Shortly times out: 10 sunny-warm destinations in the spring
City trip or country outing? Where is the most beautiful in spring? Which vacation destination is worth for a spontaneous short vacation? We've dug through our photo archives and picked out the best destinations for bridge days in May and early summer.
There's something for everyone: wilderness, waterfalls and tree houses in the countryside. If you prefer a city trip, here you go: How about Porto or The Hague? Both guaranteed not as crowded as their better-known sisters, but no less enchanting.
And one thing is clear for us anyway: Culinary these destinations are all worthwhile without exception!
Bear and wolf watching in Laheema National Park, Estonia
Just in time with the first beautiful days of the year, the caravans of metal cars drive over the Brenner Pass to Lake Garda or Tuscany. Why not start off in the other direction, for example to Estonia? In the north it is perhaps not quite as warm, but still sunny.
Tallinn has an enchanting old town and in the old workers' quarter Kalamaja a food scene has established that is hardly inferior to that in Copenhagen.
Pure nature can be found about an hour's drive east of Tallinn, in Laheema National Park, where lynxes, brown bears and wolves still live in the wild. Estonia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe. Lakes, rivers, moors and forests cover more than half of the country.
On the coast, small fishing villages invite you to take a break. For example, in Kaberneeme the restaurant Oko with a beautiful view of the boats moored in the small harbor. The restaurant in the style of a boathouse is one of the 50 best in Estonia.
Detailed tour description and addresses: Laheema National Park in Estonia
Off to the countryside: lakes and tree houses in the French Jura Mountains
You love it when after winter the first tips of fresh green show up? Then let's go to the Jura at the French-Swiss border. There, in May, nature awakens not just spring green, but lime green, fir green, mint green, apple green, glass green, lime green. Even the water shimmers turquoise or emerald green and there is plenty of it.
Wonderful for hiking, for example to one of the waterfalls that shoot down with force, especially in springtime. A real highlight: Belvedère des 4 Lacs. From the parking lot, a short, crisp climb (partly via stairs) leads to the 980-meter-high Pic d'Aigle with a super view of four lakes and the Jura, in good conditions even to the Mont Blanc massif.
You can spend the night in the treetops in the tree houses of the Domaine de Syam – and, if you wish, take advantage of the table-d'hôte offer from hostess Babette.
Discovering orchids, beavers and kingfishers in the Bliesgau region
Blies, the small tributary of the Saar, meanders through the Saarland much longer than its namesake itself. It is especially beautiful in the Bliesgau, the southeastern tip of the region.
A picnic in the orchid meadows at the Sternenfeld, where you can observe colorful butterflies in spring and early summer, is wonderfully romantic. The ingredients for the picnic basket are available at Hartungshof, for example. Small manufactures have settled here: the Bliesgau oil mill and a producer of natural cosmetics. Delicious are the jams and pestos from MaLi's Delices.
Detailed tour description and addresses for the foray through the Bliesgau region.
Popular city destination in Europe: Porto
In summer it is much too hot and crowded in the city. The best time to visit Porto is spring (or autumn). There's a lot to see here: for example the bookshop, which is almost 150 years old, and J.K. The place that inspired Rowling to write Harry Potter.
A must: have lunch like the locals at the Mercado do Bolhao and then stroll down to the Ribeira to see the old, colorful houses that adorn every Porto photo. The most beautiful view of the old town is from the opposite side of the river. Cross the bridge, which looks like someone copied the Eiffel Tower.
In the evening you can listen to melancholic Fado songs in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the other bank of the Douro.
Porto is not only on the river, but also on the sea. By bus you can reach the former fishing village Matosinhos and enjoy the fresh breeze at the Atlantic Ocean. Or take a long walk on the beach.
Detailed tour description for your short trip to Porto.
Art and tulips in Holland
We knew that Amsterdam is at its most beautiful in spring. But not only the capital. We have another travel tip for spring: art and pleasure in The Hague
From Amsterdam you are there in half an hour. First surprise: the skyline of The Hague – a dozen skyscrapers towering over villas and cottages with gardens.
