Spring is not far off. Before you know it, the ski vacations come to an end and then you can look forward to warmer weather and more colors in nature.
So where can you greet the season around Europe? Here are five top ticks for your spring road trip in France, Germany, Portugal or Spain.
Lisbon in Portugal
Next to the Atlantic and just across a short canal from Africa, it is no wonder that Lisbon can welcome spring super early in the year. Temperatures often reach above 15 Celsius in February. By March you can look forward to letting go of your winter jacket and soak up the sunshine in Lisbon.
So what to do there? You will need more than a couple of days if it is your first visit. Be sure to check out the live Fado music bars in the Alfama district. Go for a walk to the lookout point at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte (Our Lady of the Mount Viewpoint). The view of the city below, not to mention the São Jorge castle, are simply astounding. If you have three days to spend in Lisbon, then this guide is great! If you are really lucky, you might hear the tones of streeet musicians’ instruments on top of the hill, as it is not uncommon for them to perform there. Try the delicatesses, the seafood in in Lisbon can be a real treat, and do not miss out on the tosta mista (toasted ham and cheese) or the pastel de nata (custard tart).
Provence in France
A road trip in Provence may just be a magical way to experience spring for a week or two. The oldest city in France, namely Marseille. It has been inhabited since 600 B.C, so deep in ancient times.
Cote d’Azur is close to Provence, so it is also a great idea to combine the two in one road trip. Check out the considerations for traveling by car around Cote d’Azur, which we wrote about last year.
Bonn in Germany
The botanical garden will start to spring its colors. This city in the Rhine Valley is known for the Rheinländische Küche cuisine, solid food with vegetables, meat, and sausage in hearty dishes. Don’t miss out on the Münsterplatz, which has a statue of Ludwig van Beethoven and several restaurants crowding together on the city square. You will also have a great view of the Bonn Minster as you try out the local foods in a popular area. Don’t forget to check out Eifel close to Bonn, if you have some spare time.
Seville in Spain
The Andalusian capital is perfect to bike around in. This southern Spanish city is known for its Flamenco shows in Triana district on the west side of the Guadalquivir River. There are 180 km of interconnected bike lanes in the city. Check out the Roman columns on Alameda de Hércules, that are still standing after two thousand years.
When it comes to food, finish a plate of patatas bravas that is more or less the staple, before venturing to try Boquerones (white anchovies) and Solomillo al Whisky (pork loin in a whiskey sauce).
These four places will certainly bring happy memories and smiles!
