If you enjoy nature you can’t miss the following five spots which burst into a riot of colours in summer; ready for a sensory overload?
Provence
Where: France
Why go: One of the most magnificent European regions, Provence boasts many indigenous plants; it is particularly proud of its iconic plant, lavender; & all through summer, the region comes alive with vast fields of violet fragrant lavender
When to go: Jun to Aug
Grand Teton National Park
Where: Wyoming, US
Why go: There is a wide variety of flowers here & the blooming ones change fairly quickly; you will find gilia, larkspur, Indian paintbrush, fireweed, columbine, monkshood, calypso orchid & many others
When to go: May through Sep
Namaqualand
Where: Namibia & South Africa
Why go: For most of the year, this location is dry, arid & plain; however, during spring, it transforms into something surreal with thousands of colourful wildflowers starting to bloom & spread a fragrant cloud all around; the Namaqualand Flower Route lies roughly five hours north of Cape Town
When to go: Aug to Sep
Fuji Five Lakes
Where: Yamanashi prefecture, Japan
Why go: Shibazakura or pink moss is a flower that blossoms in very vivid pink, magenta or white colours; when thousands of them bloom in the Fuji go-ko area with the iconic Mount Fiji in the background, the scene is breathtaking
When to go: Apr to Jun
Castelluccio
Where: Umbria, Italy
Why go: Located at 1,452 m above sea level, Castelluccio is the highest village in the Apennines; however, that is not its claim to fame—the little village is best known for its colourful valleys that start blooming in spring & summer; poppies, rapeseed & wild flowers define the landscape at this time of the year
When to go: Late May to early Jun
Source and images: Placestoseeinyourlifetime.com, Funridejapan.com