Japan’s Spring Spectacle
April is the prime time to visit Japan, and Nara is a recommended base. The main attraction is the famous cherry blossom season, or ‘sakura’, when the nation’s trees are covered in pastel colours. This period is considered highly auspicious, and many Japanese people travel to gardens and temples in areas like Yoshino, Kyoto, and Nara. Be advised, however, that it is impossible to know the exact peak blossom time, so it is safer to arrive as early in April as possible. You might also time your visit with the Kanamara Matsuri on the first Sunday of April, a unique spring festival where giant phalluses are paraded through town. For accommodation, the Nipponia Hotel Nara Naramachi, a traditional ryokan in a former saké brewery, is a fine base.
Paris Awakens
As the songs say, Paris is a delight in April. The city begins to shake off its winter tiredness, and the signs are everywhere—from the centuries-old Foire du Trône funfair to the Paris Marathon at the beginning of the month. While rain is still possible, strolls through the city’s famous parks and along the banks of the Seine are no longer under bare branches. The peak tourist season is still two months away. Spring is particularly noticeable in the 5th and 6th arrondissements, home to the Jardin des Plantes, Jardin de Luxembourg, and the Latin Quarter.
Florida’s Dry Season Farewell
For many in North America, Florida is the main winter escape, but April is the last week to enjoy the dry season. In May and June, the rain and humidity can become off-putting. April is also typically the last month you can explore the Everglades on the water without mosquitoes for company. In Miami, particularly around the art deco hotels of Miami Beach, prices in the second half of the month drop from their winter peak. The average temperature of 25C is ideal for days on the Florida sand. For a quieter stay, the Coconut Palm Inn offers a secluded beachfront retreat.
Tiger Spotting in Central India
In the heart of India, April is dry. Very dry. This condition forces elusive animals to reveal themselves at watering holes. This is excellent news for wildlife spotters, as it presents the best opportunity to see India’s national animal, the Bengal tiger. Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh (“Central Province”) is one of the top locations for encountering these endangered creatures. Temperatures often rise well above 30C, so architectural sites like the temples of Khajuraho and Gwalior Fort are best visited at first and last light.
English Countryside in Bloom
The cherry blossom season in Britain may not be the national obsession it is in Japan, but it is still a superb sight. In the Cotswolds, Batsford Arboretum holds the UK’s national collection of Japanese flowering cherries, which are usually at their best from mid-April. You can also find them at Westonbirt. Later in the month, many woods get a carpet of bluebells, and you can see new lambs on farms across this rolling region known for its medieval wool trade.
Crete Before the Crowds
April is the last month of the low tourism season in most of Greece, but it can be a time of great local activity. Orthodox Easter often falls in April, and in Crete, villages will be busy with festivals, both solemn and joyful. It is a chance to try special Easter dishes after the fast. The cool-to-mild, sunny days are perfect for hiking in the mountains. While beach resorts may not be open, seaside cities like Rethymno, with its Venetian-era old town, make good bases.
Belize Barrier Reef
Off the coast of Belize lies the world’s second-longest barrier reef. This Caribbean country is a cultural outlier in Central America, with inland jungles hiding ruined Maya cities. While the Easter period is very busy, the latter part of April typically sees fewer visitors. This is also the last month of drier weather before the rains pick up. Ambergris Caye, at the north end of the reef, is a perfect place to snorkel or simply relax in a hammock.
Himalayan Kingdom’s Festivals
In Bhutan, April is when rhododendrons bloom on the hillsides, making it a lovely time for trekking and discovering the kingdom’s diligently preserved culture. Average temperatures stay in the high teens, and the monsoon is not due until June. Early April also brings the ‘tsechu’ (local festival) to the Paro region, featuring dancers in colourful costumes and elaborate masks. The valley is also the location of the iconic Tiger’s Nest monastery. Note that visitor protocols have changed: visitors must now pay a daily Sustainable Development Fee of US$100 and arrange their own logistics. An organised tour, like Intrepid Travel’s 9-day tour, can minimise complications.
Canary Islands: Hiking and Beach Balance
If it is still too early for a beach holiday in the Mediterranean, the same is not true for the Canary Islands. The Easter holidays can fill up the major islands, but other weeks in April offer a cheaper time to visit. This is usually the last chance to go hiking in warm, rather than sweltering, temperatures. Tenerife, the largest island, provides a great variety of scenery, from the volcanic terrain of Teide National Park to the green valleys in the Anaga and Teno mountains.
Travel Industry Looks Ahead to 2026
While the destinations above offer guidance for 2025, the travel industry is already preparing for 2026. Cruise operator CroisiEurope has just presented its catalogue for 2026, marking its 50th anniversary.
New European Routes Announced
The new 2026 catalogue includes more than 40 routes. Among the new offerings is a 6-day cruise from Amsterdam to Cologne, with stops in Hoorn, Nijmegen, and Düsseldorf, and includes a visit to the Keukenhof gardens during the peak tulip season. Also new is a 9-day deluxe Danube journey from Passau, covering Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and other cities, with extended layovers in the capitals. In the high-seas category, an 8-day “Treasures of the Adria” cruise, operating to and from Dubrovnik, will explore the coasts of Croatia and Montenegro. The company is also expanding its New Year’s Eve cruises to the Rhône, Gironde, and Venice.
Focus on Long-Haul and Explorer Destinations
“The anniversary year stands for growth beyond Europe, with new collaborations, sustainable ships, and true explorer destinations,” said Christian Kaatz, Managing Director of Anton Götten Reisen GmbH, the general agent for CroisiEurope in Austria and Germany. A key focus is linking exclusive river and land experiences for long-haul travellers. From 2026, the company will partner with a&e erlebnis:reisen to offer an 18-day Africa combination trip. This tour will feature safaris in Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, a cruise on Lake Kariba, and a tour along South Africa’s Garden Route.
Amazon Expansion Set for 2027
This long-haul expansion is set to continue. In 2027, CroisiEurope will launch river cruises on the Amazon in Brazil, traveling as far as the Colombian border. Three 11-day routes—Amazonas & Rio Negro, Amazonas & Rio Tapajós, and Amazonas between Brazil & Colombia—are available for pre-booking now. The new catalogue is available immediately.