Kayak through jungle caverns Cayo District and Long Caye, Belize

Take in a week of adventures amid the rainforest and reefs of Belize. This twin-centre trip kicks off in one of Belize’s wildest corners, which itself is part of the largest tract of untouched jungle in Central America. Start by canoeing an untamed river, then up the ante by kayaking through 8km of caverns. Indigenous encounters await at the marvellous Xunantunich Mayan ruins, dominated by El Castillo, an ancient structure etched with friezes and carvings. Each night, bed down in comfortable, small-scale lodges and refuel on heaps of home cooking. Next up, relocate to the coast and on to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef for an off-grid stay on Long Caye, a palm-covered speck in Glover’s Reef Marine Park. Spend days here snorkelling over sea-grass meadows or patches of colourful coral, then have a go at kayak surfing, windsurfing or stand-up paddleboarding. Accommodation comes in the form of simple, palm-thatched cabins with private decks and hand-woven hammocks for entire afternoons spent gazing over the horizon. Varied and balanced, this trip is the ultimate blend of jungle and ocean.

Go canyoning in an Arabian wadi Wadi Shab, Oman

Although it’s bone-dry for most of the year, the Arabian Peninsula is a land carved by water, most noticeably in its wild and beautiful wadis. By the end of the winter rains, these canyons and gorges are brought to life by freshwater pools and cascades, making them a popular setting for picnics and strolls. Join the locals, albeit in a more daring fashion, on a canyoning day trip to Wadi Shab, which lies within a couple of hours’ drive of Oman’s capital, Muscat. Expect to get very wet as you clamber, swim and leap along the ravine, learning about desert farming and ancient irrigation methods en route. The experience begins with an abseil down 50 metres of polished canyon wall, followed by further descents, jumps and scrambles to reach the cool, clear pools at the bottom. Swim under, splash in and check out a waterfall, then follow the flow to exit the canyon past the picnicking families enjoying the palm groves and gardens that all of that life-giving water sustains.

Rediscover the Red Sea Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Four years is a very long time to be a travel pariah, but the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh – famed for its technicoloured coral reefs and year-round sunshine – is firmly back on travellers’ maps. The travel ban that has been in place since 2015’s deadly attack was lifted by the Foreign Office last year, which is excellent news for divers and snorkellers as the Red Sea’s reefs are phenomenal (and in a much healthier state than those in parts of the Great Barrier Reef or the Maldives). April sees the weather at its best before summer’s big burn properly hits. Make a base at Rixos Sharm el Sheikh, a family-friendly hotel in Nabq Bay with five-star service and easy access to some of Sharm’s prime dive sites. Among the latter are the Straits of Tiran (which the hotel overlooks) and Ras Mohammed National Park. Expect to see coral formations bursting with colour and clouds of tropical fish, plus the chance to spot eagle rays, turtles, jackfish and the occasional white-tipped shark.

Spot blue whales and explore volcanoes São Miguel, Portugal

Pretty much the furthest-flung outpost of Europe, the nine-strong Azores archipelago rises from the Atlantic like scattered green jewels. The largest of the islands, São Miguel, can be reached via direct flight from the UK and is also the most volcanic, with a wealth of steaming springs and dormant craters. Among these is Sete Cidades, whose lake-filled caldera is an Azorean must-see. Join an active, small-group tour for biking along the lakeshore followed by kayaking across its green and blue-tinged waters. The Azores are one of the top spots for whale-watching in Europe; even blue whales, those rare giants of the deep, can be found here in April (the start of peak whale season), though pilot and sperm whales are more likely. Round it all off by snorkelling with the many pods of dolphins that haunt these waters.

