Travel Tips: Where to Go in March

It’s time to reward yourself with a getaway to mark the end of the first quarter of 2016. Here are some of the best destinations to visit this month.

Trip Planner: Where to travel and when’s the best time to go?

Here’s our top picks of where to go in March for enjoyable holidays. Go where the weather is great and fun events are happening in March. Read on to find out what makes these destinations the best places to travel this month.

Get Arty in Hong Kong

A long weekend in a vibrant city

Great for: Art, Short trips from singapore, City break

March may be the last month you’ll get to enjoy cooler weather in Hong Kong before summer hits. The second installation of the well-received Art Basel Hong Kong is happening this month, so don’t miss the opportunity to check out the best regional and international art, all in one place.

A half-day city tour is a great way to take in the key sights of Hong Kong, especially if you’re a first-timer. Otherwise, treat yourself to a view with a difference by hopping on an once-in-a-lifetime helicopter tour.

When you make it down to ground level, take the time to explore some of Hong Kong’s coolest neighbourhoods by foot to uncover small art galleries, secret bars, fantastic local food and great shopping. Make your way to Sheung Wan, Wan Chai and Sai Ying Pun to hang out with the coolest locals on the island.

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The Weather in Hong Kong in March

Average Temperature: 11°C – 27°C

Season: Spring

What to Pack: Sweaters and a light coat that you can layer according to the weather.

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How to Get There: A number of airlines operate direct flights to Hong Kong, including Cathay Pacific, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines.

Average Flight Time: Approximately 4 hours.

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Be in the thick of action by staying in the uber-cool neighbourhoods of Wan Chai or Sheung Wan.

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Go Whale Watching in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Retreat from the bustle of daily life

Great for: Nature, Food, Somewhere new, Beaches, Tea Plantations

Catch the world’s most magnificent marine animals on their annual migration. Mirissa, on the southern tip of Sri Lanka, is a popular base for explorers hoping to watch pods of whales as they interact with each other and leap acrobatically out of the water.

For more crystal-clear waters to frolic in, the beachside town of Galle is just a 50-minute drive away. The Jetwing Lighthouse, which was designed by renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, offers you stunning views of the surf right from your balcony.

If you’re looking for a change in scenery, the Colonial-era tea plantations in the picturesque hills of Sri Lanka are a great place to enjoy endless greenery. One of the best ways to savour the slow life is to take the rickety (but safe) train through the rolling hills, giving you plenty of opportunities to watch the sari-clad plantation workers harvest tea leaves by hand.

Do not miss the chance to sample the excellent Sri Lankan food. Hoppers, a bowl-shaped crepe, are a popular breakfast dish and perfectly shaped to hold all sorts of sweet and savoury condiments. A typical Sri Lankan meal comprises rice and curry, and is often served with a selection of about six small vegetable and sambal dishes, meaning you’ll get to taste a variety of flavours with every meal.

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The Weather in Sri Lanka in March

Average Temperature: 24°C – 33°C.

Season: Dry and sunny.

What to Pack: Sunscreen to keep sunburn at bay.

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How to Get There: Singapore Airlines and Sri Lankan Airlines operate direct flights to Colombo, where you can either rent a car or hire a local driver to reach other parts of the country.

Average Flight Time: Approximately 4 hours.

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The town of Nurawa Eliya offers many lodges and villas, some of which come with butlers and cooks who will wait on you hand and foot.

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Laugh Your Heart Out in Melbourne, Australia

Excellent food and wine, a cornucopia of cultural entertainment

Great for: Food, Wine, Culture, Penguins, Beaches, Cafes

March is perfect for exploring the eclectic laneways of the city without working up a sweat. Hit up South Yarra and Fitzroy to uncover cool street art, hidden cafes and indie shopping.

The stellar Melbourne International Comedy Festival – one of the big three comedy festivals globally – celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Expect a blockbuster line-up of acts and guaranteed bellyaching laughs. Plus, street buskers, stand-up comedy, cabaret, theatre, film and visual arts will take over the city’s performance spaces.

