ParksandGardens, Aosta

Departing from Chamonix, this famous rack and pinion railway brings you to the Montenvers site at 1913 m. An imposing panorama of the Mer de Glace glacier, the Drus and the Grands Jorasses. https://www.chamonix.com/montenvers-mer-de-glace,81,en.html

The oldest of France’s national parks, the Parc national de la Vanoise was created in 1963 to protect the mountain goat. Situated in Savoy, between the Maurienne and Tarentaise Valleys, it contains almost a hundred peaks of over 3,000 metres. http://www.chambery-tourisme.com/en/the-city-and-its-environment/nature-parks/

With its attractive, traditional alpine setting, the Diemtigtal Nature Park offers an array of experiences. http://www.interlaken.ch/en/region-resorts-cities-area/diemtigtal-nature-park.html

Isolino Virginia is one of the oldest pile-dwelling settlements in the Alps and was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2011 as part of a serial property known as the “Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps”. The tiny islet is home to a LIPU (the Italian Society for the Protection of Birds) sanctuary that acts as a stopover for many species of migrating birds, and attracts many visitors as there is so much to see and do. As the area around Lake Varese has a long tradition of marvellous cuisine it also has many traditional restaurants and eateries serving local produce, and Isolino Virginia is no exception – a meal at the islet’s restaurant is a memorable experience. Tourists come to admire Lake Varese’s wonderful sights and culture and small boats ferry them to and from the islet from different points of the lake depending on the time of day. http://www.vareseturismo.it/en/blog/isolino-virginia

One of the public buildings in Varese that is well worth a visit is Palazzo Estense, which was the summer and autumn residence and court of Francesco III d'Este, the Duke of Modena and Lord of Varese. It was built to the designs of the architect Bianchi in the second half of the eighteenth century. The “Salone Estense” (Estense Hall) with its large fireplace made from multicoloured marble is quite stunning. Palazzo Estense is now the Town Hall. Behind the palace are the Estensi Gardens, one of the most charming public parks in Italy, which were built in the same style as the gardens of the Schönbrunn Palace, in Vienna, and finished in 1787. http://www.vareseturismo.it/en/blog/palazzo-estense-and-gardens

A short walk from the lively center of Lugano lies the Parco Ciani, a destination for many tourists who come there to admire what is considered one of the most beautiful Swiss parks. http://www.luganoturismo.ch/en/see-do/parks/detail/id/3303/parco-ciani

Culture and nature promenade across beauty, innovation and Como's treasures. A path through Villa Olmo, Villa del Grumello and Villa Sucota where art initiatives grow. A place to meet and "breathe" culture for citizens and tourists. http://www.visitcomo.eu/en/discover/parks_villas/parks/chilometro_conoscenza/index.html

The Rose Garden is a mecca for flower lovers and a great place to unwind. It features a restaurant in a prime location and a wonderful view of Bern. https://www.bern.com/en/detail/the-rose-garden

The Vizille Estate is first and foremost a chateau that played a key role in history and a landscaped park that has been classified as a “Remarkable Garden.” But it’s also the only museum dedicated to the French Revolution that brings together so many valuable works. Set foot in this historic and natural landscape. Inside the park, you will be able to admire the tremendous ornamental lake which often served as a playground for swans, ducks, and even herons. Along the banks, you will discover the French-style gardens and magnificent rose gardens. An animal park is a home to stags, deer, and roes roaming together more or less freely. With 100 hectares of protected natural landscapes, the gardens of the Vizille Estate bring together human history and wild nature. It is, for sure, the ideal place to play, stroll, and dream. https://www.grenoble-tourisme.com/en/discover/essentials/domaine-de-vizille/

“When I was small, I thought the Château and the Collégiale were the same thing. They were so close, they seemed to be interlinked. Was it a church or a château? Most of all, it was the wonderful playground of my childhood! The years passed but the two emblematic monuments remain inseparable. http://www.neuchateltourisme.ch/en/decouvertes/town-heritage/collegiale-neuchatel.4709.html

