Sometimes while traveling and exploring new nations you just want to take it easy and soak everything in. There’s no better way to enjoy the beautiful scenery of your destination than to relax and enjoy a picnic. These are seven of the world’s most amazing locations to do just this.
1. Hawaii, USA: Haleakala National Park
(photo credit: peterv)
If you head 10,000 feet up the Haleakala volcano in Maui, you’ll come to a peak known as Pu’u ‘Ula’ula. This is an ideal location for an early day picnic. The hike is tremendous and the views are amazing. Make sure you wear layers of clothing since there are several temperature changes on the hike. It can be close to freezing at one moment and quite mild the next.
There are also some steep bike trails that lead down the mountain. In fact, you might find yourself up there most of the day and you can enjoy a couple of picnics at least.
2. Western Cape, South Africa: The Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
(photo credit: Randy OHC)
This scenic spot is a rugged area on Table Mountain. If you’d like to eat like a local, you can take along a regional wine and a dish known as biltong, which is similar to beef jerky. There are some wonderful trails here in the forests, bushes, and shrub lands. There are over 7,000 species of plants here with some of them being used for fragrant or medicinal purposes. You’ll also see the national flower of South Africa, which is the king protea.
3. California, USA: Point Reyes National Seashore
(photo credit: ddebold)
This is a beautiful nature preserve that’s about 70,000 acres in size. Its sits north of San Francisco on a peninsula and is filled with a variety of interesting wildlife, such as tule elk, raptors and elephant seals. There are numerous trails for backpackers, beachcombers and hikers. One of the most popular is theChimney Rock hike as it’s filled with colorful wildflowers. The Point Reyes Lighthouse is an ideal place for a picnic as you can look out for whales in the ocean while soaking in the coastal atmosphere.
4. Paris, France: The Jardin des Tuileries
(photo credit: dalbera)
This wonderful picnic area in France features sculptures, fountains and the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume museum as well as the Musee de l’Orangerie, which is where you can view some of Monet’s most famous paintings. The garden sits on the edge of the Musee du Louvre and is quite tranquil. The Rue de Rivoli is on one side and the River Seine is on the other.
5. Rome, Italy: The Villa Borghese Gardens
(photo credit: yourdon)
These spectacular gardens are located in a small park close to the popular Piazza del Popolo. It’s the ideal spot to pack up all of your favorite Italian foods and enjoy them with a bottle of local wine while you watch the world go by. It’s an English-style garden which can be accessed by the Spanish Steps. The urban park is home to several sculptures by Bernini as well as paintings by Raphael, Caravaggio, and Titian.
6. South Island, New Zealand: Milford Sound
(photo credit: kiwidiscoveryqueenstown)
This dramatic picnic area features amazing waterfalls, rivers, and cliffs that overlook a deep, wonderful fjord. Milford sound is one of the most popular attractions in New Zealand because of its natural beauty. It’s located in the World Heritage Site known as Te Wahipounamu. On the way here from Queenstown, you’ll pass the Southern Alps, crystal-clear lakes, and alpine forests. Boat tours are available here and you can also kayak around the picturesque coast.
7. Singapore: The Singapore Botanic Gardens
(photo credit: edwin11)
This colorful and lush tropical rain forest features over 1,000 plant species as well as about 2,000hybrids, including the nation’s pink-shaded national flower. The gardens is home to a botany center, three lakes, and a wonderful ginger garden. It’s a great place to enjoy a picnic while taking in an outdoor concert.
