Can you feel it? Spring is in the air… Flowers are blooming, the skies are blue, and the crowds are scarce. The crisp early morning air quickly turns into a blissfully warm mid-morning, perfect for brunch and a walk along a promenade.
The Mediterranean is the perfect spring break destination to bid the grim northern winter farewell and welcome in the new season. Here are some of the best destinations to visit this spring and some of the stunning boutique hotels you will find there.
Santorini
The idyllic Greek island of Santorini offers everything that dreams are made of. Dramatic cliffside villages offer unbeatable sunset views while unruly alleyways are chock full of hidden restaurants and shops.
In April and May, Santorini has excellent mild weather and crowds are not yet swarming as they will soon be in summer. The island has no shortage of boutique hotel options either. Infinity pools, fine dining restaurants, and private cave dwellings are all on the cards when heading to Santorini in spring.
Perivolas Boutique Hotel is one of the most luxurious boutique hotels on Santorini with blissful suites carved into the rock face. The never-ending views over the Aegean are best served with a chilled glass of Santorini’s best Assyrtiko wine.
The hotel is close to Oia, Santorini’s tourism hotspot. But you can enjoy every meal from breakfast to dinner on the hotel ground. Return to the hotel after a day of island exploring and enjoy an unbeatable spa experience to add another level of relaxation to your restful spring holiday.
Astarte Suites is another Santorini boutique hotel where the pinnacle of luxury and romance collide. Fifteen private suites offer nothing but comfort and privacy at their exclusive Cliffside location. The hotel also has one of the highest-rated restaurants on the island and the artful dishes at Alali Restaurant will leave you speechless.
Sicily
Sicily is a spring break destination paradise with the iconic “scent of Sicily” hanging thick in the air. Explore the atmospheric cities on foot as the endless blue skies beg visitors to spend their days outside, discovering hidden corners all around.
The magnificent baroque city of Noto is an excellent place to spend spring in Italy. For one weekend the city is transformed into a flower paradise with the annual flower festival in May welcoming the spring season.
Q92 Noto Hotel has balconies overlooking the iconic Via Corrado Nicolaci where elaborate images are created using flower petals. Book a bespoke stay at this elegant hotel to wash away your winter woes and experience spring, the Sicilian way.
Make the most of the mild temperatures during this time and hike up Mt. Etna, or simply relax at a streetside café in the beautiful city of Noto. The east coast of Sicily is overcome with the fresh scent of citrus during spring as the blood-orange harvest is also in full swing.
On the west coast, you can get lost between vineyards and hilltops at La Foresteria Planeta in Menfi. This family-run wine resort submerges you into the blissful Sicilian countryside where the tastes and smells of the Mediterranean are unavoidable. Taste the very best home-cooked Sicilian dishes and sip on the finest wines from the region to experience the best of spring in Sicily.
Malta
Another ideal spring break destination is Malta.During spring, Malta enjoys delightfully sunny days with warm temperatures and an enjoyable lack of tourists. If cooler waters aren’t a problem there is even a chance to take a dip or simply bathe in the sun next to the stunning seaside.
Malta also offers splendid hikes which are great during the spring as routes are less crowded and the mild weather makes them more manageable. Gozo is still marvellously lush in the spring before the dry summer heat turns the landscape more arid. The island also has plenty of spring Easter traditions, including mouth-watering seasonal dishes like rabbit stew and figolli, a traditional almond tart.
In the heart of Malta’s ancient capital, Valetta is a pristine Maltese palazzo offering a charming balance between modern comfort and elegant antiquity. In all directions, there is something beautiful to explore close to 19 Rooms Boutique Hotel. A staircase leads down to the calm Mediterranean waters kissing the shore and the glorious Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is only a few minutes away.
The northern island of Gozo is rugged and authentic, the perfect place for a spring breakaway. Charming B&B Dar Ta Zeppi is tucked away in Qala, built around a peaceful courtyard and pool. The blossoming bougainvillaea announces the arrival of spring and frames the masterfully restored building.
Southern France
Between the Azure coast and the majestic areas of Provence, there is no shortage of beautiful places to visit as a spring break destination. Wildflowers burst into bloom and wisteria drapes nonchalantly over old brick buildings adding whimsy to the already dreamlike southern France.
La Verriere sits on an idyllic hilltop in Crestet in the heart of Provence. Here, gastronomy and luxury work hand in hand for the most unforgettable countryside experience. Let the kitchen pack you a picnic basket of local fares and stroll down for a riverside feast. Or simply relax next to the pool by soaking up some spring sunshine and sipping on a glass of France’s finest wine.
If you find the seaside more beguiling, French Riviera might be the spring break destination that you need. Les Rosees in the medieval town of Mougins is the perfect hideaway from where to explore the Riviera. Cannes is only a short drive from there and spring is also the time when the world’s rich and famous ascend to the glamorous city for the annual Cannes Film Festival.
