The most beautiful ways to experience spring around the world
From taking in the scented blooms of Paris to encountering unique wildlife in the Galapagos, spring is a wonderful time of year for a holiday
After cold and dark winters, spring is perhaps the season we look forward to the most. And, if you haven't escaped for a winter sunshine break, then by the time the days become longer, milder, and sunnier, you may be clamouring for a holiday. As much as we love the sight of jaunty yellow daffodils and carpets of bluebells in British woodlands, spring is a resplendent season all around the world and a fantastic time get away, visiting cities like Paris and Amsterdam as they come alive with flowers or witnessing wildlife emerging as the seasons change.
Spring is a time of year when everything takes on a fresh new glow. It is also an excellent time to travel before the summer crowds descend (we're looking at you, Italy), so you can explore places when they're calmer and quieter. Spring is a good time to visit places that get particularly hot in the summer, like Morocco, and still enjoy a blast of warmth without the intensity that July and August bring.
Or you could be thinking about a long-haul escape. After all, the UK's travel trade association, ABTA, found that 2025 is set to be a big year for travelling further afield, with more than a third of the people intending to travel thinking about a far-flung location.
And if you're a fan of a escorted tours, such as those offered by touring specialist Riviera Travel, spring is the perfect time to experience a group tour as you can enjoy the luxury of having a dedicated Riviera guide, while soaking up the warmer weather and enjoying fewer crowds in many places, like the Mediterranean.
Here, we've handpicked 10 destinations around the world where the season is particularly lovely in spring, whether it's because of their bright blooms, frolicking wildlife, or sunny skies. Browse the most beautiful ways to celebrate spring around the world.
Admire the beauty of the cherry blossom in Japan
Spring is arguably the best time to visit Japan. Between mid-March and mid-April (usually taking place for two weeks), the iconic cherry blossoms flower across the country in a seasonal event known as sakura. This spectacle sees the delicate pink and white blossoms blanketing parks, and hanging over the temples and streets. Along with this comes hanami flower viewing parties, where friends and families gather under the cherry trees to enjoy picnics and celebrate the fleeting beauty of the blossoms.
For the less confident traveller, Japan can be one of those countries where it can be reassuring to have some expert help – both in the planning and on the ground. If that sounds like you, try Riviera Travel’s Best of Japan tour, which is a perfect introduction to Japan. You'll have an expert tour manager looking after you from start to finish, and your holiday includes plenty of experiences, so you don’t have to research, plan, and book everything separately. There are various departures in spring 2025, but one in early April if you want to catch the cherry blossom season this year.
Explore the springtime gardens of Morocco
Morocco can get seriously hot in June, July, and August, so visiting either side of the summer is well advised for pleasant temperatures that are ideal for sightseeing. In spring, the Atlas Mountains bloom with colour, and the cities can be explored wearing just light layers. Gardens like the magnificent Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech are emerging from their winter slumber, and the temperatures are warm enough to enjoy a drink or some mint tea in the city’s rooftop bars.
There’s far more to Morocco than Marrakech, which is why Riviera Travel’s Imperial Cities of Morocco holiday catches our eye. Not only do you get to spend time in Marrakech, but you’ll also visit Casablanca, as well as lesser-known Rabat, Fez, and Meknes.
Watch unique wildlife in the Galapagos
Although the Galapagos doesn’t technically have a spring (simply warm/wet and cool/dry seasons), April, May, and June are when the rainy season is giving way, bringing comfortable temperatures and warm waters. The Galapagos' iconic wildlife is highly active over this time of year, and you're in with an excellent chance of seeing blue-footed boobies, green sea turtles, and waved albatrosses. Flowers are blooming across the islands, and it’s a superb time to take an unforgettable adventure in the Mindo Cloud Forest and spot hummingbirds.
Visiting the Galapagos is a true bucket-list adventure, so when you decide the time is right, do it properly. Choosing an established tour operator with experience in the region, such as Riviera Travel, can help ensure you see the highlights and have a seamlessly planned trip.
Photograph the magnolias in Paris
In the heart of Paris, the city’s famous magnolias embody the essence of spring. As the weather warms, these magnificent trees with pale pink and white petals create a romantic backdrop for Parisian strolls. The Eiffel Tower and Jardin du Palais Royal are known for their exquisite magnolia trees, drawing Parisians and visitors out to enjoy their splendour in the enchanting City of Light.
Spend spring in Paris with Riviera Travel, and you’ll have plenty of time to search out the magnolias between a guided tour of Paris, a visit to Montmartre, and sightseeing in Versailles. Travel in March for the best chance of seeing the magnolias at their finest.
