Visiting the Interesting Flower Markets in Europe

If you love flowers just like me, for sure you also love visiting flower markets. Here are some of the most interesting flower markets to visit in Europe.

1) Columbia Road Flower Market in London

Columbia Road is a world famous flower market in London. It is open just one day a week, on Sunday mornings and early afternoons. The narrow Victorian street becomes a bustling market of traders, with the shops selling homewares, garden candles and unique, quirky handmade welcome mats. Visitors will want to meander from cart to cart and seek the best deals, before deciding upon final purchases. Be sure to bring a camera along, to capture the dazzling beauty of the fresh flowers that line the street.

flowers from our garden.

2) Flower Market on the Seine in Paris

The oldest flower market in Paris is located in the shadow of Notre Dame and Saint Chappelle, the famous stained glass chapel. The market lines both sides of the narrow street, and offers a profuse selection of cut flowers, greenery, and potted plants. The ornamental plants hang from baskets and are a blaze of colors and textured foliage. There is no lack of flowers and plant material that can be used to enhance a patio, balcony, or side garden. Cut flowers can be taken back to a place of lodging and enjoyed for the duration of the stay in Paris.

3) Neuenheimer Marketplatz in Heidelberg, Germany

This flower market is nestled in Neuenheim, just across the river from Heidelberg. The market is only open twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Visitors will want to be at the market soon after it opens at 7 a.m., to get the best selection of flowers. Cameras and picture taking is encouraged, as growers display their wares with beaming pride.

tulips and daffodils

4) The Floating Flower Market in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is home to the only floating flower market in the world! It ranks amongst the top must see markets in all of Europe. The floating flower market is located on the Singel Canal and stalls are located in houseboats along the canal. Known for the wide variety of bulbs, the floating market offers tulips and a plethora of other bulbs. The market ships all over the world, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty all year round.

Our backyard also looks like a flower market. My friend who visited us last month told me that our garden is like a flower shop because you can see a lot of flowers around, flower pots and garden decors are scattered everywhere. I am glad that the single garden door we ordered last time was already delivered last Tuesday. I am hoping for our garden terrace to be finished soon.

The Beauty of Northern Italy

You might probably wonder why a lot of tourists love to go to Italy. I also find Italy very inviting. I was there four times already and I still want to come back. "La dolce vita" which simply means "the sweet life" is the reason. Others would say, Italy is pasta, Pavarotti and the Pope. Italy's fashion, its wine, nice villas, the Ferrari--it's all the favourite things that culminate the words, La dolce vita.

I would love to specifically share about the beauty of Northern Italy. There are a lot to explore in this beautiful part of Italy. You might also wonder why most and maybe all of the lakes and mountains holidays in Italy are always fascinating? It is simply because of its wide cultural, historical and geographical definition, this part of Italy has been a popular tourist destination.

Here are some of the interesting places not to miss when visiting Northern Italy;

Venice

I am proud to see this city twice and I might be seeing it again this coming summer. I am currently organizing a trip to this lovely place. There are a lot of things to do in Venice. You might want to experience a gondola ride to see most of the city, a visit to St. Mark's Cathedral, shopping for famous designer brands, or maybe a walk along its canal. Don't miss to try the Veneto specialties like polenta and risotto with cuttlefish ink sauce.

St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy. This was taken during my second visit last April 2006.

Milan

What do you expect when you visit Italy's capital of fashion and business? I believed it is self-explanatory. A friend asked me last week if we can go to Milan to do some shopping. Why not? Don't miss to visit the city's stunning Gothic cathedral, the Duomo di Milano. It has also a lot of interesting museums to visit like the Pinacoteca di Brera, Bagatti Valsecchi Museum and many many more. Historical monuments such as the The Castello Sforzesco, La Rotonda della Besana, are also worth to see.

Lake Garda

This is a perfect place for people who love nature and want to enjoy a quiet and peaceful holiday. Spend an exciting day in Gardaland, a big theme park located in the south of the lake.If you don't have a fear of heights, cable car rides are available in Malcesine. You might also want to go boating with peddlos or peddle boats.

Lake Como

The Lago di Como, as it is called in Italian is known to have a a kind of a flair and sense of history that tends to impress its visitors. This part of Northern Italy has been appreciated for its uniqueness and beauty. Take at least a boat trip to Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio. These are some of the most famous tourist destination near the area. I love the Gelato in Italy and don't miss to try it in any gellateria's in Lake Como.

If you still have time to explore Verona, Genoa, San Remo, Merano, The Cinque Terre are also a must-see. I can't wait to visit the last three towns next month.

Nature's Beauty in Lake Mead

It is almost three years now since I visited United States of America. I stayed most of the time in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was one of the most memorable vacation that I had. First and foremost, it seems that I had a luxury accommodation during that two months holiday. I miss those times and I hope to visit United States in the future.

One of the sights we visited was Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States. It is located on the Colorado River in the states of Nevada and Arizona. It is formed by water impounded by the Hoover Dam, a wonder of human engineering that I ever seen.

This lake was named after Elwood Mead, who commissioned the planning and construction of the Boulder Canyon Project that created the dam and lake.

Nature's beauty like Lake Mead is always pleasing for me. I love watching bodies of water and I always appreciate nature like this. It was truly a wonderful trip to Lake Mead and Hoover Dam last 2008.

Last but not the least, I also had a wonderful time going around the super luxury hotels and accommodation in Las Vegas. Some of which include Caesars Palace, The Ballys, The Venetian, Excalibur, Planet Hollywood, Wynn, Mirage and other luxury hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada. I love it!

I personally took this image during our visit to Lake Mead last 2008.