Spring Travel

The world laughs in flowers. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Spring, which runs from late March through mid-June, is a great time to

travel! This time of year brings milder temperatures, making it a great time to

escape from colder environments. It can also be a great time to visit warmer

climates with scorching summers, as their spring will be more tolerable to those

who aren’t used to the heat and humidity. Late spring can be a more affordable

time to travel, as it avoids the peak of spring break and the start of summer. This

means that lines will be shorter, hotels more affordable, and places will be less

crowded.

Being the largest city in Quebec, Montreal can have harsh winters and crowds in the summer, so we think late spring is the best time to visit! In May, the average high is 66°F (19°C) and the average low is 46°F (8°C). Montreal is known for its diverse and distinctive food scene. One of the most well-known dishes that was invented in the province of Quebec is poutine, which has french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. This is one of our

favorite dishes ever, so if you get the chance to try it, definitely do! Another popular food in the area is smoked meats, usually used in sandwiches. Being the only province in Canada that primarily speaks French, it comes as no surprise that the French cuisine served there is phenomenal. L’Express is a popular French restaurant in Montreal that serves up dishes such as confit duck leg, bone marrow, and profiteroles.

Founded in 1642, Montreal has many different buildings that feature architecture throughout the centuries. Passing through the southern part of the Island of Montreal is the Canal de Lachine, a beautiful canal lined partially lined with stone fences and trees. This is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys taking pictures or finding the quiet places of nature within busy cities. Another popular place to visit is Basilica Notre-Dame, a Catholic church built in the 1800s. The interior of the church is breathtaking, with intricate wooden carvings, statues, and

large stained-glass windows. If you enjoy Gothic Revival architecture, the basilica should be at the top of your list of places to see in Montreal.

There are many museums in Montreal that we recommend visiting, but The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is our favorite. With over 44,000 pieces of art, you can easily spend several hours exploring the museum. It is one of the most-visited museums in Canada, so if you want to avoid the crowds that come with summer travel, we highly recommend visiting during spring.

In nearby Ottawa, annually in May, there is a tulip festival where you can see hundreds of thousands of tulips in bloom. Around Montreal, if you don’t want to go as far as Ottawa, there are many tulip fields where you can pick your own flowers. So many tulips are grown in this area because after World War II, the Netherlands started sending Canada tulips as a “thank you” for the country’s help with the war. To continue to honor the partnership with the Netherlands, tulips are grown in fields similar to those found in the Netherlands.

Located in southern Italy, the Amalfi Coast is the coastline overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Cities along this coast include Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. All of these cities have spectacular views, historical buildings, and delicious food. The Amalfi Coast is incredibly busy during the summer, so going before June is highly recommended to avoid the crowds. The average high in May is 74°F (23°C) and the average low is 57°F (14°C).

Spring is when the Amalfi Coast comes to life with vibrant blooms. The vivid purples of wisteria, the light pink of oleander, and the soft white blooms of valerian combine to make a beautiful backdrop on the southern coast of Italy. Other than those beautiful flowers, late spring is when the lemon trees are in full bloom, making the area fragrant with their blossoms. There are several lemon groves along the coast that you can visit and sample homemade lemonade, limoncello, and other local produce. Some of these groves have farm-to-table restaurants you can also enjoy.

The Amalfi Coast is highly picturesque with narrow streets, high cliffs, and bright blue waters. Most of the buildings are in Mediterranean and medieval styles, some of which date back to the ninth century. Dotting the coastline are many coves and steep, rocky cliffs that drop into the crystal clear Tyrrhenian Sea. Along the coast, there are many fields of various fruit trees and olive trees, some of which hold tastings of their produce and olive oil. In the many cities along the coastline, there are incredibly old cathedrals dating back many centuries. These cathedrals are breathtaking and awe-inspiring.

There are many outdoor adventures to do along the Amalfi Coast. One of the most popular activities is to explore the various towns, shop at locally owned stores, and eat food grown in the area. Here you can find handmade ceramics, beautiful linen and cotton clothes, and, of course, delicious limoncello. If you want to get out of the town some, there are plenty of hiking trails that will take you along the coast. The most popular hike is the Path of the Gods, which is a several-mile trail that can be challenging at times, but allows you to see some of the best views in the area. Another activity you can do is a kayak tour, which will allow you to see the landscape from a different perspective and also allow you to explore some coves.

Roughly an hour north of the Amalfi Coast and accessible via a train, ferry, or bus, is Pompeii. The city that was preserved under ash gives you a glimpse of the moment in time when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE. It is recommended to allow yourself six hours to explore the Pompeii ruins.

Memphis is a city in southwest Tennessee along the Mississippi River and is most known for its historic music scene, particularly blues music, and BBQ. The average high temperature in May is 82°F (28°C) and the average low temperature is 62°F (17°C), so spring is a much better time to visit than summer, as the temperature can be even hotter during summer months.

Every year, the city hosts Memphis in May, which is a festival celebrating the local culture, including a barbecue contest. There is a race that features half- marathon, 10k, and 5k options. Since the festival runs the whole month, it is important to plan your visit for the activities you wish to do. If barbecue is not of interest to you, the Beale Street Music Festival or the RiverBeat Music Festival runs alongside Memphis in May. Both of which highlight local music scenes along with larger artists. Blues music has a long and rich history in Memphis, meaning there are many blues clubs along Beale Street. Another place to explore is the

Blues Hall of Fame Museum. If you’re interested in Elvis Presley, a mansion he once owned, named Graceland, is located in Memphis. You can book a tour to view the property and see other things Elvis owned, like his custom jets.

Other things to do in Memphis during late spring include the zoo, which has over 3,500 animals. Some unique animals that the Memphis Zoo has that other zoos may not have include sloths, snow leopards, and bear cuscus. If you are not scared of snakes, definitely be sure to check out the green mamba exhibit.

The hop-on, hop-off shuttle is a great way to explore the city and see various things, such as the National Civil Rights Museum, which is built around the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The museum is an educational experience that includes old vehicles, including a recreation of the burned Greyhound bus used by Freedom Riders. For those of us who enjoy the macabre, many ghost tours will take you to the most haunted locations in the city.

As spring transitions into summer, vibrant blooms paint the landscape while travel perks like lower airfare, affordable hotel rates, lighter crowds, and pleasantly mild weather make this season a traveler’s dream. It’s the perfect time to visit destinations that become sweltering in the peak of summer—without sacrificing comfort or adventure.

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Tropical Sunset Travel, LLC is an expert travel agency based in Charleston, South Carolina. We book travel for couples, families, and groups to travel to destinations around the world. No matter what type of vacation you are dreaming of, our travel services can assist you. We also feature top vacation package options to help inspire you!  The Tropical Sunset Travel Blog is a great place to learn about top destinations and vacation options. Please visit our website for agency information and more. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more travel information and deals!