With spring on the horizon, the romance of Europe is blooming. Rich in heritage, architecture, art, music, and exquisite food, it’s the perfect time to see spectacular flowers lining romantic boulevards, drive through scenic coastlines, visit museums and enjoy fine wine. Europe, is without a doubt, a fabulous place for a “spring fling”.

Here are Europe’s best hotspots for spring.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Netherlands takes pride in its tulips, and the buds are big business. This spring, explore the countryside by bicycle to see vast of vibrant flowers. Keukenhof Gardens, located in nearby Lisse, is famed for rows upon rows of tulips that blanket views as far as the eye can see. Take a day trip there when the gardens are open from mid-March to mid-May.

Montreux, Switzerland

The attractive Swiss Riviera embodies splendor in spring when flowers blossom along Lake Geneva. Montreux’s spectacular landscape features lush, mighty alpine hills, the world-renowned Lake Geneva, and beautiful views of snow-capped Mont Blanc. The clean, crisp air is perfect for hiking, boating, or relaxing outdoors.

Florence

This little city tucked amid the Tuscan hills inspired artists like Michelangelo (David) and Brunelleschi (the Duomo). If you love Renaissance art, you will love Florence, which also offers gorgeous sunsets, exquisite Italian cooking and its unbeatable romantic charm and of course, plenty of great wines from the region.

 

Santorini

Santorini’s colorful beaches — the black and red sands make for a memorable visit.  Once you climb the ancient stairs that lead to the historic city of Manolas in Thirassia, you can catch the world-famous breathtaking view of the caldera, a brilliant turquoise pool of water that and a number of isles in this archipelago. Some say that the isle of Strongyli was the original home of the lost city of Atlantis. Most visitors spend their time on Thira (the archipelago’s largest island), which is home to Santorini’s major towns, including Fira and Oia.

 

Paris

The City of Light draws millions of visitors every year with its unforgettable ambiance. But food and art buff are in heaven too here. Around The River Seine, there is world-class museums, fashion, cuisine, and chic atmosphere. A must visit are the Centre Pompidou, where you can enjoy gourmet pastries, shop couture on the Champs Élysées in Les Halles, take in the view atop the Eiffel Tower, or plan a day trip to Versailles Palace.

 

Venice

Step off of the Santa Lucia train station and the breathtaking Grand Canal will enchant you. You’ll see water taxis coast along, passing underneath the Ponte degli Scalzi (Bridge of the Barefoot) and might hear the faintest hint of a serenading violin. Romantic gondolas carrying couples glide through the web of the city’s many waterways. On land, narrow passageways twist past Old World storefronts and residences, and over bridges. If you like opera, the Teatro La Fenice puts on some world-renowned operas. You can also travel to nearby islands like Lido for the beach.

Prague

Prague’s storied churches, narrow streets, daunting hilltop castle and statue-lined bridges create the scene for a spring fairytale.

Top attractions – including the famous Charles Bridge and the historic Prague Castle – offer free admission and many hotels offer rooms at a fraction of the cost of other European cities.

Vienna

Home to the music of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss, the Austrian capital boasts symbolic architecture of carved cherubs, flamboyant figureheads, and dramatic domes.The narrow streets of the Innere Stadt (Inner City) snake through antiquated buildings and extravagant baroque palaces from the Habsburg Monarchy make it a truly unique destination.

Budapest

Here you can step out of a thermal bath and right into a nightclub. In a city that dates back to the Old Stone Age, visiting history buffs can take their pick between Roman, neo-Gothic, Renaissance and Ottoman architecture at sites like Castle Hill and Fisherman’s Bastion.

From the multifaceted restaurant scene to the rich Jewish heritage, culture extends from nearly every inch of the Pearl of Danube. Split by the Danube River and composed of three main regions (Pest, Buda and Óbuda), Budapest meshes modern conveniences with ancient architecture.

Crete

Sandy beaches hide among soaring mountains, palm tree forests grow in the middle of sprawling plains, bustling modern cities share coastlines with centuries-old structures. The streets are lined with architecture mirroring the styles of the Minoans, the Venetians, and the Ottomans, as well as contemporary Greeks.

Those who prefer the great outdoors should head to Rethymnon or Agios Nikolaos for the many beautiful beaches.

