What season do you imagine in your mind while planning an ascent? For many, summer is associated with sunny and free days. For the other set, it would be the charm of cold winter.
Well, here is a travel secret that many travelers swear by: spring is the ultimate season of travel. A season of renewal, not only for the environment but also for our restless spirits. It is a season that gives the perfect mix of good weather, fewer crowds, and a world coloured with hues of life. Away with the summer swarms and chilling winters; let’s explore why spring is the secretly perfect time for your next global getaway.
The Sweet Spot of the Shoulder Season
One of the most convincing reasons to travel during the spring is because it is considered a shoulder season in many places of the world. The months between high and low season are commonly referred to as the shoulder season, and with good reason: during this period, many benefits can be attained. Being one of the few benefits that is definitely going to come into the mind of a common traveller is the economic one. During such an interval, flights and accommodations can be purchased at prices two or even three times lower than during summer sales. Your finances, therefore, can afford that extra night’s stay, a finer hotel, or a few more ‘bucket list’ excursions.
The shoulder season offers a second level of savings and a more getaway-like feel to the trip. Picture wandering the ancient streets of Rome without ploughing through a sea of selfie sticks or standing on the other side of the Colosseum, finding a peaceful spot to enjoy the view. Popular spots are more accessible with shorter queues and a generally less frantic atmosphere. You witness the backside of the destination in a truer sense, interacting more with locals and searching out hidden treasures at your leisure. These small moments will transform your enjoyable trip into an unforgettable experience.
A Spectacular Awakening of the World
Spring is when everything comes back to life, a cool global party celebrating nature waking up after its winter nap. The cherry blossoms of Japan (sakura) are witnessed during this time, with soft landscapes turning into pink wonderlands, or stepping through the endless tulip fields of the Netherlands, a living portrait to the horizon. In California, deserts and hillsides blossom in a wildflower “superbloom” that has to be witnessed to be believed.
The weather also tastes just right. The oppressive heat of summer is still to arrive, while that biting winter cold is already a fading memory. Days are mild and sunny, perfect for long walks while checking out the city, hiking in lush national parks, or chilling over a coffee at a sidewalk café. The kind of weather that energises you, tempting you to go outdoors all through the day from sunrise to sunset. This is that ‘in-between’ weather that facilitates packing and makes everything a little more fun to do outdoors.
A Vibrant Tapestry of Festivals and Culture
Human culture has always remained tied to the seasons, and springtime festivals witness some of the world’s most fascinating celebrations of rebirth and joy. Travelling during this time offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience into the traditions of the land. Imagine yourself joyously participating in:
- The riotous and wildly beautiful celebration of colour and love in India is called Holi.
- The sacred yet most awesome displays of Holy Week in Spain.
- Thailand’s New Year celebration, Songkran, an all-out water festival that may be as refreshing as it is enjoyable.
Whatever experiences you share in these celebrations, you will bond with a place much more than all-day sightseeing would ever.
A festival-type atmosphere is not restricted to very ancient traditional beliefs. A season of food and wine festivals, to name just a few, starts with the onset of spring across many regions. Imagine sipping glassfuls of crisp wines in tune with the awakening of vineyards. A journey into South Moravia in the Czech Republic winds through rolling green hills and wine cellars that look rather vintage. Vacationing in one of many beautiful apartments in Mikulov would place you right in the heart of this fairy-tale setting, giving you a chance to nurture your inner local as the region celebrates the birth of a new vintage.
Spring Destination Inspiration
Landscapes all over the world make spring a fantabulous occasion, although a handful really shine. In the Northern Hemisphere, Europe is the classic pick. Cities such as the following are picturesque indeed with gardens in full bloom and locals with a penchant for outdoor patios:
- Paris
- Prague
- Lisbon
This is a time for new beginnings and discoveries in these old, quaint streets.
Seasonally speaking, it is spring up north, and so it is autumn down south, another wonderful shoulder season. The whole of Australia is magic at this time. With summer fading gently into an afterglow of brilliantly warm days, it is truly an epic time to be on the Queensland Sunshine Coast. You could spend your days stomping the pristine sandy beaches and verdant hinterland of Noosa National Park and then watch the sunset from your Sunshine coast rentals overlooking the Coral Sea. It is the time to soak up the laid-back Aussie lifestyle before the whole world descends.
Your Perfect Getaway Awaits
Summer gets the glamour, but spring entails magic. It is a season of promises for adventures at comfortable prices and the world at its most vibrant and beautiful. It opens ground for one to have a deep connection with the destination, to witness a place awaken and celebrate life. So, for the next trip, go against all odds and choose a half-tamed embrace of colours and warmth: spring.
So how about you? Have you ever enjoyed a spring vacation that was just perfect? Do share your favourite spring destination in the comment section below!
