Where to go in April
April carries two springs at once: the cherry blossom finishes in the Far East while North Africa and Central Asia enter their mildest stretch. In our catalogue April is the second busiest departure month after March.
Countries in high season in April
Japan
The main cherry blossom weeks, with spring temperatures around 18C.
What to expect: The first half peaks in Tokyo and Kyoto; the second half moves north to Tohoku and Hokkaido. Golden Week begins in the final days and locks up domestic transport.
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South Korea
18C and eight rainy days: the best month of the year for walking a city.
What to expect: Palace gardens and traditional villages such as Jeonju are in bloom. Yellow-dust episodes can occur, so sensitive travellers carry a mask.
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Morocco
The best month of the year: 24C and five rainy days, with the desert not yet scorching.
What to expect: Marrakech, Fes and the Sahara fit into one itinerary. Snow can still sit on the Atlas passes, so high routes need a jacket.
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Uzbekistan
The most comfortable month for the Silk Road cities: 24C, with the fierce summer still far away.
What to expect: The squares of Samarkand and Bukhara are walkable all day. Desert nights are cold and the swing is wide around Khiva.
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China
Mid spring: 22C, with March cold left behind.
What to expect: Beijing and Shanghai sit well in one itinerary. Domestic tourism peaks over the Labour Day break at the end of the month and train tickets sell out early.
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Egypt
The last window before summer: 30C but barely half a rainy day a month.
What to expect: The Red Sea has warmed and the diving season is open. Middays in the Nile valley now send you looking for shade.
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United Arab Emirates
The last month of the winter season: 33C but less than one rainy day a month, with a warm sea.
What to expect: Beach and pool days work; desert trips and city walking move to the morning and evening. If Ramadan falls this month, daytime dining and opening hours change. It is the last easy window before the summer shutdown.
Open the United Arab Emirates page
Temperature and rainfall figures are multi-year averages for the cities in our catalogue. This is an editorial suggestion, not a weather or availability guarantee.
Cruises this month
The real opening of the Mediterranean season: ships return from winter routes and the ports are not yet crowded.
All cruises