«VI would like to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.” Pablo Neruda had no doubts: Spring is truly a breathtaking sight. Just like a overwhelming, beautiful and newborn love. Winter is coming to an end, the days are getting longer, the air becomes crisper and the first flowers are starting to bloom in the gardens, parks and fields. The spring blooms I’m at the door, and what is more beautiful to contemplate? At least for those who are not allergic to grasses. Throughout Italy, between cities, mountains and lakes, there are places where spring explodes, offering unique and evocative natural spectacles. Come on cherry trees in bloom to the lavender fieldscome on mountain crocuses to the botanical gardenshere’s a little guide to discover where to admire — and fall in love with — the most beautiful blooms in the country.
Blooms on Lake Maggiore
With theirs historic villas and large botanical gardensi lakes of northern Italy they are among the most fascinating destinations to visit in spring. In Piedmont, between Lake Maggiore and Lake Ortanature offers a true show of colours. Among the most anticipated events to welcome spring is the Cannero Riviera Citrus Fruit Festival. The country opens its gardens full of lemons and oranges. The scents envelop and the still shy colors enchant. From the end of March, to Verbaniaspring explodes and takes place every year Camellia exhibition within Villa Giulia: hundreds of camellias color the villa’s gardens pink. An unmissable show.
The flower cities: Milan, Bologna, Florence and Rome
Not just countryside and natural parks: also many Italian cities are transformed into small urban gardens in spring. TO Bolognafor example, via D’Azeglio sit fills me with spectacular things wisteria crossing the road: a scented purple ceiling which creates the most photographed views of the historic center. Instead, a Milan the neighborhood Bicocca offers the Cherry Hill: a little taste of hanami Milanese style (the ancient Japanese custom of contemplating cherry trees in bloom). TO Valeggioa few kilometers from Milan, the Tulip maniaone of tulip blooms most spectacular in Europe. Also Rome celebrates the season, among the many city parks, theBotanical Garden at the foot of the Janiculum it is the kingdom of spring flowering. Another incredible city destination is the Municipal Rose Garden which hosts over 1,100 varieties of plants. TO Florencefinally, i Bardini Gardens they enchant with theirs wisteria pergolaa purple tunnel overlooking the roofs of the city. The month of May, on the other hand, is perfect for Iris Garden of Florence.
Between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany
Spring also brings with it the flowering of fruit trees. Between Modena and Bolognathe rows of peach, apple and pear trees they transform into pink expanses that anticipate the harvest season. A suggestive itinerary is the one that starts from Vignolafamous for its cherries, and rises towards the first hills crossing historic villages and panoramic roadsbetween flowering fields and agricultural landscapes. Even the Tuscany offers extraordinary spring scenarios. The Park of Villa Reale di Marlianear Lucca, is home to splendid blooms of camellias, ancient roses and ornamental plants. In the Chiantiinstead, among vineyards and hills, fields of irises and poppieswhich transform the landscape into a natural palette.
Abruzzo, the crocuses of Campo Imperatore
When the snow begins to melt on the plateau of Emperor CampIn the heart of Abruzzonature offers one of its most delicate shows. Between the end of March and the end of April the crocuses, small purple flowers dotting the still cold meadows and transform the landscape into a mosaic of colours. The purple spots alternate with the green of the fields and the white of the snow that resists on the hills And to the clear blue of the mountain sky. A poetic panorama: it is no coincidence that the crocus is already mentioned inIliad and in Song of Songssymbol of fragile and luminous beauty.
The crocuses of Campo Imperatore
The brooms of the Island of Elba
With beyond a thousand botanical speciestheElba Island it is one of the richest places in biodiversity in the Mediterranean. In spring the Mediterranean scrub explodes with colors and scents, but one of the most spectacular moments comes with the flowering of the broom. The golden flower so loved by Giacomo Leopardi it covers the hills and paths of the island, especially from May onwards, creating a luminous landscape that contrasts with the intense blue of the sea.
Umbria, the flower of Castelluccio di Norcia
Among the most famous natural spectacles in Italy is the Fiorita from Castelluccio di Norciaon the plateau of Sibillini Mountains. In spring the fields transform into a huge mosaic of colours: red of poppies, blue of cornflowers, yellow of wild mustard and white of lentil flowers. Castelluccio di Norcia It has just over a hundred inhabitants. The 2016 earthquake hit this area of the Umbria-Marche Apennines hard, accelerating the process of depopulation which today affects many mountain villages. Yet, despite the wounds still visible, the town retains a unique charm.
Umbria, the flower of Castelluccio di Norcia
The Sunflowers of Tuscany
Bright expanses crossed by the song of crickets and cicadas, with the sun high and the warm air that smells of the countryside. Sunflowers in Tuscany they become true protagonists of the season, dyeing entire valleys yellow and green. Every year, however, the fields change position. Sunflowers are part of crop rotation, so the blooms don’t necessarily always return to the same places. However, there are many areas where this plant is grown: from Maremma to the hills around San Gimignanofrom the Val d’Orcia up to the province of Grosseto.
San Giovanni salt lover of lavender
There is also one of the most evocative places to admire the blooms Salt San Giovannia small village in the Cuneo become famous in recent years for his lavender fields. Between the end of spring and the beginning of summer the hills around the town turn purple, creating a landscape reminiscent of Provence. The intense scent of lavender accompanies walks between orderly rows and country paths, while the panorama opens up onto the rolling hills of the Langhe.
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