Spring Vacation Ideas
You’ve packed away your winter coats, seen the last of the snow melt, and celebrated the arrival of longer days. There’s one last thing you need to do to welcome spring – plan a vacation!
The best spring vacations will help you shake the cobwebs from winter off and bring some zest back into your life. This season is a great time to travel, as you can enjoy the bounty of spring harvests and the wonder of fields in bloom, while exploring popular destinations before the summer crowds arrive.
Now is your chance to head for warmer climes and colorful spring travel destinations. Here are some spring vacation ideas you won’t be able to resist.
Mexico City, Mexico
The vast sprawl of Mexico City enjoys pleasant temperatures in spring. This capital city is so big you could spend one or even two weeks exploring it and barely scratch the surface.
From the 13th century Aztec temple Templo Mayor, to the glorious historic murals of Diego Riviera, to the baroque cathedrals left behind by Spanish conquistadors, there is an endless list of sights to keep you busy.
In between soaking up the history and art of Mexico, you can sample all of the flavors of the city — Mexican cuisine is famous for a reason, and there is no better place to try it than Mexico City.
Spring in the city is warm enough to make you forget what winter feels like, but still comfortable enough to spend your days wandering the busy streets. Plus you won’t be near any of the popular party areas, making this a perfect spring break destination for adults.
Athens, Greece
One of the best places to travel in April is Greece, where ancient civilizations meet the modern world. Athens is a huge open-air museum, with history around every cobblestone corner.
You can lay eyes on famous landmarks such as the Parthenon and the Acropolis, and see ancient pottery, jewelry and other remnants of life in Ancient Greece in the National Archaeological Museum.
Al-fresco dining and lively cafes make present day Athens fun. Spring is the perfect time to visit, as you can enjoy long, balmy evenings in corner cafes, without the crowds that summer pulls in a few months later.
Tenerife holidays are filled with days spent on sandy beaches, nights gazing up at skies full of stars and plenty of cultural experiences in between.
Las Vegas, United States
Before the heat and crowds of summer hit, schedule a trip to Sin City. Spring weather makes the desert city more enjoyable, and it’s the perfect place to shake off the winter blues.
Las Vegas is a place to escape. If you are craving dazzling sunsets, neon margaritas, dancing until your feet hurt and endless buffets, plan your spring migration toward Vegas.
Vegas on a budget is easy as pie, so you’ll be hard pressed to come up with a reason not to go. The whole city is a playground, and it is the best spring destination if you are after a little indulgence.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
The city famous for its red light district and canals comes alive in spring, shaking off the heavy winter fog and embracing the warmer weather with bountiful tulip crops. There is no better time to explore the countryside around Amsterdam, where the classic photos of windmills in a field of tulips image is yours to take.
In the city itself, the trees lining the canals burst into leaf, and the cafes and restaurants spill into the cobbled streets again. Spring is the best time to cruise around on a bicycle and enjoy the buzz of a city emerging from winter.
San Sebastian, Spain
One of the best vacation ideas for food lovers is a week or two in San Sebastian, the great foodie town of Spain. Spring is the best season to sample the local fare, with everything from anchovies and mackerel, to idiazabal cheese, to baby broad beans and tender asparagus shoots.
The markets and fairs are overflowing with fresh local produce in spring, and feasting your eyes on the colorful stalls is as much fun as buying quality foodstuffs. Throughout town, bar tops brim with pintxos, snack-sized local specialties crafted from seasonal products.
For a more highbrow affair, you can check out one of the Michelin starred restaurants in town.
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New Orleans, United States
Beat the heat and humidity and visit New Orleans in spring. The warm, jasmine-scented nights and sunny days are more than enough to brighten spirits dampened by winter.
In between dramatic rainstorms you can absorb the lush sensuality of New Orleans, the atmosphere of the French Quarter and the live jazz and cocktail scene.
Then, of course, there’s Mardi Gras, making the Big Easy one of the best places to travel in April. The wild, colorful celebrations run for about two weeks, with endless parades and parties. Embrace the carnival spirit and throw on a mask so you can masquerade through the madness. Once it’s all over, you can enjoy the slow, southern pace of life as things settle down again.
Cornwall, England
Cornwall is pretty as a postcard any time of year, but in spring the area comes into full bloom, making it one of the most beautiful places to visit in spring. England’s beach getaway steps out of winter ahead of the rest of the country, so you can stroll the beaches and wander through fields in tentative sunshine as early as February.
Seals start to appear along the Cornish coast along with the warmer weather, the moody colors of the moors get interrupted by spring flowers and newborn lambs bobbing around, and the beaches are (almost) inviting enough for a swim. All of the local seasonal produce means plenty of good things to eat in cozy cafes if the weather does go bad.
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Paris, France
As the writer Henry Miller said, “When spring comes to Paris, the humblest mortal alive must feel that he dwells in paradise.” As a spring travel destination, Paris is hard to beat.
The warmer weather means you can stroll the atmospheric streets all day, enjoying the famous parks in full bloom and the chic sidewalk cafes bustling as Parisians sip their espressos in spring sunshine.
This is also the best season to explore the market culture in Paris, with rows of produce, cheese and antique stalls laid out under blue skies. In springtime, the City of Light simply glows.