Where to travel off the beaten track in April

According to global travellers, these are the best places to head off the beaten track in April.*

Tbilisi, Georgia

The chaotic capital of Georgia was built at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, and is a glorious amalgamation of the two continents’ cultures. Built in a valley between the snow-capped Caucasus mountains, Tbilisi’s streets are attractively scruffy and laid out like a maze. Get lost walking from Orthodox churches, mosques and synagogues, through pretty public courtyards, to visit the thermal public bathhouses for which the city is known. And don’t leave without tasting some Georgian wine (this small Eurasian country is believed to have been the first place to produce wine in the world) or khinkali (a local speciality dumpling stuffed with meat and spices). Stay at Fabrika Tbilisi, a former Soviet sewing factory in the historic centre that’s been turned into a contemporary, industrial-chic hotel.

Gramado, Brazil

Gramado is not what you’d expect to find in Brazil; a small mountain town surrounded by green mountains and filled with gingerbread-style houses, it’s often compared to an Alpine resort. Far more peaceful than most Brazilian metropolises, it’s a place to shop in artisanal boutiques and to indulge in locally-produced chocolate and beer. Stay at Hotel Sky, a timber-framed, turreted building in the middle of town.

Granada, Spain

A small city in the Spanish region of Andalusia, Granada is a lesser-known but must-visit destination. For those keen on culinary adventures, the fact that it’s one of the only cities in Spain where tapas is still a complimentary treat before your meal might sway you into booking a trip. But in addition to fantastic food, it’s a place brimming with history, culture and character. See glorious fountains, gardens, fortresses and grand monuments like the Alhambra Palace, all dating back to the Moorish occupation. Stay at the regal Alhambra Palace Hotel, just a few minutes’ from the actual palace complex.

Gdańsk, Poland

It’s rare to find a seaside retreat in Europe that’s affordable and relatively empty of tourists, but Gdańsk is just that. Situated on Poland’s Baltic coast, it’s a port city characterized by medieval architecture and great food – be sure to try Polish pierogi dumplings from a small neighbourhood restaurant in the Oliwa district. Wander the gargoyle-lined streets of the Old Town and admire the elaborate Neptune’s Fountain sculpture, and the 500-year-old, wooden Zuraw Crane on the popular Long Market thoroughfare. If you feel like hitting the beach and taking a dip in the Baltic Sea, the spa town of Sopot is also only a short train ride away. Check into Apartament No9, just 50 metres from the Long Market and thus a matter of seconds from Neptune’s Fountain.

Kazan, Russia

On the banks of the Volga and Kazanka rivers in southwest Russia, Kazan might not be on your travel radar yet but no doubt it soon will be. As a host city for this summer’s football, it’s rapidly becoming a popular holiday destination. In fact it’s been known as Russia’s sporting capital for a while, having hosted several major world sports events, as well as having a reputation for religious tolerance; the city’s Temple of All Religions is a multicoloured architectural complex that’s the only one of its kind to contain an Orthodox and Catholic church, a Muslim mosque, a Jewish synagogue and a Buddhist temple. And it’s quite a sight to behold, with dazzling yellow domes, bottle green spires and brilliant blue minarets. It’s also worth visiting the centuries-old Kazan Kremlin and going for a stroll along the Naberezhnaya Embankment. Check into Hotel Lampa, a handsome hotel right in the middle of Kazan.

**These destinations had the highest growth in bookings by Booking.com customers for the month of April.