Where to go in March
Both hemispheres change season at once, and prices have not yet caught up with spring.
March is a transition. The northern hemisphere warms and daylight lengthens fast, while the southern one slides out of summer into a steady autumn. In Asia the heat builds noticeably and several cities in the north of the region start to see air-quality problems. The upside is that European room rates stay at off-season levels until mid-month.
8 places this month suits
Japan
Blossom starts in the south late in the month, with cool air and lengthening days. Rooms in the main cities tighten from the third week on.
Japan plansVietnam
The month where all three regions work at once, more than any other: the north has warmed, the centre is at its best and the south is still dry.
Vietnam plansJordan
Spring gives the right air for walking archaeological sites — neither the heat of summer nor the cold the highlands get in winter.
Jordan plansPortugal
Warms weeks ahead of northern Europe, with days long enough for walking and prices still off-season. It is the best value in western Europe this month.
Portugal plansSouth Africa
Late summer with steady weather and still-long days, good for the coast and the cities, before winter changes some routes.
South Africa plansIndia
The last month before full heat: the north still travels comfortably early on, and after mid-month temperatures climb fast, especially on the plains.
India plansTurkey
Istanbul warms up while queues are still short, and the Aegean coast has not yet entered its season, so it is quiet and cheap.
Turkey plansArgentina
Autumn begins: Buenos Aires drops out of summer heat into all-day walking weather, and the wine regions are in harvest.
Argentina plansWhat this month does to a data plan
The weather invites multi-country trips this month, and the common mistake is buying several single-country plans instead of one regional package. Checking the route before you buy saves both money and the fiddling at each border.
What to skip this month
Cities in the north of Southeast Asia have air-quality problems from open burning this month. Travelling with small children or with a respiratory condition, choose the coast or move the dates.
Where to go in March
Will March catch the cherry blossom?+
Only in the south, and only late in the month in a warm year. The date moves by several days year to year, so allow a wide window and keep a backup city.
Has Europe warmed up yet?+
The south has and is comfortable to walk; the north stays cold until the end of the month. The gap between the two halves of the continent is at its widest now.
Which plan suits a multi-country trip?+
If the route stays inside one region, a regional package usually costs less and saves switching profiles at every border. If it is one main country with a short hop, a single-country plan still wins.