The Best Places to Travel in April

Japan’s natural beauty takes the form of volcanic geysers in the Great Boiling Valley, bamboo forests in Arashiyama and the country’s most iconic sight, Mount Fuji. Couple that with delicious food, eclectic architecture and a rich cultural heritage, and you have a fantastic April vacation destination. You can experience it all on Culture Trip’s 12-day Rail Trip, in which you’ll immerse yourself in Japanese culture through sushi-making, taiko drumming and sumo wrestling, and learn about the country’s past at the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum. The cherry blossom blooms at this time of year, making it a particularly special time to visit Japan.

The best way to enjoy Scotland’s stunning countryside is from the comfort of a window seat on the iconic Jacobite steam train – aka the Hogwarts Express – which is the highlight of this seven-day Rail Trip. Said countryside is gorgeous at this time of year, with thistles leaving the harsh winter behind and exploding into colour across the ever-changing Highland landscapes. On this trip you’ll get to visit the Isle of Skye, Cairngorms National Park and a local whisky distillery, as well as Edinburgh – which boasts its own stunning array of cherry blossom at this time of year.