SUMMER 2021
www.noetravel.com
FLOWER
POWER
Flowering shrubs in the spring and
leaves on the trees changing colors in
the fall make the Blue Ridge Mountains
a theater of natural beauty throughout
the year.
Because of the changes of elevation in
the mountains, peak colors and bloom-
ing depend on the region you’re in.
The peak periods of Virginia’s Blue
Ridge Mountains tend to occur earlier
in the year than those in the Blue Ridge
Mountains of North Carolina.The Flame
Azalea is at its brightest in Virginia’s
Blue Ridge in mid-May while Mountain
Laurel typically blooms during the fi rst
two weeks of June. Thickets of Catawba
Rhododendron can also be found in
the region during the fi rst part of June.
There are also various species of wild-
fl owers that bloom in the Blue Ridge
Mountains at diff erent times in the
spring and fall. Unlike other mountain
ranges in America, the Blue Ridge
Mountains off er an abundance of trees.
On Mill Mountain alone, you can expect
to fi nd varieties of oak, pine, maple,
dogwood, redwood, and other assorted
plants.
The colors on the trees during the
fall make Virginia’s Blue Ridge one of
the most beautiful destinations in the
world for a fall getaway.
BLUE RIDGE
Prices from $290
TULIPS
GALORE
South Holland’s Keukenhof is one of
the world’s largest fl ower gardens,
boasting seven million tulips, daff odils
and hyacinths and fi lling 32 hectares.
Across the border, in Belgium, lies the
National Botanic Garden of Belgium
(Meise), one of the largest in the world,
with 60 glasshouses, 18,000 diff erent
plants and, come spring, Japanese
cherry blossom trees in bloom.
River Cruise Line has a seven-day, no-fl y
cruise, Springtime in the Gardens of
Holland and Belgium, which takes in
Keukenhof, Meise, the Floralia fl ower
show at the castle of Grand Bigard,
Brussels (runs until May 7) and the
model gardens of Holland’s Appeltern
Gardens.
From £779 per person, departs April 24
and April 30.
Prices from $890
Our readers recommend the world’s most enchanting places
to watch fl owers bloom.
BY KELLY BARRETT