Agoda picks six best destinations to get your fill of cherry blossoms
With
spring around the corner, it means cherry blossom season is coming. Take this
chance to spend some quality time with your loved ones beneath the beautiful sakura trees. While Japan and
Washington, D.C. are the most famous places to enjoy cherry blossoms, it is
possible to see these trademark pink flowers in other locales around the globe.
Here Agoda, one of the world’s fastest
growing online travel agents (OTA), shares some of the best across Asia,
America and Europe to enjoy the age-old tradition of hanami, or “flower viewing” in Japanese.
1.
Jinhae, Changwon, South Korea
The Jinhae Gunhangie Festival attracts
roughly two million visitors a year. Historically a memorial service to
commemorate Admiral Yi Sun-sin, it is now South Korea’s biggest spring
festival. Enjoy the festival by taking a stroll down the picturesque Romance
Bridge, where cherry blossoms canopy the Yeojwacheon Stream, and along
Gyeonghwa Station where the trees line the railway track. The best time to
visit is late March to April.
Conveniently located within reach of the
city’s must-see destinations, M-Stay
Hotel Changwon is the ideal accommodation for travelers
looking to stay busy throughout their trip.
2.
Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam
It’s a little-known fact that Vietnam’s
Hoa Island, located east of Dien Bien Phu in the
middle of Pa Khoang Lake, is a goldmine for those seeking cherry blossoms. Did
you know that Vietnamese scientist Dr Tran Le wandered up and down the country
for the perfect place to plant the seeds, a gift from a Japanese friend?
Stay with the family at the
Hoang Anh Villa which features an outdoor pool and sun
terrace for some quality hanami, or
cherry blossom viewing, time.
3.
Washington D.C., America
The three-week-long National Cherry
Blossom Festival celebrates the dawn of spring while honoring both American and
Japanese cultures. The 3,000 trees that can be seen here are a symbol of
friendship between the two countries and were gifted by Tokyo’s then Mayor,
Yukio Ozaki in 1912.
Take in the sights of a sea of stunning
cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin, and stay at The
Wink Hotel Washington D.C. Located at the heart of
the city, this hotel is perfect for travelers who want to make the most of all
that the lively city has to offer.
4.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Pack a picnic and head to The Meadows in
Edinburgh. Once you’ve laid claim to one of the benches along the tree-lined
paths, you can take a breather and soak in the pink-hued scenery outdoors. Plan
to spend the day outdoors by taking along a blanket and your favorite novel.
Stay at the Radisson
Blu Edinburgh on the historic Royal Mile in the heart
of Edinburgh. Recently renovated in 2015, the hotel is within walking distance
to top tourist attractions, shopping areas and The Meadows.
5.
Paris, France
Few places on earth are as romantic and
picturesque as the beloved City of Lights. Every spring, neighborhoods and
parks in the French capital are dotted with mesmerizing cherry blossoms. For
prime viewing, take a stroll through Parc du Champ de Mars, set in the shadows
of the world-renowned Eiffel Tower.
Stay in ultimate luxury at the Park
Hyatt Vendome Hotel located in the heart of Paris on the
prestigious Rue de la Paix. This 5-star hotel is within walking distance of the
Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees.
6.
Kyoto, Japan
Finally, the most famous in Asia, take a
trip to Japan to see where the practice of hanami
began. While cherry blossoms can be found almost anywhere in the country, Kyoto
holds one of the best walking trails, including the Philosopher’s Path; a canal
lined with hundreds of sakura trees.
Newly opened in 2018, the Nest
Hotel Kyoto Shijokarasuma is centrally located, providing easy
access to the city's must-see destinations.
About
Agoda
Agoda
is one of the world’s fastest growing online travel booking platforms. From its
beginnings as an e-commerce start-up based in Singapore in 2005, Agoda has
grown to offer a global network of 2 million properties in more than 200
countries and territories worldwide. It provides travelers with easy access to
a wide choice of luxury and budget hotels, apartments, homes and villas, to
suit all budgets and travel occasions.
Headquartered
in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more
than 4,000 staff in more than 30 countries. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app
are available in 38 languages.
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more information, please contact press@agoda.com
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