Chasseral, observation deck of the Swiss Jura, has many faces. Vineyards, meadows and plateaus alternate with gorges and valleys. Its proud inhabitants are still leaders in the cutting-edge world-famous watch industry as well as cheese production. Reliable values, too. Here you can discover the true joy of life. Chasseral Nature Park is spread over a triangle between La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchâtel and Bienne. It was named after the 1606.2 metre highest peak of the Bernese Jura. The top of the mountain is easily accessible, even with public transport. https://www.parks.swiss/en/the_swiss_parks/parkportraits/chasseral_nature_park.php

Influenced by the style of an English garden Le Parc de la Tete d’Or is the largest urban park in France and contains numerous attractions for all the family including a zoo, boating lake, botanical gardens, miniature railway, pony rides for children and more.It’s an excellent place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty and includes dozens of trails for walking, jogging or bicycling and large open spaces for activities and picnics.Created in 1857 by the brothers Denis and Eugène Buhler in the same year as New York’s famous Central Park, Le Parc de la Tete d’Or has seen numerous additions since it’s initial creation, including in 1865 the impressive glass houses containing species of plants and flowers from all over the world and in the 1960’s the inclusion of the rose gardens featuring 30,000 rose bushes comprising 350 different varieties.The name of the park originates from a legend that says treasure with the “head of Christ” could be buried somewhere in the park.France’s second public zoo after the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes in Paris contains almost 400 different animals divided into 64 different species.The last 10 years have seen improvements to the zoo’s infrastructure including in 2006 the new African Savannah featuring zebra, giraffes and pink flamingos. The zoo is a member of EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is dedicated to the preservation of species threatened by extinction. https://thisislyon.fr/things-to-do/sports-and-recreation/parks-and-recreation/parc-de-la-tete-dor/

Le Jardin Rosa Mir, or the Rosa Mir Garden, located in the heart of Croix-Rousse in Lyon’s 4th arrondissement, is one of Lyon’s unique treasures, founded in the dreams of a self-taught artist. The Rosa Mir Garden is a small, originally private garden located in the courtyard of an apartment building. Created between the years of 1957 and 1977, the garden is a tribute to the creativity and artistic vision of its creator, a Spanish mason called Jules Senis Mir. Made up of pillars, basins, obelisks and pergolas sculpted from pebbles and shells, the monument pulls its inspiration from Arab-Andalusian motifs and styles. It is filled with over 10,000 plants, from cacti to perennials to roses to oregano and lemon. https://thisislyon.fr/things-to-do/historical-monuments/jardin-rosa-mir/

Standing an impressive 2,858 feet above sea level, Uetliberg Mountain offers some of the best views of Zurich and the surrounding Alps. Once at the top, travelers will find multiple trails for hiking, biking and sledding. Paragliding at the mountain's peak is another popular pastime here. Though traveling to and from this local attraction will set you back about an hour, visitors rave about Uetliberg Mountain's stunning views and superb hiking paths. For an educational twist on your average hike, take the mountain's Path of the Planets, which is designed to mimic the sizes of and distances between the solar system's planets. The trail stretches between Uetliberg and Felsenegg mountains and takes about two hours to complete. https://travel.usnews.com/Zurich_Switzerland/Things_To_Do/Uetliberg_Mountain_64027/

The Parks of Nervi are an important historical/nature complex formed from the combination of several gardens that once belonged to private villas: Villa Gropallo, Villa Saluzzo Serra, and Villa Grimaldi Fassio. Today, these villas belong to the City of Genoa and have been transformed into museums. http://www.visitgenoa.it/en/parchi-di-nervi-gropallo-serra-grimaldi-and-luxoro-villas

