Japan may be famous for its cherry blossom trees, but you don't have to travel quite that far to enjoy cherry blossom season this spring! Why not plan a day trip or family holiday so you can make the most of all the gorgeous cherry blossom hotspots that Europe has to offer?
These stunning cherry blossom trees aren't in bloom for very long, so make sure to catch them while you can at one of these seven places across Europe.
Located between the Eiffel Tower and the École Militaire, the Champ De Mars is a beautiful park in Paris, perfect for a day out with loved ones or family. Set against the backdrop of bright blue skies (so long as the weather plays along) and the iconic Parisian tower, this park is home to some of the most gorgeous cherry blossoms, plum blossoms and magnolias in Europe. The best time to visit is between early March to late April.
Just three hours west of Madrid, in Caceres, Spain, the Jerte Valley is a wonderful place to be during the spring. Around 2 million cherry trees bloom and turn the entire area completely white. But you've got to move quickly because this spectacle only lasts a short time, starting in late March and ending just 10 days later!
This marvellous phenomenon is marked locally with grand celebrations like the Cherry Bloom Festival, which integrates the dazzling flowers with culture, music, exhibitions and gastronomy.
Right next to Amsterdam, another fantastic place to see cherry blossoms is in Kesenbloesempark, Amstelveen. The 400 sakura trees that are planted here were a gift from the Japan’s Women Club (JWC) in 2000, to commemorate the 400 years of cultural ties between Japan and the Netherlands.
Amstelveen has around 1.700 Japanese expats, the largest Japanese population group in the country. The beautiful park is perfect in the spring for a lovely picnic, or even to go read a book in peace with a lovely view.
The Japanese Garden in Hasselt, Belgium, is a delightful expression of the friendship between Hasselt and the Japanese city of Itami. Full of koi ponds and decorative trees, the park is a scenic dream. Alongside the cherry blossom, visitors can partake in activities including tea tastings and floral workshops, which run until the end of summer.
There are also stunning small waterfalls that are great for some peace and quiet, making the garden an ideal place for meditation and contemplation. The garden is open from April to the end of the summer, but the ideal time to visit to see the cherry blossoms is in April and May.
What more could you want than Madrid in full spring bloom? The Parque Quinta de los Molinos is a spectacular, historic garden in the eastern part of Spain's capital city. While most of the trees are actually almond trees, it is still considered to be one of the best places to view blossoms in the spring. It is a great place to stop for the day and have a relaxing picnic or simply take some stunning snaps.
While Germany is probably not the first place that comes to mind when you think of cherry blossoms, a beautiful bloom of vivid cherry blossoms can be found in Bonn, Germany. This city in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia was also once home to Beethoven, a famous German composer. The Japanese sakura pair perfectly with the cobblestone streets, adding a stunning pop of colour to the scenery.
The cherry blossoms in Zug bloom in mid to late April along Lake Zugersee and Mount Rigi. There are three stunning trails for visitors to see, with different difficulties to suit all abilities, from seasoned hikers to families with children. The trails are easily accessible via public transportation.
There are so many things to love about this time of year and so many gorgeous spots around the world where you can make the most of cherry blossom season. Which one is your favourite? Or is there one we've missed off this list? Let us know in the comments below!
This article originally appeared on IamExpat in Switzerland.