Spring has sprung, let’s beat the summer crowds and get exploring! Read on for inspiration on where to spend a March vacation.
Don't forget to use TripMapper, the best travel itinerary app out there 😉, to plan your March trip and to stay in control of your travel budget!
EXPLORE / NATURE / WILDLIFE
Chile.
Chile is a destination for wilderness explorers, adventure-seekers and wine lovers. This coastal strip of South America is teeming with staggering scenery, so be sure to take a spare camera memory card! This jam-packed, whistle-stop Chilean tour consists of a lot of travelling, but trust us, it is so worth it.
Your first stop will be Chile’s cosmopolitan capital of Santiago, a city surrounded by the magnificent Andes. Discover everything from historical buildings to bohemian neighbourhoods, art galleries to handicraft markets and fish markets to world-class restaurants. Be sure to head for the hills and marvel at the panoramic views.
From Santiago you can enjoy a day trip to the coastal city of Valparaíso, a World Hertitage City, known for its bohemian vibe. Alternatively, just outside the capital you can visit a fine wine estate where you can tour old vineyard manors, wander through the terraced vines and experience the flavours, aromas and colours of Chile's delicious vintages.
After being immersed in the delights of the central region, board a flight from Santiago to the enchanting Easter Island (Rapa Nui), home to Easter Island’s enduring symbol, the Moai. Those who make this journey will be richly rewarded. Alongside the mysterious and thought provoking archaeological treasures, are a plethora of natural gems, both on land and in its surrounding waters. Whether exploring on bike, on foot, on horseback or in a scuba diving gear you will not be disappointed.
Say goodbye to the Moais as you return to Santiago to take a flight to Puerto Montt. Foodies should not miss a detour to Castro, a place to devour delicious Chilean dishes. Be sure to stop by the craft markets, the colourful palacios (houses built on stilts) sitting along the promenade and the famous Church San Francisco.
After a brief encounter with civilisation, it is time to return to nature on a grand scale. From Puerto Montt board a flight to Punta Arenas before driving to Torres del Paine National Park via Puerto Natales where towering mountains, turquoise waters, epic glaciers and truly breathtaking views await. This national park is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Trekking or kayaking is the perfect way to explore and stumble across the park’s wildlife.
Before jumping on a plane back to Santiago, take a ferry to Island Magdelena near to Punta Arenas. This island’s main attraction is the 60,000 breeding pairs of Magellan Penguins, the largest colony of penguins in Chile. A special sight for wildlife lovers.
The final stop takes you from the giant glaciers to the dry desert. From Santiago fly to the mining city of Calama. Just an hour and a half away in San Pedro de Atacama you can begin to explore the region’s active geysers, colourful lagoons and flamingo filled salt flats.
There is no better way to end this incredible trip than by gazing up at the stars twinkling across the night sky. Magical.
Your TripMapper travel itinerary app will help you plan for and budget for this incredible Chilean adventure!
Best time to visit Chile (weather): Year round in the north, November to April in the south.
Find out more: Chile Travels's Tourism in Chile and Lonely Planet's Top things to do in Chile.
ADVENTURE / NATURE / RELAX
Orlando and the Florida Keys, Florida, U.S.A.
No place on earth has more iconic theme parks than Orlando. A trip to Orlando means reliving your childhood and simply having fun. There is something for all, whatever your age, whatever your interest.
At World Disney Resort alone you can fly the Millennium Falcon in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, find yourself in a far-flung corner of the world at Epcot, explore the Harambe Wildlife Reserve at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or behold a night time spectacular at Magic Kingdom. Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are the ultimate water parks to cool off from the Florida heat.
Universal Orlando Resort expands Florida’s theme park offerings, allowing its visitors to become immersed in the movies. Come face to face with a T-rex at Jurassic park, scale skyscrapers with Spiderman or wander down Diagon Alley whilst sipping a Butterbeer. Adrenalin junkies and movie buffs alike will thoroughly enjoy what Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure have to offer.
