March 31, 2015 Read time - 4 minutes Chase away those last vestiges of cold, dark winter with a springtime adventure! To help put a spring in your step, we’ve put together our favourite spots for watching the spring colours bloom... Flowers of Provence, France Lavender The unmistakeable hue flood Provence every year in late June. The fields are laced with ribbons of purple leaving a sweet, soporific scent in the air. Markets are filled with small bundles of lavender for sale, and beauty products fragranced with lavender fill the shelves. Best time for lavender: June Take me there: Highlights of Provence Flowers of Castile, Spain Wildflowers Wildflowers of Spain Encircling the ancient monasteries in a multi-coloured halo, the wildflowers of this region are innumerable. Small, pretty blooms carpet the meadows with a floral rainbow of vivid reds, pristine whites and sunshine yellows. The river is lined with almond and cherry trees. Best time for spring flowers: May Take me there: Secret Trails of Medieval Spain Flowers of Trins, Austria Alpine Blooms Flowers in the Austrian Tyrol The Austrian Tyrol is idyllic in many ways: charming villages with onion-domed churches, verdant meadows, and the beauty of the mountains. But it’s the flowers which take centre stage: brilliant yellow crepis, colloquially known as hawksbeard, dark blue trumpets of gentians, pretty alpine asters, bright pink alpenrose and of course, edelweiss. Best time for flowers: June and July Take me there: Walking in the Austrian Tyrol Flowers of Mallorca, Spain Orchids Spanish orchids North-western Mallorca is one of the world’s best-kept secrets. This is the island's wild side, and is a sun-drenched haven for plants and botanists alike. However, the crown must go to the many orchids. No fewer than 60 different species grow wild here, including two native kinds, all dotted along the trails. Best time for orchids: year-round Take me there: Walking in Mallorca. Flowers of Sicily, Italy Wildflowers Sicilian wildflowers thrive in rich, fertile volcanic soil fed by the ash and lava from the volatile tantrums of Mt. Etna and other volcanoes. The warm Mediterranean climate encourages flowers almost all year round, but never is the scene finer than in April and May, when the isle is awash with a ribald rush of colour, including orchids. Best time for spring flowers: April and May Take me there: Treasures of Sicily Flowers of the Loire Valley, France Gardens Galore Flowers in the Loire Valley Take your time: this leisurely self-guided escape allows you to take it all in at a pace which suits you. It’s up to you how long you dedicate to the manicured grounds of Chateau Chaumont, annual host of the International Garden Festival, or how often you stop passing tiny pretty villages en route. Best time for flowers: throughout summer Flowers of Tuscany, Italy Poppies and Sunflowers Poppy field in Tuscany A sea of beaming yellow stretches towards the sun as you approach beautiful Castiglione. Tuscany is rightly famous for its red waves of poppies bobbing their heads in the breeze, but equally beautiful are the fields of sunflowers that dot the landscape. Best time for flowers: throughout summer Take me there: Walking in Tuscany Flowers of Picos de Europa, Spain Hay Meadows and Orchids Alpine flowers of Picos de Europa Seek out endless alpine views amongst breathtaking hay meadows and natural rock gardens in Spain's Picos de Europa. Orchids also abound: find yourself awash in a swirl of paintbox colours. Best time for flowers: April to October Take me there: Walking the Picos de Europa Explore more European destinations below.
Highlights of Provence 30 reviews A guided walking holiday through one of the most beautiful regions of France Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate 8 Days from $2,149 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Secret Trails of Medieval Spain 44 reviews Discover spectacular scenery following historic pilgrim routes Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Moderate 8 Days from $1,549 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Walking in the Austrian Tyrol 52 reviews Moderate and challenging walks in the heart of Tyrol Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Moderate 8 Days from $1,879 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Walking in Mallorca 38 reviews Spectacular walks to discover the interior and coastline of this traditional Spanish island Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Moderate 8 Days from $1,749 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Mallorca Self-Guided Coast to Coast Ride Enjoy coastal and inland cycle routes across this enchanting island Cycling Suitable for: Age 12+ Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate 8 Days from $2,079 USD Self-Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Treasures of Sicily 55 reviews Discover Baroque towns and Greek ruins framed by unforgettable scenery Culture Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate 9 Days from $2,099 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Tuscany Cycle Siena & Chianti 42 reviews Ride through Tuscany's classic towns of Siena, San Gimignano and Montepulciano Cycling Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Moderate 8 Days from $2,149 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Walking in Tuscany 178 reviews Walk through Italy across Tuscany's idyllic mountains Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Moderate 8 Days from $1,749 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Picos Mixed Activity Week 7 reviews An active week immersed in the pristine nature of Spain's first national park Culture Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Moderate 8 Days from $2,099 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Walking the Picos de Europa 133 reviews Enjoy varied walks in beautiful Spanish mountains Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Moderate 8 Days from $1,749 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details