If your garden has lost its luster, you’re not alone. Fortunately, visiting any of these pristine parks and gardens abroad is sure to get your green thumbs inspired!
Gardening – whether it’s in your own backyard or on a fantastic public scale – requires patience, hard work and a whole lot of love. Anyone who has ever tended one from seed to vine knows just how rewarding a hobby it can be – but even your very own inner landscape artist needs a little inspiration between seasons! Forget about planting the same old herbs and stretch your imagination – a vacation away from home may be just what you need to get those creative gardening forces flowing. Bring your notepad and escape overseas to some of the world’s finest public parks and gardens!
1- Holyrood Park, Edinburgh
One of the UK’s most spectacular green spaces lies in central Edinburgh, where visitors can explore the wild natural beauty contained within 650-acres of rugged public parkland. Lying just southeast of the city’s Old Town, Holyrood Park feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile. Paths are steep throughout the former 12th Century royal hunting grounds, so wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for some strenuous climbs. Throughout the park, you’ll encounter typical Scottish scenery such as mountain crags, heather fields, lochs, glens, and marshes. Of course, the landscape is no less wild come August when the Fringe Festival descends – head to the meadows for the best in street theatre from all around the world!
Salisbury Crags, Holyrood Park / Flickr Photo by Richard Milnes
2- Kings Park, Perth
Located on the western edge of the Australian city of Perth, Kings Park comprises over 400 hectares of unspoiled bushland, grass meadows and botanical gardens. You’ll need a full day (or more) to explore the world’s largest inner city park – but the rewards are great, especially if you visit in September when the fields come alive with wildflowers. Free walking tours are available, but don’t let the park’s vastness discourage you from some solo exploring. Along many footpaths and trails visitors will find small plaques identifying the local flora by their common and Latin names. Bring you camera as the park overlooks the city – you’ll want to capture the panoramic views!
Kings Park, Perth / Flickr Photo Trevor_Page
3- Villa Borghese, Rome
Opened to the public since 1903, Rome’s largest park is a tranquil refuge away from the busy streets of the Italian capital with its wide shady lanes, art museums, gorgeous temples and lakes. Existing as an expansive vineyard until 1605, the site was transformed into formal gardens by then Cardinal Scipione Borghese, a nephew of Pope Paul V. Throughout the park’s scenic environs are several Renaissance Villas now open to the public, including the historic Villa Medici. Remade into an English landscape garden during the 19th century, the Villa Borghese Gardens encompass a wide selection of colourful flower gardens, orange groves and stunning public art.
Villa Borghese, Rome / Flickr photo by nucksfan604
4- Central Park, New York City
Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux in 1858, Central Park occupies more than 770 acres of city-owned land in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, it attracts approximately 25 million visitors each year and serves as peaceful retreat for locals escaping the hectic pace of NYC life. Inside the park, visitors have a wide variety of shaded lanes, open meadows, and rambles to explore – highlights include a picturesque public reservoir, ice-scating rink, Victorian castle, children’s zoo and historic carousel, plus the 6-acre gem of the Conservatory Garden with its French-, Italian- and English-style gardens. Don’t miss an evening at the Delacorte Theatre in summer, where free public performances of Shakespearean classics are held.
Central Park, New York / Flickr photo by Mike Rollinger
5- Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
The tropical city of Singapore is the sight of a major development project currently underway involving the planned construction of three public parks along 94 hectares of prime waterfront land. Upon completion, the Gardens By the Bay will showcase tropical garden landscapes by some of the world’s top international design teams. The master plan for Bay Central has not yet been selected, while Bay South will include floral displays, an outdoor concert arena and cool conservatory complex housing flowers from around the world. The chosen design for Bay East will feature a waterfront landscape incorporating an edible plant garden and boating quay for sports like canoeing, sculling and dragon boat races. Phase one will be completed by 2011, so it’s high time to start planning your Singapore vacation!
Marina Bay Singapore / Flickr photo by _liana
Hi there
Some great inspiration here. Villa Borghese and Central Park are definitely ones for my personal hitlist.
On Holyrood Park, I can say that being an Edinburgh resident one of the city’s best features – and there are plenty to choose from – is that you can see Arthur’s Seat and the Crags from almost every part of the city centre, plus if you arrive by train into Waverley Station you do so directly under the shadow the Castle with all its craggy, history-infused drama.
The meadows is an equally pleasant green space, but the free taster event, Fringe Sunday, aside, most of the Fest activity takes place along the Royal Mile, on Teviot Square and at the Pleasance itself.
My own little blog looks at train travel, slow travel and indepedendent travel around Europe in general, in case you’re interested.
Cheers
Jools
Thanks for you comment Jools. I spent 4 years in Edinburgh so also know it very well, and I agree that it’s a stunning city from so many angles.
Your Blog looks great!