The month of March offers so many exciting possibilities for travellers all around the world. Just as the Northern Hemisphere begins to emerge from winter’s grasp and enter the temperate first days of spring, the Southern Hemisphere winds down for shoulder season and glows with autumn colours. Whether wine-tasting in the foothills of the Andes or joining in with the Holi festival in northern India, we’ve got plenty of March travel inspiration for you this year.

Every year on 17 March, the Emerald Isle holds a national holiday dedicated to its patron saint. One of the best places in the country to enjoy St Patrick’s Day is the capital city of Dublin, where raucous parades and colourful, community-led festivals take over the downtown district. Whether or not you have your own Irish heritage to celebrate, both domestic and international visitors are invited to share in the city's annual spectacle of visual, literary and performing arts, and raise a glass of Guinness to Irish culture.

Narvik is an Arctic Circle city which, come March, sees out its harsh winter with an annual extravaganza marking the return of the sun. Vinterfestuka features a programme of art exhibitions, musical concerts, theatre shows, street animation and talks led by creatives, presented across 10 sleepless days of festivities. You should also make time for a ride along the historic Ofoten Line, Norway’s northernmost railway, with views over fjords and mountains. The landscape here bears scars from the Second World War’s Battle of Narvik, which is covered in more detail in the Narvik War Museum.

In the Hindu calendar, March is the time of Holi – the festival of colours. It signals the transition from winter to spring, with people gathering for bonfire rituals, prayer, song, dance and the throwing of coloured powder, which has become a recognised act across the world. To experience Holi in the most traditional way, visit the Braj area of Uttar Pradesh where Krishna himself was said to be born; towns like Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana have the most famous celebrations and attract the largest crowds.

Not only is March shoulder season in Antarctica, making your once-in-a-lifetime trip to the end of the world that little bit more affordable, but it is also peak time for whale-watching. You’re almost guaranteed a close encounter with a humpback or a minke this month, with the lighter ship traffic creating a more tranquil environment for wildlife above and below the waves. Penguin chicks are busy getting up to mischief, with king and macaroni penguin colonies at their most abundant. As the days are shorter in March, the Antarctic sunrises and sunsets are especially magical.

Known as the home of Malbec, Mendoza is most synonymous with fine wines and the picturesque vineyards in which they are cultivated. March is autumntime here, making the mild temperatures perfect for hiking in the Andes or cycling around Argentine wine country. At the start of the month (and during the last week of February), Mendoza City hosts Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia – the Grape Harvest National Festival – where parades and ceremonies give thanks for the year’s bountiful fruit.

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March is when the tropical island of Borneo enters its dry season, meaning it’s one of the best months of the year for a rainforest trek. The lush canopy is freshly revitalised after the rains and waterfalls are at their most impressive. In Sabah, a Malaysian state in the north of the island, the conditions for climbing Mount Kinabalu are also ideal, with fewer people on the trail and fair weather. If you’re visiting the coast, March is a good time to see whale sharks, who seem to love basking in the waters around Lankayan Island.

Characterised by karst landscapes, cowboy culture, vineyards and the sound of live music streaming from bars and barbecue joints, Texas Hill Country is a wonderful spring destination. March is made for getting outside, and travellers can swim in Spicewood Springs, hike in the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, go tubing in Guadalupe River State Park or visit wildflower farms in search of blooming bluebonnets and poppies. Hit the cities of Austin and San Antonio for gastronomy and great nightlife, or the old German town of Fredericksburg for a history fix.

If you don't mind sharing Belize with other high-season travellers, then March is a fantastic month to visit. This Central American paradise benefits from gorgeous weather, vibrant marine life (including whale sharks and sea turtles) and favourable watersports conditions at this time of year. You can take a catamaran tour of the atolls or kayak, swim, snorkel and dive around Belize's beautiful cays (islands). The second largest barrier reef in the world can be responsibly observed off the Belizean coast, or you can venture inland to see the country's lagoons, jungles, mountains and Mayan archaeological sites.

