Where to go in spring: 9 places where it is already warm
Text: Maria Bakhareva
Although the calendar spring has come, spring weather, many will have to wait at least a month. But you can not wait, but simply buy a plane ticket: we have compiled a list of pleasant places in which spring is already in full swing.
Budapest
Hungary
Winter in Hungary this year was long and unusually harsh, but in March you can already admire the endless lawns of blooming snowdrops in the Alcsúti Arborétum botanical garden near Budapest and walk along the slopes of Gellert Hill covered with gentle green smoke. In case of bad weather, hide in the near nice bar or go to warm in one of the famous city thermal baths. For example, in the old Turkish bath "Rudash", where you can relax in the jacuzzi with a stunning view of the Danube, or in the Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget, where they do interesting spa treatments (how about a scrub with palinka?).
Batumi
Georgia
It is still impossible to swim in the Black Sea - this is a minus, but before the tourist season begins and the influx of tourists is still far away - this is a plus. The rest of the early spring is almost the ideal time to visit Batumi and the surrounding area: you can walk a lot and thoroughly get acquainted with the local cuisine. Try the standard Adjar khachapuri in the cafe "Lagoon" on Gorgiladze Street and buy freshly caught fish in a small market near the port. Near the market there is a small summer cafe, where you will instantly cook everything you bought. Hike to the fish market can be combined with a trip to the Batumi Botanical Garden - the kingdom of lush subtropical vegetation.
Seville
Spain
In the spring it is good to be in any Spanish city, but especially in Seville: in the summer it will be too hot here, but now you can walk all day. Walk along the winding street of Sierpes and be sure to visit the famous Alcazar Palace - only in it you can spend a whole day. Those who come to Seville in early April are especially lucky: during the Holy Week, a solemn procession is held here, and right after Easter the annual fair will begin, a great event in the life of Seville.
Zadar
Croatia
There were many in Dubrovnik and Split, but Zadar is much less well known - and completely unfair. In addition to the sea and the monuments of medieval and Renaissance architecture, there are two unforgettable modern installations: the Sea Organ (a staircase that goes into the water with a pipe system hidden inside, which transforms the energy of the waves into sounds) and the Greeting to the Sun (a construction of three hundred glass plates which accumulate solar energy during the day to shine at sunset). And only twenty kilometers from Zadar is the Paklenica National Park, which will please nature lovers: picturesque canyons, rocks, karst caves and interesting trekking routes of various difficulty levels.
Ljubljana
Slovenia
Early spring is the time to wander along the embankments and bridges of the Ljubljanica river, admiring the local architecture (especially interesting is the legacy of the architect Joje Plecnik, who greatly influenced the appearance of modern Ljubljana). When the city walks are boring, go to the Ljubljana Barrier - a vast swamp massif next to the capital, where remains of prehistoric dwellings are preserved: they are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Lesbos
Greece
The sunniest island of the Aegean Sea is an ideal destination for a person who has suffered from endless winter. Here, an ancient petrified forest has been preserved to this day - an unusual place that resembles a landscape from some fantastic film. It’s probably a bit early to swim in the sea, but there are many thermal springs on Lesbos. After visiting the term, it is worth drinking a glass or another ouzo: it is Lesbos that is the birthplace of this famous Greek drink.
Florence
Italy
Even if you have already seen all the numerous sights of Florence, there is something to do here: you can relax and have a great time. Rent a bike, buy prosciutto, wine, bread and go to Kashin Park for the whole day. If this kind of vacation seems too passive to you, take part in one of the cycling tours - there are several companies in Florence that organize them (including in English). As a rule, the route of the walk includes visits to interesting small restaurants and wineries.
Cirali
Turkey
Rest in ираıralı is suitable for those who love the village and solitude: chickens walk thoughtfully around the streets, there are almost no people in early spring - many guesthouses are just opening in March. You can safely ride a bike or go hiking in the surrounding mountains (do not forget to stock up on a good map and trekking boots), look at the flames erupting from the ground on Mount Chimera without the company of several tourist buses and freely climb the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Olympos.
Brittany
France
It must be admitted that the ocean coast is still rather cold in early spring. But, firstly, it is still warmer than in Moscow, and secondly, the local nature is very picturesque, especially when a strong wind blows, and the sea is stormy. If you arrive in Brittany in mid-April, be sure to take a look at the village of Saint-Quay-Portrieux, where at this time an annual festival of scallops is held in honor of the closing of the season.
Cover: Peter's of Kensington