Winning tip: cycle the greenways of Annecy
Annecy in Haute-Savoie offers a refreshing springtime experience. Located on the shore of Lake Annecy, it is a short bus ride from the city of Annecy but less crowded, providing superior views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Visitors can hike to nearby peaks, including the lesser-known Col de l’Arpettaz, or enjoy cycling on the excellent greenways. The cool blue alpine waters provide a relaxing atmosphere. The region, which only became part of France in 1860, features an underrated Italian-influenced regional cuisine.
Naples is best in early spring
Naples, while not traditionally considered one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, offers warmth and vitality in early spring. Unlike Florence or Turin, Naples is a vibrant, lived-in city with a rich history and culinary heritage. The Spaccanapoli, a street running through the city’s core, is bustling and offers an authentic experience of Neapolitan life. Nearby are world-class sites such as Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as Mount Vesuvius, Sorrento, and the islands of Capri, Ischia, and Procida. Travel to Naples from London is possible by train via Paris and Turin or Milan in about 15 hours.
Take the ferry to Corsica
Travelers can take the Eurostar from London with a connection at Lille or a change in Paris to reach Marseille in six to eight hours. After freshening up at the station and enjoying Vieux Port, a comfortable night ferry takes passengers to Bastia in Corsica. From Bastia, the scenic mountain railway provides access to the island’s unspoiled interior and coastal regions. Mid to late spring is ideal for visiting southern Europe, as snowmelt replenishes streams and waterfalls that dry up in summer. The weather is sunny and pleasant, hillsides are covered with wildflowers, wildlife is nurturing their young, and locals are in good spirits.
Germany’s greenest, sunniest city
From London, travelers can take the Eurostar to Paris and continue east via Strasbourg on a high-speed train through Alsace’s rolling hills and vineyards to Freiburg, known as Germany’s warmest, sunniest, and greenest city. Some routes pass through Brussels and Cologne. Visitors can enjoy Swabian dishes such as käsespätzle (cheesy egg noodles with caramelised onion), tacos at local eateries, or visit lively beer gardens for drinks. From Freiburg, the Black Forest’s highlights include Triberg’s cuckoo clocks and waterfalls, as well as attractions in Bad Wildbad. Staying in participating towns offers a guest card providing free regional transport throughout the stay.
Tiny beaches near Nice
Villefranche-sur-Mer, located just a few miles east of Nice, is a favored spring break destination. Its historic center, deepwater bay, proximity to spectacular coastlines and mountains, and excellent cafes and restaurants make it appealing. Visitors can take the TGV to Nice and then a short local train ride, which also facilitates day trips to Cannes and Menton. The weather is typically warm enough for swimming at small, secluded beaches such as Plage des Marinières or the upscale Plage Paloma on Cap Ferrat.
Lemons and light on the Côte d’Azur
In early April, Menton on the Côte d’Azur offers a sunny and pleasant experience. Visitors can stroll through cobbled streets lined with pastel-colored buildings, enjoy a blend of French and Italian cuisine—appropriate since Menton is the last French town before the Italian border—and paddle in the calm blue bay. Hiking north of the town reveals stunning houses, pine trees, and spring flowers, leading to the Bastion Museum and a citrus farm that cultivates the renowned Menton lemon, prized for its flavor and aroma.
A boat trip along the Moselle in Germany
The Moselle valley in April is picturesque. Starting in Trier, an ancient Roman city with an impressive Porta Nigra gate, travelers can follow the river 30 miles northwest to enjoy panoramic views from Burg Landshut castle ruins. Boat trips to towns like Cochem allow visitors to take a chairlift opposite the castle up to the Pinnerkreuz viewpoint. Early April features wildflower-strewn meadows and fewer tourists. Castles, boat rides, and cable cars entertain children, while adults can enjoy the local Moselle valley rieslings. The trip concludes in Koblenz, known for traditional breweries where dishes like späzle and schnitzel pair well with beer.
Coastal paths near Perpignan
Travelers can journey south by train, taking the Eurostar to Paris, then a fast TGV to Perpignan in six hours, followed by a 25-minute local train to Port-Vendres—approximately nine hours from London end to end. Early spring suits this working harbour well, as many establishments are closed but the fish market remains open. Visitors can enjoy lunch at a straightforward restaurant before walking coastal paths to Collioure, which is brighter and busier by comparison. The Pyrénées-Orientales coast is one of France’s sunniest regions, and even out of season, the light enhances the experience.
The hazily golden city of Avignon
On a journey to Sicily via ferry from Genoa, a stop in Avignon reveals a hazily golden city in the early evening. The medieval streets are winding and filled with small independent shops. Notable sites include the impressive Palais des Papes (Popes’ Palace) and the beautiful Rhône river. Visitors can explore the remaining four arches and gatehouse of the 12th-century Pont Saint-Bénézet. The city is walkable, with comfortable and reasonably priced accommodations. Even in the off-season, Avignon offers warmth in the evenings, numerous traditional restaurants, and an absence of crowds, providing relaxation and nourishment for visitors.
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