Spring into 2015 with these top destinations

Spring is our favourite time of the year! To begin with there’s Easter which means one thing… CHOCOLATE!! And as well as all that blissful, indulgent gorging, there are also lots of lovely seasonal changes to look forward to. The days are becoming longer, the cold weather is slowing warming up, there are newly born lambs bounding through the fields and there is colour everywhere you look! It’s a magical time of the year so why not get out there and enjoy it? Here are some of our favourite destinations to visit in spring.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a medieval city steeped in history, lined with cobble-stoned streets, overlooked by the impressive Edinburgh Castle and bursting with local charm. Spend a relaxing weekend appreciating the striking architecture and taking in the stunning scenery while you wander the winding, narrow streets of this beautiful city which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy fantastic shopping, great coffee and tasty food in the many quirky pubs, cafes and restaurants scattered throughout the city.

Visit the Edinburgh Castle to see the Scottish Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny. Tours of the castle commence at 9:30am and we recommend you try to get there early to avoid the crowds. Pop along to the Castle Terrace for the Edinburgh Farmers Market which runs from 9am – 2pm every Saturday. Enjoy a quick bite to eat here before jumping aboard an open-top tour bus to learn more about the city and the incredible history that surrounds you. After your tour, head to the famous Royal Mile for a tasty meal. Here you will find plenty of restaurants to choose from varying from traditional Scottish cuisine to international cuisine.

Finish your day with the dead ghost tour where you can explore Edinburgh’s legendary Underground City! If you’re not a fan of finishing your evening with a fright, then why not catch a show or enjoy some comedy instead?   During the month of April, there are lots of options to choose from including Jesus Christ Superstar (7-11 April), Oklahoma (21-25 April) or Alan Car: Yap, Yap, Yap (17-18 April).

Edinburgh is the festival capital of Scotland and April is no exception. While the kids will love the Puppet Animation Festival which runs from 28 Mar – 18 April, musically talented tourists will appreciate the International Harp Festival (5-10 April) and the brainiacs among us will be fascinated by the Science Festival (5-10 April). For something completely different, plan a trip to Edinburgh at the end of April and be amazed by the Beltane Fire Festival (30 April) where the four elements (fire, earth, air and water) are brought together by colourful characters led by May Queen in a procession on Calton Hill. The many museums and galleries in Edinburgh host excellent exhibitions all year round. Take a look at which exhibitions and events happening are on offer this April.

Glasgow

Glasgow has long been receiving rave reviews from publications such as the New York Times, The Guardian and Wanderlust and it seems it’s not just the journalists that love this city as it was also named as the ‘friendliest city in the world’ by Rough Guides in 2014 as voted on by the public. While Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, the city centre is actually quite compact making it easy to get around and see a lot in a short space of time. And trust us when we say, there is a lot to see!

Glasgow was named the UK’s City of Architecture and Design in 1999 thanks to the many remarkable Victorian structures as well as the masterpieces created by the Glaswegian born legendary architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh. After wandering the city and admiring the many works by Mackintosh, make sure to stop into The Willow Tea Rooms also designed by the architect. The famous Room De Luxe with its silver furniture and leaded glass work attracts visitors from all around the world. Replenish with afternoon tea in these beautiful surroundings before heading out again for some serious shopping! Glasgow is consistently voted as one of the top places to shop in the UK and is a mecca for shoppers. Glasgow’s Style Mile located in the centre of the city is probably the best starting point. This square is jam packed with malls, independent boutiques, designer stores and speciality shops.

Enjoy some of Scotland’s best produce for dinner, fresh mussels, oysters, langoustines, Scottish beef, vegetables and award-winning cheeses can all be enjoyed in the many modern Scottish restaurants. If you prefer international cuisine, choose from Mexican, Indian, Italian, Spanish and lots more. Glasgow also has a host of specialist gin and whiskey bars serving gins from around the world and close to home including Makar Glasgow Gin. Craft beers are also served in bars all across the city and you can even watch the brewing process at Drygate Brewing and brew your very own beer! If it’s nightlife you’re after then Glasgow is the place to be this April. The city hosts an average of 130 music events a week and has even been titled UNESCO City of Music. World famous DJ’s swarm to the Glaswegian club scene to play an eclectic mix of music while home-grown and international comedians entertain the crowds.

If you are planning a trip to Glasgow during the month of April you can be tickled pink by Dara O’Brien at his “Crowd Tickler” show (10-11 April) or laugh until you cry with Brendan O’Carroll’s larger than life “How Now Mrs Brown Cow” at the famous SSE Hydro (31 March – 04 April). Be amazed by Janáček’s most dramatic operas Jenůfa in the Theatre Royal. Travel back in time with a visit to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum for the “Looking at World War I” exhibition (1–30 April) or with a musical portrayal of P T Barnum’s colourful life (31 Mar – 04 April). Click here for more information on what is happening in Glasgow during the month of April.

Brighton

The main attraction the city of Brighton has to offer is its prime location on stunning beachfront. While crowds tend to swarm to Brighton during the summer months, we think spring time is the best time of the year to visit. Enjoy strolls on the beach without dodging sunbathers and avoid the long queues for restaurants and bars.

A trip to Brighton will awaken your inner child! Take a spin on the Brighton Wheel, fill up on candy floss and spend an afternoon at the penny arcade. Unwind after all that excitement with a trip out to Brighton Marina on the world’s oldest operating electric railway, the Volks. Take a tour of the exotic palace, the Royal Pavilion located at the centre of Brighton and enjoy a stroll through the magnificent gardens. If you are a fan of individual fashion, make sure to finish your trip to Brighton with a spot of shopping. The North Laine is a maze of independent retailers while The Lanes offers more upmarket fashion labels.

Enjoy the sights of Brighton as you run through the city at the Brighton Marathon (12 April) or run from London to Brighton in one of the UK’s toughest challenges London2Brighton Run (23/24 May). If you prefer cars to running then you might enjoy the InCarNation car show in Brighton (25 April). May is the month of festivals for Brighton with the Brighton Festival taking place from 02-24 May showcasing art, film, dance, theatre, comedy and more. The Brighton Fringe Festival runs for the month of May while The Great Escape, Europe’s leading festival for new music takes place from the 14^th-16^th May. Twice a year artists in Brighton and Hove open their homes and studios to the general public allowing art lovers to buy original pieces directly from the artist. The twice yearly festival runs during the month of May and again in the run up to Christmas in December.

So what’s stopping you? Book your spring break now and save with Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh, Leonardo Hotel Glasgow or Leonardo Hotel Brighton.

*Main image by < pixabay/ CCO Public Domain (image size has been modified)