in Flemish Brabant, Belgium, in hopes
of spotting the flowers during their short stay each spring.
Making
a sighting all the more tricky is that the flowers actually bloom at
different times each year due to weather variations, although the
website recommends a visit during the second half of April.
Caceres, Spain
Described
as the 'most unspoiled medieval town' in Europe, the rolling plains of
Caceres is never more beautiful than when in full springtime bloom.
Head
to the province in Extremadura, which has recently been given World
Heritage status, to take in the local cherry blossoms and wander among
the fields of lavender.
And don't miss out on a visit to the Jerte valley, which is famed for its two million cherry trees.
Central Park, New York City
If you fancy a trip to the Big Apple, there's no better time than during the glorious springtime months.
In
the summer, Manhattanites ditch the sweaty concrete jungle for reprieve
in the Hamptons, but from April to June, bustling Central Park is the
place to be for locals and newcomers alike.
Since
first opening in the 1857, the park now sees more than 40 million
visitors yearly, and while firmly entrenched on the tourist trail, there
are plenty of places to explore off the beaten path.
Northumberland, England
Following
a winter, rainy winter, the rolling hills of Northumberland begin to
light up with the help of millions of vibrant, red poppies.
One
of the most popular places to spot the flower is at the 'Poison Garden'
exhibit at the Alnwick Gardens, the stunning outdoor complex adjacent
to Alnwick Castle.
Generally,
poppies reach full bloom in late spring and early summer, meaning
there's plenty of time to book your escape to the countryside.
Savannah, Georgia
The American south provides the backdrop of every Nicholas Sparks film for a reason.
Whether
it's the city's signature live oak trees draped with Spanish moss or
the beautiful spring blooms popping up in Forsyth Park, visitors are
never far from a lush springtime treat.
In
fact, Savannah's gorgeous greenery has even earned it the nickname,
'the Forest City,' thanks in large part to the many species of oak trees
in the area.
Washington, D.C.
For those who appreciate a bit of political commentary with their beautiful views, Washington D.C. is a must-visit this spring.
Take
in the sights of the Smithsonian, the White House and the Washington
Monument, all while experiencing the stunning cherry blossom trees
lining the Potomac River.
And
don't miss the city's famed National Cherry Blossom Festival, which
celebrates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of
Tokyo.
This year, the festival runs through April 12.
Hill Country, Texas
There's
far more to the Lone Star State than simply delicious barbecue - though
we do recommend a visit to The Salt Lick restaurant in nearby Driftwood
- such as these impossibly beautiful springtime blooms.
They say that everything is bigger in Texas and the state's bluebonnets are no exception.
The
Texas Hill Country is a 25 county region in the Central and Southern
part of the state, encompassing the capital city of Austin, and is known
for its limestone and granite rocks.
Cotswolds, England
Head
to south central England in the spring for sightings of adorable baby
lambs and vibrant wild daffodils, primroses and magnolias.
For
those looking for the area's signature snowdrops, consider a trip to
the Painswick Rococo Garden, set in a hidden Cotswold valley with
stunning countryside views.
If you prefer bluebells, there are plenty of wooded areas blanketed with the popular flower in the region.
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