Warm and wild
the
island of Crete
In spring, the island of Crete, which has
2,000 species of trees and plants (some 160 found nowhere else on the planet),
is coated with wild flowers. They even have their own dedicated website:
www.floersofcrete.info. If you want to stay in style, consider the newly opened
Dai os Cove resort, designed with contemporary flair, overlooking the sea, with
a mix of rooms, suites and villas plus a choice of restaurants, a spa, tennis
courts and pools. A week with Sovereign (0844 415 1936; www.sovereign.com), half
board, costs $ 1059, including flights, departing on 6 May.
Put a spring in your step
Uffizi
Florence Italy
There are two ways to enjoy the landscapes
of Tuscany. One is within museum like the Uffizi in Florence or the Pinacoteca
in Siena, where th Holy Lands portrayed by the Renaissance masters are revealed
and revered. The other is to stride into the real thing, particalarly in spring
before the high heat of sumer. Inntravel (01653 617000; www.inntravel.co.uk)
offers walking in the countryside with stays in the historic Volterra, San
Gimignano, Colle Val d’Elsa and Siena. One week costs from $1109 (in April),
b&b with two dinners and luggage transfers; fights and transfers eatra.
Celebrate a tradition
Cherry blossom
Yasaka
shrine in Kyoto
Spring in Japan finds the whole country
obsessed by cherry blossoms. As well as being an amazing sight, the pink
flowers, which sumbolise rebirth and celebration, inspire scores of parties in
parks and shrines, including Hamarikyu park in Tokyo, Yasaka shrine in Kyoto
and Kenrokuen gardens in Kanazawa. Inside Japan Tours (01173 709730; www.
insidejapantours. com) offers a 14- night ‘Traditional Japan’ self- guided
package that includes stays in the tree cities from $3611, or around $4526 with
flights.
Spititual surprises
Holy
Week in Spain
Holy Week in Spain (2- 9 April) embaces
every town and village in the country, with processions of candlelit floats and
statues of saints. Martin Randall’s (020 8742 335; www. Martinrandall.com) one-
week escorted Semana Santa tour, which takes in procession in Seville, Carmona
and Zafra, costs $ 3078, including flights, most meals with drinks, all
admissions, tips and taxes.
Foodie break
Vejer de la Frontera
Bluefin tuna, which come into the Med to
spawn between April and June, are welcomed in many towns in southern Spain by a
Ruta d’Atun festival, in which locals and visitors journey from bar to bar
sampling tuna tapas. Annie B’s Spanish Kitchen (00 34 620 560 649;
www.anniebs.co.uk), a cookery school in the historic Andalucian town of Vejer
de la Frontera, is offering a four- night break from 17 May. Guests will learn
how to prepare an arry of tuna dishes, as well as enjoy the local activities.
From $1105, including most meals and drinks during classes, but not fights and
transfers.
