When the snow melts and before summer’s tourist season begins, you’ll want to plan a spring getaway. Across the globe, these five destinations have ideal weather, new restaurants, and plenty of wellness-focused activities.
Why now:
A two-hour flight from Hollywood, Los Cabos is the ultimate beach hideaway for celebrities and jetsetters alike. Spring weather conditions are ideal (temperatures hover in the mid-80s) and there are almost a dozen new direct flights from US cities (like San Diego, Baltimore, and DC).
Where to stay:
The coastal retreat offers new hotels such as Grand Velas and Auberge’s Chileno Bay. And opening later this spring are even more high-end options including Four Seasons Costa Palmas, the Viceroy, and Nobu Hotel.Â
What to do:
Explore the Baja coastline onboard a private yacht and or snorkel in Chileno Bay’s protected cove, which offers a trove of marine life. Try water sports such as stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, hike to the Santiago waterfall, or take in ocean views while playing golf.Â
Where to eat:
Former host of The Taste and Top Chef alum, Brian Malarkey recently opened Herringbone, offering line-caught seafood and high-quality meats. Don’t miss the gardens at Flora Farms (a favorite of George Clooney), which are especially vibrant in springtime.
Why now:
Spring is the perfect time to go since monsoon season has just passed. Plus, some of the city's most exciting restaurants recently opened.Â
Where to stay:
Check into the new entertainment suite at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, which includes an in-room Enomatic wine dispenser and plenty of space to host your travel companions.
What to do:
For the best views, head over to Harbour City, which just unveiled a new pier on the waterfront that perfectly frames the skyline and traditional ferries on the water. The nearby islands are ideal for sea kayaking and hiking to waterfalls and coves. For a challenging outdoor adventure, the five-hour hike to Dragon’s Back is considered the best urban trail in Asia. The route starts at a pristine beach so be sure to bring your swimsuit.
Where to eat:
Ying Jee Club is a swanky pick, helmed by Siu Hin-Chi, a chef who has earned a combined 16 Michelin stars in his career thus far. Expect an elevated tasting menu inspired by Cantonese cuisine, including lavish dishes like rare Wagyu beef and imperial bird’s nest (a traditional Chinese soup). Acclaimed fashion event producer Alen Ng opened Circa 1913, a tucked-away restaurant that feels like a movie set with its gold finishes, teal walls, and chandeliers. The executive chef offers Instagram-worthy French-Japanese dishes. For an even more intimate experience, check out the 30-seat, small plate-style dining at Haku. Don’t miss the beetroot pickle dish, which is designed as a rose and served with foraged eryngi mushrooms and baby turnips.
Why now:
Celebrating its tricentennial this year, New Orleans is experiencing an epic facelift (including Bourbon Street’s $37 million renovation, the first since 1928, and famed Spanish Plaza’s $7 million reimagined design), as well as new activities, retrospectives, and special events. Spring is the best time to visit since the Mardi Gras crowds are gone and the summer humidity has yet to arrive.
Where to stay:
Stylish new hotels have opened like The Frenchmen Hotel, the contemporary Jung Hotel, and NOPSI, located inside a historic building.
What to do:
The city recently launched Blue Bikes, a citywide bike-share program, so you can now get around the riverfront, French Quarter, and sprawling parks on two wheels. The new twilight and moonlight swamp tours get you paddling on kayaks and canoes in the nearby bayou with moonlight as a guide.
Where to eat:
James Beard nominee and Top Chef alum Nina Compton helms her second restaurant, Bywater American Bistro, where diners can order casual and good-for-you dishes, like pickled shrimp and yellowfin tuna. Named best new restaurant in 2017 by Bon Appétit, Turkey and the Wolf serves up healthy sandwiches using ingredients like collard greens from local farms.
Why now:
Spring is the best to visit the intimate island since summer’s hurricane season often brings torrential rain.
Where to stay:
Adventurous travelers who seek upscale resorts will love BodyHoliday, a wellness-focused option with a luxe spa.
Or try the StolenTime Resort, a posh property that caters to couples with its elegant and timeless colonial design and high-end beachfront cottages.
What to do:
St. Lucia is an outdoor oasis with activities you can’t do on any other Caribbean island, like night snorkeling at Sugar Beach (a roped-off area where guests don headlamps and explore a National Marine Reserve teeming with octopus, squid, and sea horses); hiking the Pitons (the island's twin peaks and a UNESCO World Heritage site); and the natural sulfur springs, where visitors can soak before lathering themselves with mineral-rich volcanic mud.
Where to eat:
The new I-tal restaurant at BodyHoliday offers fresh, farm-to-table dishes from the on-site organic gardens. For stunning views of the Pitons, dine on the patio at Danshee, which offers healthful interpretations of local fare such as coconut and sweet potato soup.
Why now:
The capital city recently unveiled an expanded airport, including the debut of the world’s greenest terminal with Scandinavian-sourced timber, plant walls and fountains, as well as features like natural thermal energy and plenty of natural lighting.Â
Where to stay:
The newly-constructed Thief Island is home to The Thief Hotel, a chic boutique with an original Warhol and the city’s best spa. For a terrific view of the Northern lights (which start to fade after spring), check into the Wolf Lodge, a new, rustic property set deep in the forest.
What to do:
A new, 5.5-mile waterfront promenade is perfect for biking. You'll also want to check out Arctic Park, a wildlife center that includes hikes and zip-lining. It’s the only place in the world you can come face-to-face with wild wolves in their natural environment.
Where to eat:
Head to the emerging Barcode district for a meal at Stock. This trendy new restaurant sources all of the vegetables, berries, and meat from its own farm. Whether or not you're staying at the Wolf Lodge, it's worth dining there for nutritious local fare such as the steamed fish of the day.Â
