Alpine snow to azure shores: A trio of high-end spring escapes

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Spring sharpens travel’s pleasures. Snow still grips the mountains, yet cafés spill onto pavements by the sea, and cities soften into blossom. You feel it in lighter coats, longer lunches, and hotels that hum rather than heave.

This is the season to travel with intention. You can ski in the morning and drink something cold in the sun by afternoon, or you can trade beach glare for temple shade before dusk. These three escapes reward planning, but they also welcome spontaneity.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy: The Queen of the Dolomites

In Cortina, spring keeps its balance. North-facing pistes above the town hold snow well into April, while the valley warms enough for terrace lunches.

You start early, ski the Tofane while the corduroy still sings, then peel off layers as the sun climbs. This rhythm suits Italy ski holidays at their most civilised.

Book a guide for a half-day to link runs efficiently, then switch to boots for the Corso Italia, where pastry shops and tailors share the pavement. Order casunziei in a rifugio that faces the Cinque Torri and you’ll taste buckwheat and beetroot with a view that justifies the splurge.

Finish with a gentle walk along the old railway path as the Dolomites blush at sunset, and don’t forget to make a late-afternoon spa slot part of your plan.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, French Riviera

Cap Ferrat in spring trades celebrity glare for clarity. The sea turns glassy, and the light flatters everything from stucco villas to pine needles.

Walk the Sentier du Littoral in the morning, when the path threads above water that reads as blue ink, then settle on Paloma Beach before lunch crowds arrive. You earn your indulgence by timing museum visits for the lull after noon.

Villa Ephrussi’s gardens reward a slow circuit that ends at the tearoom with views across bays that feel private. Choose a hotel within strolling distance of the port so you can eat simply at night and wake early for a swim; reserve one seaside table in advance and let the rest unfold naturally.

Kyoto, Japan: The Cherry Blossom Peak

Kyoto’s sakura season compresses beauty into days, not weeks, and the city rewards those who plan with care. You beat the crowds by walking the Philosopher’s Path at first light, when petals fall like quiet weather, and the canal carries reflections rather than elbows.

Midday belongs to neighbourhoods: Nishijin for weaving studios, Higashiyama for pottery lanes that climb. Choose a ryokan with a small garden so you can retreat between outings, and time temple visits for late afternoon, when tour buses thin and incense lingers.

Travel light, rely on trains and taxis, and keep one evening free to wander Gion after dark.