March 31, 2015Read time - 4 minutesChase 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, FranceLavenderThe 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: JuneTake me there: Highlights of ProvenceFlowers of Castile, SpainWildflowersWildflowers of SpainEncircling 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: MayFlowers of Trins, AustriaAlpine BloomsFlowers in the Austrian TyrolThe 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 JulyFlowers of Mallorca, SpainOrchidsSpanish orchidsNorth-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-roundTake me there: Walking in Mallorca.Flowers of Sicily, ItalyWildflowersSicilian 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 MayTake me there: Treasures of SicilyFlowers of the Loire Valley, FranceGardens GaloreFlowers in the Loire ValleyTake 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 summerFlowers of Tuscany, ItalyPoppies and SunflowersPoppy field in TuscanyA 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 summerTake me there: Walking in Tuscany Flowers of Picos de Europa, SpainHay Meadows and OrchidsAlpine flowers of Picos de EuropaSeek 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 OctoberTake me there: Walking the Picos de EuropaExplore more European destinations below.
Highlights of Provence 30 reviews A guided walking holiday through one of the most beautiful regions of France Walking & Trekking Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Ages: 16+ 8 Days from £1,549 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Walking in Mallorca 40 reviews Spectacular walks to discover the interior and coastline of this traditional Spanish island Walking & Trekking Activity level: Moderate Ages: 16+ 8 Days from £1,199 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Mallorca Self-Guided Coast to Coast Ride Enjoy coastal and inland cycle routes across this enchanting island Cycling Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Ages: 12+ 8 Days from £1,469 Self-Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Treasures of Sicily 59 reviews Discover Baroque towns and Greek ruins framed by unforgettable scenery Culture Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Ages: 16+ 9 Days from £1,499 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Tuscany Cycle Siena & Chianti 43 reviews Ride through Tuscany's classic towns of Siena, San Gimignano and Montepulciano Cycling Activity level: Moderate / Challenging Ages: 16+ 8 Days from £1,599 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Walking in Tuscany 182 reviews Walk through Italy across Tuscany's idyllic mountains Walking & Trekking Activity level: Moderate Ages: 16+ 8 Days from £1,149 £1,049 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Walking the Picos de Europa 136 reviews Enjoy varied walks in beautiful Spanish mountains Walking & Trekking Activity level: Moderate Ages: 16+ 8 Days from £1,049 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details