Europe in the Spring
Spring is just around the corner, and it’s also one of the best times to travel to Europe. Airfares are cheaper, hotels frequently offer discounted offseason rates and you’ll also have fewer crowds to contend with. You’ll be more likely to run into locals who are still at home and not away on holiday than bumping elbows with hordes of tourists.
In Holland, the tulips are blooming while the fields of France, Germany and other countries are filled with brilliant wildflowers; alpine snows melt to reveal lush green hills and the climate is often ideal. This also makes for an ideal time to experience a walking holiday – from towering rugged mountain peaks to breathtaking valleys here is a look at the top five destinations in Europe to head to.
Marettimo, Sicily
Marettimo is the most wild and remote of the islands that lie off of Sicily’s western cost. It’s also the most mountainous, making it ideal for those who enjoy scenic walks. With virtually no traffic, this is also the place to go for peace and tranquility. Stroll among the olive trees and orange groves or take the winding trails and cliff paths through Spanish broom and purple cistus to fortresses and Roman villas.
In Marettimo you’ll discover hidden bays at the edge of turquoise seas, unspoiled picturesque beaches, ancient hill villages, medieval churches and much more. Walkers will take in breathtaking views as well as rare plants and flowers, spot birds of prey and island donkeys. Whether you’re looking for a strenuous hike or a more casual excursion, there are paths to satisfy the needs of most everyone.
Wadden Sea, Netherlands
The Wadden Sea offers a unique walking experience for everyone from beginning walkers to the most advanced. This World Heritage Site can be walked during low tide hours when the sea becomes dry giving walkers a chance to walk through mud flats, salt and tidal marshes among an incredible variety of birds including hundreds of thousands of shorebirds, ducks, geese, gulls and terns.
Here you’ll feel like your worlds away from civilization with the vast open space and salty wind, with prawns and flatfish easily viewed in the shallow water. The retreating sea also reveals a host of tiny crabs, snails, mussels and starfish, and if you’re lucky you might even spot a few seals soaking in the sun.
The Dutch Wadden Sea Islands lie in the northern Netherlands, accessible by ferry, with each of the five offering a unique beauty of its own.
Visiting The Netherlands in the spring, you won’t want to miss visiting the incredible tulip fields filled with a kaleidoscope of brilliant hues as the flowers come bursting to life.
Côte d’Azur, France
Hiking on the trail known as the balcony of the Côte d’Azur, you’ll trek through high coastal villages that offer stunning sea, coast and mountain views. The path stretches all the way from Menton in the east to Marseille in the west. Begin at the eastern end near the train station of Menton-Garavan – while there is an initial climb, once you reach the hills the route is mostly flat yet extremely rewarding.
Take in the fragrant flowers and snack on figs, grapes and blackberries whilst being inspired by the views of the Mediterranean and the Alps and visiting charming ancient villages along the way. Whether you choose to spend your entire holiday walking the trail that stretches for 240 kilometers or about 150 miles, or taking your time enjoying a bit of the trail here and there, this is one of the most rewarding walking adventures you’re likely to experience.
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