Stroll around the elegant gardens of the Italian Lakes
The Italian Lakes are exquisitely beautiful, making them exceedingly popular, particularly in summer. By getting ahead of the crowds and visiting in spring, you’ll enjoy the lakes when they’re quieter and pleasantly cooler, and springtime flowers are at their brightest and freshest. To see the best of the blooms, visit the formal gardens of Villa Taranto, where carpets of flowers steal the show. Two rare tree species are in full bloom in April and May, making a remarkable sight for springtime visitors.
If 2025 is the year you plan on taking your first solo travel adventure (what took you so long?), then Italy is a great one to start with. Not too far from home, it’s the ideal location to dip your toe into the solo traveller arena. Plus, you can take a dedicated holiday designed purely with solo travellers in mind – a sort of hybrid, if you will – where you’ll travel with like-minded others. Riviera Travel’s Lake Maggiore, Orta and Como tour for solo travellers includes visits to Lakes Maggiore, Como, and Orta, plus trips to Villa Taranto Gardens and the beautiful Borromean Islands.
Scan the ocean for whales in South Africa
South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, so March, April, and May are autumn months. If you want to visit Kruger, May is a fantastic time for a game drive as the vegetation recedes as winter approaches and visibility begins to improve. However, visit in September or October to experience South Africa’s proper spring. You’ll see the vibrant purple blooms of the Jacaranda trees in and around Johannesburg, and it’s the best time to spot whales in Hermanus when southern right whales migrate from Antarctica.
Whether you visit in spring or autumn, both are good options. Consider an escorted tour if you want to experience the full variety of landscapes and experiences South Africa offers. That way, all the logistics are handled for you and you’ll benefit from an expert guide, which can make all the difference when you’re getting to know the ins and outs of a new destination. Riviera Travel has an excellent 16-day tour that covers plenty of ground, including Kruger, the Panorama Route, Winelands, and Cape Town.
Take springtime hikes in sunny Croatia
After a long UK winter, a walking holiday in Croatia sounds like the perfect tonic, making up for too much time spent indoors. Springtime is an excellent time to travel to Croatia. It’s pleasantly warm with sunny skies, but as the summer temperatures have yet to lure keen sunbathers to its glittering shores and islands, it’s quieter and slower-paced.
In late spring and early summer, the lavender fields awaken in Hvar, and cherry blossoms bloom in Zagreb. Riviera Travel has a walking holiday on the Dalmatian Coast, combining seaside strolls with city explorations and visiting Baćina Lakes and the country’s largest wine region.
Cruise along the canals of the Netherlands
Minded for something a touch less active? A cruise is the perfect way to let the scenery come to you. And to capture the essence of spring, we can think of few better options than a cruise through the Netherlands, passing the Dutch bulb fields when they’re at their brightest. A river cruise is a gentle way to explore, typically on small ships with gorgeous sun decks so you can sit back and watch the passing scenery.
Riviera Travel offers two Dutch river cruises, with one following a fantastic itinerary of maritime cities and colourful tulip fields. It includes visiting the remarkable Keukenhof Gardens, where seven million flowers are arranged in rows and patterns, creating a true fairytale garden in rainbow hues. Plus, you can consider yourself something of a trendsetter — 'horti-culture' travel is set to be a big 2025 travel trend, and this botanically-inspired trip is the epitome of the movement.
Spot flamingos in southern France
Spring is an excellent time to visit Provence in southern France. Before the crowds arrive for the summer, there’s a wonderful sense of calm here. It’s also one of the best times to explore the Camargue when these vast wetlands come alive with a flurry of activity. Wildflowers paint the landscape in yellow, purple, and pink hues, while the iconic white horses roam freely across the marshes.
Birdwatchers love Camargue in the spring as it’s when migratory birds return to their nesting grounds. However, the showstoppers are always the pink flamingos that grace the lagoons with their elegant presence. Spend eight days in Provence this spring with Riviera Travel, enjoying a boat trip through the Camargue and visits to Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. It's an escorted tour, so everything is taken care of, making it a particularly relaxing way to travel.
Admire the exquisite architecture of Krakow
Krakow in spring is when the city is at its most resplendent—blooming with flowers and (with any luck) bathed in warm, spring sunshine. The harsh winter temperatures are left behind, making it a wonderful city to walk through without heavy winter coats. It’s the ideal time to see the red roofs and green towers contrasting against a bright blue sky and to have the sun glint off the gold domes of Wawel Cathedral.
Choose a trip to Krakow with experiences and trips taken care of, like Riviera Travel’s city break. It includes a guided walking tour of the city, so you’ll pick up lots of interesting facts as you roam. Upgrade to a Signature small group tour and enjoy a traditional Polish food tour too, if you fancy delving into the regional specialties.
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