Whether you want to play a game of chess, relax after exploring Bahnhofstrasse or take in some superb views of Old Town, the Great Minster and the Limmat River, odds are you'll appreciate Lindenhof. What was once the location of a fourth-century fort is now an elevated park with Linden trees, benches and giant chess sets. To truly make the most of your time at Lindenhof, visitors recommend packing a picnic lunch to enjoy beneath the park's Linden trees. And remember to bring your camera since the park offers stunning city and water vistas. Keep in mind, though, that the park's elevated position means a short uphill climb is required. Once you get to the park, you'll find flat, wheelchair-friendly terrain. Lindenhof is accessible by foot and tram. The closest tram station is Rennweg, which sits a couple blocks west. Street parking is limited in Kreis 1, so walking or riding the train to Lindenhof is recommended. Although the tram system charges a small fee per ride, free public transportation is provided to Zurich Card users. Other than park benches and giant chess sets, Lindenhof does not offer any on-site facilities, but restaurants, bars and shops are a few blocks away on Bahnhofstrasse. Lindenhof is free to access 24 hours a day. https://travel.usnews.com/Zurich_Switzerland/Things_To_Do/Lindenhof_64023/

Those who take a stroll through the gardens will be able to discover all the essential components of a Japanese garden: a pond, islands, a waterfall, lanterns, bridges, a tea house and a Zen garden. This green oasis is a rich mix of Japanese tradition and Mediterranean touches, the result of close collaboration between gardeners from Monaco and Japan. The bamboo hedges, tiles (Awaji Island), stone lanterns, and the woods used in the various structures (gate, tea house, etc.) were all imported from Japan, while the plants, all Mediterranean (pine, olive and pomegranate trees), were pruned and looked after by Mr Beppu for three years to give them a Japanese appearance. https://www.visitmonaco.com/us/place/the-gardens/95/the-japanese-garden

Mulhouse zoo bring together 1200 animals and more than 3000 plants in a marvellous garden labelled since 1995. Among the 170 animal species, 90 are endangered in the wild. Mulhouse zoo takes part in around 100 international conservation programs. Since 30 years, it acts in the wild to protect the last wild lemurs, gibbons, old world monkeys, capuchins, tortoises and turtles, and so on. In Mulhouse zoo you can see polar bears swimming underwater. Asiatic lions, rarest and more endangered in the wild than African lions. Also a radiated tortoise from Madagascar - its shell looks like sun rays. You can see birds and turtles growing up in the hatchery. Beautiful and playful, the Mulhouse zoo is as instructive as fun. More than 400 000 visitors came in 2017 and the zoo is the most visited touristic site in the department and the third in Alsace… and certainly one of the more prestigious in France! http://www.zoo-mulhouse.com/en/

Spread over an area of approximately 15,000 m2, the Exotic Garden is home to a thousand cacti and other succulent plants with stems or hypertrophic leaves which store water. Originally from the planet’s main semi-arid regions, these plants still produce plenty of flowers. The principal flowering seasons are winter (January–February) for South African succulents such as Aloe and Crassula, and spring and summer for cacti, a family native to the American continent. The enormous trees which line the paths of the Exotic Garden illustrate the age of the collection which served as the basis for the creation of the garden at the instigation of Prince Albert I. Opened to the public in February 1933, and supplemented in the 1960s by a botanical centre and specialist tree nursery, the garden is one of the Principalities most visited tourist attractions. At the base of the cliff on which the Exotic Garden is situated (called “the observatory” due to the long-standing presence of a small astronomical observatory), at an altitude of 100 metres, there is a subterranean chamber equipped to receive visitors. The limestone rock, carved out by water containing carbon dioxide, is studded with caverns adorned with geological formations bearing evocative names: stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, columns, soda straws... Expert guided tours of the cave are included in the entry ticket for the Exotic Garden. The tour travels from a depth of 98 metres to a depth of 40 metres (around 300 steps). The chamber plunges down almost to sea level and is regularly explored by local cavers. The presence of prehistoric humans in the region of the cave is confirmed by the bones of the animals that they ate. These remains also illustrate the climate variations that have taken place over the last 250,000 years. http://www.visitmonaco.com/en/Places-to-visit/Gardens/The-Exotic-Gardens-and-the-Observation-Cave

