Where to go on holiday in April

Holiday ideas April 2012 Where to go on holiday in April

By Mark Hodson, Sunday Times Travel Writer and Editor of 101 Holidays

April is a great month to grab some early summer sunshine – the days are getting longer, the Mediterranean is warming up nicely, it’s a great time for activity holidays and it’s not too late to grab some late skiing.

Where to go on holiday in April depends partly on the date of Easter. In 2012, Easter Sunday falls on 8 April. In 2013, it will be earlier on 31 March.

If you plan to travel over Easter, please see our detailed Easter holiday ideas or, if you have children, our recommended family holidays at Easter.

Mediterranean holidays in April

In the Mediterranean in April you can expect long sunny days, uncrowded resorts and a friendly welcome as locals gear up for the summer season. Walking is great and you can expect to see hillsides carpeted with wild flowers. The only drawback is the sea can be a bit chilly for swimming.

If you want to rent a villa in the Med, we recommend Gozo for rural charm, Paxos for a genuine unspoilt Greek island experience and the beautiful French island of Corsica.

Further south, the island of Crete offers a superb choice of accommodation including boutique hotels and stylish houses to rent, with even better chances of excellent weather. April is also a great time to be in Greece to witness the Orthodox Easter celebrations. In 2012, Orthodox Easter falls on 15 April.

Mallorca is usually associated with cheap package holidays but away from the budget resorts it’s a beautiful island with some beautiful villas. On the Spanish mainland we’ve found some great value villas in Catalonia.

Further south in Spain, the Costa de la Luz is magical, while the Aegean coast of Turkey offers remarkably good weather in April, though it’s not too hot for some serious sightseeing. Take a look at this superb collection of boutique hotels.

North Cyprus is a great destination in April, not only for its sunny climate but also because prices are too (it is outside the Eurozone). Our favourite hotels include the Pia Bella near Kyrenia harbour.

Other Mediterranean hotels we recommend include Forte Village Resort in Sardinia – which is great for families, couples and sporty types – and Sani Resort on mainland Greece.

This is also a great time of year for a gourmet cookery break. You could learn from a leading chef such as Alastair Little or Angela Hartnett while exploring the beautiful countryside of Italy, Spain or France and enjoying tastings and market visits.

On the southern shores of the Mediterranean, Morocco has fabulous weather in April plus many gorgeous hotels. We recommend the cities of Marrakech, Fes, Taroudant and Casablanca which you should combine with a stay on one of the country’s beaches or high in the Atlas Mountains.

Beach holidays in April

Long haul holidays in April

Once Easter is out of the way, low season rates kick in across the Caribbean, providing incredible bargains. We recommend small, friendly Tobago.

For stylish hotels and buzzing restaurants in the Caribbean, you can’t beat Barbados, but it’s worth looking also at Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios in Jamaica.

For great-value beach holidays in April with culture rolled in, Cuba is good choice. We recommend a stay in the capital Havana (try the Saratoga Hotel) combined with the colonial city of Trinidad and an unspoilt beach destination such as Cayo Ensenachos. See them all on a 10-night Affordable Luxury tour.

Bermuda is warming up nicely and the rainy season hasn’t yet kicked in – the perfect time for lazing on the beach, playing golf or sightseeing. The best hotels include Cambridge Beaches and – if you’re on a budget – Grotto Bay Resort.

My fellow editor David Wickers is a Caribbean expert. See his selection of the best Caribbean holidays.

The Indian Ocean is a great place to visit in April: this includes the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles. Diving and snorkelling in the Seychelles is particularly good. In Africa rains in the east make Kenya an unwise choice, but Namibia is at its very best. See more holidays in Africa.

April is a great month to visit Japan, one of the world’s most exciting and fascinating countries. Choose from an amazing selection of self-guided and group tours from recommended Inside Japan Tours.

This is also a great time to visit Borneo, where you can gaze at orangutans, stay on beautiful tropical beaches, go hiking in the forest, stay in local long houses and experience an overnight climb of Mount Kinabalu.

In April 2012, England’s all-conquering cricket team embark on a Test tour of Sri Lanka. You could be there, with a hosted tour that includes match tickets and accommodation.

The Cape Verde islands off the West Coast of Africa combine excellent beaches, lively culture and great hotels – all easily accessed with direct flights and at surprisingly low prices. View the latest special offers.

April is also a great month for a holiday in Australia.

cheap holidays in April

Activity holiday ideas April

The ski season is almost over, and low altitude resorts should be avoided. But spring skiing is a special experience, particularly if you like to get in some serious exercise in the morning then take a late lunch on a sunny terrace and take it easy in the afternoon.

Skiers can find cheap holidays in April with Peak Retreats which features some excellent resorts in France. Or save money by booking a chalet holiday (see the late deals).

