Where To Go In April
Yves Saint Laurent Museum, Marrakech, Morocco
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pril. That magical month when everything in the world starts to feel right again. The birds are singing. The sky is bluer. The wind, warmer. And with that renewed energy stirring, the urge to get out and explore the world in all its springtime glory grows inside us. Especially after the year we just had.
Spring 2021 comes as news from the US reveals the Centers for Disease Control is easing regulations for travelers. Here in Europe, travel is permitted depending on where you go and the validity of your negative rapid test.
So whether you're ready to hop on a plane and spend those vacation days tomorrow, or you're looking for a little arm-chair travel, we've got something on this list for you.
Mozambique
Temperature: 30°C high and 20°C low
For those who: want to escape
While other parts of the country are wet and rainy as the summer comes to a close, on the southern shores of Mozambique, it’s pure tropical bliss. This East-African country is the best place to go if you feel like you need a reset after the last year. The palm-fringed beaches and flour-soft white sand are everything you craved, and more. Of course, Mozambique is known for having some of the world’s best diving, but come April when it’s the tail end of whale shark season, you may want to break out the snorkel to get up close to these creatures. You’d find us salty on the beach inhaling Peri Peri — hot and spicy — prawns.
Where to stay? Sussurro. The hotel has created a thoughtfully designed space with private bungalows — clocking in at over 1k sqft — featuring Mozambican vernacular architecture and hand-crafted furniture from Sub-Saharan Africa. All your meals are included and the property has a host of activities to choose from — whether you want to head into the bush or dive in the Indian ocean. Staying here means you don’t really need to go anywhere else.
St. Barths
Temperature: 30°C high; 24°C low
For those who: wish they could get to the South of France
Okay, yes, Saint Barthelemy has a reputation for being a bit extravagant. Billionaires park their yachts here for the winter; and while celebrities flock to Saint Barths for seclusion, if you go to the right spot, you can have dinner in the same room. But don’t that fool you — because St. Barths is also incredibly charming. The attire here is luxe and beachy but far less flashy than, say, Mykonos, and there’s this kind of effortless joie de vivre only the French can implant in a place. Holiday here to spend your days hopping between wild beaches and nights making new friends and dancing on tables.
Where to stay? Eden Rock. Like much of the island, the hotel had a total remodel after a category five hurricane a few years back, and looks totally fresh. It also sits right on a private ‘gin clear’ bay — although, you’ll probably be caught sipping the island’s famous vanilla rum in on a lounger. It’s also much more laid back here than some of the other hotels on the island, pairing warm hospitality with a bohemian vibe. You’re also close to St Jean town for some of the best shopping and dining.
Marrakech
Temperature: 23°C high; 11°C low
For those who: want a low-key adventure
If you’re American, listen up. Morocco is one of the few countries open to US travelers these days. But, anyone who jets off to Marrakech right now should know this isn’t the same city it was pre-pandemic. With curfews and much of the famous souks shuttered, the city is admittedly quieter. However, that doesn’t mean there’s less to enjoy. Book a raid with a rooftop and a pool — with the weather finally starting to warm up you can get away with a dip and some tanning. And if you’re really seeking seclusion, head out to the hills bursting with almond blossoms this time of year, or the desert for a tented retreat under the stars. After a year mostly hulled-up at home, the color and splendor of Marrakech are going to nourish your traveling soul.
Where to stay? Riad Tarabel. A French colonial style riad, the property is overflowing with Moroccan antiques, ratan furniture, the traditional tadelakt tiling you’d expect. But this riad is decidedly more serene than some of the other bright hotels in Marrakech, playing with a cool color pallet to also juxtapose the city’s famous red, bustling streets. There’s no in-house dining but the attentive staff will point you in the right direction. We also love that there’s a spa here.
And just because we’re bitter, the suitest places we wish we could go this April…
BOLIVIA, SOUTH AMERICA
Temperature: 17°C high; 4°C low
April is the tail end of the rainy season in Bolivia, when the dusty Uyuni Salt Flats transform into one giant, glassy mirror. This is the best month to see the famous flats in this state, as the terrain is much easier to navigate and the weather is less, well, rainy. We suggest a day on 4x4s or renting a caravan out to Uyuni so you can stop and see all the sights along the way — from smoldering volcanoes to flamingo-filled lagoons.
TOKYO, JAPAN
Temperature: 20°C high; 12°C low
Come April, Tokyo’s neon lights have nothing on the city’s pastel cherry blossoms. All across the city you’ll find these trees dripping in petals and coating the walkways. We love the sakura festivals that come with the ushering-in of cherry blossom season, parks filling up across the city with admirers and vendors waiting by the ready with delicious treats for when we get hungry. Let’s hope 2022 is our year.
