You’ve decided you want to travel more this year (good on you), but you’re struggling to choose your next destination. Surely there’s an easier way than trawling through endless travel mags and guidebooks for the answers, right? That’s where our ultimate month-by-month travel guide comes in: your easily digestible list of places to visit, things to experience, and amazing weather to chase around the world.
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Shining a light on March this time! European frosts are beginning to thaw, South America is starting to hot up and year-round destinations like Hong Kong and Dubai, make for easy travel wins. Whether you’re after rum tasting in Cuba, colourful chaos in India or orangutan spotting in Borneo, here’s your guide to where to travel in March.
1. Chile
Incredibly elongated and slender, this strip of South America presents an awe-inspiring array of natural landscapes. Whether you’re captivated by the rust-colored, Mars-esque expanses of the Atacama Desert or the frosty azure glaciers of Torres del Paine National Park, there’s an abundance of remarkable destinations to discover. Additionally, you’ll encounter cosmopolitan centers such as Santiago, boasting a burgeoning culinary scene, and Valparaiso, adorned with vibrant street art and connected to the Nobel prize-winning poet, Pablo Neruda.
March marks the start of Chile’s first shoulder season (March to May). The Patagonia crowds have subsided, the Lake District is ready to wow, and in vineyard country it’s time for the grape harvests and traditional vendimias (wine harvest festivals). Don’t forget to take a ride on Chile’s funiculars, too. They’re cheap, fun and can give beautiful landscape views.
4-day Santiago Short Break
9-day Premium Chile & Argentina
15-day Classic Hikes of Patagonia
2. Cuba
More than cigars and vintage cars, this Caribbean giant is a vibrant mixture of history, culture and cuisine. Learn all about the pivotal role Che Guevara played in the revolution, salsa dance the night away at Trinidad’s famous Casa de la Musica, bask in the quiet beauty of Soroa, and enjoy strolling through the pastel-hued streets of Havana. Remember to sample a few of Cuba’s other specialities, including rum (of course), coffee and honey.
Also read – Exploring Taragarh Fort in Bundi: A Journey Through History
Sunnier days, more manageable temperatures and slimmer chances of rain all play their part in attracting travellers to Cuba’s Caribbean shores this time of year. During the dry season, it’s especially important to try and book in advance to avoid disappointment (if at all possible).
Top trips:
8-day Beautiful Cuba
15-day Best of Cuba
3. Dubai
Many of us might view Dubai as nothing more than a layover, a brief pause on the way to our final destination. However, at Intrepid, we firmly believe in the philosophy that emphasizes the significance of the journey itself, not just the ultimate destination. Therefore, if Dubai is a part of your travel itinerary, embrace it! March presents an ideal time to visit, with temperatures yet to reach their peak, and rain showers being infrequent.
Eager to discover the wonders of this captivating and opulent metropolis? Set out on an adventure to an artificial island resembling a tropical palm, be awestruck by panoramic views from the soaring Burj Khalifa, or indulge in the vast expanse of one of the globe’s premier shopping destinations. Alternatively, transport yourself to bygone eras with a stroll through the historic Bastakiya district, where the allure of spice and gold souqs awaits your exploration.
4. Egypt
Step out of the everyday and into the captivating Land of the Pharaohs this March. Egyptian springtime is getting underway, and dry days and daily temperatures of around 25°C can be expected. What better climate to set off and explore this country’s marvellous monuments, or set sail down the Nile?
Explore the enigmatic tales and ancient wonders veiled in the history of Egypt as you tour the Pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza, alongside the tombs of legendary leaders within the Valley of the Kings. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the labyrinthine allure of Cairo’s Khan al-Khalili Bazaar, where you can peruse glass lanterns, jewelry, and other culturally rich mementos. The awe-inspiring presence of the colossal rock temples of Abu Simbel is sure to leave you captivated as well.
Top trips:
8-day Egypt Adventure
12-day Egypt Experience
15-day Classic Egypt & Jordan
5. Borneo
Are you absolutely orangutan obsessed? Then Borneo, and particularly Sabah, should be the next destination you tick off your bucket list. March kickstarts Sabah’s dry season, meaning fewer visitors, lower levels of rainfall and increased chances of finding these gentle giants in their natural habitat. It’s also an ideal time of year for sunning yourself on the beaches of Gaya Island, Kota Kinabalu and Sipadan.
If you’d describe yourself as a bit of a water baby, you’ll love the fact that March also brings keen snorkelers the chance to go swimming in search of the world’s largest fish, the whale shark. Lankayan Island is a hotspot for tracking down these graceful beasts and is amazing for diving amongst its rainbow-coloured reefs and sunken shipwrecks from times gone by.
Top trips:
10-day Classic Borneo
11-day Sabah Adventure
8-day Borneo Expedition to the Maliau Basin
6. Hong Kong
Hong Kong is yet another one of those places considered a stopover and not a destination in its own right. But, this bustling city gives you a fascinating window into what the future of modern China will look like. With its impressive skyline, varied foodie offerings, and many museums and concert halls, you’ll wish you were staying longer than a few days!
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This vibrant urban centre is split into a mass of different neighbourhoods, each with its own speciality and personality. Shop until you drop in Causeway Bay, dig into sophisticated dishes in SoHo, embrace your inner hipster in Sheung Wan, sample a craft beer or two in Kennedy Town and so much more. Aside from all this excitement, Hong Kong also has over 260 outlying islands – boasting abandoned villages, challenging rock climbing opportunities, and otherworldly scenery.
Top trips:
19-day China Experience
7. India
Alright, you caught us. We’ve already recommended India as a fantastic country to travel to in November and December, but we’d be missing a trick if we didn’t mention it here too. Why, you ask? Two words – Holi Festival. Officially ushering in the spring, Holi is celebrated as the Festival of Love all over the sub-continent and is one of the most colourful times in the Indian calendar.
Join locals in the streets as they shower each other with vibrantly coloured powders and water and watch the Holika Dahan (wood and dung bonfires) burn as good triumphs over evil. Plus, try traditional festival treats like puran poli (a sweet buttery flatbread) and dahi vada (vegetable fritters soaked in thick Indian yoghurt). Holi is a cultural experience not to be missed!
Top trips:
14-day Premium India in Depth
8-day India’s Golden Triangle
15-day Classic Rajasthan
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