- Beach vacation at the sea in April
- Where to go to Europe in April
- Excursion holidays abroad
- Holidays with children in April
- Choosing a ski resort
- Where to relax in Russia
- Sea and river cruises
- Safari in Africa and Asia
- Events, festivals, carnivals
- Shopping tours
- Active recreation, diving, surfing
- Inexpensive vacation in April - what to choose?
- Where to go in April without a visa?
April is a great month to travel to different parts of the world. Beach holidays are possible both in distant tropical countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, Maldives, the Caribbean), and in closer countries, which can be reached in 3-4 hours without transfers, - the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Jordan, Morocco.
Exotic Belize and Malaysia are ideal for active sports like scuba diving. In the middle of spring, off the coast of these countries, you can see many interesting underwater inhabitants and feel like a real conqueror of the depths of the sea.
Truly summer, hot days can be expected in April in southern Europe - Greece, Malta, Italy. The Mediterranean and Aegean seas have not yet warmed up for swimming, so the popular European resorts in April are suitable for leisurely walks along the comfortable embankments and educational excursions. Also, an April vacation should be devoted to exploring romantic European castles, for example, in Bavaria or the Czech Republic.
For those who do not like distant wanderings, we recommend traveling around Russia. In April, good weather sets in in many cities. Head south, to the resorts of Mineralnye Vody, or to the north, where it is no longer so cold and you can take long walks.
Who said that in April there is no more snow and the ski season has come to an end? Not at all. In the Alps, at high altitudes, there are glaciers where the snow does not melt all year round, so amazing skiing is organized there even in the warm season. Ski resorts operate in the Middle East, for example, in Turkey and the UAE.
Tours dedicated to some holidays are also popular in April. Most tourists plan their holidays for the Easter holidays. At this time, you can go to Europe or Israel, or just stay in Moscow, where the Easter festival is taking place.
Beach vacation at the sea in April
What could be better than in the middle of spring, without waiting for the beach season, to arrange a vacation by the blue sea, on the white sand, dotted with comfortable sun loungers? Bright cocktails, hot parties, picturesque sunsets, active water entertainment - life can be wonderful and amazing!
Try new countries for the smell and taste: taste rum in the Dominican Republic, savor tropical fruits in Sri Lanka and Bali, inhale the aroma of exotic flowers in the Maldives. Soak up the vibrant colors: the blue of the ocean in Morocco, the green of the palm trees in Cuba, the terracotta shades of stone in Israel and Jordan.
April seems to have been created to go where they have been waiting for you for a long time!
Thailand
In the middle of spring, you can go to Thailand, for example, to the island of Koh Samui, where the air is heated to 31-32 degrees, and the water of the Gulf of Thailand resembles fresh milk with its temperature.
The panorama of the coast of Koh Samui is exactly those advertising pictures of an amazing vacation on the pages of glossy magazines, which will take your breath away. White beaches, turquoise waves, coconut palms with hammocks - what could be better in a month when you can only dream of summer?
- Do you like fun parties and discos? Choose a hotel on the east side of the island. By the way, the most attractive beaches of Samui are located there.
- Do you want to relax with the whole family and enjoy each other's company without being distracted by noisy neighbors on the beach? Check into hotels built in the northern part of Koh Samui.
- The west of the island is where you can see the most beautiful sunsets in the Gulf of Thailand.
- Finally, in the south, there are "wild" beaches, next to which bungalows and guesthouses are built, which are rented for a long period of time. Those guests of the island live here who came for one month and stayed for six months.
Visa-free entry to Thailand is allowed for Russians.
More about Koh Samui
What's interesting on Koh Samui
Weather on Koh Samui in April
India
An alternative to the popular state of Goa is the more southern state of Kerala. Here you can find 850 km of coastline washed by the Arabian Sea.
Local beaches are covered with golden sand. The most popular are Kovalam and Varkala. The latter is located near Trivandrum, where there is an international airport. If you go from Varkala along the coast, you can go to wild deserted beaches, overgrown with palm trees and famous for their black sand.
Living in India does not require any special costs. However, in Kerala there are several luxurious expensive resorts where you can feel like a king. Many hotel complexes offer, in addition to traditional beach activities, also practical yoga and Ayurveda classes.
To travel to India, you need to obtain a visa. For those who travel to India as part of a tourist group, it will be issued according to a simplified procedure.
More about Kerala
Kerala landmarks
Weather in India in April
Vietnam
In April, many Vietnamese resorts are suitable for a beach holiday. Choose Phu Quoc, Phan Thiet or Nha Trang - you won’t go wrong. The latter was not so long ago an ordinary fishing village, and now it receives thousands of tourists every year, offering almost the best beaches in Asia, many restaurants where they are fed so that later you remember about meals as one of the most wonderful events in life, and incredible a number of entertainments such as massages and visits to the Cham Towers.
The beaches of Nha Trang are municipal, so any hotel is suitable for accommodation. You need to go to the beaches early to take a better spot, rent a reed umbrella and enjoy life. Those who love outdoor activities will enjoy water skiing or scuba diving. More lazy tourists will go from bar to bar sipping cocktails.
You can choose a day and ride a cable car that connects the coast to Hon Che Island, where the water park is located.
You can stay in Vietnam for 14 days without a visa.
More about Nha Trang
Where to go in Nha Trang
Weather in Vietnam in April
Hainan, China
Spring on the Chinese island of Hainan, washed by the South China Sea, is marked by well-warmed air and water. We can say that summer has been reigning here for a long time. Vacationers, many of whom are Chinese, occupy local beaches. Someone treads at the edge of the surf, posing for the camera, someone confidently enters the water, opening the beach season.
The best and most popular resort in Hainan is Sanya. By the way, here they have long been accustomed to tourists from Russia, local shops have signs in Russian, and cafes have a menu in our language.
The length of the beaches of Sanya is 180 km. The resort offers secluded coves and bays, palm groves facing directly to the sea, wide strips of fine, soft sand, a gradual decline in the seabed - everything that tourists love and appreciate so much.
If you want postcard beaches, you need to go to Yalongwan Bay, the coast of which is built up with the most expensive hotels on the island. For nightlife, head to Dadonghai Bay, 3 km from Sanya.
A national visa should be obtained in advance through the embassy or a little trick and go to Hainan as part of a tourist group. In this case, a visa is not required.
More about Sanya
What's interesting in Sanya
Weather in Hainan in April
Bali, Indonesia
The most popular Indonesian island is Bali. It is notable for its modest size and, if necessary, it can be driven from end to end in just one day. But the endless flow of tourists does not stop here, who understand that on such a small piece of land they will be able to find everything they are looking for in distant overseas countries: stunning nature, exotic attractions, incredible beaches.
There are quite a few resorts in Bali. We can recommend the pretentious Samur or the simpler and more cheerful Kuta, which surfers and young people have preferred for recreation for 70 years. If you can afford it, book a hotel room in the more expensive resort of Nusa Dua - it's pretty good here.
The best diving in Bali awaits tourists where there are no strong ocean currents. Scuba diving is possible in Padangbai, Amed, Nusa Lembongan.
If you suddenly get tired of lying on the beach, you can go to the main city of the island of Denpasar, where there is no bustle of Asian settlements. Walk around the local market, visit the temples.
A visa to the Indonesian island of dreams is placed at the airport.
More about Bali
Weather in Indonesia in April
Information about entertainment in Bali
UAE
If you are traveling to the UAE in April, then choose large resorts (Abu Dhabi or Dubai) for your vacation, where there are many attractions, restaurants and shops. If the waters of the Persian Gulf seem too cold to you, then you will always find something to do with yourself.
Those who have already been to the popular cities of the United Arab Emirates more than once can go to the more exotic emirate of Fujairah. This is a resort area, which is washed by the Indian Ocean, or rather the Gulf of Oman, which is part of it. There is no desert here, but there are the Hajar mountains, which picturesquely border the local resorts with the cleanest wide beaches - Korfakkan, Baddiya and Dibbu.
Fujairah will appeal to divers as it boasts some of the best diving spots in the country.
You can get to Fujairah directly - it has its own airport. Many tourists heading to Fujairah fly to Dubai, where they rent a car and get to their destination in 2 hours along the beautiful highway.
To stay in the UAE, you will need a visa, which is put into your passport right at the airport.
More about Fujairah
What's interesting in Fujairah
Weather in UAE in April
Jordan
Jordan's only resort on the Red Sea is Aqaba. It is here that travel agencies will recommend to go to those travelers who dream not only to get a beautiful tan in a matter of days, but also to see the famous historical and architectural monuments of the country. From Aqaba, it is most convenient to make excursion trips to different parts of Jordan.