Fontvieille Park encircles the Big Top, providing the district with an urban landscaped park that is much appreciated by families. It features Mediterranean plants such as olive, pine and cypress trees alongside more exotic species like Strelitzias, Stenocarpus and Araucarias. https://www.visitmonaco.com/us/place/the-gardens/181/fontvieille-park

The city’s original site, the Castle Hill (Parc De La Colline Du Chateau) once boasted a reputedly impregnable citadel that was entirely dismantled by the soldiers of the French King Louis XIV in 1706. Truly a maze of greenery that has become popular for its cool undergrowth and surprising waterfall, this wonderful place for strolling offers a wonderful viewpoint over Baie des Anges, Old Nice and the Port (orientation table). Spectacular lighting at night. http://en.nicetourisme.com/nice/92-parc-de-la-colline-du-chateau

It offers many activities and exhibitions on Nature all year long, with - some twenty theme gardens display 2,500 plant species. A lake, where a hundred birds - ducks, pelicans, black swans - live together in peace and in which are reflected the white marble façades of the Asian Arts Museum designed by the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. Also one of the largest greenhouses in Europe: the ‘Green Diamond’, that takes visitors through 6 different tropical climates to discover several thousand rare plant species, including tree ferns, an orchid collection... and many more plants. And you can see crocodiles, iguanas and exotic birds. A family of Varis lemurs are currently delighting visitors. http://en.nicetourisme.com/nice/1256-parc-phoenix%20-

The Park Exflora is the most recent Antibes garden. The 12 acres of land are composed of an olive grove and different types of Mediterranean plants. Fountains, jets and ponds form a “water path” 500 metres long. Along the alley leading to the sea, many rose bushes are planted, as a reminder of the famous rose productions of Antibes. http://www.antibesjuanlespins.com/en/pages/parks-and-gardens

At the tip of Cap d'Antibes, on a superb plot of 11 hectares, you will find the villa Eilenroc. This exceptional residence symbolizes the luxury and voluptuousness of the Belle Epoque. It was built in 1867 following plans by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris and Monte Carlo opera houses. http://www.antibesjuanlespins.com/en/art-et-culture/villa-eilenroc-and-its-gardens-0

Lake Constance is a classic year-round European destination. Boundless, refreshing, high quality, traditional, nostalgic — all that fits us. The mobility holiday experience is truly an experience around Lake Constance: boats and ferries, cable railways and airships, buses and trains all offer a range of options to discover the area around Lake Constance from a number of different perspectives. The most beautiful connection between the German and the Swiss shore of Lake Constance is the ferry that runs between Friedrichshafen and Romanshorn. The 41-minute crossing is always a special experience: Over a­ cup­ of­ coffee­ or­ tea­ in­ the­ on-board­ bistro, the passengers can enjoy the view over the wintry lake. Furthermore, the­ “floating­ bridge”­ saves­ many­ kilometres by car around the lake and is therefore the ideal shortcut. Both Friedrichshafen and Romanshorn are the starting points for many tourist destinations. http://www.bodensee.eu/en

Access to the gardens at the Place des Carmes. This public square and garden closes at different times depending on the season. https://www.provenceguide.co.uk/cultural-heritage/avignon/the-garden-at-place-des-carmes/provence-4761234-1.html

Built in around 1720, Château d'Alphéran was for many years the country home of the Alphéran de Bussan family. It stands in grounds of 30 hectares with a swimming pool, and a cedar 300 years old in the centre. This 18th-century chateau, 10 minutes from Aix-en-Provence, has been restored in traditional style. The estate also enjoys a commanding view of Sainte Victoire mountain. http://www.aixenprovencetourism.com/en/fiche/2689/

First maritime park in Europe, Port-Cros National Park covers 690 acres on land and almost the double on sea. Its missions are multifold, from devising protective measures to leading campaigns to raise awareness about the park’s natural habitat. http://www.hyeres-tourism.co.uk/land-nature-culture/nature/port-cros-national-park

