Best places to visit in April

Did someone say sushi? On our trips, you’ll take a sushi-making class with an expert sushi chef. You’ll learn how to select the freshest ingredients, cook sushi rice to perfection and get rolling like a pro. Best of all? You get to eat your creations yourself!

Connect to your spiritual side with a visit to the sacred site of Mount Koya. You can explore the temples and forests, meet Buddhist monks and even attend a spiritual service too. Ancient rituals, chanting and deep meditation will give you a sense of deep serenity and help you feel more connected to nature. 

Japan’s natural beauty is best enjoyed at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can admire the Torii Gate which appears to float on the sea at high tide (selfies obligatory). Or take walks along scenic coastal paths. And even sample the local grilled oysters. Contiki will organise all travel so you can focus on enjoying yourself and bonding with your travel buddies.

Koningsdag - King’s Day - is a celebration of the historic Dutch royal family. The streets and canals are decorated in orange (the royal colour). Expect street parties, music, canal parades, pop-up markets and great street food too. Royalist or not, this is a fab day out (all arranged for you when you travel with Contiki).

Cheesy - in all the right ways. Edam sits just 25km from Amsterdam. Famous for its cheese, pretty windmills and waterways, it’s a great place to get away from the rush of the capital and enjoy a chilled bike ride. And you get to try the town’s namesake at one of its many cheese shops.

If you’re visiting Amsterdam on your April vacation (or during Easter, more precisely), you need to visit Keukenhof -  the largest flower garden in the world which houses millions of flowers. Plus, you’ll get to see the iconic windmills that are on every Holland postcard ever. 

Hot destinations to visit in April? Head to Belize,  grab a snorkel and immerse yourself in gorgeous coral gardens, (where rays and turtles glide by). Work up an appetite amid the waves, then tuck into a feast of grilled seafood and ceviche. Just perfect!

Belize’s legendary sinkhole is a gateway to a whole different world. Located in the middle of Lighthouse Reef, you can dive down to discover incredible rock formations and an entire hidden marine ecosystem. Belize is also an amazing place for cave tubing. There’s a lot going on below the surface!

Embrace those laid-back Caribbean vibes on a trip to Caye Caulker. This little island sits amid turquoise waters and is a lovely, low-key corner of Belize. Experience it at its best when you drift across the ocean on a sunset boat trip - all organised in advance by Contiki.

Part of Ecuador’s territory, the Galapagos are home to an incredibly diverse range of marine life. From the smoking heights of live volcanoes to the turtle-filled depths of its oceans, these islands offer adventures for all. And with the sunny April weather, there’s no better time to explore them all.

Experience both hemispheres in one place when you visit the luscious jungles of Ecuador. A special corner of the Amazon, this incredible ecosystem is home to monkeys, armadillos, sloths, pumas and jaguars. From canopy walks to waterfall bathing, you’ll experience the untouched heart of Ecuador.

Ecuador’s capital is nestled among the Andes mountain range. One of the highest capital cities in the world, it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can explore cobbled streets and gorgeous Baroque buildings before tucking into a big plate of traditional llapingachos.