There are many advantages of a vacation in Aqaba:
- this resort is considered a little more relaxed than the rest of the Jordanian cities. It almost doesn't feel like you are in a Muslim country;
- Aqaba is included in the duty-free zone, so here you can spend all the available funds with imagination;
- finally, Aqaba is 27 km of ideal beaches with the purest sand, where there is enough space for all holidaymakers. Well, April in Aqaba is already the beginning of the beach season, so draw your own conclusions.
A permit document allowing you to stay in Jordan can be obtained at the airport.
More about Aqaba
Weather in Jordan in April
Israel
The neighbor of Jordanian Aqaba on the Red Sea is the Israeli Eilat, located very close. It is a beach resort with a lot of activities. There are several museums, an aquarium, bars and restaurants here. Tourists have no time to breathe calmly from the abundance of impressions. Do not forget about the beaches - sandy and pebble, comfortable and not so much.
It can be very difficult to choose a beach. Some of the best local beaches include:
- HaShafim. This beach is located in the north of the city and is positioned as a place for a quiet and relaxing holiday. The beach is covered with sand mixed with small pebbles. Lifeguards are on duty at the beach;
- Golden beach. It is close to the Dan Hotel and is equipped with sun loungers, showers, a lifeguard tower and a bar where you can buy light snacks;
- the beach of the hotel "Dan". Well-groomed beach, where not only hotel guests are allowed, but also people from outside, however, they charge a fee from the latter;
- Kisuski. A rocky beach of choice for water lovers. There are diving equipment rental points here.
Russians do not need a visa to Israel.
More about Eilat
Things to do in Eilat
Weather in Israel in April
Egypt
Travel to Egypt in April? Why not? Close, cheap, great choice of resorts. The air at this time warms up to 27 degrees, the water is warm enough for swimming.
In April, we recommend staying at one of the 200 hotels in Sharm El Sheikh. The city, whose development and transformation into a famous recreation area took place in the 70s of the last century with the light hand of Italians, who enlightened Europe about a new place for beach relaxation, is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba.
Sharma beaches stretch for 30 km. Of course, people come here not only for walking along the pontoons and relaxing in sun loungers by the water. Most tourists are surprised to discover the beauty of the underwater world and do not get out of the water for hours, admiring the bright corals, variegated fish, graceful stingrays and turtles.
Sharm el-Sheikh is assembled from different, completely dissimilar regions. If you dream of sandy beaches and a comfortable descent into the sea, settle in the Naama Bay area. If you love snorkeling, choose Shark's Bay and Nabqa, where coral reefs are right next to the coast.
A national Egyptian visa can be obtained at the airport.
More about Sharm El Sheikh
Active rest in Sharm
Weather in Egypt in April
Cuba
The largest of the Caribbean islands, Cuba is located south of the American peninsula of Florida. For a vacation in April, you can choose the Atlantic Cuban resorts - Varadero, Cayo Coco and some others. There are also good beaches in the capital of the island - Havana. The water near the coast is clean and transparent, there are waves that delight surfers.
The south of Cuba is washed by the Caribbean Sea - warmer and more calm than the Atlantic Ocean. The best places to stay on the south coast are Cayo Largo, Playa Geron. They are famous for their beautiful beaches with fine, light-colored sand. Not far from the coast you can find coral reefs - a paradise for divers.
The southern Cuban resort of Santiago de Cuba is very popular. Here the beaches are covered with unusual gray sand.
The advantages of a vacation in Cuba include the ability to fly here without a visa in your passport.
More about the resorts of Varadero, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo
What's interesting in Cuba
Weather in Cuba in April
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is another Caribbean country that is washed by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The island of Haiti, which is shared by two countries - Haiti and the Dominican Republic, is located east of Cuba. And in the north of the Dominican Republic, where the ocean, and in the south, where the sea, there are decent beach resorts.
The best among the northern resorts is Punta Cana with magnificent 70 km long beaches, seeing which you forget about everything. A quiet and calm ocean will be in the area of the picturesque Bavaro beach. High waves for surfers are provided at Macau Beach.
The leader among the southern Dominican resorts is La Romana. Both lovers of lazy relaxation by the water and divers come here, because the Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic is famous for the most beautiful coral reefs.
The cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the La Romana region are called Minitas (near the Casa di Campo resort area, which was chosen by Hollywood celebrities), Dominic (near the village of the same name), Bayahibe (near the resort of the same name).
The Dominican Republic does not require a tourist visa.
More about the resorts of Punta Cana, La Romana.
Weather in Dominican Republic in April
Sri Lanka
The emerald island in the Indian Ocean, which has repeatedly been included in the ratings of the best beach destinations in the world, is Sri Lanka. Those who like to lie at the edge of the surf in a starfish pose will be simply happy here. It takes only 15 minutes from the airport to the nearest beach.
The main feature of Sri Lanka is that you can relax on it in any month of the year. When it is winter in Russia, you need to go to the west coast of the island, when summer - to the east. And April is generally unique - this month the rest will be successful on any coast.
The length of the beach line in Sri Lanka is about a thousand kilometers. The entire coast belongs to the state, so hotels here do not install fences and do not restrict tourists who lazily ply between the beaches. One of the southwestern beaches - Unawatuna - has been included by tourism experts in the list of the 100 most beautiful beaches on the planet. On the east coast, look out for Trincomalee and Passicuda beaches.
Tourists receive a visa to Sri Lanka directly at the airport or online in advance.
Read more about the resorts of Trincomalee, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna.
Weather in Sri Lanka in April
Maldives
April is the last month of the dry season in the Maldives, so don't miss out on a royale break in mid-spring.
The Maldives are suitable for recreation for those who dream of a paradise where birds chirp, smells sweetly of tropical flowers, the turquoise sea begins right behind the threshold of the bungalow, and all the problems remain on the mainland. It is recommended to go here for newlyweds or romantic couples, lovers of beach holidays and diving.
Hotels are often located on islets that do not exceed a kilometer in length. Therefore, the excursion program in the Maldives is limited to sea trips to the nearest islands or to places of interesting dives near coral reefs. You can also go to the capital of the Maldives, the city of Male. Boats go there and seaplanes fly.
It is worth flying to the Maldives for the sake of local sandy beaches, which are not more beautiful on the whole planet. The cleanliness of the sand and water is the same in all atolls. You need to choose a resort based on your own expectations and preferences.
The island of Angaga can be recommended to lovers of beach relaxation (25% of the territory of this piece of land is devoted to beaches). On the island of Kuramati, where three hotels operate, there is an archaeological site. There are sports grounds on the island of Nalaguraidu.
Visiting the Maldives is possible without a visa.
More about Maldives
Weather in Maldives in April
Malaysia
Malaysia is considered a unique country. The beach season lasts here all year round. In the middle of spring, it is worth going to the island of Borneo, in the province of Sabah. There are no pronounced dry and wet seasons. It rains any month of the year. Slightly less than usual, it runs in February-April. April is a great time to swim and dive in the South China Sea and Sulu Sea.
For a beach holiday during this period, you can also choose the islands of Penang and Langkawi. They are washed by the Andaman Sea. Here, in April, the off-season begins, during which there will be fewer people, but the weather still continues to please and is quite suitable for a normal holiday.
Most of Langkawi's beaches are covered with pure white sand, and only Black Sand Beach stands out from this picture.
The most popular beaches in Penang are Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bunga, around which five-star hotel complexes are built.
To attract tourists from Russia, the Malaysian authorities have canceled the visa regime for our tourists.
Read more about the resort islands of Borneo, Langkawi, Penang.
Weather in Langkawi in April
Morocco
In April, it is better to plan a trip to the beach resorts of Morocco at the end of the month - closer to May, the water in the Atlantic Ocean will already be suitable for swimming, although it may seem a little cold to some tourists.
Agadir is considered one of the best resorts in Morocco. In April it is sunny, dry and very warm. You can walk along the ocean, enjoying the light breeze, wearing T-shirts.
The advantages of a trip to Morocco in April include the fact that the resorts on the Atlantic coast at this time are transformed, turning into green oases and looking very interesting in the photographs.
A long wide beach lined with excellent four- and five-star hotels is the main attraction of Agadir. The beach is bounded by a promenade that leads to a large marina. A tourist train runs along the embankment.
On the beach itself, people not only sunbathe, enjoying the gentle rays of the African spring sun. There are many opportunities for active entertainment. People go for water skiing, fly on parachutes that pull boats (parasailing), windsurf, ride ATVs on the nearby dunes.
A visa is not required to visit Morocco.