And this is what a wonderful spring day in The Hague could look like: In the morning, visit the girl with the pearl earrings in the Mauritshuis, let your senses be deceived in the Palais Escher, later enjoy an espresso at Hop & Stork in the Passage.
Stroll (or cycle) through the city and relax on the lawn in the Paleistuin, King Willem's palace garden. For dinner there are great restaurants in Chinatown.
Our tip: On a food tour with Bites & Stories you will learn the best stories of The Hague and can taste fine specialties along the way.
And one more: If you are traveling during the tulip season, you should plan a side trip to Flevoland, the youngest Dutch province. Along the tulip route you can really enjoy the city.
Greek islands: Santorini, Milos or Paros
Ripe for the island? Then you don't have to go far. Turquoise water, white beaches and a lot of sun in the Cyclades. The best: In the pre-season it is not yet overcrowded even on Santorini. We especially recommend the small guesthouses in the south of the island, with a bit of luck the mom still cooks herself.
After a few days, when you've seen it all, just catch the next ferry. It's easier than taking a bus 😉 Not all islands are visited daily in the low season, but the choice is still wide.
Where to, is a matter of taste. The absence of nocturnal party life, the small fishing villages and pubs, the quaint mountain villages and the bizarre coast of Milos inspired us just as much as the chic Parikia and Naoussa on Paros, where you can go shopping and have a fancy meal.
Detailed tour description and addresses: Island hopping Greece
Enjoying culture and sun in Malta
Small, cozy and wonderfully Mediterranean – that's the sunny island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. Valletta, the capital, has virtually reinvented itself with a major renovation a few years ago.
You only need a car outside of Valletta, in the city everything can be easily done on foot. It's impossible to get lost, you'll soon end up either at the water's edge or back on the main road.
And there the locals meet for an aperitif or wine and mezze in one of the numerous restaurants, where you can sit outside almost all year round, even in the evening.
The most beautiful view of the harbor is from the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Whether opera, open-air theater or magnificent medieval facades – little Valletta surprises with a grandeur that I would not have expected.
Detailed tour description and addresses: Malta
Almond blossom in Mallorca
Of course it is also really nice in Palma de Mallorca. Nature and solitude can be found in the southeast of the island, in the Mondrago Nature Park. It is located between Cala Figuera and Portopetro on the rugged coastline. Lagoons and salt lakes, pine and Aleppo pine forests, juniper – this is also Mallorca.
Out of season the big hotels are still closed – a dream for all those who can do without party and prefer quiet walks on the beach.
In the small fishing port of Portopetro there is a bar where the locals sit every evening with beer and TV as if they were at home there. Just sit down with them. The food is simple – and delicious.
If you want to experience the almond blossom in Mallorca, then come in February or March.
Detailed tour description and addresses for the south of Mallorca and the Parc Natural Mondrago
Bordeaux: City trip to the wine and gourmet metropolis
Strolling for breakfast along the Marche de Capucins, a favorite among locals. Later, visit the Cite du Vin and, after a walk along the Garonne, enjoy an aperitif at L'ecole du Vin – in Bordeaux, every day is a pleasure.
The landmark of Bordeaux can be seen from afar: the 55-meter-high tower of the Cite du Vin. In the vinotheque in the 8. On the second floor you can taste the regional wines – the 360-degree panorama is free of charge. We like the interactive and playful way in which knowledge is conveyed in the Cite du Vin.
Cycling, hiking and enjoying Catalonia
Barcelona is great, but too crowded even in springtime. Drive a little bit further. Around the northern Spanish city you will find the real Catalonia:
Bike paths on an old railroad track that runs right through the vineyards, warm springs with breathtaking canyon, imposing wine cathedrals, hikes to hidden stone winemakers' cottages where you can picnic delightfully, and medieval mountain villages like Mura. The best: Everything is within a day trip from Barcelona.
Detailed tour description and addresses: Wine, Hiking and Enjoyment in Catalonia