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Spring Holidays - Mediterranean
Families looking to dispel the British winter blues can get a jumpstart on spring by heading for the sun. Winter tends to change to spring slower in the UK compared to Spain, Portugal or even further east in Cyprus or Turkey. A flying time of between two and five hours can get families to a Mediterranean holiday hot spot which is enjoying an early sunny and warm spring.
Spring around the Med is ideal for those who are not comfortable with the high summer temperatures in some of these countries. The spring climate is also cooler for those who want a post winter – yet sunny – activity holiday such as hiking, mountain biking, golf and watersports. Spring is also a spectacular time of year for nature with an array of flowers in bloom and everything green and lush – something to be enjoyed before the Mediterranean summer sun turns things to brown.
Early-season villa, apartment, park home and mobile home accommodation is also in plentiful supply, affording extra choice of property and destination to holidaymakers. Wherever a family picks around the Mediterranean, they will also find an extra fun atmosphere as the locals also shed the cloak of winter and throw themselves into a timeworn tradition of festivals. That means colourful street parties and parades, festive food and a few drinks to join in with.
Spring holidays - Spain
As one of the most popular holiday destinations for Britons, it is high on the spring holiday list. There is plenty of choice on the Spanish costas. Spring visitors can expect sunny conditions – an average of five hours daily – and average temperatures of 18-22C from the Costa Blanca, through Costas Almeria and Dorada to the more-southerly Costa del Sol. The excellent beaches in all these areas will be a lot less crowded too.
Spring holidays - Balearics & Canary Islands
Spanish islands – spring visitors to the Balearic Islands can expect similar weather to the Spanish mainland. Just off Spain’s south-east coast, the Balearics’ main holiday islands are Majorca, Minorca and Ibiza. They offer a huge range of choice from excellent family-friendly sandy beaches to quiet sandy coves. Watersports are popular and in Majorca there is even a mountain or two to climb. A thousand kilometres away in the warm Atlantic off the west coast of Morocco lie the Canary Islands. The “Big Four” holiday islands, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, make up another Spanish archipelago packed with good accommodation, beaches and history.
Spring holidays - Portugal
The Algarve, which occupies Portugal’s southern coastline, offers a comfortable spring climate just a two-hour flight away from the UK. The tremendous sandy beaches of the Algarve beckon to families but for groups of friends or workmates frustrated by the damper British weather it is one of Europe’s premier golfing destinations. Among scores of excellent courses are Quinta do Lago, Vale de Lobo, Penina and San Lorenzo. Spring is a good time to book for beach resorts packed with restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs such as Albufeira, Carvoeiro, Praia de Rocha and Lagos.
Spring holidays - Cyprus
Very familiar to British holidaymakers who love the excellent beaches, blue seas and consistently sunny days. Spring sees temperatures climb but they will have barely dropped below 20C during winter. With the opening up of the Republic of Northern Cyprus to tourism, holidaymakers who have previously enjoyed the Greek side of the island now have a lot more choice. Island wide, English is widely spoken and cars are familiarly driven on the left. On Greek-influenced Cyprus holiday centres such as Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca have an impressive array of accommodation and holiday facilities. The “green heart” is the spectacular Troodos Mountains for active breaks with a network of trails for cycling and walking. Northern Cyprus is less developed but has a blend of mountains – the Kyrenia Range – and beaches. Along the narrow peninsula known as Karpas are some of the best beaches in Cyprus. It has miles of empty bays with white sand. Better-known resort towns are Kyrenia on the northern coast and Famagusta in the east.
Spring holidays - Turkey
Has arrived as a firm favourite with British holidaymakers who have been discovering the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts in increasing numbers for a decade or so. Although hot and humid in summer, Turkish Mediterranean spring temperatures average between 17-21C. Top resorts along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts are Izmir, Bodrum, Kusadasi, Marmaris and Antalya but there are plenty more coastal towns and villages being developed and expanded. If travelling with kids be prepared for the extra flying time – five hours – which makes Turkey one of the furthest short-haul destinations for Britons.
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