More about Agadir
Top attractions in Morocco
Weather in Morocco in April
Average air and water temperature in April
Country | Air temperature | Water temperature |
---|---|---|
Thailand | +32 ° C | +30 ° C |
India | +32 ° C | +30 ° C |
Vietnam | +32 ° C | +29 ° C |
Hainan, China | +31 ° C | +28 ° C |
Dominican Republic | +29 ° C | +26 ° C |
Bali, Indonesia | +30 ° C | +29 ° C |
UAE | +32 ° C | +27 ° C |
Eilat, Israel | +28 ° C | +22 ° C |
Aqaba, Jordan | +28 ° C | +22 ° C |
Egypt | +28 ° C | +23 ° C |
Cuba | +30 ° C | +28 ° C |
Morocco | +30 ° C | +27 ° C |
Sri Lanka | +30 ° C | +28 ° C |
Maldives | +30 ° C | +28 ° C |
Malaysia | +29 ° C | +26 ° C |
Where to go to Europe in April
Any central or southern European country will feel comfortable in April. Postpone a visit to the northern states, where it is still cool, for the summer, and for April, choose Malta, Italy or Greece, where there is no summer heat and you can walk for days on end. Bavaria and the Czech Republic are also suitable for April travels, where in one day you can see several interesting historical objects at once.
Thessaloniki, Greece
Greece is not only about the sea and beaches, especially in April, when you will have to wait at least another month before the high season. Greece is also rich in history and culture, which is easy to see when you go to Thessaloniki.
April is perhaps the best time to visit this city on the shores of the Aegean Sea. In mid-spring, the thermometers will show about 20 degrees - warm enough, but not hot either, to withstand the climbs to the Upper Town. Two-, three-storey houses of various shapes and colors during this period are entwined with blooming bougainvilleas, from each side street you can see the blue sea, and the sun shines as if there was no winter.
Thessaloniki is the capital of the Macedonia region and the main city of all of Northern Greece. This is the homeland of Saints Cyril and Methodius and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Cicero and Pompey were here, Demetrius of Thessalonica was born and died. In honor of him, by the way, one of the local temples is named - a huge basilica, the most majestic in all of Greece. It was built on the spot where Demetrius was martyred.
Among the sights of the city, left over from the Roman era, it is worth noting the remains of the agora and the Palace of Galerius. The Byzantines built up the city with temples, one listing of which will take several lines. Be sure to check out the Church of Hagia Sophia, where a wonderful mosaic has been preserved. The Turks built mosques, baths and the Bezesteni shop. They also presented the city with its symbol - the White Tower, which stands on the embankment. It now houses the Thessaloniki Historical Museum.
The Schengen visa required to travel to Greece must be obtained in advance.
More about Thessaloniki
Attractions Thessaloniki
Weather in Thessaloniki in April
Verona, Italy
Verona is beautiful: here you can get lost in the tangled streets as much as you want, your feet will still take you to some sight. For example, on the Bra square, where the Roman amphitheater, built in 30 AD, is located. NS.- the same as the Colosseum, only better preserved and without crowds of tourists.
Or to the main local "magnet" - Juliet's house. Yes, that same Juliet from Shakespeare's play in Verona has her own mansion with an indispensable stone balcony. This palazzo, indeed, belonged to the Capulet family, and now it has become a cult place for all lovers. Juliet, like some kind of Santa Claus, receives hundreds of letters from all over the world. They say they even get there without an exact address - just "Verona, Juliet." Just in case, we provide the address: Via Capello. 23.
But in Verona there is also a Gothic mansion, which is called the House of Romeo. Its current owner does not want to hear anything about suffering tourists, so he does not let anyone inside. But on the wall there is a commemorative bas-relief depicting Romeo.
Finally, you can find Juliet's tomb in a former Capuchin monastery.
To travel to Italy you need Schengen.
More about Verona
Verona landmarks
Weather in Verona in April
Malta
The island state of Malta melts from the heat in summer, so the best time to visit it with an excursion purpose is spring or autumn.
The main island of the country is called Malta. No matter how great the desire to settle in its capital, Valletta, give up this idea, because the hotels in the beach resorts are much better. And living not in a stone city, but near the sea, walking daily along the embankments, feeding seagulls is much better.
You will return to Valletta more than once during your vacation. It can be bypassed in a couple of hours, but either an interesting church will be closed (and there is also a siesta in Malta), or Fort St. Elmo, which is open only on weekends, will welcome you with closed doors. And it so happens that it will rain. You can hide on a small island from the rain only in museums. Valletta has a chic archaeological museum and a decent art museum.
Only those who are constrained in time will be limited to inspecting Valletta alone, that is, those who arrived in Malta on cruise ships for half a day. For the rest, we advise in just 40 minutes by bus to get to Mdina - a medieval city in the center of the island, which was simply created for filming historical films. Narrow marble-lined streets, warm-colored stone walls, shutters from the immodest gaze of the palazzo windows (aristocratic families still live there) - here you want to stay forever, pretend to be a pot of flowers, maybe you will pass for your own.
And there is also the city of Rabat adjacent to Mdina, where there is a grotto, known for the fact that St. Paul lived there for some time, and the catacombs of St. Paul and St. Agatha.
The most important booklet, which is worth getting even in the airport hall, where baggage is issued, is a map of public transport routes. There is nowhere in Malta without this card. Later it will be possible to get it only at the main bus station near La Valletta - and that is not a fact.
Schengen visa required.
More about Valletta
Malta landmarks
Weather in Malta in April
Bavaria
What is Bavaria? Ski resorts, crystal clear lakes, alpine meadows with lush grass, like on commercials for Milka chocolates. And also insanely popular with tourists Munich and Nuremberg with town halls, churches, Easter fairs in April, beer restaurants and parks covered with gentle greenery. And Bavaria is also a castles, where a tourist trail was laid long ago.
While in Bavaria in the middle of spring, visit the most famous medieval castles, more like magic boxes full of surprises:
- Linderhof is a small, cozy castle that belonged to King Ludwig II - a handsome man, eccentric, patron of Wagner, a connoisseur of all beauty, whom the people called "fabulous" and "moon king". The neo-rococo palace was built of wood and richly decorated with tapestries, mirrors, and gilding. Less than 10 km from Linderhof is the village of Oberammergau with its painted gingerbread houses;
- Neuschwanstein is the most recognizable and popular castle in Bavaria, built by order of the same king Ludwig. Guided tours of the castle last no more than 35 minutes. Special tours are also offered, during which visitors can learn more about the plots of paintings, tapestries, frescoes on the walls;
- Hohenschwangau is the neo-Gothic estate of King Ludwig, where he grew up and which he loved very much. The names of the local royal chambers seem to be taken from Wagner's operas - the Hall of the Swan Knight, the Hall of Heroes.
Don't forget to apply for a Schengen visa.
More about the cities of Bavaria Munich, Nuremberg
What's interesting in Bavaria
Weather in Munich in April
Czech
In April, we recommend that you devote your vacation to amazing Czech castles in addition to Prague. There are about 150 of them in this country. They are completely different: well-groomed and not very well-known, famous in films, replicated on postcards, picturesque, breathing history, surrounded by parks.
Choose and plan your trip:
- Karlstein. Who doesn't know him! Even if you have not been to this castle, you have definitely seen it more than once on book covers, on wine labels - and anywhere. It is a symbol of the perfect Czech castle. Once upon a time, royal relics were kept here, which are now the pride of Prague Castle. The courtyard and walls are admitted free of charge. The money is charged for visiting the interiors. Don't miss the Chapel of the Holy Cross. It contains the works of the medieval artist Theodoricus;
- Konopiste, dating from the 13th century, looks more like a frivolous palace than a harsh medieval fortification. This look was given to the castle by the restorers who were invited at the end of the 19th century. Konopiste served as the residence of the very Austrian prince Franz Ferdinand, with whose murder the First World War began. It is not worth going to Konopishte before April, because in winter time they are not allowed into the interiors;
- Gluboka nad Vltavou. A romantic snow-white miracle with turrets - copies of those of Windsor. The castle has a menagerie and a beautiful park.
A Schengen visa can be obtained at the Czech consulate.
Famous Czech castles
Attractions of the Czech Republic
Weather in Prague in April
Excursion holidays abroad
Europe is beautiful, but sometimes you want something unusual. Feel like an explorer-traveler discovering old Indian cities, admire ancient stone buildings, look into the eyes of strange idols, walk along the Inca trail, stand on platforms near which eagles soar - all this is possible in Peru, where there is a unique monument of Indian culture - the city of Machu Picchu. It is dry and sunny in April. Or you can not plan a trip to one sight, but get to know the whole noisy and cheerful city. In this case, we recommend a trip to Jakarta in April.
