Where to welcome Spring 2023

It may seem like spring is months away, but we have just made it through the winter solstice, and the days will only get longer from here. Nevertheless, it might be easier to make it through the cold winter nights if you know you’ve got a trip coming up. Here’s our top picks for where to welcome spring in 2023!

Columbia River Gorge, USA

This beautiful destination in the Northwest of the US is a winner year round with over 100 waterfalls, but it’s particularly beautiful in the spring. Locals and tourists alike go there for hiking and, between mid-April and the start of June, flower watching. This 150 kilometre long gorge is near the Canadian border, with Washington state to the north, and Oregon to the south.

It’s the kind of place where you really can’t go wrong, but if you want to be sure you’ll see wildflowers, Memaloose Hills Trail is one of the most popular in the area. It has recently become very popular on social media, so if this is your top pick, make sure to get there early in the morning, or you may not be able to find parking. If you prefer a trail with fewer people, the Mosier Plateau Trail is a hidden gem. Locals have created a hike trail tool to help everyone enjoy the gorge and everything it has to offer.

Getting there is fairly straightforward and you can use public transport, but your best bet is renting a car in Portland, and making the scenic one hour drive on your own.

While in Portland, you also don’t want to miss Powell’s City of Books, the largest independent bookshop in the world. Pittock Mansion also can’t be missed, with its Portland history exhibit and views over the city. You’ll also find several great boutique hotels across the city, like centrally located Lolo Pass with private rooms from £125.

Tulip Festival, The Netherlands

Tulips have been the pride of the Dutch for centuries, and in the 17th century they were even used as currency. People would frantically purchase tulip bulbs and future options and in fact, this formed the world’s first stock market bubble.

So no wonder, then, that tulips still form a big part of the national identity, making the Netherlands a fantastic place to visit in spring. The fields in Keukenhof near Amsterdam are open for business year round, and contain more than 800 varieties of tulip hand-planted in the Autumn. On April 1st, when the flowers start blooming, they kick off the annual flower festival. You can explore the gardens yourself, or you can join one of the guided tours which give you access to the gardens as well as a windmill tour from £85 per person.

You also won’t want to miss the Royal Palace with its marble statues and art exhibitions. It’s open to the public for most of the year but do check the calendar before you go as it may sometimes be closed for official ceremonies. Tickets start at €12,50, and renting an audio guide is highly recommended.

To carry on the spring theme, Hotel Estheréa is located only steps away from the Royal Palace, and with its floral rooms from £340 per night, it is the perfect place to welcome spring.

Hwasun County, South Korea

If you’ve always wanted to visit South Korea and see it like the locals do, Hwasun County should be at the top of your list. This small county 185 miles south of Seoul is almost entirely untouched by modernisation. Tranquil Seryang Je Lake is popular with local photographers, and because tourists rarely make it out here, you’re guaranteed a unique experience. Somewhat hard to reach, the easiest way to get there is to take a taxi from nearby Gwangju, which will take you about 20 minutes.

While you’re there, take the opportunity also to view the green tea fields which are at their best in spring. Boseong, which produces 40% of South Korea’s green tea and has been the backdrop to many K-dramas, hosts a spring festival every May. Here, you’ll be able to try green tea flavoured delicacies from ice cream to pork belly. Getting there from Gwangju takes 1.5 hours by bus, and the entire adventure will cost less than £15 including fare and entry to the fields.

Gwangju is also a great base for all of South Korea with its stunning nature and culture – try Mudeungsan National Park, or visit the Gwangju Folk Museum for a great introduction to Korean culture. The Culture Hotel LAAM is only 300 metres from bustling Gwangju Art Street, and has rooms available from £70 per night.

Provence, France

The most popular time to visit Provence may be summer, but make no mistake – this region in the south of France has just as much to offer in spring. You’ll miss out on the lavender fields (which bloom between July and August), but instead, you’ll be able to explore fields of wisteria, peonies and poppies, with much fewer people around. Being quite remote, the best way to explore is to rent a car, or join a day tour from Avignon which will allow you to see the highlights in just one day.

When in Provence, you absolutely mustn’t miss the local markets. Stalls full of local delicacies fill the streets of every little town in the region, and there’s even a market tracker which helps you find the most popular market open on any given day – it’s not a bad idea to plan your entire trip around the markets, in fact.

If you stay in nearby Avignon, there is plenty to do in the city itself. Between 1309 and 1377 it was home to the Catholic pope, and the Palais de Papes is still one of the most interesting things in central Avignon. You can also stay in a former cardinal’s palace, the Hôtel Le Médiéval just steps from the city centre, with rooms available from £68 per night.

Cherry Blossom Festival, Japan

A spring bucket list destination for many is Japan, for the cherry blossom festival. Cherry trees, or Sakura, bloom almost overnight, and tourists and locals alike wait impatiently for this sign of spring. The exact timing can be hard to pin down, but generally you can expect them to bloom between late March and mid-April.

Young Japanese women and tourists alike spring to action when the trees bloom, with many getting up extra early to be the first to take photos with the natural all-pink backdrop. Tokyo has many hotspots for Sakura photos, but the best one is Chidorigafuchi Park near the Imperial Palace and Ueno Park. Ueno Park also hosts a festival with food stalls and Sakura-themed decorations every year.

Whilst in Tokyo, there’s no end to things you need to experience, but definitely don’t miss the Meiji Jingu shrine or a shopping trip in Shibuya, where young Japanese people gather to show off their outfits. In fact, it is considered the birth place of many of the Japanese street fashion trends. Once night falls, a night out in Roppongi is unmissable – your best bet for a night club will be V2 Tokyo, The New Matrix Bar, or Odeon (which has nothing to do with the UK cinema chain).

Likewise, there are countless great places to stay, but a hotel in Ginza means you’re right in the shopping district, and close to everything you may want to experience. The Royal Park Canvas is centrally located and has rooms available from £110 per night.

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