Why You Should Visit Europe in Spring—even March!

As you ponder where to go for spring break, don’t limit your options to a Florida beach or a late-season Tahoe ski trip. Think Europe.

Even March, when you can still snag low-season airfares, isn’t too early for blossoming flowers and colorful festivals in Europe, especially since Easter falls on March 27 this year. Of course, as you get closer to May and June, the weather grows warmer, and days grow longer—so you get more sightseeing hours. But also, as summer nears, airfares skyrocket, lines grow at monuments and other places you want to visit, and towns jam up with cruise-ship passengers. Which is why I’ve taken my kids to Paris, Spain, and Germany over spring break rather than summer.

If you too want to take advantage of low-season airfares to Europe, here are just a few places where spring starts as early as March:

* Andalusia, Spain

Temps are in the 60s in March, and it’s orange harvest season, so the scent of oranges wafts through the air. During Easter week, Seville has colorful fiestas that date back to the 16^th century. As for Granada , the Alhambra Palace is a lot less crowded in March than in summertime.

* Crete, Greece

Crete is farther south than other Greek islands, so it’s at its best sooner than other Greek islands are, and March brings shirt-sleeve weather. While it’s not the most colorful time to visit—if that’s your goal, go for the wildflowers in April or Greek Orthodox Easter on May 1—it’s when the Bronze Age palaces aren’t mobbed, so you can admire their brilliant frescoes in peace.

* London, England

Spring arrives in London in March—a great month to visit the city’s top gardens . You’ll see camellias blooming in Chiswick Gardens, crocuses in Kew Gardens, and daffodils in St. James’ Park. In addition to Easter festivities, there are St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, including a parade and a festival in Trafalgar Square.

* Majorca, Spain

The Mediterranean island of Majorca has mild winters and 300 days of sunshine annually. By March you’ve already missed the thousands of almond trees that burst into blossom in February, but it’s a great month for hiking, cycling, golfing, or sailing (if not bathing).

* Malta

It’s not bikini weather in Malta in March but, with daytime temps reaching the high 50s and low 60s, it’s the right moment to explore the country’s medieval walled cities and megalithic temples. There’s plenty of sun, little rain, the outdoor cafés are open, and high-season rates don’t set in until April.

* Sicily

In Italy in March, you’ll find camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons blooming as far north as Lake Como. And, in many parts of the country, you’ll find Easter pageants, fireworks, and races. It’s warmest, though, in Sicily :  Temps are in the 60s, and colorful Easter processions take place all over the island.

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