Top 5 places to visit in March
Whether it’s a romantic escape, a friends’ getaway, or a family vacation, spring is the ideal time for a mild-weather vacation at these fun-filled destinations around the world.
By Veronica Stoddart | February 14, 2025 (Updated June 26, 2025)
Veronica Stoddart
The former travel editor of USA TODAY, Veronica Stoddart is a multiple award-winning writer with more than four decades in travel journalism. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, AARP The Magazine, Hemispheres, Food & Wine, Los Angeles Times, Frommers.com, and RobbReport.com, among dozens of outlets. She specializes in culinary and cultural travel, cruising, and national parks and received TravMedia’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award for Travel Journalism. A travel addict, she has visited more than 110 countries on all seven continents, reporting from many of them. A high-profile expert in travel and tourism, she has served as a frequent speaker or panelist for more than three dozen professional organizations.
Yearning to leave the winter blues behind? Then embrace spring’s warmer weather, longer days, and flowering blooms as your inspiration for a wonderful vacation. Here are five destinations as different as they are spectacular — from Italy and Japan to Costa Rica and the United States — for your next spring fling.
Sorrento, Italy
A historic town near Italy’s gorgeous Amalfi Coast, Sorrento boasts a spectacular cliffside setting on the shimmering Bay of Naples. Perfumed by its famous lemon blossoms, Sorrento is a postcard pretty town of narrow lanes dotted with seafood restaurants, sidewalk cafes and limoncello vendors. Just a short walk from town, Hilton Sorrento Palace is ideal for exploring the area’s iconic attractions. The concierge can arrange a romantic boat tour to Capri for couples, a Pompeii tour for history buffs, or pizza-making class for foodies. Families can enjoy the hotel’s multiple pools or head to the on-site courts for a friendly game of tennis. When you’re not savoring traditional Italian fare around town or at the hotel’s Sorrento Il Ristorante, treat your palate to international fare at the hotel’s other eateries like Happyssimo.
Kyoto, Japan
From its 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines to its classic Zen gardens and kimono-clad geishas, Kyoto stands proud as the historical and cultural heart of Japan. The city is at its photogenic best in spring, when thousands of cherry blossoms sweeten the air. The centrally located Hilton Kyoto puts you near the Gion geisha district and the tantalizing Nishiki Market, where you’ll find a dizzying number of vendors with traditional fare. Traveling with kids? Enjoy Iwatayama Monkey Park. On a girlfriends’ getaway? Indulge in a sumptuous treatment at the Hilton Kyoto’s eforea Spa like a facial with caviar or a massage utilizing Japanese herbs. Come dinnertime, enjoy a fresh Mediterranean meal at the hotel’s 7 Embers restaurant, followed by a nightcap with stunning city views from the rooftop bar, Cloud Nest.
San Jose, Costa Rica
Costa Rica's lively capital is blessed with year-round springlike temperatures and an enviable location in the lush Central Valley, rimmed by jagged volcanoes and misty cloud forests. Visit San Jose during the dry season and stay at Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton to make the most of the city’s offerings. Catch a show at the beautiful 19th-century National Theater, bring the family on a day trip to the Poas Volcano National Park, or take in the riches at nearby museums dedicated to gold, art, natural history, and jade. No matter what activities you choose, the concierge at Gran Hotel Costa Rica can arrange it all. Costa Rican cuisine is delicious, but if you’re in the mood for international cuisine, head to the hotel’s Cultura5 restaurant or grab a drink at the piano bar.
Virgin, Utah
Strap on your hiking boots and pack your sense of adventure. The town of Virgin may be small (population: 701), but it’s the gateway to red rock-speckled Zion National Park. Spring is an ideal time to visit when the crowds are smaller, and you can enjoy the dramatic scenery without the intense summer heat. Plenty of mountain biking and scenic hikes await, plus opportunities for canyoneering, helicopter rides, and ATV tours in Greater Zion. AutoCamp Zion makes for the ideal home base, with its unique Airstream accommodations just 13 miles (21 kilometers) from the national park. On-site yoga classes, dips in the outdoor pool, and prime stargazing are all par for the course. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, fire up your personal grill or head to the on-site restaurant, The Kitchen, for seasonal dishes.
Nashville, Tennessee
As a place where music is written, performed, and recorded every day, Nashville, also known as Music City, boasts more than 180 venues — from large arenas and concert halls to intimate clubs and honky-tonks. Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry are especially iconic. But this dynamic city features so much more: celebrity chef-driven restaurants, craft breweries, eclectic museums, and loads of Southern charm. Visit in spring for blooming flowers, sunshine galore, and countless concerts and events. Keep the musical theme going with a stay at the funky Graduate by Hilton Nashville. The midtown location makes it easy to explore, but don’t miss out on the property’s rooftop pool or its karaoke bar, Cross-Eyed Critters. Make a night of it with cocktails and dinner at the hotel’s trendy rooftop restaurant, White Limozeen.
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