With Spring on the horizon, many of us will be thinking about jetting off on our next adventure, whether with family, or by ourselves. The perfect trip takes planning and preparation, so why not get ahead by considering where you might want to go this year?
If you’re wondering when to get away, the spring of 2022 could be the ideal opportunity to beat the summer crowds, enjoy some peace, and enjoy nature at its finest. For those dreaming of sun, sea and sand, there are many places just a short flight away that guarantee warmth – though if snowy adventures are more your thing, there are opportunities for those too!
Whatever type of holiday is calling you, there are plenty of adventures to be had next spring – and with this in mind, we’ve teamed up with travel company, Explore, to put together a list of inspiring holiday destinations.
Not only does Explore offer holidays to these places at decent prices, but their expert team are hugely passionate about what they do, and want to make each holiday an unforgettable experience for their customers.
Explore are also offering Rest Less members an exclusive discount on private and self-guided tours, and small group trips worldwide. Just enter code RESTLESS at checkout to save 5% per person until April 2022.
So, without further ado, here are eight of the best holiday destinations outside the UK for a spring getaway…
1. Amalfi Coast, Italy
Few coastlines in the world are as famous as Italy’s Amalfi. Stylish, historic and beautiful, this stretch of shore is deserving of all the best adjectives. Glitzy hotels and villas perch upon sheer clifftops, and below, the deep blue Mediterranean washes against sandy beaches.
The affluent towns here are packed with beauty and culture, and you can browse ritzy boutiques, relax in cinematic piazzas, admire Arabic-Norman cathedrals, sip spritz cocktails, and enjoy walking in nature – all in one day.
Thanks to the dramatic mountains, woodlands and cliff top views, the Amalfi coast is one of the most popular spots for hiking in Italy, and there are plenty of well-marked trails where you can get away from the crowds and enjoy a sense of peace.
If you enjoy being active on your travels, then why not book an Amalfi coast walking holiday? Aside from doing plenty of hiking, you’ll explore the towns of Amalfi and Positano, and the island of Capri, stay with an Italian family at their tranquil farm, and enjoy plenty of delicious food and wine…
Get an exclusive 5% discount off with Explore – call 01252 883 959 and quote RESTLESS. Offer ends April 2022.
2. Greek Islands
The allure of the Greek islands can be as powerful as that of their mythical sirens. And, if you’re dreaming of exploring ancient, sun-bleached temples, swimming in aquamarine waters, wandering through sugar-cube villages and sipping an icy beer in a harbourside taverna, then next spring may well be the best time to do it.
The throngs of tourists won’t yet have arrived, allowing you to experience island life like a local – at your own pace and in your own time.
If you’re not sure which island to head to, why not consider an island hopping tour of the Cyclades?
Beginning in the ancient capital of Athens, you’ll visit the islands of Syros, Paros, Santorini, and Naxos, and see the best these islands have to offer.
Travelling by boat, you can admire the volcanic scenery of stunning Santorini, take coastal walks and sample authentic cuisine in Syros, and explore Byzantine ruins and enjoy plenty of snorkelling in Paros.
Get an exclusive 5% discount off with Explore – call 01252 883 959 and quote RESTLESS. Offer ends April 2022.
3. Madeira
Madeira is regularly voted one of the top island destinations in the world, and if you’ve never visited, it won’t take you long to see why.
Surrounded by the dramatic Atlantic, and with year-round sun and a subtropical climate, Portugal’s most magical island is like nowhere else. Here you can relax on black sand beaches, explore the unique irrigation channels, admire the exotic colours, and lose yourself among serene botanical gardens.
The best way to uncover the beauty of Madeira is to explore it on foot – so why not book a Madeira walking holiday? Following the island’s patchwork of levadas and ancient footpaths, you’ll hike through Laurel Forest, stroll past enchanting waterfalls to the Ponta de São Lourenço, and uncover the delights of the easy-going capital city, Funchal, as you visit historic buildings, browse bustling farmer’s markets, and relax in gorgeous gardens.
Get an exclusive 5% discount off with Explore – call 01252 883 959 and quote RESTLESS. Offer ends April 2022.
4. Malta and Gozo
Malta, along with its smaller neighbour Gozo, is a fascinating mix of cultures, merging Roman Catholic traditions with Middle Eastern nuances and Sicilian flavours. Its history is just as intriguing, and fortress-like towns – built by the Knights of St John – are scattered throughout the island.
But if you’re looking for a beachside break, Malta has just as much going for it; the crystal clear waters here are known to be some of the best in the world for swimming, snorkelling and diving.
There’s so much to see and do here that it might be wise to book a highlights tour of Malta and Gozo, to make sure that you see the best these islands have to offer.
In Malta, you can explore the historic capital Valletta, visit the Megalithic Temples – the world’s oldest freestanding structures – and sample delicious food and wine along the way. In Gozo, wander through the beautiful capital of Victoria, hike along the rocky coastline, and swim in the tantalisingly azure, gin-clear sea.
