Spring Break is fast approaching and if you are dreaming of taking a vacation but haven’t decided on where to travel yet, I’ve got some great ideas for you!
Spring is an incredible time of year to travel as everything seems to be coming back to life after what always feels like an endless winter. Plus after being cooped up inside for a few months, you’re ready for a change of scenery.
For Adventure Seekers
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
Whistler is a snow sport lovers dream! Whistler was the home of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and this destination cane make you feel like an actual Olympian.
Whistler Blackcomb is a snow bird’s paradise. There are over 200 ski trails over 2 mountains to help beginners learn skiing and snowboarding, to challenge experts on Double Black Diamonds, to test freestyle skills and everything in between. There’s even Heli-Skiing! Families and kids will love the Tube Park and Family Zones featuring hidden trails, a Magic Castle, a Tree Fort and a Nintendo School Yard.
For an added thrill, the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondolas will take you the almost 3 miles between the two mountains. This isn’t for the faint of heart as the gondolas are over 1,400 feet in the air and often travel through the clouds!
Probably the coolest activities on the mountain are at the Whistler Sliding Centre. This is a training venue for athletes from all over the world in bobsled, luge and skeleton. Best part is that you can take a ride down the slide…that would be SO COOL!
Spring gives longer days to enjoy these activities and there are great deals of up to 30% off in March and April to enjoy them. Even better, kids ages 14-18 side for FREE at the Whistler Sliding Centre for the whole month of March!
For Garden Lovers
The Netherlands
Tulips, freesias, daffodils, oh my! Just outside of Amsterdam, the Bollenstreek region of The Netherlands is considered to be the Flower Capitol of the World. You can tour the numerous gardens and flower beds in the region from January to late spring with the flowering season peaks.
Then highlight of the area is the Keukenhof, the international and independent showcase for the Dutch floricultural sector, with a special emphasis on flower bulbs. These stunning gardens feature 7 million spring-flowering bulbs throughout its 10 miles of pathways. There are also boat tours, bike rentals, inspirational gardens and numerous kids activities.
Walt Disney World
Beginning in early March, Epcot is transformed into a floral wonderland. The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is an annual springtime event featuring brilliant gardens, larger-than-life topiaries, fresh food booths and fun concerts. Embark on a tour of the many immaculate gardens or take a seminar to learn a new skill.
The Festival also has activities for the whole family to enjoy. The Goodness Garden Butterfly House lets you see these beautiful creatures up close. There are interactive play areas, a fun scavenger hunt featuring Spike the Bee and around Easter, there is an oversized Easter Egg Hunt that you won’t want to miss!
The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival takes place from March 4 – June 1, 2020. Park admission is required.
For the Adventurers
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
It’s well known that Cancun, Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula is hot spot for Spring Break partygoers, but that’s not for everyone. If you were to travel a bit outside of the city, you will find adventure is waiting for you.
You can explore underground rivers, zip-line over the trees, snorkel in the beautiful blue water and more at Xcaret (pronounced ECH-caret). There is a water park, adventure park, eco-archaeological site and more at this all-in-one location for the entire family. They’ve also recently opened Children’s World where kids under 12 can climb through the trees and spend hours on water slides.
From mid-February into April, you can experience a unique spectacle on the ancient Mayan El Castillo pyramid called the Descent of Kukulcán. On the side of the north staircase is a carving of a giant serpent. Every year on the spring equinox, seven triangles of light form a zigzag on the steps bringing the serpent to life!
All of this is located about 45 minutes outside of the Cancun hotspots
For Foodies
San Sebastian, Spain
San Sebastián is world renowned as a culinary mecca in the Basque region of Spain. You can spend all day wandering the streets sampling pintxos (tapas) and drinking local Rioja or txakoli (sparkling wine). The spring is cider season and you can find may local Basque ciders to perfectly complement all of that tapas. After you’ve gotten your fill, you can then lounge on one of the beautiful local beaches to digest a bit.
Do you have a special interest or want to explore something new for Spring Break? Let me know…I can find the perfect vacation for you!
