Spring is a wonderful time of the year to visit Europe. There are great bargains to be had, fewer crowds, and typically a mild climate. If you’re thinking of a vacation to Europe from mid-March through mid-June, here are three destinations you should consider.
Amsterdam
One word. Tulips. When many people picture The Netherlands they think of brightly colored fields of flowers, and, of course, spring is the time to head to see the beautiful flowers blooming. April and May are the best months of year in The Netherlands, not only because of the famous tulips, but the weather can be ideal, and the crowds are few.
Rent a bike and ride through the city, stroll through the many gabled Dutch houses, cycle along the canals or jump aboard one of the many boats and experience the city from the water. In the springtime, you should be able to visit the famed Anne Frank Museum without waiting in line for hours, which happens often in the summer.
Just a short distance from Amsterdam is Zaanse Schans . Here you can visit a working windmill among the blooming flowers, taste traditional cheeses and experience more local Dutch culture. The town has a collection of well-preserved historic windmills and houses, and it makes for a picture-perfect springtime setting.
Malta
By visiting Malta from April through mid-June, you’ll miss the rainy winter months but arrive before the higher priced and scorching hot summer season hits. The spectacular green countryside will be dotted with rare wild flowers as well as indigenous species of butterflies and birds.
Discover St. Paul’s Catacombs in Rabat, view the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta or visit th e open air market outside Valletta without the crowds. In the spring you can also enjoy golden sand beaches and bright blue lagoons, without battling thousands of other people for a spot on the sand.
Scottish Highlands
While the weather is still cool and the afternoons can bring bursts of showers, the emerald green hills and mountains of Scotland begin to bloom with a rainbow of wild flowers in the spring, making it a wonderful time of year to visit. Of course, you’ll see lambs all over the hillsides, along with the occasional baby deer, or fawn. The Scottish Highlands are a bird lovers delight as well, and in the spring you can watch species like Capercaillie and Black Grouse perform courtship rituals amid the dramatic and spectacular scenery.
Spring also brings much better values for accommodations and you won’t have to wait in line long to visit the country’s many historic castles.
If you like to fish, this is the perfect time of year. With so many beautiful lochs, it’s easy to find a shop to rent a rod and reel. What could be better than saying you’ve spent a day fishing at famous Loch Ness?
K.C. Dermody is a freelance writer and a Featured Contributor for Yahoo!Travel. She has traveled to nearly all 50 states, and many countries worldwide, and has a passion for imparting what she has learned from her experiences to others.
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