Spring time is travel time. Those who are planning their next journey should not miss visiting one of the many blossom festivals, celebrated in European cities. Wimdu, Europe’s largest portal for city apartments, presents the ten most exciting festivals, which are definitely worth the journey.
1. Madeira: A swimming garden in the Atlantic
From April 18th to April 19th, Madeira’s capital, Funchal, is decorated with carpets of flowers and dressed-up shop windows. People celebrate spring with street processions, dancers in imaginative costumes and countless decorated floats. The colorful play creates a magical atmosphere in the harbor city.
2. Salzburg: In harmony with nature
The small village Seeham is located at the western shore of Oberturmer lake, a few kilometers North of Salzburg. On April 19th, residents celebrate the beautiful natural landscape in the Alpine foothills they call home. The festival’s farmer and herbal exchange market gives visitors the opportunity to buy some local products to take back home.
3. Amsterdam: “Tulips from Amsterdam”
Who doesn’t think of the Netherlands when imagining tulips? The flower-crazy Dutch celebrate their great tulip festival from April 24th to April 26th. At the annual flower corso from Noordwijk to Haarlem visitors can admire large rafts and wagons full of colourful flower arrangements.
4. Copenhagen: A tang of Japan
Sakura, the annual cherry blossom festival is traditionally celebrated in Japan. In 2006 a Japanese business man brought the festivities to Copenhagen when he donated 200 cherry trees to the city. Now locals and travelers celebrate the cherry blossom every year from April 25th to April 26th - 8,665 kilometers away from Japan.
5. Split: Who has the most beautiful flowers in the whole country?
From April 25th to April 27th local florists show the region’s most beautiful flowers. Dozens of contests take place, all with the same goal: to elect Croatia’s most beautiful flower. The inner city of Split is decorated with tons of flower arrangements during the festivities and on every corner florists give away small flower arrangements.
6. Hamburg: “This ol’ land” mass of colors
This year from May 2nd to May 3rd the inhabitants of Jork celebrate in front of Hamburg’s gates the Altländer’s flower festival. Since 1981 on the first weekends of May, the flower queen is elected and crowned. In her traditional garb she symbolizes the fertility and the rich history of the “ol land”.
7. Girona: Four rivers and a sea of flowers
Every year, the Catalan city of Girona at the shore of the Onyars prepares itself for the flower festival “Temp de Flors”. Between romantic and gothic buildings of the historic city Barri Vell balconies and windows shine in every imaginable color. A highlight of the splendor is the town hall at the Placa del Vi, which you can see in full floral display from May 9th to May 17th.
8. Sicily: A street gallery of floral art
The small city Noto is named the most beautiful baroque city of Sicily for a reason. In 2002 the city in the island’s southeast was elected by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. To see the city in full swing, drop by during the third weekend of May. On both days local and international artists present floral art at the Via Nicolaci, one of the enchanting baroque streets of the city.
9. Avignon: Lavender harvest in France
In 2008 lavender was elected as medicinal plant of the year. On August 15th, slightly in the east of Avignon, the inhabitants of the small village Sault celebrate every lavender harvest with a jamboree. Costume processions, horse parades, traditional music and a local market where regional delicacies are sold invite visitors to a culinary excursion - lavender ice cream included.
10. Milan: Flowers, that blow at night
Even in September travelers can enjoy a little bit of spring. Only every five years, the village Carzano on the island Monte Isola celebrates the Festa Santa Croce. 200,000 paper flowers in every imaginable color are made by hand by local families. The spectacle takes place from 14th September to 20th of September. The benefit: the flora also blooms at night. During late summer, the island of Monte Isola is still warm enough to discover the paper bloomage in the romantic evening light.
About Wimdu
Wimdu is Europe’s biggest platform for city apartments, offering 300,000 quality checked properties in more than 150 countries worldwide. Wimdu has established itself as a smart hotel alternative, with city apartments offering more space, privacy and better value for money than expensive, anonymous hotel rooms. In addition, homeowners can rent out their empty apartment or private room to guests, and earn extra income from their unused space. Wimdu was founded in 2011. Since January 2015, the company has been led by CEOs Arne Kahlke and Sören Kress. Wimdu has received 90 million US dollars in funding from investors Rocket Internet and Kinnevik.
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