park it: the greatest green spaces
Aahhh. Spring is finally here. As the weather gets warmer, the days grow longer and nature begins to bloom again, we look forward to spending as much time outside as possible. As we breathe in the new season and the fresh air that comes with it, we head to our favourite parks and forests for some extra rejuvenation. For adventure, a hike, a run or a cup of coffee with the sun on your face, let us inspire you.
Djurgarden is a lovely park in the centre of Stockholm filled with walking paths, riding trails, museums and even a greenhouse café. The park comes alive in the springtime, with visitors and locals alike flocking to the park, seeking respite from the city's hustle and bustle. Feed off the electric energy of nature's reawakening and let it carry you all the way to summer. Hop across the pond to Painshill Park in Kent for the perfect spring sunbathe. Saunter around on a calm Sunday afternoon and feel your worries slip away. We love walking here and admiring the sheer beauty of every corner. Stop for a coffee at the café and simply enjoy the present moment.
Across the Atlantic, there is a plethora of national and state parks to choose from for an adventure. Emerald Bay State Park’s is worth a visit in every season, but it's especially charming in spring when it is still quiet, when the sun feels a little softer, when the season's first blooms are blushing their way to life. If you're lucky enough to visit on a particularly warm day, take a dip in Lake Tahoe. It couldn't be more refreshing.
In Amsterdam, there's no shortage of beautiful parks—Vondelpark, Westerpark, Sarphatipark and the Amsterdamse Bos are all no more than a 15-minute cycle from our office. However, we must say that Oosterpark might be our favourite. Small but mighty, it is beautiful, especially in the spring. Our ideal day unfolds as such: grab a coffee or matcha from YUSU, take a short walk through the park, grab a seat on one of the benches and watch as the Amsterdammers revel in the season. Alternatively, we enjoy grabbing takeout for a lovely picnic on the grass during golden hour to people-watch the night away.
And if we're discussing the Netherlands, we cannot forget beautiful Keukenhof. Flocks of tourists head here every spring to admire the beautiful tulips, but if you go early enough, you can avoid the heaving throngs. Spend the morning meandering through the beautiful park to take in the beautiful colours.
Whenever we're in the mood for a relaxing walk or run surrounded by beautiful nature, we automatically think of the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in South Africa. Nestled at the foot of the Table Mountain, this park is unmatched in beauty. Breathe in the magnificence of one of the greatest botanic gardens in the world.
As spring comes, so do the beautiful cherry blossoms in Japan. What better way to enjoy them than by taking a stroll through a lovely garden. Even better? Through three. Shinyuku Gyoen, a gorgeous natural park in Tokyo's Shinjuku, is comprised of three lovely gardens: the Japanese Garden, the English Garden and the French Garden. Each one as beautiful as the next.
Marilise de Buck
Details, details, details. They’re everything for our Content Assistant Marilise. No stone’s left unturned and no article is left unread when she’s planning a trip – or when she’s crafting captions on our socials or curating tips for our site. A lover of long, languorous walks and even longer evenings stretched out over good wine and great conversations, Marilise makes the most of every moment no matter where she is. Check in with our content queen for fabulous Balinese hotels, inspiring Swedish museums and, naturally, the best spots for a nice glass of vino.