For Alpine charm you can’t beat Austria: we recommend booking with Inghams. If you are taking the kids, go with Esprit Ski which offers excellent childcare and lessons for children. Want to push the boat out? Take a look at Sir Richard Branson’s The Lodge, Verbier.

It’s also worth considering a trip across to the Canadian Rockies where you’ll find vast quantities of deep powdery snow, uncrowded slopes and charming friendly resorts such as Fernie and Kimberley.

Mediterranean beach clubs offer great bargains at the beginning of the summer season. We recommend Sunsail for sailing school and flotilla sailing holidays; and Mark Warner‘s flagship club at Lakitira, which is great for watersports, tennis, diving and mountain biking. If you want to swing a club, look at the gorgeous Verdura Golf & Spa Resort in Sicily.

Love Spain? This is also a great time of year for a cycling holiday in Catalonia. The trips are self-guided with a selection of routes and difficulties, and your luggage is transported from one hotel to the next. Or you could take a cycling holiday in France such as this gentle 8-day Secret Provence cycling holiday.

We also recommend these hotel-to-hotel walking holidays. A perfect way to explore some of Europe’s most attractive coastal trails such as the Costa Vicentina in Portugal and the Lycian Way in Turkey. You stay in small characterful hotels and inns while your luggage is transported each day to your next overnight stop. In France, this selection of walking holidays covers some the country’s most picturesque regions including Normandy, The Loire and Burgundy.

If you want to take care of your mind and body, why not try a luxury spa retreat in the South of France or Andalucia. Other healthy options include a fitness holiday or a yoga holiday with expert yoga teachers.

A gulet cruise is a great way to explore the coast of Turkey – ideal for friends travelling together.

Jordan is an amazing country of spectacular scenery, ancient culture and friendly people. Don’t miss Petra or the Dead Sea. April is the perfect time to visit.

April short breaks

April is a great month for sightseeing and short breaks in the Med and southern Europe. We suggest Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast of Italy, Seville in southern Spain and the often-overlooked Mallorcan capital of Palma.

This is the right time to visit Venice before the summer crowds descend, and also to explore the marvellous cities of Istanbul, Cairo and Marrakech before the overwhelming heat of the high season.

The Tunisian capital, Tunis is a great holiday spot in April, as is the historic walled city of Dubrovnik.

It’s also a magical time to visit Monet’s Garden in Giverny, Northern France. There is plenty to see and do in the region. Try this 4-day escorted tour.

If you’re looking for a treat for a big birthday or anniversary, how about getting together a group of family or friends to rent a stately home – a perfect way to celebrate a birthday or anniversary.

If you’re on a budget, you can book homestays and rent apartments and B&Bs from only £26 a night using a new website, Wimdu. Search properties in more than 2,000 cities including Edinburgh, Barcelona, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Istanbul and New York.

For more ideas see our sister site, 101 Short Breaks.

April holidays in the UK

This can be a surprisingly good time to holiday in the UK, particularly towards the end of the month. You could explore the timeless charms of the Isle of Wight or rent a cottage in the Cotswolds, Devon or Cornwall. For white sand beaches, escape to the Scilly Isles where we recommend the Star Castle Hotel. For self-catering apartments in Cornwall, try Hawke’s Point.

If you want to get away for a few days in the countryside, we can recommend a stay at Gilpin Lodge in the Lake District, or Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa near Bath. In the rolling hills of North Wales you will find the wonderful Pentre Mawr Country House.

If you love camping but aren’t keen on cramped tents and damp sleeping bags, try Feather Down Farms which has fabulous retro-style fixed tents at 20 working farms across the UK. They are very spacious with wooden floors, proper beds and wood fires. Another option is Country House Hideout has luxury tents in the grounds of posh country houses, so you get the thrill of camping in beautiful private grounds and at a great price.

If you are based in London or the South East, we recommend Maison Talbooth, a charming, family-run hotel in Constable Country on the Essex-Suffolk border.

See our full selection of UK holiday ideas.

Cruise holidays in April

April is a great month to explore the Mediterranean by ship – before it gets too hot. If you have children of any changes, check out this great family cruises sailing from Southampton. Or be more adventurous and join a tall ship cruise on a magnificent rigged sailing boat.

April is also a good month for a Nile cruise in Egypt. Make sure you pick the right vessel: we recommend the intimate Alexander the Great, and the luxurious Viking Princess and Royal Viking. If you’re travelling alone, choose from a selection of cruises for singles.

See our selection of the best sailing and cruising holidays. See also where is hot in April.

Try our holiday quiz

If you’re still stuck for ideas, why not try our fun holiday quiz. Answer 10 easy questions like the one below to find out what kind of holidaymaker you are, and get personalised travel recommendations. Try the quiz now.