Holidays to take in the spring of 2018

Time flies, doesn’t it? Before you know it, the Christmas holidays will be succeeded by spring break. It is better to think about your spring holiday in time – among other advantages, that way you can get better deals, and make better decisions.

Spring is a special time of year. Nature is at its most colorful, and at the same time, many cities, especially the old ones, look the most romantic.

What are some of the best holidays to take in the spring of 2018?

Malta

While Malta usually counts as a summer holiday destination, it might surprise you how beautiful it is in spring. In springtime, the Maltese islands are green and full of beautiful flowers. The old villages which make up a surprising part of Malta also look their best in spring, with veggies and fruits popping up in old-school Mediterranean gardens. This makes Malta an ideal place for hiking.

The Camino de Santiago

If you already like the idea of a walking holiday, but would like it to have a greater dimension or a higher meaning, then taking on the Camino de Santiago might be the best option. The Camino de Santiago is Europe’s most famous pilgrim route, and an ancient one too. Well, technically it’s not “one” – there are many trails and established routes starting at different countries – France, Portugal or Spain – all leading to the goal of the journey, Santiago de Compostela, a stunning cathedral which holds the remains of St. James.

Taking on any of the Camino “ways” will lead you through beautifully varied landscapes – pastures, hills, mountains, forests, old villages, coastlines. Also, there is the feeling of the rich layers of history, formed by thousands of pilgrims over the centuries. The trails are tried, tested and safe, with many resting stops and other accommodation.

This number of trails and options for Camino de Santiago holiday can be confusing, especially if you are a first-time pilgrim. Fortunately, there are great tour operators specializing in the Camino de Santiago, such as Follow the Camino, which can provide a complete Camino experience.

La Palma, the Canary Islands

Next spring, you could hike to the Roque de Los Muchachos (“Rock of the Boys”). The Roque is a strange-looking rocky heap at the highest point of La Palma, at 2,423 m above sea level. It offers an amazing view – from the Roque, you can see the islands of Tenerife, El Hierro and La Gomera. The rock itself is just one special feature of this place. Very nearby is the Caldera de Taburiente – a large volcanic crater now overgrown with forest. You can safely walk on its ridge and marvel at the vegetation and clouds below you. Yes, puffy white clouds will be beneath your feet! Also, this location is home to one of the world’s best astronomical observatories – the Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos. It was not put there by accident – the altitude, the dry climate and the lack of light pollution make this place one of the best stargazing locations in the world.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

With its architecture, charming streets and canals, Amsterdam is a very handsome city by itself, but it gets even prettier in the spring. Flowers seem to be everywhere – on balconies and in numerous flower shops. If you happen to be there on April 27th, you can be a part of the big orange celebration – the King’s day. The carnival attracts millions of people dressed in orange and carrying different orange items out in the streets, bars, boats and all of them party until they see orange, we guess. And although the Netherlands can get really rainy, the good news is that April is the driest month of the year in Amsterdam.