Ireland

St Patrick’s Day festivities are over the top in Ireland. The amazing shades of springtime green make it a top destination to visit during spring and the calendar erupts in an extravaganza of events.

Must see are Norman castles that overlook wild, empty beaches, Georgian country houses host traditional music sessions, excited theatergoers spill out into bustling Dublin pubs.

Barcelona

Barcelona contains both the authentically historic and the wildly bizarre. From the tree-lined Las Ramblas to the narrow alleys of Barri Gòtic; from the beachside nightclubs to the city’s dozens of sacred churches and cathedrals, this city by the sea seems to attract all types. Much of the activity revolves around Las Ramblas, a series of narrow streets and alleys packed with restaurants, nightclubs, and a vibrant pedestrian market. But you should also take a tour of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpieces.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a small Provençal town brimming with quaint cafes and vibrant markets. This southern French city is exciting and cosmopolitan. The still-popular Aquae Sextiae thermal baths may have been discovered in Roman times, but these therapeutic waters are accompanied by the on-site spa’s latest in luxurious treatments.

The French-Mediterranean cooking, trendy boutiques, artistic influence and the city’s overall amicable people make it a great place for a spring break. Its proximity to the lavender fields, vineyards, and mountains of Provence are a must visit.

Europa:

Los mejores lugares para visitar esta primavera

Con la primavera a la vuelta de la esquina, el romance por Europa está floreciendo. Rica en legado, arquitetura, música y comida exquisita, es la época perfecta para ver espectaculares líneas de flores en románticos bulevares, manejar a través de vías costeras de escena, visitar museos y disfrutar el vino fino. Europa es sin duda, un fabuloso lugar para el “despeje primaveral”.  Aquí algunos de los mejores lugares para la primavera en Europa:

Amsterdam, Países Bajos

Los países bajos tienen su mayor orgullo en sus tulipanes, y sus brotes son ¡un tema muy serio! Esta primavera, explora el lado campestre de la nación en bicicleta para ver vastos campos de vibrantes flores.

Montreux, Suiza

La atractiva Riviera suiza se envuelve de esplendor en primavera cuando las flores brotan a lo largo del lago Ginebra. El maravilloso paisaje de Montreux cuenta con exuberantes y poderosas colinas alpinas, el mundialmente famoso lago de Ginebra, y las hermosas vistas del Mont Blanc cubierto de nieve.

Florencia

Esta pequeña ciudad escondida entre las Colinas toscanas inspiró a artistas como Miguel Ángel (David) y Brunelleschi (El Domo). Si te encanta el arte renacentista, amarás Florencia, que también ofrece hermosas puestas de sol, exquisita comida italiana y su invencible encanto romántico, además de, por supuesto, muchos grandes vinos de la región.

 

Santorini

Las hermosas y coloridas playas de Santorini — la arena rojinegra la hacen una visita inolvidable. Una vez que subas las escaleras antiguas que llevan a la histórica ciudad de Manolas en Thirassia, podrás ver la mundialmente famosa vista de la caldera, una piscina natural de brillante agua turquesa y un sinnúmero de islas en este archipiélago.

Paris

La ciudad de las luces atrae a millones de visitants cada año con su inolvidable ambiente. Pero los amantes de la comida y el arte también se sienten en el paraíso aquí. Alrededor del Río Sena hay una atmósfera de clase mundial de museos, casas de moda, cocina y elegancia.

 

Venecia

Al bajar de la estación de trenes de Santa Lucia el asombroso Gran Canal te dejará encantado. Verás taxis acuáticos en la costa, pasando bajo el Ponte degli Scalzi (Puente de los descalzos) y quizás escuches una suave insinuación de una serenata de violín.

Praga

Las históricas Iglesias de Praga, sus estrechas calles, el asombroso castillo de la cumbre y las líneas de estatuas en los puentes crean la escena perfecta para un cuento de hadas de la primavera.

Viena

Hogar de la música de Mozart, Beethoven, y Strauss, la capital austríaca desborda en arquitectura simbólica de querubines tallados, deslumbrantes bustos y dramáticos domos.

¿Otros sitios de interés? Budapest, Creta, Irlanda y Barcelona