Recently updated on January 17th, 2020 at 11:31 pm
This time next year, the National Parks Service in the US turns 100 and there’s lots planned to mark the occasion. But we thought we’d start the celebrations early! The US isn’t the only place with some truly stunning scenery. Here are some of our favourite parks, gardens and generally green spaces from all over the world:
Kent – Sissinghurst Castle Gardens
Being one of the UK’s most visited gardens, it’s hard not to fall in love with this place. It’s everything you’d want from an English country garden, with essence of Virginia Woolf who used to visit the house and the quirks and eccentricities of the English upper class. Take a wander around on this trip.
Vienna – Schonbrunn Palace Gardens
If you love Versailles, then these are the gardens for you. Built around the Rococo palace, these gardens are superbly landscaped to include a grand Roman folly, maze, enormous sundial and the Gloriette – a lavish pavilion. The café now housed there lets you take in the sweeping views of fountains and smart flower gardens. Head there on these trips.
Shanghai – Yuyuan Garden
The name of these gardens literally means ‘garden of happiness’ – there’s an incentive to visit! It may be small, but has a massive impact. It’s full of pagodas, ponds and traditional ornamental gates making it one of the best preserved Chinese gardens in the world. See it on these trips.
Sicily – Balio Gardens
In the 19th century, Count Agostino Peopli decided to build an English Garden – unlikely in Sicily. But with the crumbling Norman towers clinging to the sun-drenched rocks of Mount San Giuliano, it became one of the most romantic and memorable gardens in the world. The neat formal beds, shade trees and gentle fountains compete with the views over hillsides all the way down to the sea. See it for yourself on these trips.
Seville – Maria Luisa Park
This used to be in the San Telmo Palace grounds, but was donated to the public as a park by the Spanish royal family. You’ll find tiled fountains, pavilions and ornamental ponds in Moorish and Art Deco styles among the palms, citrus trees and flamboyant flowers. See what you can find there on these trips.
Vancouver – The Butchart Gardens
The Butchart Gardens are still owned by the family that started them. Jennie Butchart created a ‘sunken garden’ in her husband’s neighbouring disused quarry and it’s literally grown from there. Now it includes Italian and rose gardens and a menagerie. Spot the totem poles built to celebrate the gardens’ centenary in 2004. Visit it for yourself on these trips.