Get an exclusive 5% discount off with Explore – call 01252 883 959 and quote RESTLESS. Offer ends April 2022.
5. Sicily
Sicily is known for its food, its beauty, and its history – and for good reason. If you consider yourself a foodie you’ll be spoilt for choice. Feast upon pasta alla Norma (the rich aubergine pasta dish that was created here) treat yourself to decadent cannoli and try the island’s famous fish couscous.
There’ll be plenty of opportunities to walk off your meals, and from climbing volcanoes to hiking through flowery mountain meadows and swimming in pristine waters, staying active is easy here.
But Sicily is also especially famous for its compelling ancient history, and if you’re interested in learning more about the roots of this island, you might want to think about a Classical Sicily tour.
You can visit Agrigento, Sicily’s most famous ruins, and marvel at its remarkable Doric architecture, before strolling through the medieval hilltop town of Erice. You can also scale Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano, and admire beautiful ancient mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale.
Get an exclusive 5% discount off with Explore – call 01252 883 959 and quote RESTLESS. Offer ends April 2022.
6. Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
If you’re dreaming of warm cerulean waters, lazy days on white pebble beaches and balmy evenings wining and dining in ancient walled towns, Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast might be the destination for you.
Dotted with small islands and with staggeringly clear water, Croatia’s gorgeous coastline is easily its most popular attraction – but visiting in spring will allow you to enjoy this stunning region at your leisure, unbothered by noisy crowds or jostling queues.
While you can easily spend your entire holiday lounging on the beach, why not inject a bit of energy into your break and cycle around the Dalmatian Coast? Travelling via two wheels will give you plenty of time to explore Dubrovnik and Split, the historic hearts of the region.
But you’ll also be able to cycle through the unspoiled countryside of Hvar and Korcula Islands, where you can visit villages, sip wine in vineyards, and – of course – enjoy plenty of swimming and sunbathing along the way.
Get an exclusive 5% discount off with Explore – call 01252 883 959 and quote RESTLESS. Offer ends April 2022.
7. Spain and Portugal
If you love both Spain and Portugal and can’t pick just one to visit, then why not visit both? Chock full of historic castles, charming cobblestone villages, vibrant cities, gorgeous beaches and excellent food, Portugal has so much to offer visitors – and its bigger neighbour, Spain, is no different.
Big and diverse, Spain is home to snow-capped mountains and golden beaches, hilltop villages and sun-scorched plains – and if you’re into food and wine, you’ll know that it’s a national obsession.
Why not merge your passion for all things gastronomic and enjoy a food and wine walking holiday in Spain and Portugal?
Starting from Madrid and ending in Porto, you’ll walk through the Ribera del Duero region of Spain and the Douro Winelands of Portugal, staying in characterful medieval towns and sampling delicious food and wines along the way. Enjoy train rides through the Douro Valley, hike through Spain’s rugged Guadarrama National Park, and try countless regional wines.
Get an exclusive 5% discount off with Explore – call 01252 883 959 and quote RESTLESS. Offer ends April 2022.
8. Iceland
If you’re hoping to get away as soon as possible, you might want to embrace the cold and visit Iceland in early spring. This is a country that’s truly cinematically beautiful – a place where ice-capped volcanoes, gushing geysers, and milky blue lakes gleam under the dancing lights of aurora borealis.
But while the otherworldly nature of Iceland has placed it top of many people’s travel bucket lists, this island has much more to offer than breathtaking scenery, as its culture and the warmth of its people are just as special.
For the best chance to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, why not book yourself onto an Iceland winter adventure in February or March? Follow Iceland’s famous Ring Road and admire the volcanoes, glaciers, and waterfalls that make this landscape so entrancing.
At Thingvellir National Park you can walk between two continents, and on Hrisey Island you can learn about Iceland’s Viking past. Ride a snowcat up Kaldbakur Mountain, and then marvel as the green lights of aurora borealis flicker across the sky! Alternatively, you might be interested in the Iceland Yurt Adventure in April or May for long, light days and extra time to explore.
Get an exclusive 5% discount off with Explore – call 01252 883 959 and quote RESTLESS. Offer ends April 2022.
Final thoughts…
Now that travel is once again a reality, 2022 is bound to be a big year for overseas adventures. Whether you’re thinking about warm blue seas and white sand beaches, snow-capped mountains and mysterious forests, a foodie city break or an active adventure on foot or by bike, Explore really does have something for everyone.
Uncover the past by exploring ancient ruins and visiting historic sites, stay active by enjoying plenty of hiking, cycling or swimming, or simply give your taste buds a treat as you sample new and exciting cuisines and wines.
For even more holiday inspiration, why not visit the travel section of our website?
Are you tempted by any of these trips – or do you have your own ideas for where you’d like to travel to next? We’d love to hear about your holiday plans in the comments below.