Spring best places to travel
Spring is the season travelers overlook, and that is a mistake: days grow longer, nature wakes up and the crowds have not arrived yet. This page gathers all my travel stories and tips worth enjoying in spring, from European trails to destinations much further away. Pick your own escape for the season.
Stories and tips from my travels in spring
-
Auvergne-Rhône-AlpesEscape to the volcanic peaks of Velay: Mount Mézenc and Mount Gerbier de Jonc
In the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the departments Ardèche and Haute-Loire share a common history, geography, and landscape. Both, divided by the Mézenc massif, lie in the southeast of the Massif Central. This Mézenc massif is a vast volcanic plateau formed by two “sucs” (volcanic domes): Mont Mézenc and Mont Gerbier de Jonc. Everything is doubled here:…
0 18 min read -
Auvergne-Rhône-AlpesThe Cry of the Auvergne: A Volcanic Escape between Lakes and Waterfalls
Do you want a complete change of scenery? Discover French destinations that transport you to the other side of the world, all the while staying in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes ! Located in the southeastern part of the Massif Central, Velay is an old French province bordered by the Allier Valley to the west and the Loire…
3 17 min read -
Auvergne-Rhône-AlpesJourney to the Heart of the Auvergne Colorado: A natural wonder
Do you dream of discovering astonishing landscapes just a short distance from home? If so, head off to discover the hidden gems of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, where vibrant colors and unique shapes sculpted by time come to life. Let yourself be transported on a journey through a land of stunning red earth and unique geological formations—true…
3 16 min read -
5 Top Reasons to Travel in spring
Does the arrival of spring whet your appetite for travel ? Imagine yourself soaking up the sun’s gentle rays on a café terrace, strolling through gardens in full bloom, wandering in the mountains or by the sea to enjoy the long days. Spring is one of the best seasons to travel, and it offers many…
0 3 min read -
The best places to go in spring
In the mood for nature, seaside beaches, or to discover a place’s history and culture ? We’ve some ideas forspring destinations. Travel in mild temperatures, away from the hustle and bustle of summer crowds: dream destinations to enjoy in total peace and calm ! Destination Africa in spring Travel to Africa during springtime is a great…
0 6 min read -
Eastern USANiagara Falls, a Natural Wonder between the United States and Canada
Niagara Falls attract approximately 20 million visitors each year. They form a natural boundary between the province of Ontario in Canada and the State of New York in the Eastern United States and are located 17 miles northwest of Buffalo, New York, and 75 miles southeast of Toronto on either side of the Niagara River,…
0 13 min read -
NamibiaWalvis Bay: Rendezvous with Desert and Ocean
Located 22 miles from Swakopmund, the city of Walvis Bay (pronounced « vahl-fis bay ») is a rather unusual place. Travelers often hesitate to visit this small industrial port town, which is often covered by fog. However, it is an essential break in the journey along the long road to Sesriem. This corner of Namibia, trapped between the…
0 13 min read -
NamibiaThe Mysterious Skeleton Coast, and Cape Cross’ Fur Seals
After a long day driving through desert landscapes, we finally reach the ocean. Stunning waves of sand dunes undulate as far as the eye can see along the Atlantic Ocean. Here we are on the Skeleton Coast, the northern part of the Atlantic Coast of Namibia stretching south from the Kunene River on the border…
0 11 min read -
NamibiaThe Petrified Forest and Rock Carvings of Twyfelfontein
Let’s continue « Travelling Through The Wild Side » to the reggae music of Namibian musician Ras Sheehama and discover Damaraland, through its art and geology… « Travelling through the wilderness / I keep on travelling and travelling… / Through the wilderness » Travelling Through The Wild Side, Ras Sheehama Located in the northwestern part of the country…
0 14 min read -
NamibiaEncounter with Desert Elephants and Welwitschia Mirabilis
The small town of Sesfontein and its surrounding area features unique fauna and flora. It lies in the Kunene region of northwestern Namibia between Kaokoland (Distant land) and Damaraland (Land of Damaras) and about 93 miles from the regional capital Opuwo. The name Sesfontein derives from the six springs which have their source in the…
0 14 min read -
NamibiaEpupa Falls: rendezvous in Himba land
Kaokoland – translate as “distant land” – is a region unlike any other. A former Namibian Bantustan, Kaokoland is located in the Kunene region in northwestern Namibia. The term Bantustan was first used in the late 1940s and is derived from Bandu word for “People.” The suffix Stan is Persian for “country” or “land”. Bantustan,…
0 15 min read -
NamibiaEtosha National Park: A journey to the Animal Kingdom
For most people, African fauna consists of felines or the famous “Big Five”– the five African animals that all travelers dream of seeing and photographing. The expression “Big Five” does not refer to the animals of Africa that are the largest in stature, but big-game hunters created the term and to refer to the five…
0 15 min read -
NamibiaIn the heart of the Etosha National Park wildness
Namibia‘s animals consist of many species: 200 mammals, 645 birds, 250 reptiles, and more than 6,300 different insects. One-quarter of these are endemic to Namibia… It is also no secret that Etosha National Park is the best place to observe Namibian fauna, especially during the dry season from May to October. The status of the…
0 12 min read -
NamibiaA glimpse of Etosha National Park
Namibia is a marvel for all those seeking distant new horizons… It is unthinkable to go to Namibia without going on a safari! Etosha National Park is one of the largest conservation areas in Africa and one of the best places to observe abundant wildlife roaming freely. The spectacular wildlife can be seen in complete…
0 13 min read -
NamibiaLake Otjikoto, a lake that has made its mark in Namibia!
