In this week’s post we present some flower festivals, accessible to people with reduced mobility, in different parts of the European continent.

Chelsea Flower Show (London, UK)

The history of the Chelsea Flower Show dates back to 1862, when the Royal Horticultural Society held its first spring show. Back then, England was a thriving nation of gardening and landscape art. Thus, the idea of creating an event that celebrated beauty and innovation in the world of gardens arose.

The festival was a huge success and has been held annually ever since, except in 2020 and during the two world wars. It was in 1913 when the event moved to the site where it is currently located, in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

This year you can enjoy the horticultural exhibitions from May 23 to 27. Not to be missed is Horatio’s Garden, an accessible venue created by Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg, where users recovering from a spinal injury can relax away from the clinical environment. You can also admire the impressive garden designed by Tom Massey – the Chelsea’s gold medal winner inspired by the biodiversity of the moors – or learn about growing food for a healthier lifestyle at Mark Gregory’s The Savills Garden, among other proposals.

The visit is accessible to people with reduced mobility. There is a wheelchair rental service (must be booked in advance), unisex accessible restrooms, entrances with paved floors, lockers at an appropriate height and accessible restaurants. The gardens have areas with paved and hard surfaces, although it is possible to find some grassy areas where the soil is not in the best condition.

More information on accessibility can be found on the official website of The Royal Horticultural Society.

Temps de Flor (Gerona, Spain)

In the beautiful city of Gerona, located in the picturesque Spanish region of Catalonia, there is a festival that has captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike: Temps de Flors, which celebrates the beauty and arousal of flowers.

This spring event combines the rich history of Gerona with the artistic expression of nature. The courtyards of historic buildings, the cloisters of the churches, the bridges and the squares become canvases where creativity flourishes in harmony with the architecture.

The Gerona City Council provides a general map with accessible routes for people with reduced mobility (marked with a red line) or electric (blue line). In addition, the locations of public accessible restrooms are indicated.

The aforementioned document is in Catalan. To facilitate your understanding, we recommend consulting the tourist map with English and Spanish translations, where accessible tourist attractions and parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities are also displayed.

Festa da Flor (Madeira, Portugal)

The island of Madeira is already hosting a festival that illuminates its hills and valleys with a burst of colors and fragrances: the Festa da Flor.

Funchal, its capital, spends an entire month celebrating the island’s floral diversity. For this, dances, parades, markets, exhibitions, concerts and other shows are held that attract travelers from all over the world.

There are only a few days left until the end of this year, as it takes place from April 27 to May 21. Learn more about its event calendar and plan a getaway as soon as possible. We suggest visiting  the Regional Secretariat of Tourism and Culture website frequently to plan a visit with time for its 2024 edition. Travegali offers a variety of accessible hotels in Madeira.

Flower Carpet (Brussels, Belgium)

It’s not exactly a festival, but it’s a spectacle worth seeing. The Flower Carpet is an ephemeral masterpiece of colors and textures that graces the historic Grand-Place in Brussels every two years.

Each edition features a unique and thematic design, reflecting the creativity and ingenuity of Belgian flower artists. From abstract patterns to depictions of famous landscapes and landmarks, the Flower Carpet offers a visual experience like no other.

If you have the opportunity to visit Brussels next year, choose a date when you can let yourself be enthralled by the magic of this giant floral tapestry.

As the venue is located in the center of the city, you will have easy access by public transportation or your own car.

Let us know, which one would you like to attend?

Sources: The Royal Horticultural Society, Ajuntament de Girona, Girona City Council Tourist Office, Visit Portugal, Association for the Promotion of Madeira and Flower Carpet