April

1. 

   Morocco

   April is a superb time to visit Morocco – the snows have melted off the Atlas, making them passable once more, yet the scorching summer sun has yet to arrive. Clear, bright days make perfect opportunities to explore this intriguing country – from its stunning landscapes of mountains and desert to the bustling medinas of its cities.

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2. 

   Andalusia/Southern Spain

   April in Andalusia is a fantastic time to visit the region, with spring festivals in every village, so you can hop from one party to another as you travel round this beautiful part of southern Spain. Or get away from it all, and head for the stunning mountains of the Sierra Nevada and Las Alpujarras, and even hike part of the GR-7 trail, while the weather is still cool enough.

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3. 

   Lake District

   The English Lake District is beautiful at this time of year, with crisp weather and crowd-free paths. It’s also the time to see the daffodils along the lakeshores, just as Wordsworth immortalised in his famous poetry. Take along a good walking map and guidebook from our substantial collection for the Lake District.

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4. 

   Jordan

   This is a great time of year to explore Jordan, with daytime temperatures of 20-24°C and mild nights. So you’ll be able to investigate the archaeological treasures of the Rose-Red City of Petra in comfort. Take a guided walk around Petra by night, when it is even more enchanting. Head to the famous Wadi Rum, a lunar-like valley where there are opportunities for spectacular canyoning and trekking.

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5. 

   Wales

   Get a spring in your step and clear those winter cobwebs with a bracing hike in the hills or along stunning coastlines, or stand a-top a majestic castle.Walesoffers some of the most stunning scenery in the UK, from the Pembrokeshire coast with unspoilt sweeping sands and blustery cliff-tops, to the breathtaking mountain-tops of the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia.

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6. 

   Warwickshire

   This month sees Shakespeare’s birthday as well as St George’s Day, so where better to celebrate than in the Heart of England? Warwickshire is home to the beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon, where you can visit Shakespeare’s birthplace, and the house museums of his wife and his mother. To mark the playwright’s birthday, the town holds an annual parade, events and activities, and this year the celebrations will be held on Saturday 24 April. Watch out for all sorts of Easter activities going on around the county, too, such as a mediaeval battle re-enactment at Warwick Castle and Easter-egg trails over the bank holiday weekend.

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7. 

   Galapagos Islands

   April is the best month for viewing the flora and fauna of these intriguing islands. The rugged Galapagos lie in the Pacific, some 525 miles off the coast of Ecuador, and have been a national park since 1959. They remain one of the world’s best places to interact with animals, both in and out of the sea. You’ll think you’ve stumbled into paradise when you see creatures ranging from the Giant Tortoise to the Marine Iguana and from the Sally Lightfoot Crab to the Bottlenose Dolphin. Most visitors tour the islands on organised boat tour, with trips lasting from three days to three weeks, so get planning your adventure!

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8. 

   Kyoto

   Visit the vibrant city of Kyoto in the spring and you’ll have the beautiful cherry-blossom season as a backdrop. In April you can watch geisha perform special cherry dances, and you can take a stroll among the cherry trees along the canal-side Philosopher’s Path, in parks, gardens, or at one of the city’s many temples and shrines. Spend your evenings sampling the restaurants on lantern-lit Pontocho, watch kabuki theatre, or spend a night at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) for the ritual of a soak in hot baths, donning a yukata kimono, eating dinner and relaxing on futons.

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