By Jackie Burrell
From The Mercury News
Sure, tulips are lovely, and roses sublime. But the pale pink froth of sakura—or cherry—blossoms is extraordinary. Tripadvisor recently ranked the best spots around the world to see these blossoms—and it’s hardly surprising that two Japanese cities top the list. These beautiful cherry trees are native to Japan, where they’ve inspired festivals and celebrations for centuries.
Paris and its cherry trees, which are planted throughout the city, from the Champ de Mars to Montmartre, made the list, as did Stockholm, where the King’s Garden is filled with dozens of cherry trees, a gift from Japan to King Carl XVI Gustaf.
Of course, you can also see beautiful blossoms closer to home, in New York or the nation’s capital. But if you’re planning a trip to a more far flung location, bear in mind that March and April are peak viewing season for many of these destinations—unless you’re bound for Brazil, where the cherries bloom in July and August. (How did we not know that Curitiba and Sao Paulo are famous for their cherry trees?)
Here’s the top 10. Find the full list and plenty of travel suggestions at www.tripadvisor.com.
Tripadvisor’s Top Places to See Cherry Blossoms
- Tokyo
- Kyoto, Japan
- Washington, D.C.
- Paris
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Stockholm
- Brooklyn, New York
- Seoul, South Korea
- Curitiba, Brazil
- Vancouver, Canada
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