How did lake Otjikoto develop? Only 110 yards from the main road, Route B1, to Etosha National Park, there is an expanse of turquoise water well hidden from sight behind gigantic fig trees and euphorbia. Lake Otjikoto, located in Namibia’s Oshikoto region about 12 miles north-west of the city of Tsumeb, is a circular sinkhole.…
0 16 min read -
NamibiaWaterberg Plateau Park!
What is Waterberg Plateau Park ? The Waterberg is a vast plateau of red rock 42 miles south-east of Otjiwarongo and about 186 miles northeast of Namibia‘s capital, Windhoek. The mountain owes its name to the springs surfacing on its lower slopes and its lush vegetation, creating a rich green, wild, and ecologically diverse park.…
18 13 min read -
MadeiraMadeira, Hiking trails between Ocean and Mountain
Madeira Island presents such a diversity of landscapes that it is very difficult not to fall in love with its charm. If you are looking for a “nature” holiday where ocean and mountains meet, Madeira is for you ! Madeira Island, a true natural paradise, offers exuberant vegetation, volcanic mountains sculpted by erosion and unique,…
9 10 min read -
MadeiraMadeira’s Levadas, Hiking along waterways
Discover the Levadas of Madeira, these irrigation canals testifying to the ingenuity of man to adapt to nature without damaging it, during beautiful walks along the water.
20 8 min read -
MadeiraMadeira: Stopover in Funchal, the Capital of the Island of Flowers
The subtropical island of Madeira in the North Atlantic Ocean about 280 miles off the coast of Morocco attracts many tourists. Madeira is located at the same latitude as Bermuda, which lies further west in the Atlantic. Madeira covers an area of 286 sq. miles and is 35 miles from west to east and 14…
28 13 min read -
Midwest USAWild West in South Dakota
South Dakota, a state of USA Middle West imbued with Indian culture and characterized by the rolling Black Hills, is full of surprises: Badlands National Park and its dramatic reliefs, Mount Rushmore and its monumental sculptures, and the annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis. The Badlands National Park, located about 80 miles southeast of Rapid City,…
20 10 min read
Page 1 of 4
The Ultimate Guide to Spring Travel: It’s time to organize your spring holidays !
Hooray for spring ! Say goodbye to dreariness and cold: spring is slowly coming. It’s time to wake up and have some fun.
The days are getting longer, and the sun is shining, temperatures are mild and good cheer is in the air.
The flowers show: mauve crocuses peeking through the snow and narcissus blooming. The rosy bloom of the peach trees is a promise of fruit to come. Light fragrances fill the air.
The landscape is in tune with the season, and the world returns to life. Without a doubt, spring symbolizes life in all its dimensions.
« Now here comes the spring And my world wants to rise and shine Now here comes my heart And my heart wants to know what’s mine All for a brighter time ». » (Tony Orlando & Dawn – Here Comes the Spring)
Spring… with all the senses
Let all your senses discover the magic of springtime ! Enjoy the flowers bloom, the birdsong returns, the longer days and the warmer temperature…
Look at all the rebirth around you
The ground beneath you is ever-changing. Plants sprout up and peek into the world. Colors change from brown to green, and snow melts away and shows the earth again.