Lying off the North Devon coast, this granite island has a resident population of less than 30 people and can only be reached by boat or helicopter. Overnight visitors are welcome on Lundy year-round – there are 23 rental properties to stay in, including a lighthouse – but March is when day trips from the mainland begin again after winter. The island is known for its gloriously unspoilt beauty and nature. Look out for puffins and Atlantic grey seals on your walks, as well as Highland cows, sika deer, Soay sheep and ponies living wild. Take shelter from the wind with a pie and a pint at the island's only pub, the Marisco Tavern.

By the time March rolls around in Frankfurt, temperatures are steadily rising, becoming more spring-like as the month goes on. But there’s plenty to do here regardless of whether the weather cooperates. Discover the Museumsufer (Museum Embankment), where you’ll find collections on everything from Jewish history to architecture, film and comic art, or meander through the DomRomer Quarter – the city’s replica old town. Frankfurt can also be a base from which to explore the Rhineland's hiking trails or the spa towns and scenery of the Black Forest.

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March is low season for tourism in Namibia, owing to the high probability of rain and humidity that comes with the wet season. But you’ll often be rewarded with pleasant days and cooler nights, especially along the Skeleton Coast. This is also when Namibia is at its greenest, promising excellent birdwatching and wetland safaris. There are several celebrations in Namibia during March: Independence Day is honoured on 21 March, with the Wika Carnival in Windhoek and the UNESCO-recognised Oshituthi Shomagongo (a festival dedicated to the marula fruit drink) typically falling at the end of the month and into April.

The subtropical archipelago of Madeira sits adrift from mainland Portugal in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and March brings soothing signs of spring: increasingly mild temperatures and the blossoming of flowers. It’s still the off-season in Madeira, so expect lower flight and accommodation costs throughout the month. It's a great month for hikers, being not too hot, cold or wet for a scenic trek. Base yourself in the town of Porto Moniz, where the Laurisilva Forest UNESCO World Heritage Site, mountainous surroundings and sea views provide a stunning setting.

The arrival of spring in Bhutan is a time of celebration and spiritual significance. The season brings with it Paro Tsechu (exactly which dates depend on the Bhutanese calendar), a five-day Buddhist festival with masked dances that attracts annual visitors from near and far. The time of year also yields favourable conditions for tackling the Trans-Bhutan Trail, a long-distance historic walking route reopened in 2022 after nearly 60 years of closure. Elsewhere, travellers can visit Royal Manas Nature Park, home to Bengal tigers, Himalayan black bears and clouded leopards.

We all know that the Canadian flag is emblazoned with a maple leaf – and sap season proves just how important these trees are to the country’s culture. March in New Brunswick is usually when maple trees ‘wake up’; their sap rises into the trunk, and can then be extracted (or ‘tapped’) and boiled to make delicious maple syrup. The First Nations peoples of Canada were the first to utilise maple sap in this way, and modern visitors to New Brunswick can visit sugar camps, restaurants and farmers’ markets to taste the sticky-sweet substance for themselves.

On the Australian island of Tasmania, March rings in the start of autumn. With sunny days without the summer heat and fewer fellow travellers, it's the ideal time for a holiday here. Nature buffs will love Wineglass Bay, backed by pink granite mountains, or you can take the Huon Valley Cider Trail to discover artisanal beverages. If you’re of an adventurous persuasion, March is one of the best times to conquer the challenging Cradle Mountain Overland Track. Plan your trip to coincide with the Ten Days on the Island festival if you love music, theatre and art.

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If you want to get ahead of the crowds, consider visiting Jordan in March this year. Though the weather might be a tad cooler and more unpredictable than later in the spring, you’ll be able to enjoy incredible sites like the Nabatean city of Petra and the Wadi Rum desert in relative peace and quiet. The Jordan Trail is also better at this time of year, without the baking-hot sun beating down on you while hiking. For nature, head to the Dana Biosphere Reserve, where sand cats, Syrian wolves and spiny-tailed lizards reside.

In the Mexican state of Michoacan, March is the last month to observe one of the world's most extraordinary natural phenomena. Every year, hordes of monarch butterflies fly south from the USA and Canada to spend winter in this region. It's a migration event so significant that the forested mountains in which the butterflies settle have been designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. The main sanctuary within the reserve is El Rosario, which can be visited on guided tours.

