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March heralds the arrival of spring to the Northern Hemisphere, autumn to the Southern Hemisphere and marks the end of the dry season for many parts of the tropics. By choosing to travel at this time of year, you can hope to enjoy mild sunny weather and some of the world’s best outdoor adventures and fun-filled festivals. These are our favourite places to holiday in March:
With its ancient buildings, charming neighbourhoods and culinary delights, the Eternal City is an incredible destination to visit at any time of year. Timing your visit to coincide with the Roman spring, and the mild weather and relatively sparse crowds ensure you’ll be able to make the most of your time here. If you’re an avid shopper, you’ll be just in time for the spring sale season – perfect if you’re hoping to snag a market in the city’s boutiques and markets.
March is a great time of year to dine outdoors, so when you’ve finished exploring the Colosseum, Vatican Museum, the Galleria Borghese and all of the other great sights, snag yourself an outdoor table at a tiny trattoria and order up a large plate of Cacio e Pepe – it’s a deceptively simple but utterly classic local speciality. When you’re ready to venture beyond the city limits, we recommend hiring a bike and heading into the countryside to explore the Appian Way: an ancient road that is a well-preserved remnant of the Roman Empire.
Located around half an hour’s drive from central Amsterdam, the Keukenhof Gardens come to life every March in a technicolour explosion of spring flowers. Spanning more than 32 hectares, Keukenhof is one of the largest flower gardens in the world, and for two months each year, it becomes the epicentre of the Tulip Festival that celebrates the Netherland’s vibrant floral heritage. The gardens are world famous for their stunning displays of tulips, with around seven million bulbs planted each year. You can meander through meticulously designed landscapes, themed gardens, and art installations, take a scenic boat tour along a quiet canal surrounded by flower fields, or simply stare in awe at the endless rows of spring beauty.
While you’re in Amsterdam, be sure to allow time to take in the city’s rich (and often poignant) history: visits to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and to the Anne Frank House are all essential Dutch experiences.
It’s often said that on St Patrick’s Day, everyone is a little bit Irish, and nowhere is this more true than in the Emerald Isle itself. In Dublin, you can mingle with the half-million strong crowds of green-clad revellers to enjoy a parade of epic proportions, watch the River Liffey turn a shamrock shade of green and then sing and dance the night away in the raucous surroundings of Temple Bar. For a more contemplative experience, attend a service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where the saint was said to have baptised converts to Christianity.
Of course, there’s great craic to be had outside the capital city too – the southwest Dingle region is about as far as you can get from Dublin, surrounded on raise a pint with the locals in a rural West Coast pub or test your coordination at a traditional Celtic céilí. You can even pay your respects to the great man himself – St Patrick’s grave is located in the grounds of Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland.
Whistler, Canada
If you love spring skiing, Whistler in March is heaven on Earth: although technically it’s still winter, the longer daylight hours and milder temperatures mean you can discard a few layers and really make the most of all that this spectacular snow destination has to offer – on and off the slopes. The town is surrounded by incredible natural beauty, tucked away in the Fitzsimmons Range just a couple of hours’ drive from Vancouver. All the action is centred on Whistler Blackcomb Resort, where more than 8000 acres of skiable terrain ensure there are plenty of trails to suit every ability. There’s still a good chance of fresh snowfall in March, which means powder days are still a strong possibility.
As well as skiing and snowboarding, you can also try snowshoeing, ziplining, dog sledding and snow-mobiling. And when evening falls, the town offers one of the world’s best après-ski: laidback Canadian vibes, live music and a seriously good food scene.
If you’ve ever been to Sin City in the US summer, you’ll know that July is not the best time to experience the Nevada Desert. However, if you visit in March, the mild spring temperatures and negligible rainfall will ensure that you’re free to enjoy all that this vibrant city has to offer – in the resorts, casinos and out in the wild. Take in one of the many world-class live shows, indulge in incredible fine dining experiences or catch the excitement of a NASCAR race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
There are around 70 golf courses and more than 20 golf resorts dotted in and around the city, including the famed Bali Hai Golf Club. Featuring palm tree lined fairways, it’s the only championship golf course on the famous Las Vegas Strip. Take a day trip to the Hoover Dam or Valley of Fire State Park or treat yourself to a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon.
March in the Philippines falls at the end of the dry season, so you can expect warm, sunny, dry conditions that are ideal for enjoying the beautiful beaches and enchanting culture of this intriguing Pacific destination. Boracay, Palawan and Siargao are among the best-known beaches in the Philippines – their pristine white sandy beaches and warm clear waters are ideal for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing.
The Philippines is a world-renowned diving destination, offering vibrant coral reefs, underwater caves and diverse marine life, as well as the chance to observe whale sharks in their natural habitat. For a taste of authentic Filipino culture and traditions, time your visit to coincide with a local festivals or cultural event such as the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio, which features vibrant flower floats and street dancing.
Costa Rica and Puerto Rice are well known for their exciting eco-tourism and incredible beaches, while other Central American nations like Guatemala and Nicaragua remain relatively unknown to many Aussie travellers. As a result, they are more affordable and less touristy, although no less spectacular. In Guatemala, you can explore incredible Mayan ruins surrounded by lush tropical jungle or walk the beautifully preserved streets of Antigua Guatemala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that provides a glimpse into the country’s Spanish colonial past.
Both countries are located on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ which means their landscapes are studded with active volcanoes that offer an assortment of experiences including swimming in the natural terraced pools of Semuc Champey and volcano-boarding on the slopes of Cerro Negro. March is the dry season in both countries, so you can expect mild, sunny conditions for your adventurous holiday.
The main island, Isla de la Juventud, and the 4,195 islands and cays which encircle it, together comprise a vibrant Caribbean destination with a unique blend of history, culture and natural beauty. Its capital, Havana, is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, especially in Old Havana (Habana Vieja), where you’ll find historic squares, colourful buildings and charming cobblestoned streets. Cuba is famous for its collection of vintage American cars from the 1950s – step back in time with a ride through the streets in a candy-coloured classic. Follow in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway with a visit to his former residence, Finca Vigía, just outside Havana, or enjoy a daiquiri at El Floridita, which was one of his favourite bars. Immerse yourself in the rhythms of salsa, son, and Afro-Cuban, enjoying nightly performances of live music and dance in Havana’s bars, restaurants – even on its street corners!
Cuba produces some of the world’s finest cigars – you can sample an authentic Cuban cigar during a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Viñales Valley, which is known for known for its tobacco farms as well as its towering mogotes (karst limestone formations).
The world’s third-largest island, Borneo, is divided among three countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. The Malaysian part of Borneo, known as East Malaysia, is a wilderness of pristine rainforests which are home to an assortment of exotic wildlife including proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants and sun bears. Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah to see orangutans in their natural habitat as well as other unique flora and fauna. Challenge yourself to hike to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, which is the highest peak in Southeast Asia. Your reward will be the flawless views of the surrounding landscape.
Head to Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak to explore to the world’s largest cave chamber (Sarawak Chamber) and the world’s largest cave system (Deer Cave). You can offset the adrenaline created by climbing, caving, rafting and mountain biking with a spot of island hopping: laze on a pristine sandy beach on Pulau Layang-Layang or slather yourself in therapeutic volcanic mud on Pulau Tiga.
Whether you’re looking for a winter snow holiday, a relaxing beach break or an adventurous eco-escape, talk to your personal travel manager about planning your magical March escape.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