Peru
Before the arrival of the conquistadors in America, the majestic empire of the Incas was located on a huge area from present-day Ecuador to Chile. Nothing remained of their cities. Ancient stones became building materials for Catholic cathedrals, treasures were taken to Spain, and the people themselves were assimilated with visitors. Only one Inca settlement survived - this is Machu Picchu, difficult to reach, safely hidden in the mountains, but incredibly original and picturesque.
It is interesting that the Europeans learned about the lost city just a hundred years ago. The local peasants, of course, were aware that high in the mountains there were the remains of Inca buildings, but they did not bring strangers here. Now Machu Picchu is a popular tourist destination that is visited by hundreds of tourists every day. It is located at an altitude of 2400 meters, consists of several hundred buildings and terraces descending by terraces, where vegetables were grown.
On the territory of the city, you can see several temples built of heavy stone blocks, residential buildings, squares, tombs. Time stopped here at the moment when its inhabitants left Machu Picchu. They say they planned to hide here from the greedy conquistadors, but something went wrong, and the city was abandoned.
The road to Machu Picchu itself is like a huge adventure. First you need to get to the city of Cuzco, located in the Andes. Then from there take a train to the town of Aguas Calientes, from where buses go to Machu Picchu. Travel tickets from Cusco to Machu Picchu will cost about $ 100. A trip with the help of a travel agency will cost more, but you will be less worried that some transport on the way will fail.
You can enter Peru without a visa in your passport.
More about Machu Picchu
Top attractions in Peru
Weather in Peru in April
Indonesia
In April, the dry season finally begins on the island of Java, where the capital of Indonesia is located. The air at this time warms up to 30-33 degrees, it may rain, but there will be few of them, so they will not affect your mood.
Jakarta is a huge metropolis with a population of 10 million. It is adjacent to the suburbs, where another 30 million live. Any tourist, getting into this anthill, is simply lost.
A small memo to brave travelers - be sure to visit:
- museums in stock. The National Museum of Indonesia is dedicated to the history of the country and archaeological artifacts found on its territory. Particular attention should be paid to the exhibits dating from the Stone Age. The Komodo Museum will tell you about the natural resources of Indonesia. The Wayang Museum is famous for its huge collection of puppets;
- a zoo, which can be called rather a safari park. You can see the local inhabitants from the window of the tour bus;
- the Dream Park, which has a water park, golf courses, urban bathing areas and an art market;
- The Istiklal Mosque is the most significant and impressive structure of its kind in the region.
You do not need a visa to travel to Indonesia.
More about Jakarta
Top attractions in Jakarta
Weather in Jakarta in April
Holidays with children in April
In fact, traveling with children is easy. The main thing is to choose those places where it will be interesting for the whole family: both adults and kids. There are quite a few such locations. These are amusement parks, where every adult will have a chance to return to childhood, and the child will decide that his happiest day in life has come; and various interactive museums that enhance the thirst for knowledge; and just pleasant embankments and parks for walking. Choose those cities where you have never been, or those that are especially memorable! We have a whole list of favorite places to travel with kids.
France
When planning a trip to Paris, every parent always devotes a couple of days to Disneyland. It is, indeed, a magnet that turns an already popular city into a mecca for toddlers, schoolchildren, adolescents and adults who feel like children.
European Disneyland near Paris is five theme parks, about 40 scary or cute rides, characters like Mickey Mouse, Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland, well-known from cartoons and books, many restaurants and shops where you can leave all the available euros.
Back in Paris, also plan a visit to the City of Science and Industry in the 19th arrondissement. One of his exhibitions is called "The Town of Children". Here you can find interactive exhibits designed for children 2-7 years old. The kids build houses here or, having teamed up with other children, perform circus tricks, experiment with water and light, and generally feel like real scientists.
To travel to France, you will need to obtain a Schengen visa in advance.
More about Disneyland
Weather in Paris in April
Germany
Where Germany shares a border with France and Switzerland, Freiburg is home to one of the most interesting amusement parks in Europe. It's called Europa-Park.
On an area of 90 hectares, here side by side miniature Spain with Roman palaces, a Russian village, where guests are entertained by American (!) Cartoon characters performing a Cossack dance, with the lands of Iceland, where one of the most dreadful slides in the park, called "Blue Flame", is located. built by Gazprom. And there is also a model of the Mir station, a zone with dinosaurs and the Chocolate Kingdom. The Swiss sector is home to the pride of Europa Park - an attraction that reproduces snow and rain.
Do not forget to apply for a Schengen visa.
More about Europa-Park
Weather in Germany in April
Tula
About 200 km from Moscow is the ancient city of Tula, where you should give up with children of any age. The road will take only 2-3 hours, besides, along the way there are gas stations and cafes where you can stop and relax.
There are many places in Tula that you can visit with your favorite offspring:
- The Kremlin and the garden with it. The Tula fortress unites two cathedrals, a shopping arcade, a power plant of the early 20th century. All this is surrounded by a wall with 9 towers. Convenient walking paths are laid along the territory of the Kremlin, and in the garden, which is located outside its walls on the site of the former moat, there is a wonderful playground;
- Weapons museum. Previously, it was located in the Epiphany Cathedral of the Kremlin, now it has been moved to a new building, which in its shape resembles a Russian helmet. It was built on the embankment to them. Dr. Dreyer. The museum contains small arms and edged weapons of past centuries, which arouses the constant interest of boys of any age. The museum has units of military equipment;
- Museum "Tula samovars". Modern children, who have never seen these old teapots, are looking at the local exhibits with interest;
- Museum "Tula Gingerbread" - a place where you can not only look at the gingerbread, but also taste them;
Exotarium is a mini-zoo where chinchillas, crocodiles, turtles and many other animals live.
More about Tula
Attractions of Tula
Weather in Tula in April
Sevastopol
Sevastopol is the Black Sea and beautiful embankments, along which you can walk in April, breathing the air filled with iodine and gaining strength before returning home. Weather permitting, it is worth planning a boat trip along the coast.
Actually, neither adults nor children will be bored in Sevastopol. It is a large city with many entertainment options, among which it is worth noting:
- dolphinarium in Artbukhta, where dolphins and seals give shows;
- aquarium-museum, where you can get stuck for the whole day, looking at exotic fish, jellyfish, starfish and other inhabitants of the seas and oceans;
- theater for young spectators, where performances are staged based on fairy tales;
- skating rink in the shopping center "Monsoon".
Children will also love the trip to the Lukomorye amusement park, where there are several “sweet” museums dedicated to ice cream and marmalade, as well as wonderful attractions.
More about Sevastopol
Attractions of Sevastopol
Weather in Sevastopol in April
Choosing a ski resort
Year-round ski resorts exist. They are located at a high altitude (about 3000 m), mainly near glaciers, which do not melt even in hot summers. The air temperature in the ski area does not rise above +2 degrees Celsius. There are such resorts in the range in the Alps. In April, choose for skiing the famous ski resorts of Switzerland, France or Austria, tested by time and thousands of skiers.
In Russia, there are also places for skiing in the middle of spring. There will be enough snow in the Rosa Khutor resort, in the Irkutsk region and in Kamchatka.
Do not forget about resorts in other parts of the world. In spring you can ski in the UAE and Turkey.
Ski resorts in Europe in April
In the spring you need to go to the Alps. When the resorts that are built in the lower mountain ranges shut down before November, the alpine bases are still holding on. There are lifts, mulled wine is offered in local bars, and fireplaces are kindled in the evenings. The length of the snow-covered spring slopes is not as long as the winter ones, but at the same time it is still quite impressive. True, the Europeans themselves joke that in the spring those people who do not care about snow as much as entertainment after skiing go to ski resorts.
Switzerland
If you dream of skiing in Switzerland in April, then it is better to choose one of three local glaciers for this purpose:
- Les Diablerets and Glacier 3000. The name of the latter reflects the height at which this glacier is located. Funiculars run there both in winter and in summer. From above, you can admire the view of Gstaad spread out below. Skiers will find several convenient trails on the glacier; snowboarders will not be disappointed either;
- Allalin-Felskin. You can settle in the Saas-Fee resort, located near 18 four-thousanders. On the ski lift, skiers climb Mount Mittel-Allalin (3500 m), where the trail begins with a length of 14 km. On the cable cars "Alpin Express" you can get to the Felskin glacier, where trails for experienced athletes are equipped;
- Matterhorn. Alpine Zermatt welcomes skiers in spring. There will still be a lot of snow here, there is a park for snowboarders and steep tracks for the most reckless.
In April, prices will be lower than in the high season. The exception is Easter holidays. Also in the middle of spring there are no queues for the lifts, which surprises all guests of the resort without exception.