Master land yachting on sandy shores St Ouen's Bay, Jersey, UK

Winds tearing over the sand are the worst conditions for a beach day – unless, that is, you’ve hit the shore to indulge in a little blokarting. This invigorating sport (also known as land yachting) combines elements of windsurfing, sailing and go-karting to create an experience that’s truly all its own. Steered like a bike and with only one sail, blokarts are easy to master. Their three-wheel design makes them stable, while triangular sails capture the wind and convert it into forward motion, allowing the karts to pick up surprising speed as they zip across the low tide’s wet sand. Among the best spots to give blokarting a bash is St Ouen’s Bay, whose 8km sweep fills Jersey’s western coast. Stay in style nearby at the luxurious The Atlantic Hotel, a beachfront bolthole above St Ouen’s. With an indoor pool, an excellent restaurant and 2ha of gardens, it is a tranquil balance to that blokarting buzz.

Catch a wave on a surfing safari Taghazout, Morocco

Forget California or Hawaii: for a jet lag-free, off-season surfing break, it has to be Morocco. Ocean swells rolling in from across the Atlantic make landfall at Taghazout, a fishing village and seaside resort that’s made a name for itself for its surf scene. The breakers are biggest throughout winter and spring but the temperature remains balmy, which all adds up to ideal conditions for catching the perfect wave. A varied coastline gives rise to a mix of gentler swell and more challenging breaks, so everyone from beginners to more accomplished surfers are equally accommodated. Make the most of it on a five-night surfing break that allows ample time to get to grips with essential skills including how to read the currents, rips and the next set of surf. Stretch out wave-weary muscles with sunset yoga classes, before enjoying a fragrant tagine dinner at one of Taghazout’s many rooftop cafés.

Freewheel through vineyards Victoria, Australia

The Australian state of Victoria is home to more wineries than anywhere else in the country. Late March into April is harvest time, so winery visits in these months come with the promise of just-picked grapes being squeezed into barrels that bubble away merrily as the juices ferment. One of Victoria’s key wine regions is the Yarra Valley, where picture-perfect countryside sits framed by the Yarra Ranges escarpment. Here the Maroondah Highway links a number of leading wineries. Cycle through the vineyards and bushland along the Warburton Rail Trail, stopping for a cellar-door lunch en route. Then sample the wares of big-name or boutique wineries, finishing at Domaine Chandon to put the final fizz in your day.

Soak up the Sonoran Desert in bloom Arizona, USA

Desert landscapes may be arid, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re desolate. In March and April, Arizona’s Sonoran Desert bursts into life as a frenzy of seasonal blooms fills the sun-bleached scenery with colour. Poppies, lupines and owl clover put on spectacular displays when conditions are right, supported by a cast of cacti and shrubs with evocative names such as blue dicks, brittlebush and fairy duster. It’s the perfect time to explore the region’s miles of hiking trails, including those up Camelback Mountain, which forms part of Phoenix and Scottsdale’s scenic backdrop. Desert escapes here offer a blend of urban style and outdoor activities (river rafting, mountain biking, horse riding) made all the more enjoyable by the promise of end-of-day massages and margaritas. Mix things up by heading to the nearby National Forest to experience the red rocks, buttes and canyon walls surrounding scenic Sedona. With its cinematic setting and edge-of-town desert trail, this has to be one of America’s most beguiling small towns.

Hike the Caribbean's 'Nature Island' Waitukubuli Trail, Dominica

Mountainous Dominic is so thickly covered in species-rich tropical rainforest that it quite befits its nickname 'The Nature Island'. Its towering topography was so admired by its indigenous people that they called the island Waitukubuli, which means 'tall is her body' in the Kalinago language. That name is commemorated in Dominica's long-distance hiking route, the Waitukubali National Trail, which is the first and only route of its type in the Caribbean. Severely damaged by Hurricane eMaria in 2017, it has now reopened and is once again welcoming walkers. Covering 183km from the fishing village of Scott's Head to scenic Cabrits National park at the other end of the island, the trail takes in rugged mountains, virgin forest and pounding waterfalls. This guided itinerary covers some fo the trail's best sections as well as diversions to snorkel at Champagne Beach, wallow in hot springs and hike to Boiling Lake, a bubbling geothermal pool.

This article was originally published in the April 2020 issue of Food and Travel.

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