April is a fantastic month to go travelling, being spring or autumn time depending on which side of the world you are in. Together with the amazing sceneries and attractions that the nature has to offer in those seasons, cities tend to be calm and relaxed, so it is one of the best month to grab your backpack and go discover the word!
Here are some of the best places to travel in April. (To make this list, we have taken into account important factors such as climate, sunshine hours, festivities, opinions and personal experiences.)
Sydney is the largest and oldest city in Australia. It is a vibrant, modern, cosmopolitan, open-minded, cultural town, reminiscent in many aspects to New York. Its most representative icon is the famous Opera House, a masterpiece of architecture. Also, very well known are the over 50 amazing beaches, and the old neighbourhood “The Rocks”, the European district of the city, where you can find many pubs, restaurants, shops, and art galleries. There is heaps to do in Sydney, beside it being culturally inviting, it is ideal for sunbathing, and to explore its lush surroundings.
Istanbul is one of the most fascinating and charming cities in the world. It has the peculiarity of belonging half to Europe and the other half to Asia, giving it a wealth of cultural expressions of eastern and western civilizations. Its magnificent mosques, such as Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque, its dazzling historical palaces, and beautiful sunsets will amaze you. You’ll also enjoy taking a beautiful Bosphorus cruise, visiting the famous Turkish baths, and riding a hot air balloon over the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia… those are more than enough reasons to visit.
Located in the region of Dalmatia, on the southern coast of Croatia, Dubrovnik is a highly recommended holiday destination. Its rich history is reflected in the number of churches, palaces, fountains, museums and monasteries you’ll find while walking along the narrow and idyllic cobbled streets that wind through the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. In the background, the sea, beautiful cliffs, beaches and magical islands act as spectators of an exclusive, cozy and charming city that has more than earned the nickname of the “Pearl of the Adriatic“.
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the largest and most important city in Malaysia. It is located in the south-west of the Malay Peninsula in central Selangor Sultanate. It is a relatively young city, founded by miners in 1857, which is dominated by the Petronas Towers, visible from anywhere in town which were the tallest buildings in the world until 2003. Kuala Lumpur offers a great cultural diversity and ethnic styles with buildings of Arabic, Chinese and Indian cultures. It combines avant-garde modernist skyscrapers with old buildings. It is an exotic destination that offers great attractions to which we must add that, according to a recent study, it is one of the cheapest cities in the world.
Located between the Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea, Petra is an archaeological site in Jordan, declared World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1985 and considered to be one of the new seven wonders of the world since 2007. The ancient capital of the Nabataean kingdom is a complete city carved out of rocks where tombs, temples, theatres, monasteries, museums, shrines, and churches combine to amaze lovers of ancient history and architecture. This beautiful location has been chosen for filming several movies, including the famous “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”.
Located in the Middle East, the capital of Israel is one of the oldest cities in the world and the most sacred to Christianity, Judaism and Islam combined. In Jerusalem you will find sacred places of global significance such as the Dome of the Rock, the most important Muslim shrine; the Western Wall, a sacred place for Jews; the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus an icon for Christianity was crucified; Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, and many more. Thousands and thousands of tourists and pilgrims come every year to the Holy Land to immerse themselves in the history of mankind.
Cancun is located in the state of Quintana Roo, on the Yucatán Peninsula, in south-eastern Mexico, and is the main tourist centre of the country and one of the most recognised in the world. It is famed for its beautiful white sand beaches lapped by the turquoise Caribbean waters and the many water activities that can be done there. Also, from Cancun you can discover the magical secrets of the Mayan Riviera such as Chichen Itza, Tulum, Xel Ha, Xcaret, Isla Mujeres and Cozumel. Although somewhat crowded, Cancun remains a worldwide reference for “sun and beach” tourism.
Situated on the east and bathed by the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, New York is the most populous and vibrant city in the United States. It is possibly the best known city worldwide. Its nicknames of “shopping mecca”, “big apple”, “capital of the world” or “the city that never sleeps” describe it perfectly. Monuments as mythical as the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building, or districts as magical as Manhattan guarded by huge skyscrapers, await the traveller. This is undoubtedly one of the most cosmopolitan and exciting cities in the world.
Marrakech is one of the most important and attractive tourist cities of Morocco. The so-called “Pearl of the South” was declared by UNESCO as World Heritage. It has many treasures such as Jamaa el Fna, a square full of life and movement where artists, merchants, tourists and traders impregnate it with a very special colour. Also interesting is the Koutoubia Mosque, dominating the city with its 65 meters in height. Definitely a different, special place, which as Fernando Pessoa described it “first it misses you and then it entails you“.
Located on the Pacific coast, in the lower basin of the Rio Guayas, Guayaquil is the most populous city in Ecuador, ahead of the capital Quito. Without excessive landmarks, it provides various visitor attractions such as the Malecón Simón Bolivar, with its gardens, fountains, parks, viewpoints and pier, from where boats depart for a beautiful ride along the Guayas river. Also to note, the Cerro de Santa Ana, where beautiful views of the city are seen; the Barrio de las Peñas, the oldest, or the historical park. Guayaquil is an enterprising city that has modernised in recent years and adapted its best resources to serve tourists.
