It’s officially spring as of 11:06 p.m. Eastern Time today, a time for new beginnings and new travel destinations. With that in mind, here are some of my fave places from the last few years that would make for a nice spring visit.
QUIET CARIBBEAN
Bequia, pronounced Beckway, this is a fabulous, laid-back Caribbean island that’s part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It’s about a one-hour ferry ride from Kingstown, St. Vincent, and a pretty ride at that. The Bequia Beach Hotel is a superb place to rest your head.
SINGAPORE SHINES
This Asian city is a terrific destination, with terrific food, beautiful hotels and a diverse population. Air Canada begins direct flights to Singapore from Vancouver on April 3. Book a room at the Marina Bay Sands hotel and enjoy the high-in-the-sky rooftop infinity pool.
BEAUTIFUL NOVA SCOTIA
Halifax is one of my fave cities in Canada, with great restaurants, craft breweries, welcoming locals and a lovely waterfront built for a spring stroll. Splurge on a night at the posh Muir hotel on the waterfront.
Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. E Mens/Unsplash Photo
REGAL SCOTLAND
Edinburgh is one of the world’s most beloved cities, with a beautiful hilltop castle and great history. Try a night at the stylish and sexy Virgin Hotel, just off the Royal Mile. I also recommend the luxurious Balmoral Hotel. Don’t forget to try Scotland’s famous Cullen skink; a lovely, creamy fish stew.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
San Francisco-Sonoma is a great, double shot trip in Northern California. San Francisco offers up everything from romantic cable cars to fine dining, not to mention the Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar at the Fairmont hotel. Sonoma is only an hour away by car and has some of the world’s best wine, as well as a gorgeous coastline.
A SPANISH BEAUTY
Barcelona, like many European cities, can be crowded in summer. And hot. I was there 10 days ago and didn’t find it overly packed. Check out the progress on the magnificent Sagrada Familia and tour the alleys of the Gothic Quarter for a fine urban walk.
DOWN UNDER WONDER
Sydney is wondrous almost any time of year, but now that the seasons have turned (it’s officially fall in Australia today), the crowds will start to slowly thin. Take a ferry ride out to Manly Beach and walk the coastal trail to Shelly Beach. Back in town, pack your bags for a night at the gorgeous W Hotel in Darling Harbour.
A cyclist in the hills of Bogotá, Colombia. JIM BYERS PHOTO
DELIGHTFUL COLOMBIA
Bogota is a wonderful city in Colombia, just a little over five hours from Toronto. The food is amazing, and quite cheap by Canadian standards, and there’s tons of colourful street art. Don’t miss the Botero Museum, which features many works of Fernando Botero.
A FLORIDA HOTSPOT
Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater is lovely in spring. Tampa is home to an increasingly sophisticated restaurant scene and has a thriving riverfront walk, while St. Pete has invested heavily in its downtown and has great art museums. Clearwater Beach is a long-standing fave for Canadians. And, hey, the Blue Jays still have a couple spring training games to play in Dunedin.
SURPRISING SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatoon is an underrated Canadian city, with fine museums such as the Remai Modern and excellent restaurants, including Little Grouse on the Prairie. Explore the bustling and trendy Riversdale neighborhood, and take a drive out to Wanuskewin Heritage Park to learn about the beautiful culture of Saskatchewan’s indigenous peoples.
The zip line in old Montreal. JIM BYERS PHOTO
AND WHY NOT LOOK AT SUMMER, TOO?
Conde Nast Travel has an early look at top places to visit this summer. It’s a nice list that includes Quebec, Bora Bora in Tahiti, Crystal River, Florida, Sardinia, Italy (all places I’ve visited and thoroughly enjoyed) and also Catalina Island in California, where I hope to be in early May.
Here are a couple excerpts from their best of summer story….
CATALINA
Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Los Angeles, Santa Catalina Island is quite literally heaven on Earth. Hopeful travelers can either take the one-hour Catalina Express ferry over to the island (it departs daily from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point) or charter a private yacht to get them there in style. Whether you’re looking to hike the Trans Catalina Trail or simply indulge in some tasty seafood while wandering through the quaint town of Avalon, Catalina Island is a great break from the hustle and bustle of LA.
BORA BORA
Nothing says romance like staying in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora. The winter in French Polynesia corresponds with the summer in the Northern Hemisphere, meaning June, July, and August experience less humid and more comfortable temperatures. This time period also falls during Tahiti‘s dry season, so you don’t have to worry about being rained out. You could easily spend your days simply lounging in your bungalow and slipping into the crystal waters whenever you feel, but Bora Bora is also ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, and taking a boat or a 4×4 island tour.
