The 8 Best Places to Visit in March

Editor’s note: This is a recurring article, regularly updated with new information and offers.

As we approach the end of winter and welcome the arrival of spring, many of us are starting to think about our next travel destination. March offers the perfect opportunity to break out of the winter blues and explore new places. The mild and comfortable weather makes it ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Many destinations are beginning to emerge from their winter hibernation, which means the natural beauty will be at its peak.

Additionally, March is considered a shoulder season, which means fewer tourists will visit popular attractions. It also means you can find great deals on accommodation and flights. Also, many famous festivals and events, such as St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, take place during this month.

Although the season is known for its mild weather and accessibility, it is crucial to take precautions to protect yourself and others. Travelers should stay informed of the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and consider getting the flu shot and the new COVID-19 booster shot for added protection. You can enjoy your vacation without worrying about getting sick by taking the necessary steps to protect yourself.

So where should you go? Here are the eight best places in TPG to visit in March.

Mexico City

Mexico City has been a hotspot for travelers – and for good reason. Known for its liveliness, history, art and culinary scenes, Mexico City is the perfect destination for a rich cultural immersion. The best time to visit Mexico City is between March and May, as you’ll avoid the cold winters and rainy summer months.

For those looking to eat across the city, Mexico City offers everything from casual mezcal bars to foodie destinations. Foodie neighborhoods include Condesa – with popular restaurants and lively bars – and Polanco – which has some of the best street food in the area.

Travelers in search of culture can visit world-class attractions including the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Chapultepec Castle, and Palacio de Bellas Artes. Other activities include shopping at La Ciudadela and La Lagunilla markets, visiting Little Venice in the heart of Mexico City, and walking through the Chapultepec Forest.

TPG advice: Andaz Mexico City Condesa opened in January and has rates starting at 15,000 World of Hyatt points or $288 per night. It offers travelers a luxury hotel experience in Mexico City’s Condesa district, which is filled with charming art deco streets and grand plazas that bear years of history.

Related: 13 things every tourist should eat (and drink) in Mexico City

Last week, the State Department renewed its warning to Americans about travel to Mexico. The US government advises Americans to be extra careful when traveling to Mexico City.

Berlin

Spring is one of the best seasons to visit Berlin, as it is still considered off-season; travelers can take advantage of fewer crowds and lower hotel rates in March. Although it is still a cold time of year, the worst of winter has already passed and the weather gradually improves towards the end of the month as spring begins to bloom.

Travelers can experience the St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade, where Berliners celebrate in Irish pubs across the city.

TPG advice: Hotel De Rome (available for approximately 32,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards points or $456 per night) on historic Bebelplatz is one of Berlin’s most prestigious luxury hotels. Housed in the restored former headquarters of the Dresdner Bank from 1889, the hotel is unique in its combination of listed architecture and contemporary design.

washington d.c.

As the spring break masses flock to warmer weather, those heading to the nation’s capital will be pleased to see smaller crowds, shorter lines and likely more availability at restaurants and hotels. . Best of all, visitors will be surrounded by the city’s breathtaking cherry blossoms and can witness the official Cherry Blossom Festival, which runs from March 20 to April 16.

Take advantage of the time of year to see the White House or the Lincoln Memorial. Then, delve into DC’s burgeoning food and cocktail scene or explore the capital’s versatile waterfront neighborhood known as The Wharf.

TPG advice: When considering where to lay your head at night, you can rest easy knowing you’ll have a few options. InterContinental Washington DC – The Wharf (68,000 IHG ​​One Rewards points or $441 per night), Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf (from $447 per night) and The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, DC (from $82 000 Marriott Bonvoy points or $662 per night) are all great places to stay when visiting DC

Kyoto, Japan

After two years of border closures, Japan tops the list of travelers. March is the month to visit Japan, as it is the start of cherry blossom season.

Kyoto is arguably the country’s most beloved sakura destination. There, travelers can see major sights, such as Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji in central Kyoto, contrasting with views of light pink sakura and plum blossoms. Additionally, Kyoto’s chilly temperatures will subside in March, and travelers and locals alike will take to the streets to celebrate an onslaught of holiday festivals, such as Higashiyama and Hinamatsuri at Ichihime Shrine.

TPG Consulting: For a scenic mountainside retreat along the Oi River, Hoshinoya Kyoto (from $451 a night) is surrounded by branches of ancient maple and cherry trees that emit an ethereal pink color. Or use your Marriott Bonvoy points to stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto from 90,000 points or $1,031 per night.

Related: Ritzy business: A review of the Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Quebec

Enjoy spring with a traditional sugar shack experience to celebrate the sweet sap flowing from Quebec’s abundant maple trees. This beloved Canadian tradition takes place for a few weeks each year in Quebec, and the best time to taste the liquid gold is from March to the end of April.

As the largest producer and exporter of maple products in the world, the province produced a record 211 million pounds of maple syrup in 2022 alone. Visit local sugar shacks in the area, such as Cabane à Sucre Erabilis, Erablière Gareau and L’Érablière du Village.

TPG advice: Located on the Canada-US border in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, the Relais & Châteaux Manoir Hovey property (from $194 a night) offers sweet maple syrup and flavorful birch syrups produced on place thanks to the many birch trees of the 35-acre property. Or opt for a stay in Montreal at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Montreal Downtown for 40,000 Hilton Honors points or $130 per night.

the Galapagos Islands

March is an excellent month to travel to the Galápagos Islands as it falls during the dry season; conditions are often sunny and pleasant with little rain. This makes it the perfect time of year for outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and game viewing. Additionally, the seas surrounding the islands are very clear at this time of year, making it a prime time for scuba diving and exploring the marine life.

You can find giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and many other rare and endangered species on the Galapagos Islands. March is the perfect time to visit them in their natural setting.

TPG advice: The new Hotel Indigo Galapagos (from 103,000 IHG ​​One Rewards points or $677 per night) lets you enjoy the remote landscape from a central location. If you want to sail around the islands, Lindblad Expeditions with National Geographic Expeditions offers four departures in March from $7,940 per person.

Related: Hilton Just Opened The First Points Hotel In The Galapagos – And It Has A Restaurant In A Lava Tunnel

Dublin

March is the perfect time to visit Dublin. This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday, making it the perfect time to spend a long weekend in Dublin and take part in the Emerald Isle’s most famous party.

Dublin is very accessible and just six hours from major hubs like New York and Boston thanks to Aer Lingus’ daily direct flights from major cities. Visitors can take part in the famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade through the city center or relax with a pint and listen to traditional music in a bar.

TPG advice: There’s no better place to partake in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations than The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection (from 27,000 Marriott Bonvoy points or $397 per night). Also known as “Ireland’s drawing room”, this iconic hotel has hosted pivotal moments in Irish history. (Irish’s constitution was signed here 101 years ago.)

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

March is Women’s History Month and Colonial Williamsburg celebrates the important role women have played in shaping our nation. With special programming throughout the month, Colonial Williamsburg is the perfect destination to celebrate and examine the experiences, lives and relationships of women throughout the 18th century.

Beyond that, visitors in March can enjoy the first spring flowers on the grounds of the Governor’s Palace, which has a 10-acre complex reflecting the garden style during the reign of William and Mary. Then, visitors can head to the adjacent Merchants’ Square, which has more than 40 shops and restaurants. The square also offers unique shopping and dining experiences in a setting of unparalleled beauty.

TPG advice: Stay the night at Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection for 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points or $185 per night to enjoy a comfortable stay in the heart of the action.