With blooming flowers dotting the globe, here are the best luxury destinations with stunning floral gardens that are bound to pop up in spring.
The Château de Versailles Gardens — Versailles, France
The hotel Le Grand Contrôle provides exclusive access to the Château de Versailles gardens for an unforgettable journey. The Château de Versailles was designed at the time of King Louis XIV and symbolizes French elegance; the classic French formal gardens feature meticulous lawns, sculpture fountains and parterres over 2,000 acres. More than 200,000 trees, 300 statues, and 50 water fountains allow visitors to step back in time and enjoy the historic opulence, just as King Louis once did. Le Grand Contrôle offers a private view of the Orangerie, a large 155-metre-long garden with orange and lemon trees, rose bushes, and centuries-old pomegranate trees. For an extraordinary experience, ride through the gardens on horseback for a most uniquely elegant perspective.
Keukenhof Gardens — Lisse, NetherlandsÂ
Regarded as the Garden of Europe, the Keukenhof Gardens will be open from March 20 until May 11. The Keukenhof Gardens are located in the Netherlands and have a rich history dating to the 15th century. The independent international showcase for the Dutch floriculture sector features some early-blooming varieties including daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips. Even more impressive is that each flower species can have its stage on a pavilion; the Beatrix pavilion, for example, is home to the orchid and anthurium shows. Some of the most exciting activities include an exclusive boat tour through the flower bulb fields, cycling through the gardens, and exploring the stunning views from the historic mill offering an excellent vantage point. The park is redesigned annually, offering an opportunity to see a unique arrangement every year. The designers are also influenced by the latest fashion trends when preparing for opening.
Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival — Tokyo, Japan
Ueno Park is one of Japan’s five oldest public parks. It is famous for the Ueno Zoo with beautiful pandas and gorillas, the Shinobazu Pond around the historic Ueno Toshogu Shrine, and their glorious cherry blossoms. The first cherry trees in today’s Ueno Park were planted by the third shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1868). Every year, Ueno Park draws crowds of more than 2 million people during the springtime sakura season to see the park’s 1,000 cherry trees. Spectators will often set up a picnic under the iconic pink and white petals to soak up the beauty of the cherry blossoms and the weather. At night, lanterns will illuminate the cherry blossoms for luminous nighttime views.
Canadian Tulip Festival — Ottawa, Canada
Canada welcomes visitors to the self-proclaimed world’s largest tulip festival. Over 11 days each May, the Canadian Tulip Festival celebrates the season’s floral beauty. The festival takes place at Commissioner’s Park, where more than 300,000 tulips bloom alongside the stunning Dows Lake. This festival has a royal connection dating back to World War II. The Royal Family of the Netherlands took refuge in Ottawa during the war, with Canadian troops playing a special role in liberating the Netherlands. After that support, the Dutch government, as a gift to Canada, has sent Canada tulip bulbs every year since 1945. The Canadian Tulip Festival provides a unique show from the Dow’s Lake Big Bug boardwalk. It allows people to learn about the tulip’s pollinators in a fun and creative way while strolling through the only blacklight tulip experience in the world. The daily pilates class at the Main Stage, in the heart of the festival, is enchanting with the backdrop of tulips.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew — Kew, England
The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, or Kew Garden, is only 30 minutes from central London and is located among several parks and estates along the southwestern side of the River Thames. Kew Gardens, since its creation, has made important contributions to the study of plant diversity and botany and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The biodiverse botanic garden was designed by internationally renowned landscape architects and has more than 50,000 living plants to enjoy. Among the unique worlds within this botanic universe is The Temperate House, where the discovery of rare and threatened plants in the world’s largest surviving Victorian glasshouse is a feast for the senses. Visitors also enjoy a walk along the Great Broad Walk Borders—a striking walkway in the heart of Kew—to see a rainbow of colors and fragrances from their dazzling flower beds and grass.