If you need a break from all the thrills and spills, Orlando offers a variety of boutiques for every budget. Whether you’re looking for high fashion shops like Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton or prefer to hunt for a bargain, Orlando has it covered.
Now it's time to travel south and enjoy a slower pace. First stop, the Everglades National Park, a vast subtropical wilderness that has been declared a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve and Wetland of International Importance. The diverse habitats allow for a range of activities from hiking, canoeing, kayaking, biking and camping. Check out the National Park Service website for a host of ranger-guided tours to enrich your park experience.
Curving below the southern tip of the Floridan mainland are the Florida Keys. The five regions of the Florida Keys all have something different to offer its visitors. Key Largo is the self-proclaimed dive capital of the world, home to the world's largest artificial reef; Islamorada is renowned for its up-scale small-town atmosphere, scenic bay, fishing and quaint shops; Marathon is a prime boating destination; The Lower Keys are teeming with unspoilt nature preserves; and Key West is a destination rich in history and culture. Your time in the Keys can be as action packed or as relaxed as you desire.
Planning this dream Floridian vacation using the TripMapper travel itinerary app will help you get the most out of this amazing trip.
Best time to visit Florida (weather): From December until May you will enjoy warm weather and less rainfall.
Find out more: Visit Florida's Things to do in Florida and Time Out's Best things to do in Florida.
CITY SIGHTS / HISTORY / ART
Berlin, Germany
Berlin, an eclectic mix of historic sights, cutting edge architecture, gastronomical delights and a dynamic art and nightlife scene. Whatever you want, you’ll find it in this remarkable city!
Reinvent but remember - these days Berlin celebrates its creativity and 'edgy' spirit, but it is certainly not afraid to acknowledge the horrors of its dark past. Throughout the city are historical landmarks and artefacts, museums and places of remembrance. The Topography of Terror is one such place where the permanent exhibition focuses on the central institutions of the SS and the police during the Third Reich and the crimes they committed throughout Europe. A powerful, emotive and poignant reminder of unspeakable horrors.
The open-air art exhibit, East Side Gallery, is where Berlin's more recent history is visually represented in the form of art work. This 1.3km long section of the Berlin Wall displays artists' works from immediately after the wall fell in 1989 with artworks representing the significant political changes at that time. This stretch of wall which was once part of the heavily guarded concrete barrier dividing East and West Berlin, will certainly capture the imagination of even those with little interest in history.
The East Side Gallery is just one of many art exhibitions spread out across the city. Berlin's art scene is not one to be missed for those with passion in art. The city showcases everything from classical masterpieces to spectacular works in the fields of photography and sculpture.
From art to leisure to food, expect the unexpected when it comes to cool Berlin. Find a top fast food joint located in a former public toilet, families barbecuing and skaters whizzing along the airstrip at the former Tempelhof airport and incredible food innovations you won't want to miss. Gastronomy in Berlin is up there with the best in Europe (we still appreciate a good craft beer and curry sausage though!).
Work off your feasting by taking advantage of Berlin's plethora of green spaces. In addition to checking out parks such as Tiergarten and Tempelhofer Feld, be sure to explore some of Berlin's neighbourhoods and districts where you'll discover different sides of the city.
Best time to visit Berlin: Year-round.
Find out more: Visit Berlin and Time Out's Best things to do in Berlin.
Get your itinerary started! If you need a little inspiration, or just a helping hand to get your Berlin itinerary started, check out TripMapper's interactive itinerary below. Simply click the 'Copy this Itinerary' button to take it into your TripMapper account and then customise it to make your own!
Trip itinerary app by TripMapper
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Editor's note: There are still some restrictions on travel due to COVID-19. Please check the latest guidance before booking and departing and always follow local health guidance. TripMapper is not affiliated to any third party mentioned or linked to in this blog. Linked third party websites are not under TripMapper’s control, and TripMapper is not responsible for their content.
