‘Avignon warmed our bones and fed our souls’: readers’ favorite early spring trips to southern Europe

Winning tip: Cycle Annecy’s greenways

Saint-Jorioze in Haute-Savoie will give your spirits a springtime lift. On the shores of Lake Annecy, it’s a short bus ride from the city of Annecy, but less crowded and with superior lake and mountain views. Cycle to the surrounding peaks, towards the lesser-known Col de l’Arpetaz, or along the stunning greenways. Relax with the cool blue alpine water. Behind you is the underrated Les Bages UNESCO Geopark. This section only joined France in 1860 and has its own Italian-influenced regional cuisine.
Brian Lowry

Naples is best in spring

Although not the most traditionally beautiful city in Italy, Naples offers a glimpse of springtime warmth. A world apart from Florence or Turin, Naples is a charming, lived-in city with a long history and rich culinary tradition. Spaccanapoli, which runs through the main part of the city, is a bustling place to walk and experience Neapolitan life. Pompeii and Herculaneum are nearby world-class sites such as Mount Vesuvius, Sorrento and the stunning islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida. You can reach Naples in 15 hours by train from London via Paris and Turin or Milan.
Michael Kuipers

Take the ferry to Corsica

It takes between six and eight hours to reach Marseille from London via an easy connection at Eurostar Lille or a change in Paris. After a shower at the station, refresh at the Vieux Port before arriving for breakfast in Bastia, Corsica by comfortable night-ferry. From Bastia, catch a scenic mountain train into this exceptionally unspoiled island to explore its wild interior and coastline. Mid to late spring is best for southern Europe when streams and waterfalls dry up in summer and return when the snow melts. The weather is sunny but very pleasant, the hills are covered with wild flowers, the wild animals are raising their young and the locals are in a refreshing mood.
Jake

Germany’s greenest, sunniest city

Take the Eurostar to Paris and continue on the high-speed train through Strasbourg east through the rolling hills and vineyards of Alsace to Freiburg – Germany’s warmest, sunniest and greenest city. (Some routes go via Brussels and Cologne.) Feast on Swabian classics käsespätzle (Cheesy Egg Noodles with Caramelized Onion)enjoy tacos at YepaYepa or drop into housebrewery Feuerling’s lively beer garden for a drink. From Freiburg, explore the highlights of the Black Forest, from Triberg’s cuckoo clocks and waterfalls to the treetop walk in Bad Wildbad. Choose to stay in a participating town and you’ll receive a Conus Guest Card, offering free transportation around the area for your entire stay.
George

Small beaches near Nice

I spent many delightful spring breaks in Villefranche-sur-Mer, a few miles east of Nice. The charm of its historic heart, the beauty of its deepwater bay, the proximity of stunning coastline and mountains, plus excellent cafes and restaurants make it hard to beat. Take the TGV to Nice, then just a few minutes on the local train (also easy for day trips to Cannes and Menton). It’s the small, secluded Plage de la Darcy or the swanky Plage in Cap Ferrat It should be warm enough to bathe at the Aege de la Fosse…
Gill R

Lemons and light on the Côte d’Azur

My sister and I spent a lovely few days in Menton on the Côte d’Azur in early April. We spent time meandering through the cobbled streets with their pastel-colored buildings, eating a mix of French and Italian cuisine (the last French town before the Italian border) and paddling in the calm blue bay. We trekked into the hills north of town, past magnificent houses, pine trees and spring flowers, to explore Maison Gannac, a citrus farm that grows the Menton lemon, famous for its taste and aroma.
Katie

Boat trip along the Moselle in Germany

The Moselle Valley is spectacular in April. Starting in the old Roman city of Trier, with its magnificent Porta Nigra gate, we followed the river 30 miles northwest to enjoy panoramic views from Burg Landshut. We took boat trips including to Cochem to take the chairlift up to the Pinnerkreuz viewpoint opposite the castle. Early April means wildflower-filled meadows and fewer visitors. Castles, boats and cable cars kept the kids entertained; Fresh Moselle Valley Rieslings keep the adults happy. We ended our trip in Koblenz, with a selection of traditional breweries whose spaetzle and schnitzel pair well with any beer.
Kirsten Lowery

Coastal routes near Perpignan

Go south on the train and avoid the traffic. Take the Eurostar to Paris, then a fast TGV to Perpignan in six hours before a final 25-minute local train to Port-Vendres – about nine hours from London, end-to-end. Early spring is perfect for this working harbor: most places are closed, no fish market. Lunch at a no-nonsense restaurant, then walk along the coastal paths to Collioure, bright and busy by comparison. The coast of the Pyréneés-Orientales is one of France’s sunniest regions, and the light works great even out of season.
Becky

The hazy golden city of Avignon

On our way to Sicily by ferry from Genoa, we stopped in Avignon. Medieval streets lined with small independent shops, the magnificent Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace), the beautiful sparkling Rhone River – and we disembarked the train in the early evening to explore the remaining four arches and gatehouse of the 12th century Pont Saint-Beau. A very comfortable and reasonably priced Bristol hotel within walking distance of everywhere. Evenings are warm, traditional restaurants abound, not crowded. In the off-season, Avignon rested us, warmed our bones and fed our souls.
Hillary