Spring is finally here (or at least after one last bout of winter!), and that means it’s prime time for Mother Nature to put on one of her most spectacular shows. As the snow begins to melt and wildflowers burst into full, colorful blossoms, it’s time to pack your bags and check out these four awesome places.
Washington, D.C.
Spring brings cherry blossoms to full bloom, but you don’t have to travel all the way to Japan to check out these serene pink flowers. Washington, D.C. celebrates the National Cherry Blossom Festival from March 20 through April 13, when thousands of cherry blossom trees – gifted to the U.S. by Tokyo more than 100 years ago – shower the nation’s capital in waves of white and pink petals.
Hallerbos, Belgium
It’ll take a bit of planning to time your trip to Belgium’s Hallerbos forest just right, but get it right, and the colorful sight of Hallerbos’ bluebells will be well worth it. Every spring, the forest erupts with a blue carpet of these beautiful flowers, and your best bet to see them in person is to time your trip for late April or early May.
Lisse, Netherlands
The warmer days of spring bring tulips to full blossom at Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, Netherlands. The garden is open seasonally from mid-March to mid-May, with April being one of the best times to catch the gardens at their most colorful. More than 7 million tulip bulbs are planted each year at Keukenhof, creating one of the world’s most spectacular shows of color every spring.
Bluebonnet Trail, Texas
Every April, the city of Ennis, Texas is overcome with rolling fields of blue and purple as the bluebonnets spring to life. The third week of April is typically the best time to strap on your hiking shoes or pack up for a road trip to enjoy Texas’ incredible wildflower display.
(Main image: Ron Cogswell)
