Where to travel in April

Con Dao | Vietnam

Scattered off Vietnam's south coast, this little chain of islands in the South China Sea has a big personality. You'll go for the unbelievable beaches, but stay for the dense jungle, tropical vibes and the sea turtles.

Yes, sea turtles – which are part of the reason why sightseeing below the waves is just as popular as doing it on the ground. Protected coral reefs hide colourful sea life, while secluded strips of sand provide the perfect place to stretch out under the sunshine. The weather starts to heat up from the end of March, making April ideal for a slice of tropical island paradise.

The only downside is that Con Dao can be a bit tricky to get to. You'll need to fly from the UK to Ho Chi Minh City first, then make your way to Con Dao on a domestic flight or by Superdong ferry. But if you ever needed an excuse to explore Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, then this is it.

The largest city in southern Vietnam is an impossible mix of French colonial buildings, European-style squares, a full-blown Notre-Dame cathedral, ancient temples, glittering skyscrapers and quiet, open parks.

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Thailand

April is the celebration of Songkran, or Thai New Year, which takes place from the 13th to 15th of the month. In Bangkok especially it's experienced by visitors as a city-wide, multi-day water fight when everyone throws water over everyone else.

April is the hottest part of the year so you'll usually be glad of the chance to cool down, and it's a chance to see Bangkok at its best. The city is always wonderfully noisy, riotous, friendly and chaotic and Songkran is a perfect example of this.

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Amsterdam | The Netherlands

April is a great time to go to the Netherlands, and that's because of the tulips. They start to come out in March, but are at their glorious technicolour best in April.

That means the gorgeous Keukenhof Gardens are open. You can head out from Amsterdam to the tulip fields for a visit, and the city holds its own tulip festival all through the month. Amsterdam is a great city break any time of year, but April sees it at its beautiful blooming best so if you're planning a trip, now's the time.

We visited Amsterdam a few years ago to make our video guide for visitors to the city. Take a look at the travel guide or watch our video tour of one of its most infamous attractions – the Red Light District.

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Bridgetown | Barbados

There are more flights heading to Barbados so it's easier to visit than ever. And why wouldn't you want to? It's got all the appeal of the Caribbean, plus they speak English and like to drink tea. Hot tea in 30ºC heat isn't for everyone, so you're forgiven if you opt for rum punch straight out of a coconut instead.

The sandy beaches in Barbados are arguably the best in the world, and you'll be in paradise catching some rays on your sunlounger. But there's more to Bridgetown than that – it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting historic landmarks, lively reggae bands and some of the Caribbean's best food.

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Nantes | France

Perched on France's glamorous Loire River, Nantes is a great option for families looking to get away for the Easter holidays. New Ryanair routes from the UK has made it easier, and cheaper, to take the little ones on the short hour-and-a-half flight to northern France.

But what will kids love about Nantes? There's Puy du Fou, a unique theme park with areas each themed after different parts of history – from the Roman Empire, through the Viking age up until World War II. Then there's Les Machines de l'Île, a fascinating installation within the old shipyards. It's part steampunk, part whimsy and completely bonkers – if you've ever wanted to see a giant mechanical elephant this is the place to go.

Would you rather leave the kids at home? Fair enough. Nantes is well within the Loire Valley and boasts some of the best wines in the world, as well as plenty of grand chateaux and lush vineyards to try them in. So it's just as good a shout for a more grown-up trip.

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Prachov Rocks | Czech Republic

April is an excellent time to get out in nature as temperatures start to rise and sunny days are aplenty. And while the UK has no shortage of beautiful walking routes, if you fancy heading abroad we'd absolutely recommend seeing the Prachov Rocks in the Czech Republic.

This 40-metre-tall rock formation and lush wilderness can be found in a region called Bohemian Paradise, and it's called that for a reason. There are plenty of routes you can choose to walk, taking somewhere between 45 minutes and 2 hours, and along the way you might recognise the distinct landscapes from films and TV shows like Carnival Row, Van Helsing and Britannia.

The Prachov Rocks make for a great day trip from Prague if you want to take in the capital while you're away.

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Houston | Texas

No two days are the same in Houston. Learn all about the moon landing at the Houston Space Center, then see local baseball team the Houston Astros score home run after home run. The diversity of culture and attractions is as good as anywhere in the USA, which becomes obvious when you start eating your way through the city. From Venezuelan to Vietnamese, just about every cuisine you can think of is served up to a high standard, whether you fancy fine dining or street eats. April is crawfish season, so a traditional crawfish boil should definitely be on the menu.

The rodeo finishes near the end of March but a lot of the events and concerts that come with it spill into early April. So if you want a taste of that classic cowboy culture without so many crowds this could be the best time. Plus the weather's warm but not hot, meaning the nights are less 'swampy' and you can make the most of exploring without overheating.