You must obtain a Schengen visa.
Read more about the resorts of Gstaad, Saas-Fee and Zermatt.
Weather in Zermatt in April
Austria
The Austrian winter resort Ischgl is officially open until May 1. The town itself is small in size and has a cozy atmosphere. It is formed around the baroque church of St. Nicholas.
From Ischgl, lifts deliver to the ski area located at an altitude of 2300-2800 meters. There are more than a dozen tracks of different difficulty levels here.
Freeriders in search of unpaved snow should head to the nearby Palnkorf mountain range, on the slopes of which there are many suitable areas for skiing. There are also quite comfortable slopes of "red" and "black" colors.
Apres-ski in Ischgl will appeal to any tourist. Local restaurants and bars are constantly throwing fun parties in which alcohol pours like a river. For those looking for tranquility, we recommend spending a couple of hours in spas with indoor pools and massage parlors.
To travel to a resort in Austria, you will need a Schengen visa.
More about Ischgl
Ski resorts in Austria
Weather in Ischgl in April
France
According to all forecasts, in the highest mountain resort in France called Val Thorens, in April, according to all forecasts, there will be at least a meter of snow, which allows the winter season to be extended, at least until May.
Val Thorens is located at an altitude of 2300 meters, and the ski area is even higher - some pistes start at 3300 meters. Local slopes will delight professionals rather than beginners.
Once in Val Thorens, be sure to climb to the summit of Sim Caron, from where, in clear weather, you can see the mountains located in three countries - France, Switzerland and Italy. It is said to offer the best panoramic view in all the Alps.
Val Thorens was designed by romantic people who made the dream of many skiers come true: to slide down the slope right to the door of the hotel. In the evenings, you can drink wine and mulled wine in bars, soak in the jacuzzi, which the local sports club is famous for, go to jazz concerts.
Do not forget to get a Schengen visa before traveling to France.
More about Val Thorens
Weather in Val Thorens in April
World ski resorts in April
April is almost summer already, which is especially noticeable in the south. It would be strange to send you to hot countries to go skiing, nevertheless, we do it. Walking along the beach in the morning tasting the still cool water with your toes and skiing in the afternoon is a daily routine for many tourists in Dubai. The indoor ski complex has already become familiar to the Emirates.
In the beach Turkey, which is painfully familiar to all of us, in a matter of hours from the Mediterranean coast, you can get to a ski resort, where it will still be snowy in April, but the sun is hot so that people ride in T-shirts. This is Erciyes, the main advantage of which is that Cappadocia is located next to it.
UAE
In the huge department store "Mall of Emirates", which is located in the suburbs of Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road, there is an indoor ski resort "Ski Dubai". This is a unique complex, which has no analogues in the Middle East. It works all year round. The temperature in the pavilion is maintained at -2 degrees.
Under the blue dome, decorated with lamps, there is a skiing area, which consists of five slopes of different difficulty levels. In addition, there is a slide for the descent on cheesecakes, a descent for snowboard lovers and a large area covered with snow, where it is so much fun to play snowballs and make a snow fortress.
All necessary equipment for winter sports can be rented directly at the resort. Moreover, the cost of equipment is already included in the entrance ticket. For the right to be in the park, you will have to pay 340 dirhams per day (92 dollars). The amount is rather big, but many tourists simply cannot resist bringing home photographs from the hot Arab Emirates, in which they pose against the backdrop of snow-covered slopes in full skier's outfit.
Russians can get a visa allowing them to stay in the UAE at the airport.
What's interesting in Dubai
Weather in Dubai in April
Turkey
Erciyes is a former volcano whose slopes were adapted for skiing in 2004. A cozy resort was built near the mountain, which did not have a single chance to work only “for its own people”. The proximity of Cappadocia, which is only 60 km from this place, brought all these secret aspirations of the organizers of the resort, if they were, of course, to naught. Now there are a lot of foreigners here who enjoy the long winter season, and in between skiing they arrange excursions to the nearest cave temples and underground cities.
The height of Erciyes volcano is almost 4 thousand meters. The snow does not melt here until May. Snow cannons also take care of good snow cover, so skiing here is always beyond praise. The resort has more than 3 dozen excellent slopes. The length of the slopes varies from 1 km to 2.5 km. 14 lifts are lifted to the starting point of skiers.
The closest airport to Erciyes is in Kayseri. You will have to fly there with one connection in Istanbul or Ankara. In about 4, 5 hours you can get from the Turkish capital to Erciyes by car.
They are allowed to enter Turkey without a visa in their passport.
More about Erciyes
Ski resorts in Russia in April
It's easy to find ski resorts in our country that will work in April - you need to go where there will be 100% snow. Experienced skiers assure that in the first half of April, good snow cover can be found, for example, in Krasnaya Polyana, which is so easy to reach from the Central region, in Kamchatka, where free riders and ski tours are offered, and in the vicinity of Lake Baikal.
Ski resorts in Russia
Kamchatka
Kamchatka is famous for its unusual offers for lovers of winter active entertainment. For example, here you can go hiking on the slopes of snow-capped volcanoes, of which there are about 190 in Kamchatka, and 29 of them are active.
Wonderful ski tours are designed by:
- the Avachinsky volcano with a height of 2741 m, from the top of which you can see the Pacific Ocean;
- to the Mutnovsky plateau, where there are three volcanoes - Vilyuchinsky, Mutnovsky and Gorely. For the brave and courageous tourists who dare to challenge the elements, there are several guest houses. It is also allowed to set up tents. The best place to rest will be at the hot springs;
- to the Klyuchevskaya group of volcanoes. Tourists are taken to the beginning of the route by helicopter, because the starting point is very far from settlements.
Helicopters are also used in another local fun called heli-skiing. This is a descent along the virgin lands, for example, directly into the crater of a volcano or to the Pacific coast.
Moreover, skiers are thrown into the snow directly from a helicopter. I went straight down to the skis and went! One helicopter can accommodate a group of 5 to 12 people.
Weather in Kamchatka in April
Baikalsk
Until the beginning of May, the Sobolinaya Mountain ski base operates in Baikalsk, Irkutsk Region. As its name implies, people ski on the slopes of this mountain located on the shore of Lake Baikal, which is another plus of this resort, because the views in front of stunned skiers are breathtaking.
The Sobolinaya Mountain resort offers its guests 11 tracks, among which there are easy for beginners and difficult for professionals. For the smallest there is a tubing descent.
Basically, residents of the nearest towns and villages rest here, who consider Baikalsk their "home" resort, but skiers from other regions also come here. Plan your trip here in April and discover a great new winter resort!
In Baikalsk there is accommodation for every taste: good hotels, the rooms in which cost a lot, and private apartments that are rented out for next to nothing. The road to Baikalsk will run through Irkutsk. Most tourists arrive in Irkutsk by plane, and then reach Baikalsk by train or bus.
Sobolinaya Gora resort
Weather in Baikalsk in April
Krasnaya Polyana
Krasnaya Polyana resort unites several ski resorts. Probably the most popular and demanded is Rosa Khutor, where the snow season lasts until the first days of May.
Rosa Khutor is such an exemplary resort, which is easy to confuse with some of its French or Swiss counterparts, everything is so decorous, noble, calm and safe here. Good snow on 40 tracks ("blue", "red" and "black") is provided by more than 400 snow cannons, a good mood is guaranteed by the polite audience and the absence of queues for funiculars. Freeriders will appreciate the wonderful untouched snow, gourmets - lunches and dinners in local restaurants, romantics - the views that open from the slopes.
And one more bonus - in an hour you can get to Sochi, where the summer season has almost begun in April.
Krasnaya Polyana resort
Weather in Krasnaya Polyana in April
Where to relax in Russia
When choosing a place on the map of Russia where you could spend your April vacation, feel free to stop at any city where you dreamed of going a long time ago, but there was no time for that before - everywhere in the middle of spring it will be warm and pleasant.
Tourists will not be disappointed by the cities of the Golden Ring, the resorts of the Caucasian Mineral Waters, northern Staraya Ladoga and southern Taganrog. These cities are also famous for the fact that you can come here for one day and stay for a week, finding all the new entertainment and activities.
Alexandrov
In about 2 hours you can get from Moscow to Aleksandrov by rail. It is fast, cheap and will please even those tourists who travel with small children.
Aleksandrov, included in the famous Golden Ring route, will welcome its guests in April with warm weather and, if lucky, bright sun and cloudless skies.