How many different colors of flowers can you find in spring ? How many species of birds carrying grass and twigs to build nests can you watch ?
The taste of spring
When springtime comes, many people start to naturally crave the bright, crisp, mouth-watering spring fruits and vegetables. There are so many fruits available to taste on the spring: strawberries, cherries, apricots, Pineapples, mangos… And getting your daily dose of veggies is fun and so easy: asparagus artichokes, carrots, radishes, peas and so much more.
Birdsong is the music of spring
If you listen carefully, you can hear the birds tweeting, particularly in the early morning even in the inner cities. Take a walk in the forest, pause a moment to listen to the symphony of chirps, craws, and tweets from many birds. You have that orchestra to yourself.Take also a moment to listen the bees going from flower to flower, collecting their pollen and nectar, in a garden or meadow. Also listen to the water flowing over rocks and through eddies. It is life’s simple pleasures.
Feel the warmth
On Spring, the sun’s rays are warmer. One of my favorite sensations during spring is the feeling of the warm sun on my face, the perfect sensation after a long winter.Spring affords many other opportunities for tactile discovery. Touch the soft and silky buds of a tree between your fingers or have blades of grass tickle your toes.
The scent of the nature
Spring is full of wonderful smells. The smell of fresh cut grass, dirt, flowers and a spring rain storm. Research has even shown that the smell of cut grass can make us happier and reduce stress! Cut grass triggers the production of GLV (Green Leaf Volatiles) to warn nearby plants that danger as afoot. You might be fond of the smell of cut grass, but it’s a plant cry for help.Although the days are starting to warm, the rain doesn’t leave us just yet. When you wander outside after a storm has passed, it often smells warm, damp and earthy. the scent of rain as it hits the ground has a name: it is called petrichor, which is the smell of an oily substance produced by wet rocks.
5 top reasons to travel in spring
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of spring travel, a season that awakens the senses and nourishes the soul. Spring is much more than a meteorological transition, it’s an invitation to escape, discover and reconnect with nature.
Here are 5 good reasons why spring is the perfect time to get away from it all and explore the world.
Prepare to be seduced by blooming landscapes, vibrant festivals, outdoor adventures and much more.
Get inspired and discover why spring is the season to satisfy your wanderlust.
Where to go in spring?
Spring offers a unique opportunity to discover the diversity of our world.
Explore picturesque spring destinations on every continent, from cherry blossom trees in Japan to heavenly beaches in South America, colorful European festivals, African safaris in the dry season, and adventures in Australia.
Discover how each continent comes alive in a different way in spring, and get ready for a memorable journey.
Frequently asked questions about traveling in spring
Spring on this blog starts in the Auvergne, in a ravine of red clay, and ends on the high plateaus of Madagascar. In between: Namibia on the first day of the dry season, the levadas of Madeira in bloom, and the Highlands before the midges arrive.
Why is spring a good season to travel?
Because nature restarts and the sites still breathe. In April the levadas of Madeira are walked in mild weather, the island in flower, and that is the exact window I recommend in these irrigation channels turned into paths. The same month, the Auvergne leaves winter behind: the Ravin de Corbœuf opens its 500 metres of red clay without the heat that crushes July. Days lengthen, lodgings stay affordable, trails are not yet saturated. I had the Vallée des Saints almost to myself one May morning, its fairy chimneys alone in the light, which is what my crossing of the Auvergne Colorado recounts.
What are the advantages of spring travel over summer?
Fewer people, softer prices, longer light. The arithmetic shows on the ground. The Ravin de Corbœuf trail runs 3,5 kilometres for 125 metres of climb and closes in an hour and a quarter: in July you must aim for dawn, in April you leave when you like. In the Vallée des Saints the 23 fairy chimneys can be photographed without queuing, and the 19 orchid species recorded on the site are already out, as I note in my inventory of the Puy-de-Dôme badlands. The other gain is thermal: the Mercantour is walked before the Vallée des Merveilles turns into an oven, which the climb towards Mont Bégo sets out in detail.
When is the best time to walk the levadas of Madeira?
April to June, for the temperature and the flowers. The island lines up more than 2 150 kilometres of levadas, channels dug from the early fifteenth century by convicts hanging in wicker baskets. The route follows the gradient of a water thread, so walking stays almost flat, which changes everything over consecutive days. In May the vegetation is high and the tunnels stay cool. For height gain, the crossing from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo climbs from 1 818 to 1 862 metres on a fully paved path, and I tell it in this walk between ocean and mountain. Keep the town for last: the stopover in Funchal and its flower market.
