Morocco
For those seeking a trekking experience away from snowy summits, the Anti Atlas Mountains in Morocco are perfect in March, when you can embrace tranquil hikes and the season of wildflowers and blooming trees. Don’t miss the annual almond blossom festival in Tafraoute, held in February or March to coincide with the vibrant flowering and harvest of almond trees.
Uzbekistan
March welcomes the start of spring in Uzbekistan, as blossoming apricots grace the landscape. As the month unfolds, expect warm and moderately dry weather, with temperatures ranging from 14°C (57°F) to 30°C (86°F). Seize the opportunity to explore the storied cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva; immerse yourself in mountainous retreats; or embark on an artistic and cultural journey in the capital city of Tashkent.
Normandy, France
If visitors to France fancy something other than the Olympics, the region of Normandy is hosting the Normandy Impressionist Festival from March to September next year to celebrate 150 years of Impressionism. The event will bring visitors into the heart of a 19th-century movement that turned art on its head with its radical, soulful focus on outdoor scenes and the effects of light. The program includes open-air theater performances and dance cafes, art exhibitions and workshops, plus forest walks, stargazing, sound- and-light shows and romantic picnics straight out of a Renoir.
Spain
Though Spain might be one of the most popular countries for visitors, the sun-washed destination is leading the green-travel way with its plans for a more sustainable, circular tourism model. The Mediterranean city of Valencia is a European Green Capital for 2024, and March is the perfect time to visit and explore Jardines del Turia, a 9km (5.5-mile)long riverbed that’s been transformed into a road-free park.
Algeria
Since winters along the Mediterranean coast can be cold and wet, and desert nights icy, March is an ideal month to visit Algeria. To see the Algerian Sahara’s most beautiful sand dunes, head to the blood-red oasis city of Timimoun and its nearby Grand Erg Occidental, a dune sea twice the size of Belgium. It is also best to avoid summer, when temperatures in the Sahara can get into the 50°C (122°F) range. In spring and autumn, the weather is ideal for touring, and hotel rates are lower than the summer peak.
