Where to find early spring sunshine

For those enduring a northern hemisphere winter, the prospect of sunshine just around the corner is a tantalizing thought. But if your eagerness for vitamin D means you just can’t wait, here are five of the best destinations to soak up some early spring sunshine.

Paphos, Cyprus

Though the scorching heat of Cyprus in summer is also appealing, spring here brings all the sunshine you could need with more peace and quiet (most tourists arrive in June). Temperatures float around a mild 22 degrees Celsius, so conditions are ideal for exploring the island’s hinterland and you won’t need to stick resolutely to the coast. You can walk and cycle all over the island, admiring the carpets of blooming wildflowers, out of which spring olive and pink mimosa trees, and the occasional miniature, mosaiced chapel. The ancient city of Paphos was a European Capital of Culture in 2017, so there’s plenty to see and do in town, too – from archeological sites and concerts to the Anthestiria Flower Festival in May. Indulge in some spring sunbathing by the outdoor pool at Apollonia Holiday Apartments in Paphos, or walk five minutes to the beach.

Valletta, Malta

If you need an early vitamin D boost, spring in Malta is often said to be the island’s best season, with red poppies cloaking the hills and cobalt blue, sun-filled skies. Temperatures tend to hover around 20 degrees Celsius, so you’ll be able to enjoy your morning coffee al fresco – perhaps on a pleasant café terrace in the honey-coloured stone capital of Valletta. Spring is also when the cultural calendar kicks into action, with festivals like the Feast of St Joseph, Festa Frawli, cycling race Tour Ta’ Malta and the annual April Strawberry Festival. Valletta’s Sally Port Suites is a old stone building featuring typical Maltese painted balconies, with an interior following a contemporary aesthetic.

Kyoto, Japan

Just in time for the cherry blossom (‘sakura’) season, a spring trip to Kyoto brings more than just sunshine – the whole city becomes a vision in pale pink. Some of the best places to appreciate this colourful and scented haze are Kyoto’s temples; it is known as the ‘city of 10,000 shrines’ so there are plenty to choose from. But Ginkakuji and Nanzenji, along with the Philosopher’s Path, which connects the two pavilions and is lined with overhanging cherry trees, are the most popular spots. Witness the city’s parks come alive with ‘hanami’ celebrations, a Japanese tradition of welcoming spring with social gatherings and food and drink, while pink petals float through the air. With a zen garden, tatami flooring and calligraphy on the paper walls, Jeugiya – a holiday home in Kyoto – feels like a Japanese temple.

Hamilton, Bermuda

Despite being an off-peak season, spring in Bermuda still sees almost constant sunshine and warm weather for sunbathing on the beach (although swimming season doesn’t quite start until May). You’ll enjoy relative solitude lazing on the island’s Champagne-pink sandy beaches (red organisms from the coral reefs that line Bermuda get mixed up in the sand and give it this distinctive glow) as well as far more agreeable accommodation prices. Scuba diving is a popular activity – there are shipwrecks, caves and coral reef to explore – while the capital, Hamilton, has eateries and activities galore – visit for brunch before a spot of tennis or wander its pastel-coloured harbourfront at sunset before having dinner on a restaurant balcony overlooking the water. Check into a suite in a 19th-century manor house with a coral facade at Royal Palms Hotel in Hamilton.

Oaxaca, Mexico

Seeking out early spring sunshine in Mexico doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll come across endless spring breakers (unless, of course, you just want to party – in which case head to Cancun or Cabo). Oaxaca, the capital of the eponymous southern Mexican state, is a colonial city built in volcanic stone that remains peaceful at this time of year, while the weather is sunny with virtually no rain (the rainy season starts mid-May). Make the most of the city’s culinary pedigree, sampling the likes of empanadas and barbacoa, slow-roasted lamb simmered in its own juices and served in a tortilla sprinkled with onions, coriander and lime. Best washed down with an agua fresca (translating to ‘fresh waters’), a refreshing, ice-cold juice infused with fresh cantaloupe, cucumber, mango, lime and other tropical fruits, and served up by street vendors all over the city. With purple-painted walls that form an arcade around an olive-tree in a central courtyard, La Betulia B&B’s calm, rural atmosphere belies its proximity to the centre of Oaxaca (a few minutes’ walk).