The Wanderlist: Where to Travel in April for Culture
With the Northern hemisphere emerging from the winter cold and the Southern hemisphere’s hot summer temperatures cooling, April is a prime month for travel almost anywhere in the world. From rare glimpses inside Charleston’s historic homes to Rome’s birthday celebrations, we’re rounding up the best places to travel in April for culture.
Jordan
Deserts are probably the first image to come to mind when you think of this small Middle Eastern country, but Jordan’s landscapes are remarkably diverse, ranging from otherworldly red sand dunes and beaches to rugged mountains and vast fields of wheat. Beyond natural scenery, Jordan is home to a bevy of ancient historic sites, including the 2,000-year-old city of Petra, which is partially carved into the walls of a desert canyon. April is a particularly delightful time to visit, when temperatures are warm but not scorching and rainfall is minimal. Its compact size and relative safety make Jordan one of the most accessible countries to explore in the Middle East.
Charleston, South Carolina
April is a lovely month to explore one of the most well-preserved cities in the southern US, before the onset of the intense late spring and summer heat. A stroll through the city’s Historic District feels more like a foray into an earlier era, with horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping down streets lined with historic townhouses, charming churches and leafy courtyards. Visit before April 21 and you can get a look inside some of the city’s most impressive houses and gardens as part of the Festival of Houses and Gardens, which features special tours of private residences dating as far back as the American colonial period.
Rome, Italy
April’s mild temperatures make it an appealing time for checking Rome’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, like the Colosseum and the Pantheon, off your bucket list. It’s also less crowded and room rates are generally cheaper compared to the peak summer months. While ancient attractions are what draw many travellers to Rome, most find themselves equally enthralled with the city’s modern-day charms, from people-watching in sunny piazzas to dining in lively trattorias. April 21 marks Rome’s birthday, better known as Natale di Roma, which celebrates the founding of Rome by Romulus in the year 753 BC. The city marks the occasion with a variety of festivities, including illuminations of the city hall and other palazzi along with tons of firework displays.
Suzhou, China
One of eastern China’s most popular tourist destinations, Suzhou is known for its classical gardens, which combine serene water, rock, tree and pavilion elements to create peaceful natural settings. In addition to gardens, the town is also home to picturesque canals and pagodas. Set about 40 minutes from Shanghai by high-speed train, Suzhou can easily be visited in a daytrip. If you go in the spring, you also have a chance to check out the Biluochun Tea Culture and Tourism Festival, which runs through April. Celebrating biluochun, a well-loved type of green tea, the festival involves opportunities to pick tea leaves, watch the tea-making process and enjoy traditional performances.
Buenos Aires
Blending European style with Latin American vivacity, it’s easy to see how Buenos Aires earned the nickname “the Paris of South America.” Argentina’s capital is a true playground for culture buffs, packed with historic cafes, tango culture and wonderful art museums. A walk through the city streets rewards visitors with grand French and Italian-style palaces and colourful street art, along with more subtle architectural treasures. April falls in Buenos Aires’s autumn season, which means you’re in for multi-hued foliage and pleasant temperatures. April also brings the return of the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema (BAFICI), a prominent annual showcase of indie cinema.