Which season does European spring match in Namibia?
The start of the dry season, the best for watching. From April to October water grows scarce, and wildlife gathers at the waterholes: kudu, zebra and giraffe take turns there, sometimes metres from the vehicle. Created in 1907, the park covers 22 935 square kilometres around a pan of 4 800 square kilometres, and I saw more species in three days there than anywhere else in three weeks, as this overview of Etosha park shows. The site records 114 mammals and 340 birds. One useful caveat: buffalo are absent, so the Big Five stays incomplete, a point I set out in my journey to the animal kingdom.
Where can you see waterfalls and wildflowers in France in spring?
In Haute-Loire and Ardèche, around the Mézenc massif. The summit reaches 1 753 metres on the Ardèche side and 1 744 metres on the Haute-Loire side, a nine-metre gap that still fuels arguments in village cafés. The plateau carries more than 320 plant species, among them the yellow pansy. A few kilometres away, Mont Gerbier de Jonc rises to 1 551 metres and releases the Loire for 1 012 kilometres, which I recount in this escape into the volcanic peaks of Velay. The Blue Lake and the Beaume waterfall complete the volcanic picture, told in my escape between lakes and waterfalls.
What is worth seeing in the American West in spring?
The white gypsum of White Sands, before the furnace. The national monument covers 715 square kilometres and is crossed by a Dunes Drive of 13 kilometres; in spring the light stays low and the temperature bearable, whereas in high summer walking becomes an ordeal. Rangers run sunset outings and rent sleds at the Visitor Center. Further north, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks perches its chimneys at 1 950 metres on the Pajarito Plateau, and its Canyon Trail closes in five kilometres round trip, as described in my crossing of the land of enchantment. For rawer mineral country, see the hoodoos of the Bisti Wilderness.
Check out our other themed trips
-
Autumn travel: Best Destination for Fall
Autumn gives the trails back their silence: colors take over from the crowds, the light softens and destinations finally breathe again. This page gathers my… -
Best places to visit in Winter
Winter is my season: white forests in Lapland, dog-sled safaris, northern lights and Icelandic winters. This page gathers all my winter travel stories and… -
Best Summer Holiday Destinations
Summer opens up the wide spaces: the midnight sun in Lapland, Icelandic summers, hiking trails and evenings that never seem to end. This page gathers my… -
City Walks
A city reveals itself on foot, or not at all. From Shanghai to Valparaiso and on to New Orleans, this page gathers my favorite city walks: neighborhood routes… -
Desert Travel Experiences Around the World
No two deserts are alike: the dunes of the Wahiba Sands, the expanses of the Namib, the salt and lagoons of the Atacama. This page gathers my desert travel… -
Most Beautiful National Parks in The World
A national park is best told from the trail, not from the map. From Torres del Paine to Abisko by way of Etosha, this page gathers my national park stories… -
The Best Islands to visit
An island sets its own pace: you arrive by sea or by air, and everything that follows belongs to it. From Madeira and Cape Verde all the way to Easter Island… -
Wildlife Watching
Watching a wild animal starts with accepting that the animal decides. Reindeer and elk in Lapland, Atacama flamingos, coatis at Iguazu: this page gathers my…
Hello, I am C-Ludik, a traveller with a passion for nature and photography. Travel is far more than moving from one destination to another.
It is an invitation to slow down. To watch the last light of day settle on a quiet village, to wait for an animal to appear on the horizon, to listen to the distant roar of a waterfall or to be surprised by a landscape where you least expect it.
Through ’Tween Here and There, I share the stories, photographs and emotions gathered along the way. From the deserts of Namibia to the Himalayan peaks, from European villages to the far shores of the Pacific, each journey becomes a story to tell and an invitation to see the world differently.
With camera in hand, I invite you to follow me along winding roads and remote trails, towards the places, the light and the encounters that turn a simple trip into a lasting memory. Because the greatest adventures sometimes begin far away (there)… and sometimes right at home (here). Welcome to my five-senses odyssey across the world, where distant horizons meet the wonders of everyday life.
Every journey is far more than a destination. It is a collection of encounters, light and emotions that I am delighted to share through my photographs and travel stories.
Lire en français
Travel by Theme