Lspring is upon us. In fact, it seems to have already begun. The first long weekends of 2024 are the perfect opportunity to take advantage of it and practice a bit garden tourism: discovering the most spectacular, or unusual, parks, gardens and botanical gardens in Italy and Europe. Places where nature, art and architecture meet, to which seasonal blooms add the right “magic”. Here then 7 on-the-road itineraries to practice the art of “Friluftsliv” (literally, “living in the open air”), with suggestions from CamperDays, the leading camper rental platform in Europe.
The cherry blossoms… in Vignola
To admire the cherry blossoms without going to Japan, there is Vignola. The town in the province of Modena offers incredible views of white rows and rows surrounded by green hills. Particularly among the end of March and beginning of April when the cherry tree is in maximum bloom. There The 53rd Cherry Blossom Festival, complete with parades of flowering floats, is scheduled from 6 to 14 April 2024.
For stops: the Ecochiocciola campsiteon the Modena Apennines.
The “green architecture” of Florence
The sumptuous Boboli estate in Florence and its monumental park of over 40,000 square meters is an open-air museum that embraces Palazzo Pitti. Starting from March until the end of summer is tinged with the colors of camelliasthe symbolic flower of this sixteenth-century garden, of orchids, ancient roses, citrus fruits, water lilies and many other flowers and plants.
With the same ticket used to visit this park, you can also access another place in the heart of Florence, unmissable for the spring blossoms: the Bardini Garden. Which is worth a stop, in particular at the end of April, when it transforms into a “painted” plant tunnel colors of wisteria, from lilac to violet, from mauve blue to pink. The Bardini Garden integrates three gardens, different in era and styles: the Italian gardenwith the magnificent staircase baroque. The English forest, but with exotic elements, rare example of an Anglo-Chinese garden. The park agricultural which houses a new orchard and the splendid wisteria pergola.
For stops: huh Florence camping in townalong the Arno.
The iris route, in the heart of France
From Orléans to Tours, the “Iris Road” (Route des Iris) is an itinerary in the Loire Valley through 7 gardens and parks and 2 iris nurseries. It can be done in 2-4 days and the best time to admire the flowering is in late spring (mid-May).
Among the most memorable stages, Parc Floral d’Apremont-sur-Allier: an enchanting park in English style, but with a typically French design. It is a gem set between the medieval village of Apremont and the Allier river, worth visiting for the irises but also for the castle and the landscape punctuated by waterfalls, bridges, pavilions, a small museum and temporary exhibitions.
In the Netherlands for tulip spotting
In the country of tulips, there are many possibilities. Starting from very popular gardens of Keukenhof in Lisse, open to visitors from March 21st to May 12th. Millions and millions of flowers, from tulips (it is estimated there are at least 800 species) to daffodils, hyacinths and roses are housed in one of the most picturesque gardens in Europe which is also the largest botanical park in the world.
Something less discreet and away from tourist flows? You can admire the tulips blooming in the Zeelandic Flanders, on the border with Belgium, particularly in the area near the city of Hulst. Here you can combine tulip spotting with a relaxing break by the sea.
Tulips at Keukenhof Park (Getty Images)
A dive into Oslo in bloom
The capital of Norway is painted in a thousand colors in spring, to be admired in the oldest botanical garden in the country, the Botanisk Hagein the Tøyen district: open all year round, it is the green lung of the city with an incredible selection of plants, trees and shrubs.
Norway is also a country particularly suitable for on-the-road travel: thanks to the practice of “allemannsretten” you can in fact access and stay in the open territories in tents, campers and vans, obviously always with the utmost respect for the environment.
In Ireland in the wake of the Celts
Not just green hills and peat bogs. Ireland is also home to numerous magical gardens. As the Connemara Garden TrailCounty Galwayknown for its variety, made possible by the perfect combination of rain and sun and the beneficial influence of the Gulf Stream.
One of a kind, it is the Celtic garden Brigit’s Garden: a journey of discovery into Celtic mythology through 11 acres of woodland and wildflower meadows. It is also worth a visit to the crannóg, the typical Celtic stilt house with a pointed roof.
For parking: Connemara Caravan & Campingone step away from Lettergesh Beach.
In England, the land of roses and gardens
England is, par excellence, the country of gardens. The National Heritage List of England records almost 1,700 parks, gardens and other landscapes of particular historic interest across the country. Among the most iconic places is Kiftsgate Court Gardensin the Cotswoldsless than two hours from London. An English garden designed and cared for by three generations of women: it has fascinated visitors for over 100 years with the extraordinary variety, rarity and exuberance of the natural wonders it hosts. Open from April to Septemberis an explosion of colors and scents thanks above all to the precious collection of roses.
But you don’t even have to leave London to marvel at a garden. The Queen’s Mary Rose Garden during the spring it is unmissable.
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