This is a city with a rich history, where it is interesting to walk, looking at ancient churches in the Russian style, amazed at the silence of the streets that seem to have frozen in the past, imagining the events that took place here, for example, in the 16th century, when the entire courtyard of Tsar Ivan the Terrible settled in Alexandrov. The local Kremlin with the Trinity Cathedral, where rare paintings of that time have survived to this day, the Assumption and Pokrovskaya churches, a monastery and walls with two gates, are dated to the beginning of the 16th century.
Walking around the city, don't miss the museum dedicated to the life and work of Marina Tsvetaeva.
As a souvenir from Aleksandrov, you can bring the Aleksandrovskie Korovki sweets, which are produced by a local factory.
More about Alexandrov
Attractions Alexandrov
Weather in Aleksandrov in April
Zheleznovodsk
Zheleznovodsk - one of the five resorts in the Caucasian Mineral Waters region - is less promoted than Pyatigorsk or Kislovodsk, but has its fans who do not cheat on it with more pretentious neighboring cities.
People come to Zheleznovodsk primarily for health improvement. In the city, you can find 24 healing springs, the water from which helps people with diseases of the kidneys, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract. In between procedures, guests of local sanatoriums are advised to take walks in the open air. It is especially pleasant to do this in April.
The most famous local springs (Slavyanovskiy, Lermontovskiy and Smirnovskiy) are brought to the Kurortny Park, which in the middle of spring is completely transformed and pleases with bright spring colors. The park in Zheleznovodsk is located on Zheleznaya Gora, on top of which there is an observation deck.
More about Zheleznovodsk
Attractions Zheleznovodsk
Weather in Zheleznovodsk in April
Taganrog
It is worth going to Taganrog, located on the coast of the Sea of Azov, in April for several reasons. Firstly, this is the south, which means that the air here will be warmed up to 18-20 degrees Celsius during the day. Such weather is the best possible way to walk in one of the most pleasant Russian cities. Secondly, this is a province, and a province in the off-season, so the prices for accommodation and meals here during this period will be quite moderate.
Taganrog is the birthplace of Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. It is not surprising that a significant part of the local attractions are associated with his name.
Once in Taganrog, go to all the memorable "Chekhov" places: visit the "Chekhov's House", now turned into a museum, look at another exhibition called "Chekhov's Shop" (the father of the future writer was a merchant and kept a small shop), find a gymnasium, where Chekhov studied. And then just walk along the streets of Taganrog, hoping to accidentally stumble upon small sculptural groups dedicated to the heroes of Chekhov's stories.
More about Taganrog
Sights of Taganrog
Staraya Ladoga
The first capital of Russia, the place that the legendary Varangian Rurik chose as his residence, is Staraya Ladoga, sandwiched between two rivers - the more powerful Volkhov and the thin Ladozhka. It is located in the Leningrad Region to the east of St. Petersburg.
After Rurik in Ladoga, which at that time did not yet have the prefix "Old", the Prophetic Oleg ruled. This was the end of the 9th century. Since then, local residents sincerely believe that Oleg, the Khazar thunderstorm, was buried somewhere in the vicinity of the city - under one of the mounds.
The current Staraya Ladoga fortress was built in the 12th century and reconstructed in the 16th century. Previously, it was fortified with five towers. Only two have survived to this day - Klimentovskaya and Vorotnaya. In the fortress, you should definitely see the Church of St. George, founded in 1164. Its main treasure is ancient frescoes depicting the battle of St. George with the serpent. Nearby is the wooden church of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki.
Another interesting attraction of Staraya Ladoga is the Assumption Monastery, where from 1718 to 1725 the wife of Peter I, Evdokia, whiled away her days.
Staraya Ladoga is located 130 km from St. Petersburg. You need to go to it along the Murmansk highway. This is a rather popular road, along which residents of St. Petersburg follow to their own dachas, therefore, in order not to get stuck in a traffic jam, it is better to go to Staraya Ladoga early.
More about Staraya Ladoga
Attractions of Staraya Ladoga
Small towns of the Leningrad region
Zaraysk
A few hours' drive from Moscow is the lovely, quiet town of Zaraysk with merchant houses and an old Kremlin built by Vasily III, the father of Ivan the Terrible. The Kremlin, surrounded by walls with seven towers, also includes several cathedrals.
The city has several "geniuses of the place". These include Anna Golubkina, a student of the great sculptor Rodin. In Zaraisk there is her house-museum, where her personal belongings and some works are kept.
Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky visited Zaraisk more than once, whose estate "Darovoe" was nearby. Historians claim that the city has not changed at all since the time of his visits. You can go to Darovoe from Zaraisk. There is now a small museum there.
Another significant place in the city is the holy spring "White Well". They say that he began to beat at the meeting place of the priest Eustathius, who brought the miraculous icon of St. Nicholas to Zaraisk, and the local prince Fyodor. The icon can be viewed in the St. John the Baptist Cathedral on the territory of the Kremlin.
There is a railway track in Zaraysk, but passenger trains do not run on it. You need to get off at the Lukhovitsy station, where you change to a bus. There is also a direct bus from Moscow to Zaraysk.
Zaraisk Kremlin
Attractions of Zaraysk
Weather in Zaraysk in April
Sea and river cruises
April is the time when river cruise lines open their season. There are several reasons to go on a cruise along the rivers of Europe, for example, the Danube in mid-spring. Spring cruises will be around 700 Euros cheaper than summer cruises. Cruises in April are canceled much less often than those river tours that are scheduled from June to October, since the rivers in spring are quite full-flowing, and any ship can pass them.
Finally, in April there will be few pleasure and cruise ships on the rivers, which means that no one will detain your ship. The only exception will be Easter week.
If you are dreaming of a sea cruise, then plan a trip to the Hawaiian Islands in April. This is a great chance to see several islands at once in one trip and fall in love with them forever!
Along the Danube
There are a lot of routes along one of the main waterways of Europe. Most cover several countries at once, for example, Germany and Austria (start from Regensburg, finish in Vienna), others start in Budapest and end in some German port, for example, Vilshofen an der Donau (tourists, thus, can see 4 countries at once - Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany).
There are tours that only partially pass along the Danube. The big cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam also includes a cruise on the Rhine.
You can also book a short, three-hour boat trip from Bratislava to Vienna. So you can see two European capitals and their surroundings at once - castles, churches, estates, wine farms built on the banks of the Danube.
The main audience for river cruises are staid European retirees who are interested in the history and traditions of each city they meet. However, in recent years, among the guests of river ships, there are more and more young people who choose such a leisurely, comfortable vacation.
All European river cruise ships fall into three categories: standard, premium and deluxe. The latter can be equated with five-star floating hotels.
Hawaiian Islands
Most Hawaii cruises begin and end on the US mainland. However, there are cruises that start from the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Absolutely all routes include visits to four islands - Oahu, the Big Island, which is sometimes referred to simply as Hawaii, Maui and Kauai.
It seems that there are very few islands to explore, but cruise ships can stay in the same port, sometimes even two full days, during which you can see the most interesting sights of this piece of land.
Excursions to the Hawaiian Islands, which are offered to guests of liners, are very diverse. They include zipline flights, climbing volcanoes, and visiting Luau parties, and snorkeling in flooded craters.
Cruises to the 50th US state usually last 7-14 days. Before traveling, you must apply for an American visa.
Weather in Hawaii in April
Safari in Africa and Asia
Did you know that safaris go not only to Africa? No, there is also something to do on the Black Continent in April. In Namibia, the hot summer has just ended, and the dry season begins, when it is very comfortable to hunt down rare black rhinos and observe seals on the coast of the ocean. However, there are no tigers in Africa. Anyone looking to see these big cats in the wild should head to India, where mid-spring is considered the end of the dry season. This means that it will be quite easy to track down animals in the brittle grass that has lost its colors.
India
India's dry season comes to an end in April. The air temperature at this time will be slightly higher than in winter, but not critical. Tigers and other animals live in a dry forest dominated by the sal tree. It was about such Indian jungles that Kipling wrote. In April, there are fewer and fewer potable reservoirs, so the chances of meeting tigers on safari are much higher.
In the national parks of India, specially trained elephants are looking for tigers in the jungle. You will have to watch predatory cats from the back of an elephant, which can come close to the tiger without frightening it off.
In Kanha Park, in addition to tigers, tourists dream of seeing leopards, Asiatic lions, sambar deer, leopards and shy jackals and mongooses. In the Bandhavgarh reserve, a meeting with a tiger is almost guaranteed, because about two dozen of these cats live here. There are few tigers in Panna Park - only two, but you can photograph them against the backdrop of a magnificent landscape. There is a river and abandoned royal residences.
To travel to India, you must first - online or at the embassy - apply for a national visa of this country.
Weather in India in April
Namibia
Namibia, located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean above South Africa, is so interesting that a whole vacation would not be enough to see all of its treasures.
