Much of the Northern Hemisphere is just emerging from the cold and snows of winter. Are you anxious to feel the warm sun, see clear blue skies and, most of all, experience the beauty of spring in all of its blooming glory?
Here are 5 top flower festivals to help you celebrate spring:
1. Madeira Flower Festival, Portugal.
Portugal’s Madeira Islands, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Canary Islands, comes alive in the spring with its world-famous flower festival. A Children’s Parade, known as the Wall of Hope Ceremony, shows off hundreds of children dressed in flowery costumes who parade through Funchal to the stunning Muro da Esperanca flower mural.
The main flower festival parade winds through the streets of downtown Funchal with colorful flower-draped floats and musical performers all celebrating the many flower species blooming on the islands in the spring.
May 9 – 15, 2013
2. National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, D.C.
This annual flower festival celebrates the friendship of America and Japan with the blooming of over 3750 Yoshino cherry trees, all gifts from Japan.
Besides the spectacular scenery of thousands of blooming cherry trees that line the Tidal Basin, the festival parade is also a must-see. The vibrantly-colored costumes, blossom-inspired elaborately decorated floats, and marching bands that come from all over the U.S. make this an exciting springtime parade.
In addition you won’t want to miss the D.C. Metro Food Tour which highlights a multitude of delicious dishes inspired by both succulent cherries, and the city’s Japanese cuisine influence.
March 20 – April 14.
3. Symphony of Flowers, Winchester Cathedral, England.
Winchester Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in the U.K., and the Gothic cathedral with the longest overall length of any in all of Europe, is the perfect setting to celebrate spring with hundreds of blooming flowers.
The cathedral is filled to overflowing with stunning floral arrangements, and the historic Inner Close hosts an outdoor market with hand-chosen exhibitors and refreshment vendors.
In addition, musical entertainment provides a lovely background to the flower and craft workshops available for both adults and children. And the wonderful Flower Festival Concert performed by the Winchester Cathedral Chamber Choir is a program of music with a flower theme that is not to be missed.
June 12 – 16, 2013.
4. Hampyeong Butterfly Festival, Korea.
Combing a celebration of spring flowers with the joy of butterflies, this festival is held on over 8300 acres of the Hampyeong Expo Park, in Hampyeong-gun in the Jeollanam-do province. Tens of thousands of butterflies flutter and fly among the blooming bright yellow canola blossoms.
Here you can also enjoy exhibits in the visitor’s center that describe the process of growing flower crops, as well as learn about butterflies and other insects.
April 26 – May 8, 2013.
5. Epcot International Flower and Garden Show, Orlando, FL.
This annual spring event celebrates all things flora from spring blooms to creative topiaries to how to plant and harvest your backyard garden.
Some of the highlights include What’s Budding with tours of topiaries, illuminated night gardens, and “Land of Oz” – a children’s garden play area inspired by Disney’s new film.
Also HGTV personalities will be conducting workshops and seminars. A popular one is sure to be the My Yard Goes Disney hosted by Brandon Johnson, who makes homeowners happy with over-the-top transformations of their yards with a Disney theme.
March 6 – May 19, 2013
Photo Credit (1): 1way2directions.com
Photo Credit (2): silkstyleevents.com
Photo Credit (3): travelandtourworld.com
Photo Credit (4): workandplay.co.kr
Photo Credit (5): mouseonthemind.com
Alice Perkins is a timeshare travel blogger for RedWeek.com, the largest online market place for timeshare rentals, where vacationers can find luxury accommodations for less than the cost of a typical hotel room. The site also has listings for buying a timeshare on the resale market directly from the owner.
