Spring is a season of renewal and infinite possibility. Each day longer than the last and rising temperatures a delightful prospect. Spring is an exciting time to travel and with a cluster of public holidays thrown into the mix, the allure is even greater.
The early spring days of March offer a best of both worlds’ scenario for aurora hunters visiting the far north. The final flurry of winter snow adorns the landscapes, but the lengthening days allow more time to indulge your inner explorer.
Head into April and increased warmth and light offer a teaser of the summer to come, but there’s still a crispness to the air and perhaps even the last vestiges of snow in the far north where the sky may still glow green until the middle of the month.
Then May arrives, and it feels like summer, but without the crowds that tend to follow. Daylight is abundant, flora blossoms and mighty bears stir from hibernation.
Of course, if you choose to head Down Under, spring becomes autumn. With the heat of summer turned down a notch, it’s a great time for hiking and active adventures in Australia or New Zealand.
Whether you’re thinking big with a long-haul odyssey in Oz, you want to catch the last of the snowfall on a mini-break in Lapland or get the jump on summer on a road trip around Iceland, Norway or Canada, put a spring in your step with our seasonal recommendations.
Nordic breaks
In the Nordics, spring is a season of two halves. Travel in March and early April and the northern lights might still be your focus. The spring (or vernal) equinox falls between 19-21 March annually giving a cosmic boost to aurora hunters. Road trips in Iceland or Norway’s Lofoten Islands are ideal. Your days can be spent exploring the dramatic landscapes, with cosy evenings in rural locations expectant of seeing the celestial light show.
April is very much a bridging month between two seasons. It’s off-peak and quiet. Plan a trip in May and you’ve effectively started summer. The days are long. Very long. Around the Arctic Circle you step into the land of the midnight sun.
Northern lights, puffins and wildflowers in Iceland
Let an expert guide you through Iceland’s volcanic and glacial wonders on a northern lights odyssey that coincides with the spring equinox in late March. Expect snow to still cover much of the landscape, but there are longer days to marvel at spectacular sights like Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, Snæfellsjökull and the Golden Circle.
Late April and May are a discerning choice for a free-spirited self-drive. Daylight hours are long and getting longer so there’s so much time to explore. This is also before the popular summer season begins, so key sights aren’t as busy. Meltwater swells waterfalls, puffins arrive to nest, while Arctic poppies and other wildflowers speckle the plains.
Bears, aurora and saunas in Finland
March is still a time for deep snow and log cabins with the northern lights overhead… hopefully. There’s more daylight for packing in activities like snowmobiling, husky sledding and snowshoeing.
Later in the season, watch wild brown bears foraging for food after their long winter hibernation. If you go down to the woods in May you stand a great chance of spotting bears and other spring wildlife such as wolverine, lynx and a variety of birdlife.
In the south, the lakes are calling opening a watery world of tranquillity, fresh air and saunas. It’s a great time for self-drive in between idyllic lakeside resorts.
Mountains, fjords and blossom in Norway
Another great option for an equinox aurora hunt, combine a stay in Tromso with a fjordside resort on the dramatic island of senja on a March getaway. Or consider this month for a coastal cruise ensuring you’ve plenty of daylight to see Norway’s iconic coastline with enough dark nights to catch the northern lights.
Witness a filigree of cherry blossom spreading through the fjords on a colourful road trip from Bergen. The orchards in Hardangerfjord during May are simply spectacular. Pick up cherries from roadside stalls and dine on the first crops of asparagus and wild garlic that will make your mouth water. For a taste of local culture, time your trip with Norway’s National Day on 17 May.
Further north, May is the build-up to the midnight sun, with the sun not setting by the end of the month. What a time to explore the majestic landscapes of Lofoten and Vesteralen on a driving holiday.
Ice breaks, spas and seafood in Sweden
March is the last chance spend a night sleeping on ice at the seasonal Icehotel before it completes its circle of life melting back into its native Torne River. Temperatures are considerably milder than in the depths of winter and you can look out for the aurora making the most of the strong solar activity at this time of year.
Elsewhere in Swedish Lapland, you might choose a spot of pampering on a chilled escape. In late April, snow still dusts the landscape, but the milder, longer days are perfectly suited to kicking back and relaxing at Arctic Bath.
Focus moves to West Sweden if you’re planning to visit in May. Feast on fresh crayfish and oysters – two spring highlights on West Sweden’s foodie calendar. It’s a great time of year to hit the hiking trails, perhaps on a carefully curated self-drive.