Safari lovers should definitely visit:
- in Etosha National Park. This is one of the five most luxurious reserves in Africa. Various representatives of the African fauna live here. You can stumble upon a huge herd of elephants, which has over 100 animals. Or hunt down a rare black rhino. The park workers can easily spot wild animals that gather around small puddles left over from the rainy season in April;
- in the Huadum nature reserve. This park has no fencing, so herds of animals freely ply from its territory to neighboring Botswana and back. There are giraffes, lions, elephants, leopards and other animals;
- on the Skeleton Coast. This is also a nature reserve covering a long strip (about 500 km) along the ocean. The place here is strange - there are many shallows near the coast, constant fogs and old shipwrecks. But wildlife lovers are attracted by the opportunity to see seals basking on the shore. There are about 50 thousand of them here.
You can enter Namibia without a visa in your passport.
Weather in Namibia in April
Events, festivals, carnivals
Most often, it is in April that Easter falls. Many tourists plan their holidays for the Easter week to visit the places where Easter is celebrated especially widely - in Spain or Israel. Those who are interested in ancient folk traditions can be advised to go to Germany to celebrate Walpurgis Night. It is celebrated cheerfully and with sparkle in many German cities. Finally, at the end of April, Amsterdam hosts a spectacular festival in honor of the Queen's Birthday. Choose an event to your liking and order tickets as soon as possible.
Andalusia
The whole of Andalusia in Easter week, which is called here Semana Santa (Holy Week), is transformed. I must say that this is, rather, a holiday not for tourists, but for “their own”, zealous Catholics who are waiting for Easter. But there are also enough tourists in Andalusia during this period.
On the streets of Andalusian cities, solemn processions of believers are held, very strangely dressed in dark robes and caps that hide their faces. They symbolize repentant sinners accompanying huge platforms with sculptures of saints.
Each church in the same Seville or Malaga has its own set of large statues - most often, these are the heavenly patrons of the temples. Once a year, before Easter, these sculptures are carried around a block or two to the sound of solemn music, surrounded by onlookers and believers. The sight is very impressive!
"Sinners" in caps carry huge lighted candles and distribute small icons-icons to everyone. The procession often stops, filling the narrow streets and obstructing the passage. The processions look especially interesting in the evening.
How do you know where such processions will take place? Long before the start of Seman Santa in local shops, kiosks, tourist bureaus, they distribute booklets, which list the temples that plan the passageways with sculptures, the time of the procession's exit and its route. If you did not manage to get such a program, then while walking around the city during this period, just go to the sounds of music - you will just get to the procession.
Spain is part of the Schengen area, so you will need an appropriate visa to enter it.
More about Andalusia
Seville landmarks
Weather in Seville in April
Israel
It is the dream of many Christians to spend Holy Week in Israel. Every year, thousands of pilgrims visit the Holy Land seeking to get closer to the biblical sites. The most spectacular events will take place in Jerusalem.
Before Holy Week on Palm Sunday, Christian pilgrims climb the Mount of Olives to then repeat the path of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem.
Among other significant Easter events, the procession of pilgrims on Good Friday deserves special mention. Thousands of believers follow in the footsteps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa in the Christian Quarter of the Old City at Calvary. Many carry heavy crosses as a sign of the Lord's spiritual support.
The ceremony of the descent of the Holy Fire in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on Holy Saturday is a significant event for the Orthodox. Thousands of people gather in and around the church to support the prayer of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who asks for a miracle - the descent of fire - in the Kuvukliya on the Holy Sepulcher. The accomplished miracle is a guarantee that humanity can not fear for its fate over the next year. The blessed fire from the Patriarch immediately spreads throughout the entire church: people light candles, wash themselves with fire, which does not burn in the first seconds. Then this fire in lamps will be carried around the Orthodox churches all over the world.
A visa is not required to travel to Israel.
More about Jerusalem
Jerusalem landmarks
Weather in Jerusalem in April
Moscow
In Moscow, as, indeed, in other cities around the world, from Palm Sunday to Easter, Vespers are held in all churches. Blessing of Easter cakes will take place before the Saturday festive service. Any visitor to the capital can join services in numerous local churches. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia conducts Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
And also during the Holy Week, the Easter Gift festival is organized in Moscow, with more than two hundred venues allotted for its events. The main celebrations will take place in the center - on Tverskaya and Revolution squares. There will be master classes where children and adults will be taught how to bake cakes and paint eggs, decorate handkerchiefs, scarves and napkins with gold embroidery, make wood crafts, etc. Children will be able to take part in fun contests and take part in quests.
More about Moscow
Sights of Moscow
Weather in Moscow in April
Netherlands
Until 2013, the Queen's birthday was celebrated annually on April 30 in the Netherlands. Then Queen Beatrix abdicated the throne, and the holiday, beloved by the whole country, was postponed three days earlier and was called the King's Birthday.
In many large Dutch cities, for example, in Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, celebrations begin on the evening of April 26th. Kiosks appear on the streets selling themed goods necessary for the holiday - crowns, glasses, T-shirts, scarves - all orange, the official royal color. The streets are decorated with orange lanterns and flags.
Every year on April 27, the royal family travels to one of the cities of their country to attend the festive events. The monarchs are entertained with various theatrical performances based on local historical events.
Concerts with famous musicians take place on the city streets, boats with celebrating people ride along the canals. Every inhabitant of the Netherlands on this day can freely sell any used goods, so settlements spontaneously turn into fairs.
You can enter the Netherlands only if you have a Schengen passport.
More about Amsterdam
Holland landmarks
Weather in the Netherlands in April
Germany
On the night of April 30 to May 1, witches around the world celebrate a pagan holiday - Walpurgis Night. The main festivities take place on Mount Brocken in the Harz region. But in the big cities of Germany (Berlin, Hanover, Hamburg, etc.), this holiday is loved and celebrated on a grand scale.
There is no special festive program. It's just that locals and tourists in carnival costumes of all kinds of evil spirits pour out into the streets of cities. There are especially many witches and sorcerers in pointed hats and with brooms. The people have fun as they can: they gather in squares where performances of musicians play a variety of melodies (rock is very popular), dances, and arranges festive processions. And you can also go to clubs and bars, where interesting festive entertainment is surely provided for this evening.
A Schengen visa is required to travel to Germany.
Unusual places in Germany
Weather in Germany in April
Holidays and festivals around the world in April
Country | Holiday / festival | Location | Dates |
---|---|---|---|
Finland | Yukigassen | April 5-7 | |
Austria | Snowbombing Festival | Mayrhofen | April 8-13 |
Turkey | Tulip festival | Istanbul | April 9-30 |
United Kingdom | Gothic weekend | Whitby | April 12-14 |
France | Great sale in Amiens | Amiens | 14th of April |
Japan | Sailing Ship Festival | Nagasaki | April 18-22 | China | Kite festival | Weifan | April 20-22 |
Italy | Founding day of Rome | Rome | The 21st of April |
Netherlands | King's birthday | 26 April | |
Germany | Walpurgis Night | April 30 |
Shopping tours
In principle, any country in the world can be recommended for shopping. Experienced tourists know exactly where to buy chocolate and coffee, from where to bring designer interior items, where cheap and high-quality clothes and shoes are sold, where you can find the best gems and gold, and where - original inexpensive jewelry that will look better than those made from precious metals. And for those who do not know this, we will tell you. Here are some of the best shopping spots in mid-spring.
Helsinki
In the northern city of Helsinki in April, the air will warm up to a maximum of 8 degrees Celsius, so the best solution for tourists would be to run from store to store, updating their wardrobe.
The first thing to do is to visit the large shopping centers "Sokos", "Stokmann", "Forum", which are located along Mannerheim Avenue, in the interval bounded by Postikatu and Lonnrotinkatu streets.
One block from Stockmann on Pohjoisesplanadi is another modern department store called Kamp Gallery, which houses several boutiques of fashionable French and Italian designers. Finns themselves rarely buy such clothes, preferring their own brands.
You can get acquainted with the works of Finnish fashion designers in the shops "IVANAHelsinki" on Uudenmankatu street and "Limbo", which is located on Annaakatu.
Retro clothing, highly prized by collectors, is sold at Penny Lane on Runeberginkatu.
To travel to Helsinki, take care of a Schengen visa.
More about Helsinki
Shopping in Finland
Weather in Helsinki in April
Istanbul
It is not for nothing that Istanbul is called a paradise for shopaholics. Here you can find everything your heart desires, and even more. One of the most beautiful cities in Turkey, Istanbul is often presented as a huge bazaar. And this view is not far from the truth. We suggest walking around the city center looking for interesting things.
