Blooming Lovely Spring Cruise Destinations
Emma Mackey
Bright yellow daffodils, cheerful crocuses and pink blossoms are popping up across the country, and with them, the arrival of Spring. March to May showcase some of nature’s most beautiful floral displays – here’s the lowdown on where to find them...
Tulip Time in the Netherlands
Holland’s much-coveted Tulip season has become synonymous with scenes of Spring. Keukenhof Gardens (one of the most popular spots to see the flower) is home to over seven million bulbs and an astounding 800 varieties of tulips, all hand-planted in Autumn ahead of the next season. Bursting forth in technicolour streaks and floral exhibitions, the 79-acre garden is open from mid-March to mid-May and is an absolute must. Don’t miss the iconic windmills, either!
Discover Holland's tulips on a river cruise
Japan's Cherry Blossom Tradition
A tradition for over a millennium, cherry blossom viewing is so ingrained in Japanese culture that there’s even a word for it: Hanami. These delicate blooms are arguably one of the most famous springtime phenomena, with people flocking from far and wide to see the transient beauty of the celebrated Sakura trees. Whether carpeting mountainsides and ancient shrines in Yoshino (one of the most famous destinations to witness the blooms), or creating pink petal canopies in Maruyama-kōen, Kyoto, there’s no shortage of spots to witness nature’s seasonal show.
Cherry blossom cruises in Japan
...or Japan's Wisteria Wonderland
This proves you can’t have too much of a good spring (pun intended). Japan isn’t just on the travel map for its cherry blossoms. Fairytale wisteria gardens are waiting in the wings to steal the show, coming into bloom in late April. Kawachi Fuji Gardens and its famous wisteria tunnel are among the most spectacular settings. Byakugou-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple accessorised with purple and blue wisteria waterfalls. If you’re pushed for time, you’ll find Tokyo’s Kameido Tenjin Shrine boasts over 100 ethereal trees. At the same time, Osaka’s Shindachijuku Wisteria Garden is a quiet and peaceful place to observe the flowers.
Golden Poppies in the Golden State
Famous for its wildflowers, California is graced by ‘superblooms’ each spring. Most notably, the golden poppy – California’s state flower – covers rolling hills and meadows in irresistible shades of orange and yellow. Head to Antelope Valley (one of the best spots to see them) during mid-morning on a sunny day; that way, the poppies will be at their most impressive, and you can enjoy the full force of their striking colour.
Flower Filled Courtyards in Córdoba
Last bud not least (see what we did there?) are the brightly coloured plant pots locals use to decorate their patios in Andalucia, Spain. Whilst slightly different from the other destinations, Córdoba’s spring celebrations are just as noteworthy thanks to their quirky nature. Every May, Fiesta de los Patios runs for two weeks and sees locals from the oldest neighbourhoods meticulously arrange their courtyards with geraniums, gypsies and cascading bougainvillaea. Set against the city’s iconic whitewashed walls, these stunning flower displays have been a tradition since the early 1900s. The Fiesta de los Patios has become so popular that UNESCO has catalogued the festival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
