Are you a fan of floral culture and postcard-worthy landscapes? The beautiful sunny days, the mild weather… everything is in place for you to set off on a flowery road-trip! Today we bring you our top 3 best destinations to see flowers by motorhome, with our top tips and suggestions!
1. Lavender Route (France)
Head for the beautiful region of Provence, in south-east France, to discover the lavender fields that offer beautiful panoramas! Every year, they attract large numbers of tourists, and rightly so! In fact, there isn’t just one lavender route, but several, as lavender fields can be found in several departments in the PACA region. The Vaucluse, the Var, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence… you’ll be spoilt for choice to see flowers by motorhome!
📅 When should you travel to enjoy the lavender fields?
The lavender flowering period runs from early June to mid-August, but it actually depends on the weather and climatic changes.
🧐 Did you know?
Lavender, also known as the “blue gold of Provence“, is a plant that includes 30 known species, the most widely marketed being true lavender, lavandin and spike lavender. In Roman times, people already used this plant to perfume thermal baths and clothing. In fact, the word lavender is derived from the Latin verb lavare. Later, in the Middle Ages, lavender was also used as a disinfectant. Today, it is widely used in aromatherapy and phytotherapy, mainly in the form of essential oils. Lavender is known for its antiseptic properties, its ability to calm the nervous system and relieve stress, and its healing properties for the skin.
📸 The best spots to admire lavender fields
You want to discover the lavender fields during your flowery road-trip? Great ! We’ve selected some of the best spots to admire this natural wonder!
Grignan
Located in the south of the Drôme department, in the Provençal region, Grignan will be a great stopover for admiring the lavender fields.
📍🚐 You can stay at Service Area Grignan, located in the heart of nature, with easy access to the lavender fields.
Valensole
This is one of the most popular places for tourists to admire lavender fields. It’s true that this site offers an incredible spectacle with fields as far as the eye can see!
📍🚐 To fully appreciate the lavender fields around Valensole, we recommend you to go to Les Lavandes campsite.
Puimoisson
This small village not far from Valensole will allow you to admire lavender fields away from the crowds.
📍🚐 A compulsory stopover at the Les Lavandins services area, on the edge of the lavender fields!
Bonnieux
This little perched village in the Lubéron is a must-stop for admiring the lavender fields.
📍🚐 Le Vallon campsite will be perfect for your floral getaway, nestling in the heart of Provencal nature!
Sénanque Abbey
With its Romanesque architecture, Sénanque Abbey attracts many tourists for its history but also (and above all) for the lavender fields that surround it. It’s a magnificent sight to behold from June onwards!
📍🚐 Stay at the Sources campsite, in the village of Gordes, close to Sénanque Abbey!
😄 Planning to go on a flower-filled road-trip in Provence? Take a look at our special itinerary, which includes all the spots mentioned above!
You can also find other itineraries for discovering the region on our website: “The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region“, “The lavender roads by motorhome” and much more!
2. Sunflower Route (Italy)
Tuscany is THE cultural destination in Italy. It is also appreciated for its varied landscapes and its gentle way of life. Tuscany is one of the most beautiful destinations to visit in a motorhome this summer! Be sure to admire the magnificent fields of sunflowers that dot the region at this time of year!
📅When should you travel to enjoy the sunflower fields?
Sunflowers generally start to bloom in June in Tuscany, and you can admire them until August! Bear in mind, however, that the flowering season can depend according to the weather.
🧐 Did you know?
The sunflower, from its Greek name Helianthus, which literally means “flower of the sun“, is a flower that embodies the values of positivity, joy and happiness. But there’s more to the sunflower than its beauty. It has many benefits, making it one of the most widely cultivated plants in the world. Sunflowers are most often eaten in the form of oil, which is rich in Omega 6, Omega 9 and vitamin E. Sunflower seeds are also very popular. Rich in phosphorus, they also help to combat bad cholesterol!
In Tuscany, the sunflower was not really predestined to become a symbol of the region, which was more closely linked to the cultivation of vines and olives. The cultivation of sunflowers in Tuscany is actually quite recent. The land is well-suited to this type of crop, which requires sunshine, low-fertility soil and flat or slightly undulating fields.
📸 The best spots to admire the sunflowers fields
Here are our suggestions for places where you can make the most of the sunflower fields on your Tuscan tour!
Massa Marittima
Sunflowers have made this area their home for several years now, so make the most of it!