Just a few kilometres from the hubbub of tourists visiting Pisa and its splendid piazza dei Miracoli, there’s an island of nature that sits silently and far away from the changes of urbanization. We’re talking about the Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli Nature Park, a protected site that includes wet areas, marshes, sand dunes and the large Lake Massaciuccoli, once an ancient salt water lagoon. The San Rossore Estate is the most important environment in the park: hugged by the Serchio to the north and the Arno to the south, the area conceals dense pine groves and woodlands of deciduous trees from the old-growth forest. The estate’s accessible itineraries zigzags through dunes and tombolos, marshes and woods that hide a wealth of fauna and flora. https://www.visittuscany.com/en/itineraries/excursion-in-the-migliarino-san-rossore-and-massaciuccoli-nature-park/

Place de Jaude in its 21st century incarnation offers passing strollers a subtle blend made of rising jet fountains, magnolias, tulip trees and selected minerals. http://www.clermontferrandtourism.com/discovery/main-sites/place-jaude/

The Botanical Garden of the University of Bologna is one of the oldest in Italy. It was founded in 1568 on the initiative of Ulisse Aldrovandi (1522-1605). After several transfers found its permanent home in Via Irnerio, in the heart of the University area. http://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/home/discover/places/nature-and-landscape/parks-and-gardens/orto-botanico

The mountain at the heart of Innsbruck. The Nordkette is part of Austria’s largest nature park, the Karwendel Nature Park, and can be reached directly from Innsbruck city centre in just a few minutes! The breathtaking 360° view leaves a lasting impression, with the capital of the Alps on one side and Tyrol’s most extensive conservation area on the other. The Hungerburg funicular enables visitors to reach the Hungerburg in just 8 minutes. There are several stops along the way including the Alpine Zoo, which is a favorite among families. After reaching the Hungerburg station, a short walk across Hermann Buhl Square, named after the world-famous Austrian mountaineer, leads visitors to the cable car station. The Hafelekar Run is one of the steepest ski runs in Europe. With an incline of 70%, this ski run is reserved for extremely good riders. When the powder is at its best, it is more likely for some locals to be at the Hafelekar than at the workplace. The run for all those who like the extreme! The location of the Nordkette Single Trail in high-alpine terrain directly above the rooftops of Innsbruck, make it unique worldwide. Riders experience an interplay of steep curves, rock jumps and root passages integrated with northshores and drops. It takes about 20 minutes to get from the Seegrube Station to the Nordkette Climbing Arena. There are approximately 40 tours which are mainly single-rope routes at the UIAA difficulty levels 4 – 9, which means they are suitable for both beginner and advanced-level climbers. Also experience the Innsbruck Fixed Rope Climbing Route.The best of the best have climbed on these rocks including mountain legend Hermann Buhl and also Hannes Gasser, who this route is named after. Climb in the footsteps of these climbing greats and experience unique mountain adventure. https://nordkette.com/en/

A mighty brown bear roams around its enclosure. A few paces away, otters swim and splash nimbly through the water and a bearded vulture looks down at visitors from high up in a tree. Food? No, don’t worry. It’s well fed and has found a safe haven in the Alpine Zoo. For the animals of the Alps are no less endangered than species from the savanna, jungle and desert. The Alpine Zoo does a great deal for the conservation of biodiversity, providing a home for animals native to the mountains, such as birds of prey, chamois and marmots. Visitors can observe these animals up close – a highlight for the entire family and also well worth a visit for adults! When the church bells ring in Innsbruck, the wolves at the Alpine Zoo howl along in unison. The graceful lynx remain calm in comparison but become louder to mark their territory during the mating season in February. Their neighbour, the golden eagle, shows no interest at all. Did you know that this species was nearly wiped out in the 19th century? A fate it shares with other animals at the zoo, such as brown bears, wolves and bearded vultures. Some species have now recovered thanks to breeding programmes and reintroduction into the wild, which has included animals from the Alpine Zoo. https://www.innsbruck.info/en/sightseeing/highlights/alpine-zoo.html