5. Best Places to Travel in March
Here are the 5 best places to visit in March.
1. Modesto, California
March is perfect for: substituting a stand-in for cherry blossoms with countryside.
Though California's agricultural heartlands are sometimes overshadowed by their more fashionable coastal equivalents, you should take a moment to plan a visit to the Central Valley, which is home to some of the best farmland in the country, especially almond trees.
This area has 1.5 million acres of planted trees, and from mid-February to mid-March, the horizon is covered with a riot of pink and white blossoms. A self-guided driving tour with two routes (and lots of detours) that lets you explore the area and see as many blossoms as you can has been cleverly created by Modesto, a city with 120,000 acres of those groves. The east circuit takes about an hour, while the western circuit takes about an hour.
Stops include farm stands—pick up some tangy signature cheddar at Fiscalini—as well as restaurants and farms. Standouts include Rodin Farms and Roberts Ferry Nut Company, as both have groves that run right down to the parking lot line.
Where to lodge
Reserve now at DoubleTree by Hilton.
Situated just off Highway 99 and in close proximity to numerous local attractions, the 260-room hotel downtown offers an economical base. Don't miss the immaculately restored McHenry Mansion, a Victorian-Italianate beauty that dates back to the 1880s.
Directions to Modesto
Your best option is Southwest, which connects the capital of California with numerous places around the nation, including Palm Springs, St. Louis, and Portland, OR, using the closest airport, Sacramento, as one of its national hubs. It's about a 90-minute drive from there.
2. Chicago, Illinois
March is great for: the ultimate Paddy’s party.
Other than Chicago, is there any other place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Ultimately, the Windy City is more than just a huge parade (though those exist, too). No, on the Saturday before March 17 (that is, March 15 this year), the main river here gets a vivid green color that literally changes the entire city. You'll need to be here that weekend to witness the full effect of the brief change—take a boat trip for a close-up look—because the intense water flows cause the hue to fade away in one to two days.
There are other options for celebrations, like the Shamrock'n The Block party in downtown's West Loop or the Irish American Heritage Center on the north side, which features a heated beer tent and lots of Irish dancing.
Where to stay
Book now: 21C Museum Hotel
This quirky boutique chainlet, which is currently a part of Accor, lives up to its name: each of its locations serves as both a crash pad and a gallery, paying homage to the interests of its philanthropic founders, Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson, who were avid art collectors. The four-year-old Chicago location is no different, with a 10,000-square-foot onsite gallery and artwork from regional artists like Colleen Plumb scattered throughout the grounds.
How to get to Chicago
ORD is a hub for not one but two airlines, United and American, with ample service across the country. But don’t dismiss the smaller, nippier Midway (MDW), which Southwest services to the likes of Houston, Sarasota, and Charleston, South Carolina.
3. Mendoza, Argentina
March is great for: a southern hemisphere harvest festival.
The three growing regions of the Mendoza region—Maipu Valley, Luján de Cuyo, and Uco Valley—are home to more than 1,500 wineries. La Fiesta Nacional de Vendimia is a 17th-century celebration that ushers in the harvest season and offers you the chance to taste and enjoy all of them in one location.
The city holds two major events in early March: Via de la Reinas, a parade in which a beauty queen from each of the 17 districts in the region rides around town on a specially designed float, and La Bendición de los Frutos, an event in which a priest publicly blesses the harvest, in addition to parties, dance displays, and special dinners in local restaurants. The celebrations end on March 3 this year, so make sure to go all out in the beginning of the month to witness the culmination.
Where to stay
Book now: The Vines Resort & Spa
In the center of the Valle de Uco, this property boasts 21 villas spread across 1,500 acres of private vineyard estates. The largest villa measures 2,700 square feet, and every modernist building has an outdoor deck that's a great place to sit and take in views of the Andes mountains.
How to get to Mendoza
Try the LATAM routing via Lima, Peru, from JFK, or São Paulo in Brazil, which is connected to multiple U.S. gateways on legacy carriers Delta, United, and American.
4. Namibia
March is great for: a green season celebration.
In Namibian history, March 21st is a significant annual event commemorating the country's separation from South Africa. After more than 20 years of battle, it finally gained freedom in 1990. To celebrate, the people march in a vibrant procession and sing Namibia, Land of the Brave, the national hymn written by a singer from the Kalahari desert.
In contrast to most of sub-Saharan Africa, Namibia experiences significantly fewer chances of heavy rainfall during this period. Its version of the green season is still drier than others, and the terrain here produces the striking dunescapes that have come to represent the nation to safari enthusiasts.
Where to stay
Book now: Hoanib Valley Camp
The central feature of this six-tent camp, which is built entirely of materials from nearby sources, is the immersive desert experience that is the essence of a Namibian safari. Stay here, and the game drives highlight giraffes, elephants, and lions that have adapted to the desert.
How to get to Namibia
There are several ways to reach the capital Windhoek (WDH), though none is direct. Consider flying into either Cape Town or Johannesburg and connecting from there, or opt for the Ethiopian Airlines service to Addis Ababa, with connection down to Namibia. Ethiopian connects its capital with Atlanta, Chicago, Newark, JFK, and Dulles.
5. St. Barths
March is great for: seeing an alternative side to this party-powered island.
Sure, come sashay 'round the pool at St Barths. This month's Bucket Regatta, which takes place from March 21 to 24, is just one of the reasons to visit this little piece of France that's only a short flight off the coast of St. Maarten.
Superyachts from all over the world take great delight in participating in this four-day, invitation-only event. This year, on Saturday night, there will be a dockside celebration at the Capitainerie for the ultimate mingler instead of the yacht hop party. Even if you're not racing or mingling, it's still an incredible opportunity to witness some of the best yachts in the world operating at their best on some of the West Indies' most beautiful waters.
Where to stay
Book now: Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa
Situated on the eastern shore of Grand Cul de Sac beach, this eight-year-old, 44-room resort features subtle, ultra-luxe décor designed by French designer Sybille de Margerie.
How to get to St Barths
Book a flight to SXM in St Maarten—there are countless services from the U.S. on everything from Spirit (FLL) to Sun Country (MSP). From there, take the knuckle-biting puddle jumper over to SBH on Tradewinds. At just over 2,100 feet this is one of the shortest runways in the world, so you’ll be in a tiny plane piloted by a seasoned captain.
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