Where to travel to this spring

As winter winds down and the weather starts to get warmer, spring brings a burst of life that makes you want to shove that winter coat in the closet for good. It’s also the perfect time to take a rejuvenating trip to match that energy: think cherry blossoms in Japan, wine-tastings in Argentina, or relaxing beach days in the Caribbean.

Here, some ideas for the best spring vacations around the globe, from spring break classics to destinations off the beaten path.

March on Maui is technically the rainy season, which means its jungles are at their lushest and the waterfalls at their most dramatic. To see the flowing falls, drive the iconic 64-mile Hana Highway, which offers tons of stops for waterfall viewing, swimming-hole dips, and beach days. Be sure to visit the Garden of Eden Arboretum & Botanical Garden and the Pua’a Ka’a State Park for impressive falls. A visit to Maui also warrants a pit stop for shave ice, and Ululani’s along the Hana Highway serves some of the best on the island—add some li hing powder on top for the ultimate Hawaiian treat.

If you’re craving a beach trip but want fewer crowds and a more adventurous vibe, head to this Caribbean nation. March kicks off sea turtle season when you can spot leatherbacks, hawksbills, and green turtles coming ashore nightly to lay eggs in the sand. (Book a stay Rosalie Bay Eco Resort & Spa if you want some hands-on turtle time, as they offer educational turtle walks and chances to join hatchling releases.) To get your adrenaline pumping, trade the ocean for freshwater on a tubing adventure on the Layou River.

National Park Week kicks off in mid-April with free admission to some of the country’s most iconic parks—many of which sit in Southern Utah, including Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. April is a transitional month in this region, weather-wise. In Zion, for instance, you’ll see snow in the peaks, just as wildflowers begin to bloom along lower-elevation trails like the Riverside Walk—so pack accordingly (read: lots of layers) to enjoy the parks in all their glory.

When you think of Mexico this time of year, you’re probably picturing the party-centric spring break hubs along the coast—spots like Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas. But April is a great time to think beyond the coast and head inland to Oaxaca for fewer crowds and more cultural immersion. You can join cooking classes (where you can learn to make mole from scratch), mezcal distillery tours, and explore the city’s street-art scene. If you’re still looking for a little bit of a party vibe, plan a trip timed to the city’s founding—April 25, 1532—for lots of live music and colorful decorations in the Zócalo.

Skip the crowds during cherry blossom season in early spring, and instead, head to Japan in May for the wisteria blooms. Tokyo’s parks and gardens are filled with flowering pastel vines dramatically draped from trellises or shaped into fairytale-like tunnels. Stop by the Koishikawa Korakuen Garden during the day and the Kameido Tenjinsha, a Shinto shrine where the purple vines were planted during the Edo period, at night when the wisteria is illuminated.

This southern stretch of the Portuguese coast is filled with sun-drenched beaches, surf towns, and historic villages—all of which are decidedly less crowded compared to summertime, while still remaining blissfully warm. Make Faro your home base for exploring the region, with catamaran tours of nearby islands, architecture tours of the area’s Moorish influence, and wine tastings of the Algarve’s best sips. Bonus: you’ll be within 30 minutes of the sandy Praia de Faro, Praia da Quinta do Lago, and more.