Top 6 European Garden Cities Perfect for Spring and Summer Travel
European Spring Travel Recommended by LPG Pass Group Experts
(Image source: LPG Group)
With warm weather and the arrival of spring and summer, now is the perfect time to plan a vacation to European cities, which are home to many of the world’s most famous botanical gardens. According to statistics from the International Garden Tourism Network, there are over one million garden tourism enthusiasts in the United States alone, and many tourist cities also feature this type of garden attraction. If you’re looking to enjoy a floral feast in Europe, here are some recommended destinations suggested by experts from the international pass provider LPG Group:
London: Explore the 500-Year-Old Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The International Flower Show (The National Flower Show) and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show held in London in May 2019 have brought all things floral together. Flower lovers can head straight to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, covering 132 hectares and home to 30,000 plant species—the largest variety of any garden in the world. The gardens feature palaces and pagodas throughout, as well as the world’s oldest potted plants. To trace Kew’s history back to the 15th century, explore the restored Victorian greenhouses and galleries. Kew is less than a 30-minute train ride from central London, and London Pass holders can enjoy fast-track entry to save more queuing time. The regular adult ticket price for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is £17, but it’s free with a London Pass. For more details, please visit: https://www.londonpass.com.cn
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Paris: Follow in the Footsteps of Louis XIV at Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is not only one of the largest and most magnificent castles in the world, but its gardens are also the largest of their kind among European palaces. Spanning 101 hectares and built in the 17th century under the orders of Louis XIV, it took 40 years to complete. The intricate geometric pathways and meticulously trimmed lawns perfectly complement the grandeur of the palace itself. Be sure to stop by the Apollo and Latona fountains to admire the marble statues. The regular ticket price for Versailles is €18, but it’s free with a Paris Pass. For more details, please visit: www.parispass.com
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Amsterdam: Take a Tulip Journey to Keukenhof Park
Until May 19, 2019, visitors with an Amsterdam Pass can take a sightseeing bus from Amsterdam to the world-famous tulip region, Keukenhof Park. This area boasts over one million flower bulbs, featuring tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and other spring-blooming flowers. Guided tours take visitors through 15 kilometers of walking paths across 32 hectares of colorful gardens, including an English landscape garden, a Japanese country garden, and other historic gardens. The regular price for the Keukenhof guided bus tour is €55, but it’s free for Amsterdam Pass holders until May 19. For more details, please visit: www.amsterdampass.com
Dublin: A Tranquil Oasis in the City Center
Glasnevin National Botanic Gardens is one of Dublin’s most popular attractions, best known for its beautifully maintained Victorian greenhouses and thousands of exotic plants. Just a short walk from the city center, it serves as a peaceful oasis in Dublin. Don’t miss the vibrant rose garden, the impressive palm house, and the curvilinear Victorian greenhouse. The regular ticket price is €6, but it’s free with a Dublin Pass. For more details, please visit: www.gothenburgpass.com
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Vienna: The Blooming Power of an Empire
For the most pristine landscapes, visit the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. Opened to the public since 1779, its design symbolizes the power of the Habsburg Empire, and the gardens are an essential highlight of this magnificent Baroque landmark. The 189-meter-long Orangery is one of the largest Baroque orangeries in the world, while the hidden location of the Secret Garden makes it the most striking floral haven at Schönbrunn, with flowers surrounding an ancient yew tree. The regular ticket price for Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens is €17.5 per person, but it’s free with a Vienna Pass. For more details, please visit: www.viennapass.com
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Gothenburg, Sweden: See One of the Rarest Trees in the World
The Gothenburg Botanical Garden in Sweden spans 175 hectares and features nature reserves along with over 16,000 different plant species from around the world. The most famous areas include the Rhododendron Valley and the Rock Garden with its beautiful waterfalls. In the greenhouses, visitors can find around 4,000 different plant species, including up to 1,500 types of orchids, a notable travertine section, and one of the rarest trees in the world—the Eastern Island Tree. The regular ticket price is 20 Swedish kronor, but it’s free with a Gothenburg Pass. For more details, please visit: www.gothenburgpass.com
LPG Pass Group is the world’s largest urban pass provider, offering attraction passes in 37 travel cities across 17 countries worldwide, helping travelers save time and money. Pass holders can save up to 60% compared to regular ticket prices—simply scan the barcode on the pass to enter, and also enjoy fast-track entry benefits. For more details, please visit LPG Pass Group: www.leisurepassgroup.com
About LPG Group
LPG Group is the world’s largest urban attraction pass company, providing attraction passes in 37 travel cities across 17 countries. There are two types of city passes: the “All-Inclusive Pass,” which includes access to all attractions, and the “Build Your Own Pass,” where you can select the number of attractions you want to visit. The “All-Inclusive Pass” allows unlimited entry to included attractions for a set number of days. The “Build Your Own Pass” lets you choose attractions within a 30-day period. Major U.S. travel cities such as Chicago, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Orlando, Philadelphia, Miami, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Boston all offer corresponding pass products. In Europe, LPG also provides passes for Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin, Barcelona, Helsinki, Stockholm, Berlin, and London. Other regions include passes for Dubai and Sydney.
For more detailed information, you can contact us by email:
Zhenzhen Tan, Media Manager, LPG China Office
ztan@eastwestmarketing.cn
David Ezra, david.ezra@kbc-pr.com
Lily Davis, lily.davis@kbc-pr.com
Hayley Musson, hayley.musson@kbc-pr.com