Springtime is always a lovely time to travel. The crowds have yet to arrive, there is a warmth in the air and the colourful blossoms are starting to show. If you are looking to scratch underneath the surface of a destination and discover the real country – its history, culture, gastronomy and people, this is the perfect time to travel. See our selection of ‘out of season’ holidays below to inspire you to find some sun and culture this spring.
Enjoy Easter on the Greek island of Corfu
The celebrations of Greek Easter are famed worldwide, with each island and village having its own take on this spectacular affair. From processions and musical performances to lively feasts and community festivals, there is much to experience and enjoy. Head to Corfu on Friday 06 April and immerse yourself in the island’s Easter celebrations. On the Saturday evening there are candle-lit processions – a wonderful sight and on Easter Sunday, the tradition is for local people to hurl clay pots from their windows and balconies.
Prices from £759 per person (based on 2 sharing) for a 3 night stay at the Cavalieri Hotel in Corfu Town (bed and breakfast), return flights (London) and transfers.
Corfu, Greece
Discover the scents and smells of Cyprus
In March and April the Mediterranean island of Cyprus is ablaze with the scents and colours of wildflowers and, with daytime temperatures averaging 21C, the weather is pretty pleasant too. To best experience this sense-exciting scene, our expert team would recommend a stay in the Troodos Mountains Geopark, one of the most important mountain habitats for plants in the whole of Europe. Here, you will find, amongst others, pink arabis, diminutive lilac crocus and orchids in bloom. You’ll also discover a region rich in cultural heritage and fabulous local cuisine. Stay at the Linos Inn in Kakopetria.
Prices from £511 per person (based on 2 sharing) for a 7 night stay (bed and breakfast), return flights (London) and car hire.
Troodos mountains, Cyprus
Travel to Patagonia in Chile to visit Torres del Paine National Park
Ever dreamed of having a National Park all to yourself (well, almost)? Well now you can. The Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, the southernmost tip of the world, is renowned for its rugged and unforgiving landscape of soaring mountains, glaciers and icebergs; an image to grace the cover of many guidebooks. Travel to the region in June and avoid the crowds; you may even see some snow falling. Visits to Patagonia can be incorporated into longer tailor-made Chilean adventures by our Latin America destination experts.
Prices from £1,450 per person (based on 2 sharing) for a 4 night stay at the Explora Patagonia Hotel (full board) including domestic flights, transfers and all excursions. International flights are excluded.
Patagonia, Chile
Welcome in the spring in Stockholm
Dating from medieval times, Walpurgis night is celebrated across Sweden on 30 April under the smoke of roaring bonfires and the sound of choral singing. Welcoming the arrival of spring, visitors can join-in the festivities of this annual event at the open-air museum Skansen in Stockholm.
Our three night short break to Stockholm includes return flights, accommodation (bed and breakfast), private transfers and a 48 hour Stockholm Pass providing free entrance to Skansen and over 60 other attractions. Prices are from £682 per person.
Stockholm, Sweden
Take a leisurely mini river cruise in northern Italy
The landscape of the Veneto in northern Italy is home to the most romantic of cities, Venice and the art cities of Padua and Vicenza. From March, the Il Burchiello mini-cruise boat travels along the Brenta River between Venice and Padua and is used by us to transfer our guests between these two unmissable sites, visiting three historical Venetian villas en route.
Prices for a 5 night break are from £795 per person (based on 2 sharing) including return flights (London) 3 nights at the Ca d’Oro Hotel in Venice, 2 nights at the Majestic Toscanelli Hotel in Padua, the Il Burchiello mini-cruise and a private transfer from Padua to Venice airport on departure.
Venice, Italy
Experience Sao Miguel’s largest festival
The ‘Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres’ is celebrated in the Azores from 04-10 May and during this time the streets of Sao Miguel’s capital, Ponta Delgada are adorned with floral decorations and there are processions, street markets and musical performances. May is an excellent time for walking in the archipelago and the spring flowers are in bloom. Whale and dolphin watching excursions are also available, along with canyoning, kayaking, diving, mountain biking, jeep tours and more – all pre-booked by us.
Prices from £787 per person (based on 2 sharing) including return flights (London), 7 nights at the Antillia Hotel Apartments in Ponta Delgada (bed and breakfast) and shared transfers.
Sao Miguel, Azores
We handcraft flexible holidays to lesser-known places that will surprise and delight the experienced traveller and new visitor alike. Visit our website for the full range of our destinations or call our team of experts for more information.
Greece & Cyprus – 020 8758 4758
Scandinavia, Italy and Azores – 020 8758 4722
Latin America – 020 8758 4774