Spring is almost here and it’s time to hit the road! As winter disappears into memory, flowers are blooming in green spaces around the world and people are getting into the summer mood with festivals and celebrations in the sunny months ahead. Whether you’re taking a spring break vacation or setting off on a tour around the world, April is the perfect month for a travel journey full of springtime surprises and outdoor adventure. Here are our top travel destinations particularly suited for an adventure in April.
Netherlands & Belgium
For biking in April, it doesn’t get better than taking a scenic spin through the low countries. Combine the legendary cycling cultures of Belgium and the Netherlands—where there are more bikes than people—with enchanting medieval villages and the famous mid-April tulip blooms of Holland and you’ve got a picture-perfect vacation! Pedal through idyllic landscapes of windmills, wheat fields, thatch-roofed cottages and fields of stunning pink tulips. Take a break to enjoy a sweet stroopwafel, a cold bottle of famous Belgian beer or some gouda cheese in the town where it's been sold since the tenth century. If you’re looking for a break from the bustle of everyday life into a truly idyllic setting, a bike tour in the Netherlands & Belgium is just the ticket. Check out the Backroads Netherlands & Belgium Bike Tour!
Santa Barbara & Ojai, California
Everyone knows Los Angeles, but there’s another side of Southern California that most never see. The area from the Santa Ynez Valley to Ojai, located just north of Los Angeles, is a pastoral, sunbaked paradise. From the hip culture and nostalgic Spanish architecture of Santa Barbara to Los Olivos, California’s “other Wine Country,” everyone can find something to enjoy in this time capsule of 1960s California, where life is lived between the beaches and the mountains. April is the perfect time to visit: before the summer heat arrives, locals and tourists alike bask in the balmy springtime, gathering for long outdoor meals, concerts and festivals. To celebrate good food, good wine, and the natural beauty of California in the springtime, there’s no place like here. Check out the Backroads Santa Barbara to Ojai Bike Tour!
Tuscany
While there is not a bad time of year to visit Toscana, the central Italian region celebrated for its rich cultural and artistic history, a visit during the month of April is sure to satisfy. You’ll get to experience the best of Tuscany—quaint Italian villages, roads winding through rich green hills and delicious wine and coffee—all without the oppressive heat or crowds of the summer! April in Tuscany is an exciting time: you’ll see workers pruning the olive trees, the vines in the vineyards are beginning to regrow their summer leaves and all the countryside is verdant and lush—the perfect backdrop for a cycling or hiking adventure. Be warned...the first day of April is called “Pesce d’Aprile,” or literally “April Fish,” the Italian version of April Fool’s Day. Tradition calls for students to go around taping paper drawings or cut-outs of fish to the backs of unsuspecting strangers. So...watch your back! Check out our Backroads Tuscany Tours!
Yosemite Valley
April is prime time for an active vacation in Yosemite National Park. You’ll enjoy pleasant springtime temperatures—perfect conditions for coaxing colorful wildflowers out of hibernation. Spring snowmelt fuels a spectacular waterfall display, making falls such as Yosemite and Bridalveil even more dramatic. You also get to avoid the heavier summertime crowds, which makes accessing and viewing Yosemite icons such as Half Dome and El Capitan more relaxed. Come hike through an American treasure in April on a vacation that’s both awe-inspiring and just downright fun. Check out Yosemite Valley Walking & Hiking Tour!
Camino de Santiago
Culturally diverse, geographically varied and rich in history, northern Portugal’s Minho wine region and Spain’s quiet Galician countryside are perfect for exploring in the spring. Find your rhythm ahead of the summer heat and explore the area's historic network of pilgrimage paths. Start along the Caminho Português on trails dotted with lush farmland, vineyards and charming aldeas (villages). In Galicia, visit intriguing circular castros, remains of ancient Celtic settlements. Wander through picturesque fishing towns and sunbathe on the white-sand beaches of the Cíes Islands en route to the hallowed Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. Christians have walked these routes since the Middle Ages, and now it’s your turn. Check out our Camino trips today!
Want to see more tips for traveling to the right place at the right time? See our expert recommendations for every month of the year:
