Springtime: The Wakeup Call We Actually Enjoy Getting

Springtime: The wakeup call we actually enjoy getting

We’re turning the corner on the first quarter of this young year. It’s a time when the memories of the holidays have receded enough to leave only the leftover bills to pay and most noses are firmly kept close to the grindstones of a busy work life. Oh, and more than likely, most people have busted their New Year’s resolutions by now. While it might be nearing summertime’s end south of the equator, the coming changes will be most welcome up north, where dark, damp and dreary describe the mood in the trilogy of weather tales. But snow can be quite lovely too, no? Enter “the lion” known as March. By the time you’re through with it, it will meekly depart as “the lamb” it’s been known to become by the time true springtime unfurls.

As we move ahead towards the northern spring, the month of March signals the big changes to come both on the calendar and in our activities. March Break (or Spring Break) is the big travel time for many students as well as teachers. With school out, travel to beach and ski destinations picks up, and so do the airfares to the most popular places. Here’s a lesson they don’t teach in school: If you want to travel during spring break, play way ahead. Whether it’s sand or slopes in your future, check out The Travel Channel’s top 10 Spring Break vacations for some great destinations in North America.

If Europe’s your destination of choice, you can click through the 25 best European city breaks for this coming spring. Even if it’s too late for this year, this should give you some good ideas for any time of year. Remember, if you’re not into crowds, you might want to think - and head - in the opposite direction from everyone else. For that, there’s a whole other (half) world to explore. The southern hemisphere offers great outdoor adventures and plenty of room to lose a few of those crowds if you time things right.

There’s a lot to celebrate as we await the changing of the seasons and this brings a time of renewal for many of people around the world. Not only will barren lands begin to turn green up north, but an internal awakening energizes us. We look ahead to nicer weather and leisurely drives with open windows. We even engage in some spring cleaning as part of the ritual that welcomes the new season - a task as symbolic as it is necessary. March, as the name implies, is a time for movement - forward movement - and this is probably why it excites so many of us. Whether it be an escape from winter doldrums, or an inner sense of rejuvenation, the feeling of anticipation for something new is unavoidable.

Speaking of time and motion, remember that Daylight Savings Time (DST) occurs in March. This means you have to “spring ahead” and move your clocks forward one hour. You might lose a little sleep but at least you won’t miss your flight if you’re heading somewhere fun. But even if you do, you might ease the disappointment with a lounge visit before your next flight.

The beginning of DST is March 11 for most of North America and the Caribbean, and March 25 for most of Europe, where observed. Make time for change this spring, even if all you wind up changing is the time on the clock. The beginning of springtime is the yearly wakeup call that we actually don’t mind getting.