April
Where to go in April
Where to go in April
This is a great month for independent travel in both the north and south hemispheres. Hit the road for a self-drive in Iceland or Norway watching as spring blooms. Head up to Svalbard to catch the end of winter but in almost perpetual daylight. In contrast, it’s autumn Down Under: dry season in Australia’s tropical north while whale sharks return to Ningaloo in Western Australia.
Iceland self drive during the quiet season
As days lengthen and temperatures rise, spring is a special time for exploring Iceland before the busier summer period. Although Highland tracks are still closed, you can set off on a self-drive odyssey visiting iconic sights on the Golden Circle and South Coast. Using Iceland’s Ring Road, you could also explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in the west, the East Fjords and the Diamond Circle and Arctic Coast Way in the north. It’s not too late to catch the northern lights, while birdwatchers will have their sights set on golden plovers, puffins and pink-footed geese which arrive this month to nest. Key sites for puffins include Heimaey in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, Látrabjarg in the West Fjords and Borgarfjordur Eystri in the east. Spring flowers are another welcome arrival, with arctic poppy, mountain avens and harebell speckling mountain slopes and gravel plains throughout the country.
Spring in Scandinavia
Longer days and warmer temperatures mark the beginning of spring. Flowers start to bloom in southern Sweden, but there will still be snow cover in the north until early May. As the thaw begins, winter activities like snowmobiling and husky sledding are replaced by hiking, fishing and boating. The natural world is also stirring to life –poppies smother the island of Gotland while brown bears emerge from hibernation in the wildwoods of Sweden and Finland. It’s an invigorating time to embark on an independent adventure, perhaps touring the island-dotted west coast of Sweden in your own hire car, or travelling by train between the capitals of Scandinavia.
Sunny Winter in Svalbard
This is a particularly beautiful time to visit the High Arctic island of Spitsbergen. The entire period from the beginning of March until mid-May is still winter – the icy fjords and snow-covered mountains stretching as far as the eye can see. But the light changes dramatically during this so-called Sunny Winter season. By around 20 April, the midnight sun has returned, bringing with it milder (but still sub-zero) temperatures. The arrival of migratory summer-nesting birds and the first hint of snow-melt signals the gradual transition to spring. Small ship voyages are still impossible in the ice-choked seas, but base yourself in the fascinating frontier town of Longyearbyen and you’ll be able to enjoy the endless daylight on snowmobiling, dog sledding and snowcat excursions in Advent Valley and the surrounding peaks.
Dry season in Australia’s tropical north
Like spring, autumn is a great time to visit Australia. Most of the rain in the far north falls during January, February and March. By April, it’s not only much easier to access remote locations, but it’s also more comfortable thanks to the drier, less humid conditions. Further south, there is still plenty of good weather, with April perhaps being the pick of the autumnal months as far as warm, sunny days are concerned. By May, however, you might notice that it’s getting cooler, particularly at night. Over in Western Australia, whale sharks arrive to feed in the waters of the Ningaloo Reef between March and June – you can take a boat trip to see or even swim with these gentle giants.
Spring rail journey to Sicily
Early in spring, look to Sicily for one of the warmest and sunniest spots in Europe for a post-winter pick-me-up. By the end of April, temperatures could be nudging 20°C and there can be seven or eight hours of sunshine. Take your time on a leisurely train journey south, passing through Paris, Milan, Tuscany and Naples before continuing by rail to Sicily and exploring highlights such as Mt Etna, the ancient coastal hill town of Taormina, and the world heritage sites of Syracuse and Agrigento.
Late season Easter ski adventure
Scandinavia’s ski season stretches from November to May or even June – so even if Easter falls late, you can be confident of finding excellent snow conditions and temperatures around zero, with the added bonus of 12 hours of daylight. Just 40 minutes west of Scandinavian Mountains Airport, the Norwegian resort of Trysil has a snow guarantee until late April. An excellent choice for an Easter ski adventure with the family, the resort has 32 lifts and 68 slopes, including some exceptional beginner areas. As with most Scandinavian ski resorts, you can expect quiet slopes and short lift queues.
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