Summer is almost here and all of us are looking for the perfect holiday destination. One of our suggestions this week is to take a break from the sandy beaches and mountain hikes and visit the botanical gardens. Here are some of the most amazing botanical gardens that will definitively satisfy anyone’s passion for the environment.
1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England
The 300 acres Kew Gardens is the home of the world’s largest collection of plants. The best way to visit the place is by the Kew Explorer train. Here you find the Davies Alpine House that holds and impressive collection of cool weather plants. The huge area also has a Temperate House, a Water Lily House and a Conservatory. The Kew Gardens are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2004.
2. Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
When we think about Brazil and Rio especially, we already have in mind some exotic beach destination. However, Rio de Janeiro’s Botanical Garden, known locally as Jardim Botânico, is a whole other world. To begin with, it is the home to more than 6500 species. Not to mention that the area covers more than 300 acres of land. The garden lies at the feet of the Corcovado Mountain, when you can easily see a faraway statue of Christ the Redeemer.
3. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden ,South Africa
This 89 acres botanical garden is also located in a mountain area, at the feet of Table Mountain. The garden was built in 1913 to preserve the unique flora. What makes this garden particularly special is the fact it is one of the few botanical gardens in the world that only cultivates indigenous plants.
4. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, USA
Founded in 1910, this 52 acres botanical garden has more than 12000 plant species. The space also covers Steinhardt Observatory, Shakespeare Garden, and Bonsai Museum. One of the best experiences in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is the moment when you sit between the two rows of cherries and stare at the carpet made by cherry petals.
5. Jardin Botanique de Montreal, Canada
The Botanical Garden of Montreal is a 190 acres area built in 1931. Jardin Botanique is well-known on the American continent for its extent collection of more than 7000 plants and its facilities including a Chinese Garden with a selection of Bonsais, a Japanese Garden populated with Japanese friendly plants, local Canadian plants and the Alpine Garden are just a few of its many wonders.
6. Andromeda Botanical Gardens, Barbados
While the name seems unearthly, the interior of Andromeda Botanical Gardens from Barbados is otherworldly as well. Situated on the Atlantic coast and having many waterfalls, indigenous and imported tropical plants, this six acre garden offers everything to anyone passionate about nature. You can see various types of orchids, palms, hibiscus, begonias or cacti. If you come here do not miss the bearded fig tree from which the islands took the name.
7. Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, Hawaii
Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Garden is probably one of the most exotic of them all. Opened to the public in 1999, the 240 acres garden is as fresh as Hawaiian air. It has more than 10 gardens, a plantation, farmland, canyon and beach. This Hawaiian botanical garden holds various species of carnivorous plants, cacti, aloe, agave, baobabs, hibiscus, ylang ylang, vanilla, cinnamon trees and more. Moreover they also have a lagoon, a lake, a waterfall and a Japanese teahouse.
Tags
active
botanical gardens around the world
botanical gardens worth visiting
experience.
holiday destination
natural environments
natural tourist attractions
tourist attractions