Don’t be a Fool - April Festival Destinations

Spring: it occurs every year

Apparently it’s Spring now. That means the cold winter weather is long gone as we head towards longer days and the prospect of a barbecue summer. Probably. But then again the weather in the UK just isn’t that predictable. 

Let’s turn our attention to April elsewhere when Spring should have well and truly sprung. With Easter out of the way, there are a number of amazing April Festivals where variety is indeed the spice of life.

Spring Skiing: Snow, Sun and The Prodigy  

Before we get too excited by the impending warm weather, April sees the end of the European skiing season with many end of season parties. Ischgl in Austria has an annual closing concert which this year is headlined by Muse on 30 April. Entry is free to lift pass holders as it takes place mid mountain. 

Staying in Austria and Mayrhofen hosts the legendary Snowbombing festival between 4-9 April. Nothing to do with the ski patrol, it is a huge week long electronic music festival on the slopes to fit around your daytime skiing. This year’s main headliners are The Prodigy.

HOW: Packages are available for either Ischgl or Mayrhofen (party included) flying via Innsbruck.

King’s Day in Amsterdam - not an EasyJet party

If dressing in Orange floats your boat then you can combine the two in a giant Dutch street party on 27 April to celebrate Koningsdag (King’s Day) in honour of King Willem Alexander’s birthday (formerly Queens Day prior to Queen Beatrix's abdication in 2013). Head to Amsterdam for the biggest celebrations involving the colour orange, barges and a huge inpouring of Grolsch. 

HOW: Fly to Amsterdam, stay central and buy some orange clothes. 

Seville: non stop partying in April heat

No month would be complete without a Spanish Fiesta and it’s the Feria de Abril (April Festival) in Seville. Falling two weeks after Easter it runs from 12-17 April this year to take place before it gets too hot (by then it will likely be 30c). A huge site filled with horse drawn carriages taking locals in Andalusian dress to hundreds of invite only casetas (tents) providing non-stop food, flamenco and dancing. There are public casetas available to join in the fun if your name’s not down. 

HOW: Fly to Seville and stay centrally (the Feria site is walking distance from the old town) 
or fly to Malaga and take the train (2h15m). 

Japan: the best place to find your cherries

Heading away from Europe and April sees the spectacular Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Festival throughout Japan. In a country where the trains really do run on time, the arrival of the blossoms is reliant on Mother Nature to some degree but events are laid on throughout the country in April. 

Hanami is the concept of enjoying the Cherry Blossoms with friends (and a cold Asahi). It is an amazing time to visit the country.Tokyo, Osaka and especially Kyoto are the places to aim for. With a favourable exchange rate it is also a much better value country to visit these days.

HOW: Fly to Tokyo or Osaka. Frequent Shinkansen trains from Tokyo (2h20m) or Osaka (15m) to Kyoto. 

April: it's Thailand not Dryland

Finally, if you really want to literally let off some steam and thought water fights were the preserve of students, head to Thailand for the Thai New Year Festival, Songkran. Held each year from 13-15 April the idea is to cleanse the soul (not always easy with river water).

With a calendar 543 years ahead of our one, the most enthusiastic celebrations are in 40c+ Chiang Mai in the north. Just remember to leave your phone in the hotel safe - you will get very, very wet!

HOW: Fly to Chiang Mai via Bangkok (1h) or an overnight train journey. Keep the taxi windows wound up on the journey from the airport if you want any dry possessions!  

For further inspiration, please visit my Website and Facebook page and follow me on Twitter.

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e: david@eyelinetravel
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Time to put a Spring in you step!

David Sutherland
EyeLine Travel (ABTA L3832)
4 March 2016