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Where to visit in March?

Hello! We are planning a ten day getaway in March (mid to end). Does anyone have any recommendations for which cities to visit? We have been to Italy and France many times, so were hoping to pick other places... Is Switzerland still very cold during this time of year?

Posted by
4637 posts

If you don't want to be cold then Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain (as it was already suggested). I know you asked about cities not countries. So Athens, Rome, Naples, Lisbon, Barcelona, etc.

Posted by
8312 posts

We usually go the last few days of March--the end of the Winter airfares. The first 2 weeks of April, the weather's changing in middle Europe.

You can tell because the manure piles have thawed and farmers in Italy, Austria and many other countries are spreading it on their fields.
We prefer the Austrian Alps over Switzerland as roads are easy to travel and it's so much cheaper of a place to visit. And the mountains are also absolutely breathtaking. Northern Italy's also a great place to go that time of the year.

Posted by
10344 posts

There are websites that give weather averages, and since you're going in March, you may want to study average weather. Of course, averages are only averages and the actual weather will likely be different, but you need an idea of probable weather in areas you're considering.
You asked about the weather in Switzerland in March--that depends very much on the elevations you're planning to visit.

Posted by
12040 posts

March is still the ski season in the Swiss Alps. Great if you ski, not so great if you have in mind summer hiking activities.

Posted by
12313 posts

Valencia has their fire festival during the end of March. I'd check that out, then head to southern Spain.

Posted by
230 posts

If you've been there many times, how about opening it up a little?
Greece and Spain would be good, of course, but why not Cyprus, or southern Turkey? You won't see any Americans at either of the last two, I wouldn't think.

Posted by
15777 posts

Spain!!

March 15-19 is the Fire Festival (Las Fallas) in Valencia. Semana Santa begins on March 20 (Palm Sunday). The biggest celebrations are in Malaga and Seville. It can be very exciting to be part of any of the festivities, but it will be super crowded.

There are other wonderful places to visit in Andalusia if you want to avoid the crowds.

I don't know what goes on in Portugal during Holy Week but friends were there last year in mid-March (well before Easter) and came back raving about how wonderful it was.

Posted by
4637 posts

Yes, Melbourne is nice and full of very friendly people but Sydney that's San Francisco of Australia.

Posted by
19729 posts

I like the ideas of finding festivals or special reasons to be someplace. When possible we plan trips around special events.

March 15th is a national holiday in Hungary. It stands for democracy and freedom and it commemorates the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, which grew into a war for independence from Habsburg rule.

In practical tourist terms it means parades, soldiers on horseback in 19th century Hussar uniforms, street vendors with food and local crafts, lights and celebrations. One of the most festive days of the year. We've done it a few times and have always been blessed with cool temperatures and vivid blue skies. One of my favorite times of the year to be in Budapest.