You need to start with the covered Grand Bazaar, where absolutely everything is sold: from souvenirs to old golden gizmos. If in the bazaar you will most likely find fakes of branded items, then the original works of fashion designers are presented in stores in the Nisantasi area.
Behind the Grand Bazaar there is a market selling old books, postcards, posters, etc. Then head towards Hagia Sophia. After passing the Laleli district, where cheap clothes, shoes and accessories are sold, you will come to the Arasta market in the Sultanahmet district, where you can choose good souvenirs and carpets. There are also stalls with jewelry and various antique furnishings.
There is an Egyptian bazaar in the Eminenu Marina area, which is also called the spice market. There you can buy saffron, cumin, sumac and other spices for delicious dishes.
A visa to Turkey is not required.
Shopping in Istanbul
Weather in Istanbul in April
Active recreation, diving, surfing
April is a wonderful month for scuba diving. During this time, whale sharks come close to the shores of Belize, and the underwater world of the Malaysian islands has never been so colorful. The only catch is that the fourth month of the year is Spring Break and Easter. There will be a lot of tourists everywhere, so a trip to distant countries must be booked in advance.
Belize
Mexico's southern neighbor Belize is located on the Caribbean coast. This country offers excellent conditions for scuba diving. At its shores, divers are waiting for a crystal clear, warm sea at any time of the year.
Near Belize, there is the second largest barrier reef on the planet, which is a numerous jumble of corals of various types, among which majestic turtles, rays and reef sharks swim leisurely, various sea trifles dart around, and manatees graze.
The best diving spots around Belize are Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Key and Terneff Atoll.
Whale sharks are found near the Gladden Spit, the cape of a submerged atoll. This spit is a marine reserve. The most suitable time for swimming in the company of whale sharks is considered to be the period from March to June. At this time, two fish are laying eggs - light snapper and grouper. And these eggs are considered the favorite delicacy of whale sharks.
There are many diving schools in Belize, where you can get training in the art of scuba diving and get the appropriate document.
A visa to Belize for up to 30 days can be obtained at the airport.
Weather in Belize in April
Malaysia
Scuba diving in Malaysia is possible all year round, but it is especially pleasant to do it during the dry season, which starts in March and lasts until October. Diving off the coast of Borneo is especially great in April. It is home to some of the best dive sites in the world - the islands of Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalan. Usually these three islands are combined into one dive tour. Off the coast of Sipadan, visibility in the water reaches 50 meters. Reef sharks, turtles, barracudas, hammerhead sharks, manta rays and other marine life can be found here.
Wonderful diving is also offered at Redang Island, located in the Terengganu Marine Park near the city of Kuala Terengganu on the east coast of mainland Malaysia. It is recommended to start your diving journey here, because the prices in local diving schools are very reasonable and everyone can afford it.
You do not need to apply for a visa to visit Malaysia.
Read more about the resort islands of Borneo, Redang.
Weather in Langkawi in April
Inexpensive vacation in April - what to choose?
On any continent, there are countries that you can visit on a budget and feel like you are traveling with millions in your pockets. We recommend that you go to places in April where prices match the quality of the services provided, but do not exceed reasonable limits, where the locals are friendly and welcoming, where they serve delicious food and guarantee great entertainment.
Albania
Albania is one of the Balkan countries - it still remains terra incognita even for experienced travelers. Until recently, this country was one of the most isolated countries in Europe. The beautiful nature and picturesque villages of the "Land of the Eagles", as the locals call Albania, are best admired in sunny and warm weather, which is established here from April to October. For those looking for some privacy, the best times to visit are spring and autumn. During this period, prices will be lower than in summer, and the weather will not let you down.
In fact, in Albania you can start saving right at the airport of its capital Tirana. Skip the taxi and take the bus to the city center, which costs only € 2 for a ticket. Stay in the city in one of the stylish hotels for about 50-60 euros per day or in a hostel for 15 euros (breakfast is included in this amount), drink strong Turkish coffee in numerous cafes (1.5 euros per cup), have a snack with hearty burekas (about 2 euros). A luxurious dinner will cost about 15 euros.
In Tirana, don't miss Skanderbeg Square, the National History Museum, Enver Hoxha's bizarre pyramid-mausoleum, the former BunkArt bunker turned into a modern art museum, and the prestigious Block district.
Albania is not limited to Tirana alone. Go to the southern region of the country, to the sea, to the resorts of Saranda and Himara. It is too crowded in summer, but in the off-season it is good - quiet, calm and cheap. In addition, these two cities are the best places in the country to sample fresh fish dishes. They will ask for only 2-3 euros.
By renting a car for about 15 euros per day, you can go to the Albanian national parks of Valbona, Tetit and others.
If you plan to travel to Albania from April to October inclusive, then you do not need to apply for a visa. In the remaining months of the year, an entry permit will be required.
Albania landmarks
Weather in Albania in April
Georgia
Hospitable Georgia just cannot disappoint. This is a country of mountains and sea, canyons and old temples, built in a very special style. It's also a place where you can spend little and get a lot in return.
In Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, you can find quite decent hotels where you can stay for 13-15 dollars a day.
Travel on city buses and the subway will cost about 20 cents, on minibuses - 30 cents. A train ride from Tbilisi to Batumi costs $ 10, by bus - $ 8.50, and a taxi, which can accommodate four people, is $ 50.
Museum ticket prices are surprisingly affordable: they usually range from 60 cents to 2 dollars. If you have a valid student ID, please bring it with you as some local museums will offer discounts upon availability.
You can eat in big Georgian cities with street food - it is very tasty here. Khachapuri, kebabs, khinkali cost from 30 cents, for lemonade they will ask 80 cents, for beer - $ 1.3. The highest prices are set in Batumi, the lowest - in small villages.
Russians do not need a visa to enter Georgia.
Unusual places of Georgia
Walking tours in Georgia
Weather in Tbilisi in April
Where to go in April without a visa?
The best trip is spontaneous: when you decide to go south in a couple of minutes, spend half an hour collecting your suitcase, grab your passport and rush to the airport, where there will probably be tickets for the next flight to any country where a visa is not required. And there are quite a few of them. By the way, you don't have to be in such a hurry. You can worry about tickets in advance, for example, to Tunisia or Bali.
List of visa-free countries
Tunisia
In April, the high season begins in Tunisia. The sun is shining, there is not a cloud in the sky - it's high time to discover this African country, painted by some crazy artist with bright colors, among which, however, prevail heavenly azure and whiteness.
The capital of the country with the same name Tunisia is an ancient city founded in the II millennium BC. NS. There are European boulevards here, the main of which is called Habib Bourguiba Avenue. And on it there are bakeries selling croissants - a reminder of the period of French rule. There is an old Arab city - a medina with a labyrinth of intricate passages, atmospheric coffee houses, treasure shops, the Zitouna mosque.
It is a stone's throw from the Tunisian capital to the city of Carthage, where the ruins of that very Carthage are located, which the Roman commander Cato called for to destroy.
Also, from the city of Tunisia, you can go on an excursion to the desert - to visit the troglodytes - and this is not a curse, but the self-name of the Berbers. These people still live in caves and willingly communicate with tourists. Their village is called Matmata.
Attracts tourists and the island of Djerba with a fish market, beaches and white yachts.
Top attractions in Tunisia
Weather in Tunisia in April
Ubud, Bali
Those who have read the book by Elizabeth Gilbert or have seen the movie "Eat, Pray, Love", probably dream, once in Bali, to go to Ubud. This is a picturesque city in the center of the island, its cultural capital, where temples, artisan workshops, spas, and receiving sorcerers who predict the future are simply dazzling.
By the way, you can visit the family of that fortuneteller, to whom Julia Roberts' heroine went in the film. Unfortunately, the sorcerer himself by the name of Ketut Liyer has already died, but his son continues his work. He devotes 15 minutes to each guest, examines his hand, asks several questions and issues a prediction that looks more like some kind of Eastern wisdom.
Every day in Ubud can follow the same beautiful scenario: early in the morning you go to the pool, where you have breakfast right in the water, then feed the snakes on the street (they even eat bread), then go for a long walk along the health trail, asking the price along the way to the handicrafts of local craftsmen, examining numerous temples and sculptures of strange deities - so old that they were overgrown with moss a long time ago.
After the walk, you can go on an excursion to the picturesque Tegallalang rice terraces located near Ubud. Or go to the Monkey Forest. They are extremely revered here, as they once helped King Rama in the fight against the demon. Or sign up for yoga courses. The main thing is to expect miracles from every day, and they will definitely happen!
More about Ubud
Bali landmarks
Weather in Indonesia in April