Spring Travel to Europe

Spring is a great time to travel to Europe. Even though the weather may be a little cool and rainy, the air is crisp, the flowers are in bloom and the sites are amazing. Keep in mind that prices on airfare, cruises and escorted tour are more reasonable in the Spring than in the Summer months.

We’ve listed some of the most popular cities to visit in the Spring.

Netherlands
During the spring the Netherlands is blooming with tulips. In honor of this, the world’s largest bulb garden called Keukenhof, will have a large flower show with more than 7 million different flowers. The show started on March 20^th and goes through May 17^th. Every year the show has a theme that is based around a different country. In order to mark the 65^th anniversary of this show, this year’s theme will actually be the country of the Netherlands. There are over 80 acres of flowers for visitors to see including 4.5 million tulips. The Netherlands are known for their flowers and are in fact the biggest flower exporter in the world. Tickets to this event cost around $60.  We also recommend a visit to Amsterdam’s floating flower market along the Singel canal.

Madeira
For those that want to visit Portugal in the spring, Madeira is definitely the place to go. From April 16th – 22nd their annual flower show will be taking place. One of the most anticipated activities of the event will be happening is when children will place a flower on a “Wall of Hope” as a symbolism of world peace. The 7 day event will have many different activities available as well as plenty of flowers on display. Many Duoro river cruises include a stop in Madeira and other beautiful ports where you can enjoy the Spring weather.

Prague
There’s a lot to do in Prague during the spring including the Prague Easter markets. They are open each day at the Wenceslas Square and the Old Town Square from March 21st – April 12^th. Visitors from all around come to these markets because of the wide variety of items that are available. Most of these items are handcrafted and include hand painted Easter eggs, toys, dolls and glassware. There’s also vast amounts of Czech food available for purchase including pastries and ham. Dancers and school groups do perform each day in the afternoon for shoppers as well.

The Prague Spring International Music take place from May 12 until June 3. This is one of the largest events that takes place each year in Prague. It features various classical music artists and orchestras from around the world. Tickets for each performance range from around $20- $100 dependent on the seat.

Montreux, Switerland
It is easy to see why Montreux, with its magnificent scenery reflected in the shimmering waters of placid Lake Geneva, has acquired the title ‘The Pearl of the Swiss Riviera’. Situated on the shores of Lake Geneva and surrounded by the majestic Swiss and French Savoy Alps, the region is blessed with a particularly mild climate. Take a pleasant stroll along the banks of the lake where exotic flowers grow in proliferation and white swans glide gracefully past. Or enjoy a sumptuous meal of fresh lake fish and delicious local wine, in one of the many terrace restaurants overlooking the lake. Small secluded beaches and picturesque marinas with yachts and old steamboats afford a picture-perfect view of vineyards and quaint old stone-housed villages.

Paris
As winter comes to an end in Paris, spring brings with it beautiful blooming flowers that make for fantastic photo opportunities. The atmosphere during springtime in Paris is light and refreshing. A picnic in the Buttes-Chaumont or the Tuileries is a great way to see the beautiful flowers and enjoy the crisp air. The weather is still cool, but not too cold and there are usually less crowds which make it easier to get around the city and see popular tourist attractions.  Other useful blogs Springtime in Paris and Unique Experiences in Paris. Another option is to start in Paris and then take a river cruise through the famed Bordeaux wine producing region of France.

Now is the perfect time to book your spring vacation to Europe. The weather is pleasant and prices on hotels and airfare are very reasonable this time of year. A European vacation is the perfect way to say goodbye to the gloomy winter months and see what all spring has to offer travelers.

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