April is considered the shoulder season in many destinations. This means fewer crowds and great travel deals. From the classics to the offbeat and adventurous and from lounging on a tropical beach to relaxing the English countryside here are our top picks for travel this April.
Paris, France
It’s hard to top the magic of Paris in springtime. The cherry and magnolia blossoms begin to burst, the parks fill with the sound of chirping birds and laughing children and there is a general sunny mood cast over the city. There are also fewer crowds than in summer, plus some excellent art exhibitions like Rodin: L’Expo du Centenaire at Grand Palais in honor of the hundred year anniversary of his death.
Stay steps away from the graceful Luxembourg Gardens at the refined two-bedroom St Sulpice Elegance apartment by Haven In. Nestled in the heart of St. Germain des Près, the area has a real neighborhood feel and is home to many of the city’s top food shops, boutiques and restaurants. You are also a short walk away from the Seine river, the Musee d’Orsay, the Louvre, Notre Dame and many other sites of interest.
The apartment has an airy bright feel, with 10-foot ceilings and tall windows, providing an abundance of natural springtime light. It has all the modern comforts while still retaining a chic Parisian feel aided by the vintage decor, large antique mirrors and two decorative fireplaces.
With the bedrooms and bathrooms located at either end of the apartment, the apartment allows for privacy and comfort. The apartment provides a family-friendly environment that is both comfortable and luxurious. This apartment can actually comfortably sleeps up to six, with two additional built-in bunk beds in the hallway outside the master bedroom. The fully equipped eat-in kitchen features a La Cornue gas range custom-built for this apartment and a dining table that seats six.
Plan your April escape to Paris with Haven In at this link.
Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica
Considered by some to be their favorite month to visit Costa Rica, April is the end of the country’s dry season which means gorgeous sunny days, warm pleasant evenings, and very light precipitation if any. Easter is generally a busy time, yet it also comes with the perks of experiencing the Costa Rican Semana Santa which takes place in the week leading up to Easter Sunday. Visitors can witness catholic processions in most towns and cities. These come accompanied by delicious traditional dishes like such as chiverre squash, arroz con leche (creamy rice pudding), homemade bread, salmon and seafood as well as dulce de coco (sweet coconut).
Another reason to go to Costa Rica this April is to stay at the fabulous new luxury condo by Papagayo Luxury: the “Paz del Mar”. This three suites and three and a half bathroom condo has 2800 sq ft of indoor space and another 750 sq ft of private terraces. Completely gutted and rebuilt, it includes an all new kitchen and new architectural detailing to the interior walls and ceilings. These feature locally sourced and designed artwork and custom wooden pieces made from Costa Rican exotic wood. The guest suite has a custom designed double bunk bed, with queen beds on the bottom, twin beds up top, making it ideal for families. It has ocean views out to the Papagayo Marina as well as over the Four Seasons managed Arnold Palmer course and jungle.
Reserve your holiday at the Paz del Mar condo here before it gets scooped up by someone else!
Tangelle, Sri Lanka
April is one of the best times to travel to beautiful Sri Lanka. You’ll be sliding in just before the monsoon starts in May. The beaches of the south and west coast beaches still receive a good deal of sunshine, with temperatures in the mid-30s° celsius. Mid-April also brings the country’s New Year’s celebrations, so visitors can partake in the festivities, though be cautious about booking your transportation in advance as it can fill up with locals traveling.
Enjoy a luxurious yet relaxed base at the stylish Ranawara villa. Set in an extremely private setting on 23 acres of tropical gardens along an uninhabited stretch of coastline of southern Sri Lanka, 15 kilometres south of city of Tangalle.
The main building consists of 46,000 sq ft of open plan living and five suites. An additional two single-suite cottages are located on the grounds. The air-conditioned bedrooms have four-poster king size beds, beautiful Indonesian rugs and spacious en-suite bathrooms. The property also has a library, bar area, TV room, open plan kitchen and dining room, outdoor dining pavilion, a spa and a 100 ft long swimming pool.
The estate’s gardens are abundant in vegetation with hundreds of coconut trees and tropical fruit trees including dragon fruit, green oranges, bananas, papaya, mango and wood apple.
Soak up the last of the Sri Lankan summer at Ranawara by reaching out to them here.
Klosters, Switzerland
Get in the last days of skiing in the Alps at the picturesque Swiss resort of Klosters. It’s a reliable choice for late season skiing as more than 80% of the ski area is above 2000m and most of its slopes are north facing. If there’s a lack of natural snow, the resort is well-equipped with snow cannons to guarantee coverage even late into the season. In addition, if you’re looking for a family ski trip, our Klosters’ experts at PT Ski run an amazing kid’s program the two weeks of the Easter holidays.
