Top Five Great Springtime Destinations

[Velimira Velikova]

When the days grow longer and the dreary winter slowly melts away, it’s time to pack your suitcase and head out to meet spring! Our favourite season is simply more beautiful in some places – and some places are simply more beautiful in spring. Stuck for a place to go? Choose one of our top five spring destinations below.

1. Bohemian spring rhapsody in Prague

Prague is the capital of Bohemia – and the Czech Republic, of course. Avoid the summer crowds by visiting in spring, when the Golden City glistens in the sun and the cherry trees blossom. History is never far away in Prague – this city has seen everything from mad alchemists to velvet revolutions. After exploring the cobbled medieval squares and admiring the Gothic architecture in the Old Town, take a stroll over the famous Charles Bridge to the Lesser Side. Stop off at the tiny house where Franz Kafka worked and walk up Petrin Hill for stunning views over Prague Castle and Vltava. As the sun sets on a glorious spring day, sip a pilsner from one of the local microbreweries while soaking up the city’s warm atmosphere.

2. Tuscany – a not-so-well-kept secret

For centuries, people have been trying to explain the mystery behind Mona Lisa’s alluring smile. Well, the answer may be simpler than you’d think: she’s from Tuscany! Italians celebrate spring as the time when Mother Nature awakens from her winter sleep, and hold medieval festivals in her honour. Why not go there to celebrate with them? See the famous towns of Florence, Siena and Pisa, and then escape to the countryside with its rolling hills, picturesque villages, olive groves and rustic vineyards. Visit a village market and pack your picnic basket full of local cheese, salami, bread and chianti – could life get any better?

3. Enjoy the outdoors in New York

The winter is cold in New York, but when spring comes along, people come out to play again. And maybe the Big Apple tastes best in spring? Skip the mall and take a stroll in Central Park, smell the flowers at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Brooklyn Botanical Garden and marvel at the Dance Parade in May, where tens of thousands of dancers get jiggy on the streets. Wrap yourself in a blanket and see the New York skyline at sunset from 230 Fifth, one of the city’s many rooftop bars. Sample cuisines from all over the world and stay up late with the city that never sleeps.

4. Venice of the Alps – Annecy

Set on the banks of a pristine, turquoise lake against the backdrop of the French Alps, the medieval town of Annecy is truly a gem. Where else can you go skiing on the glacier Grande Motte and take a boat trip on the cleanest lake in Europe in one and the same day? Annecy is known as the Venice of the Alps for its quaint canals. The cobblestone streets of the old town centre are lined with designer boutiques and market stalls, art galleries and antique shops. Drop in at a restaurant and savour some Savoyard specialties, such as tartiflette, raclette and fondue.

5. Bask in the spring sun in Barcelona

When the sun starts to warm things up, life moves back out onto the streets of Barcelona. The Catalan capital has everything from art and architecture to beautiful parks and beaches. Add some tapas and cava to that, and you get the idea! Take Gaudí by the hand and walk up the hill to Park Güell. The colourful mosaics and flowers in bloom are definitely worth the climb – not to mention the breathtaking view over the city rooftops. The warm evenings are best spent dining alfresco in one of the many squares in the Gothic Quarter.