With spring in full swing, April is a great month for adventures that make the most of mild temperatures and beat the summer crowds. Here at Backroads, we choose our April adventures to get the best of early-season Europe, autumnal South America and the dry season on equatorial islands.
Top Places to Go in April
Come with us on a trip around the world for the best of April active travel.
Netherlands & Belgium
Two words: Spring. Blooms. On April and May trips to the Netherlands, there’s no better place to kick off an adventure than at Keukenhof, the world’s largest flower garden, open only in spring. Until you’ve been here, you’ve never seen anything like it—imagine 7 million flowering bulbs artfully arranged across 79 vibrant acres. After you’ve had your fill of flowers, continue the spring adventure by hiking or biking past windmills and waterways, snacking on Liège waffles and joining a centuries-old tradition of soaking in mineral-rich thermal waters.
Learn more about Backroads’ Netherlands and Belgium Trips
Argentina
April means harvest season in southern hemisphere Argentina, making it an ideal time to hike and bike through the red and gold vineyards of the Uco Valley and wine taste through all of the Mendoza wine country. To dial up the Argentina of it all, horseback ride through the Andes, raft rushing rivers and hone your tango skills. Or take it in another direction on an April Patagonia hiking adventure, on which you’ll enjoy mild fall weather as you hike beneath the spires of Los Glaciares National Park and cruise the Upsala Glacier channel.
Learn more about Backroads’ Mendoza Wine Country & Andes Multi-Adventure and Patagonia Hiking & Walking Trips
Portugal
April in Portugal is so inspiring that for decades artists have created movies and songs to celebrate the season. We love leading mid-spring trips here because the weather trends just right for outdoor activities and the country’s most beautiful sights aren’t yet swamped with the crowds of summer. In April, the vineyards are coming into leaf and orange blossoms scent the air. Big-wave surfing fans get a perfect peek at Nazaré’s secret season, when the waves are often still big, but the beaches are less crowded. And when you’re considering a spring trip to Portugal, it’s worth remembering that the April splendor extends to the country’s islands, including the Azores—conveniently perched partway between Europe and the US—and Madeira off the northwest coast of Africa.
Learn more about Backroads’ Portugal Trips
Croatia
Maybe it was the cruise ships or the Game of Thrones of it all—whatever it is, Croatia has a starring place in the European travel spotlight. But April offers an alternative—a lower-stakes Croatia where the weather’s fine, the crowds are thinner and the vibe is relaxed. All of which makes this a perfect season for swimming in the Adriatic, biking the coast, island-hopping by boat and wandering along soaring city walls.
Learn more about Backroads’ Croatia Trips
Bali
Warm days, less rain and a natural lull in crowds make April a genius time to visit Bali. Pedal along rice paddies, raft rivers lined by teak trees, swim beneath waterfalls and snorkel among the riot of colorful coral and reef fish. Along the way, learn about the culture of this Indian Ocean paradise, cooking alongside locals, watching traditional dance performances and visiting small villages for a peek at daily life.
Learn more about Backroads’ Bali Trips