They have carefully designed programs for all ages, led by instructors are from the local ski school and overseen by PT Ski family-friendly reps. If you book soon, their wonderful five-bedroom Casa Chimera chalet could still available.
Built in 2005, the spacious yet cozy chalet is a short distance from the lifts as well as the center of Klosters. Each of the bedrooms has its own bathroom or shower room and the two masters have fireplaces. There’s a well-designed open-plan living space divided into three sections: a double-height living room with plush sofas, a games area separated by a large double-sided fireplace and a dining area with a large table with seating for 14. There is also a TV/audio room equipped with a widescreen TV, a sauna and heated ski boot racks in the ski room.
The chalet has a staff of two who live in, prepare breakfast, afternoon snacks and dinner daily in addition to ensuring all other needs of the guests are met.
Learn more about this lovely chalet and the fantastic ski program of PT Ski at this link.
Saint Martin
April is an excellent time to go to the Caribbean island of St Martin. You’ll be treated to fabulously sunny weather, however, avoid the crowds that descend on the island for Christmas and spring break and stay firmly clear of hurricanes season which commences in June. If you’re visiting the island during the second half of the month, be sure to make your way to the Dutch side at some point to take part in their Carnival which will be held this year between April 17th to May 3rd, 2017. It features colorful parades and concerts, adding some special local flare to your holiday.
Our experts at Carimo can ensure you experience the best of the St Martin in April with their local insight and exceptional collection of luxury villas on both sides of the island, like their Dreamin’ Blue Villa. Tucked away in a protected and private tropical paradise, this unique and luxurious four-bedroom villa has breathtaking views overlooking tranquil Happy Bay Beach, and the fabulous beach restaurants of Friar’s Bay.
The contemporary yet exotic villa features expansive covered and open terraces filled with elegant teak furniture, a large main pool accented with an encased Jacuzzi, a smaller plunge pool. The interior spaces are beautifully decorated in exotic hardwood floors, natural wood walls, elegant dark vaulted ceilings juxtaposed with accents of colorful art. The well-appointed chef’s kitchen opens is flanked on each side by the dining and living room.
The four bedrooms have private en-suite bathrooms and is beautifully decorated, reminiscent of a Balinese house. The fourth bedroom links to its own private terrace, creating a perfect spot for children. The twin beds can also be converted into a king bed for a couple. The villa also has a fully equipped gym/spa housed in a wood walled space with wonderful views.
Although secluded, you are just a five minute stroll to the beach and Friar’s Bay restaurants or a few minutes drive to the gourmet food capital of Grand Case as well as Hope Estate and in a further ten minutes you arrive in Marigot and twenty-five at the airport or Phillipsburg.
Enjoy an indulgent April getaway to St Martin via Carimo here.
The Cotswolds, England
Evade London by taking a graceful and green getaway to the Cotswolds, one of the loveliest places in the English countryside to relax and enjoy the season. Visitors to the area can admire the spring blossoms at Painswick Rocco Garden, famed for their Snowdrop display, the gorgeous Prince Charles’ gardens at Highgrove or merely sit back and take in the splendor of the marvelous garden at the Kingscote Park manor. Available through Luxury Cotswold Rentals the beautiful home is set in 28 acres of gardens and parkland, including its Gardens of Wellbeing, created as spaces for peaceful contemplation and are featured in Tony Russell’s book “The Cotswold’s Finest Gardens”.
Kingscote Park House is a exquisite Regency house with eight refined double bedrooms. It is decorated in a classic style while exuding a welcoming ambience – perfect for family and friends who are looking for a stylish country retreat.
It has a large kitchen, dining room, music room, drawing room and a library/TV den. Guests do the cooking themselves in the well-equipped kitchen or a private chef can be arranged. Kingscote Park is also available for weddings with the adjoining Matara Centre providing a special setting for the ceremony with its cloistered courtyard and light and airy glass-domed celebration room.
Tempt yourself to Kingscote Park House with this excellent 360 interactive tour or reach out to Luxury Cotswold Rentals for more information at this link.
Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Namibia gets very little rainfall in general, and the coast has has more than 300 days of sunshine a year, plus in April you’ll have lovely daytime temperatures around 24ºC. Make a unique adventure out of your trip by arranging an incredible private, fly-in safaris along the country’s remote Skeleton Coast through our Africa experts cazenove+loyd.
Extending along the western coast, the terrain is some of Africa’s harshest environments and seeing it first hand and up close is an unforgettable experience. Your private pilot guide will swoop the aircraft over the barren coastline past old shipwrecks and endless sand dunes, before landing at your camp, which is wonderfully cut off and completely inaccessible by road. There is nothing quite as thrilling as knowing that you are the only souls around for hundreds of miles
A thrilling holiday for adventurers seeking something truly unique. Learn more about this or other bespoke safari experiences in Namibia and throughout Africa by contacting cazenove+loyd at this link.
