Germany’s popular Nuernberger Volksfest is set to run April 4-26. (iStock)
Spring is in the air, and as the weather warms up and the days grow longer, a slew of events entice us to spend ever-longer stretches of time in the great outdoors. Here are some April highlights:
The Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen), the country’s largest and most significant annual cycling event, is a single-day men’s bicyle race over a distance of 168 miles between Antwerp and Oudenaarde. A key feature of this race slated for April 5 is the hellingen, steep climbs up cobbled roads of the Ardennes, a low-lying mountain range. The crowds come out in force to support their favorite riders, particularly at prime viewing places such as the Oude Kwaremont, Koppenberg, Muur van Geraardsbergen and close to the finish line in Oudenaarde. On the day prior to the race, keen amateurs are offered the chance to ride shorter circuits or even those the same length as their cycling heroes as part of an organized event titled “We Ride Flanders.” Online: rondevanvlaanderen.be/en
The Volkfest tradition is in no way confined to the autumn months, with fun fairs already popping up across the country.
Nuremberg: The Nuernberger Volksfest is set to run April 4-26 in its traditional location, the fairgrounds next to the Dutzendteich Lake. One of the larger folk festivals in Bavaria, special days to look out for include April 5 and 6, when pink Easter bunnies hand out treats to the kids; April 10, when superheroes from comics and video games meet and greet their fans; April 17, a night of fireworks and illuminations; and April 25, when classic cars are shown off by their proud owners. Wednesdays are family days, with discounts offered on rides. Online: volksfest-nuernberg.de
Stuttgart: The Spring Fest running from April 18 through May 10 at the Cannstatter Wasen features rides, games of chance, food stands galore and four massive beer tents. Its one-off events include a balloon race on April 18 and family days with reduced prices on attractions and a program of clowns, balloons and glitter tattoos for the kids on April 22, April 29 and May 6. Fireworks set to music go off at 9:30 p.m. on the last evening, May 10. Online: stuttgarter-fruehlingsfest.de/en
Munich: The Spring Festival brings fun and action to the Theresienwiese from April 17 through May 10 in the form of rides, games of chance, stands offering food and drink and two festival tents. This special 60th anniversary edition of the fest runs a week longer than usual and offers several highlights to include a massive flea market that begins at 7 a.m. on opening day April 18, a classic auto meet-up on April 26, a day of traditional customs and costumes on May 3 and fireworks on the evenings of May 1 and 8. Tuesday afternoons are designated family days, with reduced prices on attractions between noon and 7 p.m. Online: tinyurl.com/y437f8nz
Against the backdrop of fields bedecked with brightly colored tulips, the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, or Flower Parade, will soon wend its pretty way between Noordwijk and Haarlem, a distance of about 26 miles. More than a million people are expected to turn out to admire the 79th edition of this beloved spring spectacle set to unfold on April 18. The main attraction here are some 15 wagons bedecked with hyacinth, daffodil, tulips and other floral harbingers of spring, interspersed with marching groups and flower-bedecked autos. The wagons typically set off from Noordwijk at 9:15 a.m. and pass by the famous Keukenhof gardens in Lisse at 3:45 p.m. On April 19, the wagons will be parked up in Haarlem’s city center, allowing visitors an up-close view of the end result of thousands of hours’ worth of volunteer labor. Online: bollenstreek.nl/?lang=en
Horse-drawn carriages accentuate the April Fair (Feria de Abril) in Seville, Spain. (iStock)
The massive Feria de April (April Fair), running April 21-26, brings the best bits of Andalusian culture to The El Real de la Feria, a massive fairground separated from the city center by the Guadalquivir River. Elegant horses, many pulling fine carriages, flamenco music, bullfighting and sherry sipping add sparkle and charm to the visitor experience. One of the best things to do is simply people-watch as the city’s citizens turn out in their most extravagant garb, ladies in their frilly, polka-dotted flamenco dresses, waving matching fans and men in traje campero, suits with a short jacket and wide-brimmed hat. Much of the action unfolds within the striped tents known as casetas — while many are private, others are open to all comers. Be sure to sample the event’s most iconic gastronomic offerings, pescaíto frito, batter fried fish, washed down with rebujito, a mix of manzanilla wine and lemon-lime soda. Online: visitasevilla.es/en/the-april-fair