There’s also plenty of sights and activities outside the city to keep you entertained. On Phillip Island, you can catch the unforgettable view of thousands of adorable fairy penguins emerging from the shoreline to rest on land. Food and wine lovers can’t go wrong with a visit to the Yarra Valley, famed for its gourmet produce and excellent wines.

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The Weather in Melbourne, Australia in March

Average Temperature: 12°C – 24°C

Season: Autumn

What to Pack: It can rain quite a bit in autumn, so bring along a brolly and rain boots.

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How to Get There: Qantas Airways, Emirates and Singapore Airlines operate direct flights from Singapore to Melbourne.

Average Flight Time: Approximately 7.5 hours.

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Soak in Melbourne’s unique laneway culture with a stay at a cool boutique hotel such as Ovolo Laneways or Vibe Savoy Hotel Melbourne.

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Experience a Riot of Colours in India

Great for: Adventurous, fun-loving travellers, Hindu festival

Holi is one of the world’s most exuberant festivals and you have to experience it to believe it. Hindus celebrate this festival to mark the beginning of spring by throwing coloured powder on each other. Some of the best areas to experience the festivities include the holy cities of Mathura and Vrindavan, Udaipur and Delhi.

Delhi, the capital of India, is a wondrous juxtaposition of old and new. From the walled city of Old Delhi, the Jama Masjid mosque and the 400-year-old Chandni Chowk bazaar to modern landmarks like Parliament House and the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, there’s so much to take in that a day tour will allow you to pack it all in.

You must not leave without visiting the majestic Taj Mahal, the enduring monument to everlasting love that Emperor Shah Jahan built for his true love.

For a tropical escape, venture to the backwaters of Kerala. This region is famous for its Ayurvedic treatments, Indian cuisine and a general slower pace of life – perfect for those who want to get away from it all.

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The Weather in India in March

Average Temperature: 15°C – 28°C

Season: Dry

What to Pack: Loose-fitting, long-sleeved tops and long pants to fit in with the locals.

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How to Get There: Air India and Jet Airways operate direct flights from Singapore to Delhi (DEL).

Average Flight Time: Under 6 hours.

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New Delhi is home to many international hotels that will provide a welcome refuge from the chaotic excitement of the city.

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Have Some K-Pop Fun in Seoul, South Korea

Great for:  K-Pop, Nightlife, Shopping, City Sightseeing, Temples

March marks the start of the spring season in South Korea, and while the weather remains cool, it’s a great time to explore the city before the hordes of visitors arrive to take in the wild flowers in bloom.

This vibrant, ultra-modern city is ground zero of the K-wave that is all the rage, but at the same time it’s also home to stately temples and palaces that will give you insight into Korean history and culture – from the awe-inspiring Gyeongbokgung Palace, which dates back to the 14th century, to Jogyesa Temple, the centre of Korean Buddhism, and the National Folk Museum.

For high-end glitz and glamour, visit the Gangnam District, which is packed with shopping malls, luxury boutiques and plastic surgery clinics (if that’s your sort of thing). If you would like to check out Korean street fashion and pick up some popular Korean cosmetics, make a beeline for Myeongdong.

Some other one-of-a-kind activities to partake in include getting a Korean pop star makeover and photoshoot, taking a Taekwondo class or even visiting the sites where popular Korean movies and TV series are filmed.

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The Weather in Seoul, Korea in March

Average Temperature: -2°C – 9°C.

Season: Late winter.

What to Pack: A warm coat as the nights can be particularly chilly.

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How to Get There: Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and Singapore Airlines fly directly to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN).

Average Flight Time: Approximately 6.5 hours.

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Myeongdong is a great area to stay in to immerse yourself into K-pop culture – there are a couple of ibis hotels located here. Alternatively, in the Gangnam District, where ultramodern skyscrapers dominate the landscape, you will never run out of entertainment options on your trip.

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