The long-awaited spring and the arrival of (supposedly) good weather are here, and to celebrate, we have selected a handful of travel plans to make the most of it, starting with the first getaway, Easter.
The new face of Les Grands Buffets
With over 150 dishes (foie gras, seafood, cold cuts, savory pastries, terrines...) inspired by the recipes of the master Auguste Escoffier, the French chef who revolutionized cuisine in the 19th century, the space Les Grands Buffets in the French town of Narbonne is considered the largest buffet in the world (price: 65.90 euros per person). The award is backed by the largest assortment of cheeses imaginable (111 types), included in the Guinness Book of Records, as well as the four million annual reservation requests. Not to mention the numerous awards such as the Authenticity 2025 awarded by the prestigious gourmet guide La Liste for its commitment to the preservation of the culinary heritage of the neighboring country. Well, it seems that this is not enough for its managers because they have just announced a renovation that will involve an investment of 40 million euros, doubling the area to reach 6,000 m², highlighting the new gallery designed by decorator Jacques García that will emulate the refinement of the 19th century in the style of Napoleon II. The goal is to reach one million annual visitors and turn the place into the first gastronomic hub in Europe.
The city of Almería awaits one of its best moments of the year, spring, starting with the celebration of Easter, which fills the streets with tradition, fervor, and expectant silence interrupted by the deep sound of drums. From Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday, brotherhoods and fraternities parade through the center with floats that are authentic works of art. The Cathedral of the Incarnation, with its unique fortress-like appearance, stands as a spiritual and symbolic epicenter from which some of the most anticipated processional parades start or culminate, where devotion is reflected in the faces of bearers, penitents, and faithful. But Easter in Almería is not only an act of faith but also a powerful tourist attraction enhanced by the city's mild climate, light, heritage, and lack of overcrowding. Not to mention the gastronomy. Bars, pastry shops, and homes revive recipes linked to these days, such as the vigil stew, fried donuts, fritters, and French toasts, evoking flavors passed down from generation to generation. Thus, places like the renovated Paseo de Almería, the Alcazaba, the San Cristóbal viewpoint, or the beaches bordering the city are filled with activity, allowing visitors to enjoy an experience that combines history, culture, nature, and spirituality.
Watchmaker for a day in Geneva
If there is a city in the world linked to watchmaking since the arrival of those Huguenot craftsmen in the 16th century, it is Geneva. The ticking of the hands resonates in this charming Swiss city, which offers the official guided route Geneva, the cradle of high watchmaking, a nine-hour tour that starts at the Flower Clock in the English Garden, an outdoor sculpture over 2.5 meters long created in 1955 and considered a symbol of the city. Then, the tour visits various sites related to watchmaking art such as the museum of the exclusive brand Patek Philippe. A visit to the Initium company is also included, where participants take part in a detailed watchmaking workshop and leave with their own timepiece on their wrist. This journey has been so successful that the Tourism Office has just released a printed guide (Geneva Watchmaking Guide) with all the essential addresses.
The IV Easter Festival of Perelada (Girona) from April 2 to 5 offers a program focused on the musical tradition of Easter Week and the central role of the voice as a vehicle of spiritual expression. The church of Carmen in the Perelada Castle is the venue for the event, perfect for its enveloping acoustics and design. This year is marked by the opening of the oratory Caldara Cristo Condannato, in addition to the presence of William Christie and Les Arts Florissants, who will perform Couperin's Leçons de Ténèbres, a gem of French Baroque music. Vox Luminis, one of the most renowned vocal groups, will also participate. The festival closes on Easter Sunday with the connection between Mozart and Schubert.
Cáceres, 40 years as a World Heritage City
Any time is a good time to stroll through Cáceres, but this year even more so, as it celebrates 40 years as a World Heritage City by Unesco. For this reason, all kinds of cultural, artistic, musical, and even sports events are planned. The city, which boasts one of the best-preserved monumental complexes in the world, also holds the title of European City of Sport for 2026. Thus, activities related to this field are joined by exhibitions, concerts, plays, and routes to discover the richness of the metropolis, which has 36 palaces, five churches, and three cloistered convents. Not to mention the gastronomic offer, with renowned chefs like Toño Pérez, distinguished with three Michelin stars and owner of Atrio, a sector reference. For all these reasons, Cáceres has also submitted its candidacy to be the European Capital of Culture in 2031.
Bicentennial of the Royal Scottish Academy
One of the most important cultural institutions in the United Kingdom, the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, celebrates 200 years since its establishment as a promoter of contemporary Scottish art and architecture. To mark the bicentennial, its organizers have arranged an intense program of activities that includes special exhibitions, events, and guided tours of the gallery. Among the most notable are the exhibition 200 Years, which traces the rich history of Scottish art, and This 26, which presents avant-garde works by 26 authors, one for each year of this century.