Stroll among the cherry trees in full bloom in Extremadura

To enjoy cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring, head to Extremadura's Valle del Jerte (Jerte Valley) in northern Spain's Caceres instead of traveling all the way to Japan. Valle de Jerte is the most breathtaking place in Spain when the cherry trees are in full bloom because of the early-spring scene of delicate petals wafting across the hillsides on the fresh mountain wind.

In the highlands of northern Extremadura, Valle del Jerte is a distinctive location surrounded by cherry tree orchards and waterfalls. An astonishing 2 million cherry trees welcome spring with a show of white flowers, a fleeting sight that lasts little more than 2 weeks. The valley gradually blooms as the cherry trees on the lower slopes receive first sunlight, then the trees above the steps higher on the slopes.

Soon after the last frosts have disappeared from the Jerte Valley's slopes, the first cherry blossoms start to bloom. This means that the flowering season changes from year to year and is entirely determined by the weather. To be precise, you must arrive within the 15-day bloom period, which runs from late March to early April. It's the ideal time of year to take a stroll through the cherry-tree-dotted fields because you can take in the unending displays of white blooms that signal the arrival of the season's delectable scarlet fruit.

In a nutshell, strolling among the cherry trees in full bloom in Extremadura is a great experience for tourists because:

• The Jerte Valley in Extremadura is the best location in Europe to view cherry blossoms.
• You must come during the 15-day blooming period, which runs from late March to early April.