Surprise: it's springtime! | Growing up in Ireland, we were taught that spring begins in February, summer in May, autumn in August, and winter in November. I was happy with this arrangement because I’m a May baby, and summer is the chicest and coolest time to celebrate a birthday (apologies to all you winter children). Cue my mild existential crisis when I learned spring “actually” starts on March 1, according to meteorologists - even though many Irish people insist it begins on February 1, stemming from the ancient Celtic festival of Imbolc, while astronomers pinpoint the start during the spring equinox on March 20/21. Whether you define the official start of the season by celestial alignment or simply by opening a window, springtime has undeniably arrived in the northern hemisphere, ushering in longer, brighter days and the irresistible urge to explore. As destination possibilities bloom like spring flowers, our Lonely Planet team is excited to share the recent places they've fallen in love with and recommend adding to your spring calendars. | | | Assistant Marketing Manager | | | Aoife just returned from a two-week trip to South Africa. If you want warm weather with little rain and fewer crowds, the southern hemisphere’s autumn and spring are the times to go. Stay: Aim for two weeks and begin in the coastal town of Hermanus, followed by a few days in Cape Town, then to the Stellenbosch wine region, before finishing your trip with a visit to the iconic penguins in Simon’s Town. Do: Hike Lion’s Head at sunset. Witnessing the golden light cast a glow over the city as you reach the summit truly is a ‘pinch me’ moment. Eat: The Fat Butcher in Stellenbosch. This was the best meal I had while in South Africa - no small feat considering the amazing food I had on this trip. | | | If you plan to travel outside of Cape Town, rent a car. Public transport in South Africa can be unreliable, and outside of the major towns and cities Ubers are harder to come by. Luckily, South Africa has many incredible road trip routes, so renting a car is totally worth it! | | | It's worth noting that France is divided into two camps: Juillettistes, or those who take the bulk of their holidays in July, versus Aoûtiens, those who leave in August, which means the city's a lot sleepier in summer than other times of the year. | | | Vice President of Creative | | | Trending articles this week | | | Photo credits: Aoife Breslin, Rachel Lewis, Serina Patel, Annie Greenberg / Lonely Planet | This email was sent to you by: | Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 | | | |
