Choosing where to go on your next holiday can be a difficult decision when the whole world is your oyster. There are countless wonders to discover on every continent, especially after being stuck at home for so long.
There are so many choices pulling you in different directions whenever you sit down to make your travel plans for the coming months.
So, as Christmas approaches, cold weather and festive cheer abound. But now is also the perfect time to think ahead to the budding warmth of spring and where best in the world to experience that most glorious shift in the seasons.
Almost inarguably, Europe is the place to witness spring’s coming. It is a continent that contains multitudes, offering natural and cultural delights as the trees once again start to turn green. A full-scale road trip, a rail trip, or even a breezy cycling tour through the best of Europe would be just the thing to see the region in all its glory. But where in Europe is the perfect location to experience the coming spring?
Florence, Italy
Italy is unavoidably the first country to come to mind when discussing spring in Europe. It practically defines the Mediterranean, being a temperate country rife with exotic plants and fruits as well as the trappings of quintessential, provincial, luxurious holiday living.
. It practically defines the Mediterranean, being a temperate country rife with exotic plants and fruits as well as the trappings of quintessential, provincial, luxurious holiday living.
Who doesn’t want to sip wine on verandas, or take in majestic works of Renaissance art as they become imbued with new light? Florence is a dream destination for experiencing Italian spring, being part of Tuscany, one of Italy’s leading wine producers. It oozes history; it is also a stone’s throw from some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.
Paris, France
While spring is typically best experienced when in amongst nature, there is something uniquely magical about spring spent on a city break. The new season brings a new lease of life to certain urban environments, to say nothing of the sudden swell in the availability of incredible local produce. Paris is perhaps the perfect example of this, being a European city renowned for its sense of romance.
Paris in spring sees the banks of the Seine bursting back to life, while the trees shrouding the likes of Père Lachaise Cemetery once again grow full. The bright days are brilliant for exploring the markets and streets; the warmer nights lend themselves to Paris’ winning nightlife.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is one of the most important European cities in international history, having been the cradle for global empire for three consecutive imperial eras. Today, though, it remains a vital hub for culture and commerce in the Bosporus Strait, linking East and West and enjoying the trappings of both as a result.
Spring in Turkey has to be experienced to be fully believed. The breadth of colour on display as the flowers bloom and the markets fill is breathtaking. One of the better attractions in the spring months is Istanbul’s tulip festival, which sees the city well and truly bursting with colour.