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and the diversity of its residents, culture and creative scene is beautifully showcased in March. Each year, the Auckland Arts Festival presents a programme of theatre, music, art and dance curated by some of the country’s finest artists and performers. It takes over the entire city, from Waiheke Island to Waitakere, and has been running for over 70 years. Another reason to visit Auckland this month is the Pasifika Festival, which celebrates the influence of Pacific cultures on New Zealand.

Surf's up on the Moroccan coast in March, which is one of the top months for getting out onto the Atlantic on your board. Some of the best swells in Africa can be found in and around Taghazout, a small fishing village boasting big waves. Experienced surfers head to the famous Anchor Point, while beginners will feel more at home at Banana Beach or Hash Point. On days the ocean isn't playing ball, you can enjoy excursions to the Atlas Mountains or visit the nearby city of Agadir, both lovely in slowly-warming March weather.

Travellers can make the most of Bermuda's short shoulder season by grabbing a March getaway, which guarantees a more relaxed holiday than you'd get in summer. With highs of 21°C (70°F) and lows of 16°C (60°F), there's certainly nothing wrong with the weather. While it's tempting just to lounge in the sun with a book and a cocktail, it's worth seeing the capital Hamilton and its charmingly colourful harbour. If you're still there over Easter be sure to catch the kite-flying displays at Horseshoe Beach on Good Friday.

Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost emirate in the UAE, and has made a name for itself as a go-to destination for adventurous souls and culture-seekers. It's a great place to visit in March, with toasty days, balmy evenings and little rainfall. Travellers can visit Suwaidi Pearls, the region's first cultured pearl farm, where the Arabic tradition of pearling is being kept alive. Up in the Hajar Mountains, the world's longest zipline, the Middle East's longest toboggan ride and the highest restaurant in the country are all waiting to – literally – sweep you off your feet.

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Thanks to the establishment of a high-speed rail link connecting the cities of Vientiane and Luang Prabang, it has never been easier to explore Laos. March gets hot here, with sun expected almost every day, but thankfully without the humidity of the wet season. Vientiane, the riverside capital, is home to beautiful temples, tranquil parks and chilled cafés, while in Luang Prabang visitors should visit the Caterer's Evening Market as night falls, where you can try amazing Laotian dishes like caramelised pork and noodle soup. There is also a night market selling handicrafts and other locally-made items.

Anyone that's ever visited Edinburgh during the summer festival buzz can attest to how busy it can get. But as March sees the Scottish weather gradually improve after winter, it could be your best option for a Goldilocks-style experience of the city. Stroll down the Royal Mile, which connects Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse, and enjoy wide-angle views from the top of Calton Hill, Edinburgh's acropolis. Days out in pretty Dean Village and the portside neighbourhood of Leith are also must-dos.

Alongside Valencia's many year-round treasures, such as its heavenly Central Market and otherworldly City of Arts and Sciences, March has its own stuff going on. Las Fallas, one of Spain's most unique annual festivals, explodes onto the scene this month. Added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage register in 2016, the fiesta features larger-than-life, firecracker-filled satirical puppets being paraded through the streets and ultimately set alight. The firework shows that accompany the festival take place nightly for over two weeks and the spectacle draws an audience from all over the world.

With temperatures barely dipping below 30°C (86°F), March in the Maldives is a real scorcher. The long, dry days were made for endless sunbathing on sugar-white beaches and cooling off with a dip, dive or snorkel. Though it's not the most affordable time to visit, if you swap out swanky resorts for locally-owned guesthouses on islands like Maafushi (and book your excursions through them) then your budget will go much further. This is also a great time to spot hammerhead sharks in the South Male and Ari atolls, and look out for manta rays too.

Still fresh in the minds of The White Lotus fans, Sicily is renowned for its idyllic coastline, Greek and Roman ruins, atmospheric towns and volcanic backdrop. March sparks the beginning of spring on the island, with temperatures rising through the month. Catania, Syracuse and Messina often see the best-behaved weather at this time, and fewer tourists means you can see a generally more laid-back rendering of Sicily. Though exact dates fluctuate between late February and early March year-on-year, it's usually possible to catch the fluffy almond blossoms in Agrigento's Valley of the Temples if you travel early in the month.

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