📍🚐 We recommend parking at the Massa Marittima parking during your trip!
Siena
A typically medieval town, Siena attracts many tourists. However, they don’t expect to be greeted by fields of sunflowers when they decide to visit the city! In fact, Siena is located in the Val d’Orcia, known for its rolling fields, picturesque villages but also its sunflower fields in summer!
📍🚐 Don’t forget to stop off at the Siena parking after admiring the sunflower fields!
Montalcino
This small commune not far from Siena is also famous for its sunflower fields, in addition to its wine production!
📍🚐 Time for a break! Head to the La Crociona- L’arte dei semplici private area, ideally located for visiting the Val d’Orcia.
San Gimignano
This small medieval town, famous for its towers, will also surprise you with its fields of sunflowers!
📍🚐 Stop off at the San Gimignano parking!
Mugello
This is the place where you’re sure to find fields of sunflowers, as they surround several farms in the area! Don’t miss Lake Bilancino and Villa Medici in Caffagiolo, where you’ll also come across sunflowers.
📍🚐 We recommend the Village Mugello Verde campsite if you want to see flowers by motorhome!
😄 Planning to go on a flower-filled road-trip in Tuscany? Take a look at our special itinerary, which includes all the spots mentioned!
Find other itineraries for the same country, such as “Discover Tuscany in Italy“, “Discover Italy between coast and hinterland” and many more!
3. Tulip Route (Netherlands)
Here’s another dream destination for a flowery road-trip: the Tulip Route in the Netherlands! Even though the season has just come to an end, it’s a must-see destination that we had to mention in this article! So start planning your trip to the Tulip Route 2024!
📅 When should you travel to enjoy the tulip fields?
The ideal time to enjoy the tulip fields in the Netherlands is between mid-March and mid-May.
🧐 Did you know
The tulip is THE symbol of the Netherlands. Introduced to the country at the end of the 16th century, the tulip quickly became a hit with the Dutch. The success of the tulip in the 17th century can be attributed to two factors in particular: the Dutch passion for horticulture and the Dutch “Golden Age”. When the tulip was first introduced to the trade, its value could be as high as the value of a house! Crazy, isn’t it? Nowadays, tulips don’t sell for as much, but the Netherlands is still the world’s leading producer! In fact, the tulip is so popular in the Netherlands that it even has a national day and is celebrated at a festival every year!
📸 The best spots to admire the tulip fields
Keukenhof
Located 40 km from Amsterdam, this is the most famous flower park in the world! Home to 7 million tulips, it’s a must if you want to see the country’s most beautiful tulips. Admission is charged and you need to book in advance to make sure you get a place!
📍🚐 Fancy exploring Keukenhof Park? Go to the Tulp Parking, located right next to the park.
Bollenstreek
The region where Keukenhof Park is located, it is nicknamed the “bulb region”. You can admire the beauty of the tulip fields in typical municipalities such as Haarlem, Lisse and Noordwijkerhout.
📍🚐 Take a short break at the Haarlem parking or, for a longer stay, at Op hoop van Zegen campsite in Noordwijkerhout!
Flevoland
Flevoland is also known for its tulip fields. Head to the Noordoostpolder, which is in fact the largest tulip-growing region in the country! Every year, trails are specially laid out so that visitors can enjoy this beautiful sight!
📍🚐 Stop off at the Lelystad parking if you’re passing through Flevoland!
Noord Holland
In this region in the north of the Netherlands you’ll also have the opportunity to admire the beauty of the tulip fields. The region is home to the largest unbroken field of tulips in the world. The town of Alkmaar is also worth a visit, with its famous cheese market and canals!
📍🚐 If you’re visiting the North Holland region, you can stay at Alkmaar campsite!
😄 Planning to go on a flowery road-trip in the Netherlands? Check out our special itinerary, which includes all the spots mentioned!
Find other itineraries in the same country such as “Go on an adventure in the Netherlands“, “Tour in the Netherlands” and more!
Did you like the experience of your touring trip offered by CaraMaps and the advice from the community? Share your best anecdotes and photos with the 100% collaborative CaraMaps application .
Also follow us on our Instagram page @caramaps where you’ll discover some incredible spots, and on our Facebook page where you’ll find new areas, new itineraries and news from the motorhome world every day!
You can also check out our other blog articles, such as “The best service areas in Spain“, “Motorhomes rules in France in 2023” and many others!