Cities and trains in Scandinavia and beyond
Spring is a delightful time to get acquainted with the capitals of Norway, Sweden and Denmark on a multi-centre trip through Scandinavia. Set off from the UK by train and soak up ever-changing views as your journey unfolds. Steeped in history, embrace the local culture of Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo, as well as ticking off highlights of Gothenburg and Malmo en route. Wander across cobbled streets, savour local cuisines and people-watch from contemporary bars and cafés.
Perhaps springtime in Paris is more to your liking, followed by Milan, Florence, Rome and Venice. Hop on a train and ride through the heart of Europe in full bloom on a slow and immersive rail trip.
Long-haul adventures
Across the Atlantic in North America, the possibilities for travelling in spring expand as the season progresses. While you might choose to grab a wilderness, northern lights experience in the Rockies or the Yukon until April, it’s from May that road trip season kicks off paving the way for thrilling driving adventures through the spectacular scenery of Alaska, the Rockies and coastal Canada. A full range of tours start to operate from May offering endless potential.
Spring is also a prime time for seeing wildlife, from setting sail on a small-ship cruise of Alaska’s Inside Passage to bear watching in Canada. For a wildlife extravaganza of all shapes, sizes and colours, Costa Rica is a hot prospect this time of year.
Heading to the southern hemisphere in spring means you find yourself in autumn. Should you wish to experience the Austral spring, you’ll need to visit between September and November.
Wildlife and icebergs in Canada
Head over to Canada’s Pacific Coast and enjoy an easy-going road trip during cherry blossom season. Witness British Columbia’s parks and gardens bloom including Victoria’s Butchart Gardens, which is ablaze with colour. Bears are waking from hibernation, while grey whales are migrating north. Weave all these experiences into a coastal road trip and discover the gems of Vancouver Island.
On the Atlantic coast, spring is the time to marvel at giant icebergs as they drift past Newfoundland’s shoreline on a route known as ‘Iceberg Alley’. The spring thaw also sparks a food-chain reaction in the Gulf of St Lawrence that lures a variety of whales, including beluga, fin, minke, humpback and blue.
Biodiversity and coffee in Costa Rica
The balmy climate of Costa Rica may be just the thing you’re looking for after a long winter. March and April are dry season when it’s best for encounters with those most exuberant of whales, humpbacks. It’s a great time of year to explore the beaches and nature-packed national parks of the Pacific coast.
May is the start of the wet season, delightfully known as green season in Costa Rica. Set off on a road trip exploring vibrant rainforests and dramatic waterfalls at their peak as the tropical rains arrive.
Make sure to visit a coffee plantation and discover the magic beans behind the beloved drink.
Whale sharks and rainforest in Australia
Our spring – the austral autumn – is a great choice for visiting Western Australia. Whale sharks arrive to feed in the waters of Ningaloo Reef in April. You can take a boat trip to see these mighty fish (they are sharks not whales) or even snorkel with these gentle giants. A one-of-a-kind natural world experience that will stay with you. Take the plunge and head-out on a coastal drive like our Ningaloo and Shark Bay Discovery, beginning and ending in Exmouth.
April is also the start of the dry season in the tropical north, so perhaps pair your WA experience with a visit to Queensland’s reef and rainforests and the vast national parks of the Northern Territory’s Top End.
Hiking, wine and photography in New Zealand
April and May are quieter months in New Zealand, ideal for active pursuits, touring wineries glowing with autumn colour and enjoying a self-drive through incredible scenery.
Autumn colours burnish the landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island, particularly those of Central Otago – home to picturesque national parks, lush rainforests and the sweeping glaciers that perfectly hem the west coast.
This is a great time for hiking in New Zealand with quieter trails than during peak summer months. Cooler weather makes trekking more comfortable, and the turning colours add a dash of gold to the surroundings. A collection of 10 of the most iconic multi-day trails include the Tongariro Northern Circuit and the famous Milford Track, but there are countless places to take a stroll in NZ and we’ll help you uncover them on a tailored itinerary.
To experience spring in the Land of the Long White Cloud, plan your visit for September, October or November. Outside summer peak, this is a great time to tour wineries and like the austral autumn is great for hiking.
Feeling inspired?
If this has ignited your wanderlust for a spectacular spring break, get in touch with our Travel Specialists for help in planning your perfect adventure or call on 01737 214 250.
Or for further ideas, read our month by month guides:
