Now more than ever, travelers are prioritizing spending time in nature and actively seeking ways to truly immerse in a destination while on vacation. These properties provide guests with the unique opportunity to admire the breathtaking landscapes of wildflowers, and there is possibly no better time than now for petal peeping.
Travelers can find beautiful blooms in their preferred backdrop; whether in Scottsdale, Arizona – where they will be surprised to find almost everything in the desert blooms in spring – the picturesque and charming regions of Carmel Valley and Napa in Northern California, or the scenic area of Graubunden in Switzerland.
Hike Among The Wildflowers in Scottsdale, AZ
The beloved town of Scottsdale, AZ comes alive in the spring as wildflowers blanket the desert and the scent of blossoms fills the air. Travelers in the mood to explore the outdoors and connect with nature can discover trails ideal for petal peeping; notably the Pinnacle Peak summit trail and the Bajada Nature Trail at McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Vivid beauties such as ocotillo’s fiery orange tips, purple lupines, delicate marigold and robust globemallows, primrose and rock daisies and golden poppies all sprout from the earth, so hikers are encouraged to have cameras ready to capture colorful displays. And there’s always a bit of magic where desert and water meet. Add flowers to the mix and that’s a great way to spend a day! At Lake Pleasant, the heaviest concentration of golden poppies can be found on the 4-mile Pipeline Canyon Trail, while Bartlett Lake is home to rare white poppies with some of the best flower sightings along the road to Rattlesnake Cove.
Retreat Into Nature at The Quail in Carmel Valley
Nestled in the rolling green hills of the majestic Carmel Valley, travelers can find The Quail. This rare jewel sits on the sunny side of the Monterey Peninsula and is a short, eight-minute drive to Garland Ranch Regional Park. This public park offers diverse habitats from oak woodlands to chaparral, which supports a wide range of wildflowers including sticky monkeyflower, lupines and wild iris; best seen in spring, primarily April and May. The perfect outdoor adventure for families with little ones, or beginner hikers, The Lupine Loop Trail is an easy, flat route with minimal elevation gain. The greatest part of it all, the trail lives up to its name and provides a breathtaking display of these purple blooms. Guests feeling inspired about Earth’s beauty post-hike can appreciate The Quail’s nature setting and its abundance of flora and fauna with highlights including rosemary and lavender.
Experience Napa in Bloom with Mustard Season at Carneros Resort and Spa
Springtime in wine country comes to life with bursts of yellow blooms, which is also widely known as mustard season. As far as the eye can see, these colorful mustard flowers grace vineyards and offer a spectacular backdrop for travelers. Carneros Resort and Spa – the 28-acre luxury resort nestled in Napa Valley’s picturesque wine region of Carneros – harnesses this beloved time of year with a dedicated slate of mustard season-based guest experiences, allowing visitors to connect with the destination through a unique lens. The property is near numerous famed local wineries notably Larkmead Vineyards, Yao Family Wines and Silenus Winery, and resort guests can explore mustard season in style thanks to complimentary access to a collection of Cadillac vehicles. Additionally, guests are invited to stroll through signature restaurant FARM’s culinary gardens to discover mustard grown year-round on-site.
Escape to the Mountains in Graubunden, Switzerland
As the winter snow melts, Switzerland’s Graubunden region makes way for stunning landscapes and greenery, specifically at rocksresort in Flims Laax. The expansive resort offers a plethora of outdoor activities on its grounds, including a wild bee paradise — a natural wildflower meadow which includes a bee hotel, in order to create an ecosystem for regional bees and support biodiversity. The resort lies at the base of the LAAX gondola which can take guests to the top of the mountain, or they can enjoy the longest treetop path in the world, as well as hiking, biking and swimming in the stunning Lake Cauma.
