It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain
It is spring time…It is time to make hay while the sun shines. Spring is no doubt one of the best times in the year to travel. Here is a list of destinations across the world that are picked specially for you to relax…
Amsterdam
Tulips, above all other flowers, have come to symbolize the season, which is why Amsterdam, the capital of the world’s best-known tulip-producing country, the Netherlands, makes our list of springtime musts. April and May are the best times to see the graceful flowers abloom in the city’s markets and public gardens, while tulip festivals in the heart of ‘bulb country’ beckon day trippers. You needn’t be a flora fanatic to love spring in Amsterdam however, since warm days in this Venice of the North are also tailor-made for strolling the 1000+ bridges that span the city’s 165 canals. Better yet, hop on a boat and spend the afternoon in the water, cruising past a whirl of monuments, gabled Dutch houses, and city cyclists.
Arizona
Arizona has a lot more to see than idle tumbleweeds and cactus-lined desert roads. In fact, the southwestern state is home to some of the globe’s most spectacular natural landscapes, like the breathtaking Grand Canyon. Trying to comprehend the vastness of nature’s forces in this colourful canyon is nothing short of mind boggling. Equally stunning are the dramatic red rock buttes and pinnacles that cradle the state’s splendid new-age town of Sedona. Pleasant temperatures are the main reason to go in spring—the heat can be positively scorching in summer—but we also love the season for the wildflowers, like the sweet white blossoms that bloom on saguaro cacti, that you’ll see en route.
Malta
Boasting impressive historical relics, brilliant coastal settings, and heavenly gastronomic fare, the Mediterranean island republic of Malta is much beloved by the select few who know of it; Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom, among other celebrities, certainly raved about it after sampling the island’s unique offerings while filming Troy on its shores a couple of years ago. Indeed, Malta’s crystal waters, magnificent beaches, hilltop bastions, colossal temples, limestone cliffs, and arid rural landscapes combine to create an uncommonly stirring destination. You can get the most out of a trip by visiting between April and June, when the rainy winter months have ended and summer prices and temperatures have yet to peak.
ABC islands
While much of the Caribbean can become unbearably hot after April, the three remarkable ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) are located outside of the hurricane belt and blessed with balmy dry weather all year long. Beautiful stretches of sand, swaying palms, and aquamarine waters are sufficient incentive to visit any of these three South Caribbean isles, but each is quite different from the other: Aruba touts long sandy shores, striking desert vistas, and a host of grand all-inclusive resorts and flashy casinos; while Bonaire—considered one of the world’s best diving destinations—is relatively undeveloped and ideal for a tranquil getaway. Curaçao, meanwhile, is the largest of the lot and boasts plenty of island culture, a tasty liqueur that bears its name, and an incredibly cosmopolitan capital, Willemstad. If you’re looking to enjoy some Caribbean paradise after April, the ABCs have got you covered.
Cape Town
Often touted as ‘the most beautiful city in the world,’ Cape Town is at its best during our spring months–when fall is underway in South Africa. Flanked by spectacular natural scenery, this cosmopolitan city is still warm come autumn (around 70 degrees) so the beaches are still welcoming—while the frosty Atlantic Ocean along their shores is not (but then, it rarely ever is). Aside from delighting in near-perfect temperatures, refreshing sea breezes, and vistas of the famous Table Mountain blanketed in a layer of auburn leaves, this time of year is also harvest season in the Cape region which means plenty of opportunities to sample award-winning wines. One of the best times to do just that is early May, at the annual Waterfront Wine Festival, the largest wine event in town. Outside the city, several wine routes lead you through thriving vineyards and charming Dutch villages. Imagine sitting with a glass of wine in hand, gazing onto the sprawling vineyards that stretch towards the distant ocean… For some of us, nothing is more divine.
Istanbul
Split by a narrow channel—the Bosphorus—which puts part of Istanbul in Europe and part in Asia, this marvellous Turkish metropolis is like no other city on earth. Straddling two continents whose traditions couldn’t be more different, Istanbul is a fascinating mix of western enclaves, Byzantine ruins, glorious mosques, magnificent palaces, and colourful souks. Starting in April, mild temperatures kick in after months of winter rain, but hotel prices remain low and crowds few on the ground, making spring the best time to visit this enticing city, before the hot, humid, and extremely crowded (and pricier) summer months arrive. Plus, with Turkey angling for admittance to the European Union, Istanbul is on the cusp of major change—putting it on the top of our list of cities to watch.
