Where to go on holiday in March

Where to go on holiday in March holiday ideas March 2013 holidays March 2012

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

Although March hails the beginning of spring, it’s often a chilly month – not just in the UK but across much of Europe. Nevertheless, there are many options if you want to catch some early sunshine.

This is a great time of year to visit North Africa or the Middle East. We recommend Morocco where you could be exploring exotic cities, such as Marrakech, Taroudant and Casablanca, followed by a few days chilling out one of the country’s beautiful beaches or in the stunning Atlas Mountains.

Jordan offers amazing sightseeing. Try this eight-night Trek Petra tour which takes in some fabulous sights. If time is limited, why not take a short break in the fabulous city of Istanbul.

March is also a good month to holiday in the Canary Islands, in particular Tenerife and the tiny unspoilt island of La Palma. We recommend Abama Golf & Spa Resort in Tenerife and the Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort in neighbouring Lanzarote. You should also consider Madeira where you’ll find some excellent resort hotels.

For more detailed climate information, see where is hot in March.

Beach holidays in March

If you want to lie on a beach and get some guaranteed sunshine you’ll need to venture beyond the Mediterranean. The Gambia in West Africa is a beautiful destination and great for cheap holidays in March.

The Arabian Gulf is less than 7 hours flying time from the UK. Dubai – with its amazing collection of hotels, attractions, shopping malls and beaches – will be warming up nicely, while neighbouring Oman is the best option is you favour culture and adventure over designer labels. One of the best places to stay is the Six Senses Zighy Bay resort.

March is a great time of year in the Caribbean before prices rise over the Easter holidays (Easter Sunday falls on 8 April in 2012). Head to the Cayman Islands for pristine beaches and great diving, and Barbados for fine dining and stylish hotels. Best hotels in Barbados include the relaxed boutique-style Cobblers Cove while in Antigua we like the all-inclusive Verandah Resort & Spa.

Our favourite small-and-friendly Caribbean islands include Tobago and Grenada, where we recommend the Calabash Hotel. For a lavish hotel experience, try Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios in Jamaica.

The Caribbean coast of Mexico has outstanding beaches with good deals in March, and there are many natural and man-made wonders, everything from whale-watching to visiting ancient Mayan temples. Stay in a luxury boutique hacienda or one of these exclusive resorts.

This is also a great time of year to visit the Bahamas, a destination that offers a rich variety of island experiences from the lively beaches of Nassau to remote sand strips where there is little to but lounge on perfect white sand beaches and dive or sail in the pristine water.

You might also consider a tall ship cruise of the Caribbean or a beach-and-sightseeing tour of Cuba. We recommend you combine the Hotel Saratoga in Havana with Melia Cayo Coco beside the beach.

My fellow editor David Wickers is a Caribbean expert. See his selection of the best Caribbean holidays, and the best beach holiday destinations.

Africa and Indian Ocean

Where to go on holiday in March in Africa? Head to South Africa where the Western Cape is at its best, while East Africa is in the dry season: try a safari in Kenya. It’s not such a great time to visit Namibia, and Botswana can be wet, although great for birders.

See David’s choice of the Top 10 Africa holidays.

March is a great month to be in the Seychelles, with calm clear waters. Avoid Mauritius at this time where cyclones are likely.

Asia holiday ideas in March

March can be a wet month on some of Asia’s biggest beach resorts – although it’s invariably a case of a dramatic short sharp shower rather than persistent drizzle. It’s also still a bit chilly in parts of China.

Vietnam is a good bet for beach holidays in March, as is Sri Lanka. Further north this is a great time of year to visit Rajasthan, or treat yourself to an India wildlife holiday combining temples and tiger reserves. For lazy days in the sun we like The Serai, a luxury desert camp near Jaisalmer.

March is a great month to visit Japan. This fascinating country would be worth visiting for its food alone, but you’ll also find dazzling cities, ancient culture, superb mountain and beach scenery. We recommend Inside Japan Tours, a small specialist company that offers self-guided and group tours.

Another country at its best in March is Borneo. Best known for its orangutans, it also has white-sand beaches, fascinating indigenous culture and great walking. An overnight climb of Mount Kinabalu should not be missed.

If you’ve never been to Nepal, this magical mountainous country should certainly be on your list of places to go. This 10-day Magic of Nepal tour is a perfect introduction.

cheap holidays in March

City breaks in March

Although many cities in northern and Eastern European will be decidedly chilly, this is a great month to venture south to the likes of Seville in southern Spain, Palma in Mallorca and Sorrento in Italy. Perfect sightseeing weather.

It’s only three hours flying time to Tunis, a charming city on the north African Mediterranean coast. March is also a great month to visit Nice on the Cote d’Azur. It has art galleries, great restaurants, markets, an elegant beach and – best of all – that gorgeous Mediterranean sunshine.

It is also possible to book homestays and rent apartments and B&Bs using a new website, Wimdu. You can choose from more than 2,000 cities including Barcelona, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Istanbul and New York – with prices from only £26 a night.

Get more ideas at our sister site, 101 Short Breaks.

Something different

How about a holiday of a lifetime in South America? We recommend Brazil or Argentina with Dehouche. They can find the best places to stay and local guides and put together an itinerary designed to your personal needs.

Or take a gastronomic tour of Spain or Italy led by an expert guide and travelling in a small group of fellow foodies.

March is a great time for a holiday in Australia as high summer temperatures give way to autumn. You could combine Sydney with the gorgeous beach resort of Hayman Island in the Whitsunday Islands, or do the golden triangle of Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru.

New Zealand is also great at this time. Perhaps you want to tour the vineyards in Marlborough or take a nature cruise in Milford Sound.

Springtime in the Alps can be magical with great snow, sunshine and no crowds. You could get a late ski deal on a chalet holiday in the Alps.

The Canadian Rockies enjoy a long ski season with deep powder falling well into spring snow. In small friendly resorts such as Fernie and Kimberley where you’ll find uncrowded slopes and friendly locals.

Or you could venture north to see the Northern Lights. Nasa has confirmed that the winters of 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 will the best in many years for sightings so now is the time to tick it off your to-do list. Find a great selection of Northern Lights trips.

Although the Med may be a bit chilly for sun bathing, it’s a perfect time of year for a gourmet break. Stay in a beautiful village in Italy, Spain or France with a top chef such as Richard Corrigan or Alastair Little, learning how to cook classic dishes, attending tastings and market visits. Long-haul options include India and Thailand.

For a total change, why not try a volunteering holiday with specialist operator Hands Up Holidays. Choose from destinations such as Costa Rica, Thailand, New Zealand and India, and combine mind-blowing travel experiences with the chance to make a genuine contribution to a local community project.

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.