The Best Places to Visit in April, From Chicago to Minas Gerais

The Best Places to Visit in April, From Chicago to Minas Gerais Matt Ortile GettyGuadalajara, MexicoGo in April for:sunny days with fewer crowds, a fabulous film festival, and vibrant women-fronted industriesAs the epicenter of traditions synonymous with Mexican culture—mariachi, ceramics, tortas ahogadas, and of course, tequila–Guadalajarahas been ready for the spotlight. In 2026 the third-largest city in Mexico will also showcase its cultural achievements as host of several world-class events. TheGuadalajara International Film Festivalreturns in April—and of course, the FIFA World Cup brings four matches in June. But it’s the tapatías (women from Guadalajara) who are blossoming all over La Ciudad de las Rosas. Guadalajara’s first female mayor, Verónica Delgadillo García, is a sign of progress, as are gender-sensitive bike-share programs and women-fronted mariachi and cumbia bands who serenade the public.Guadalajara’s artisanal heritage intersects with art and food. TouringCerámica Suro, a ceramics factory in Colón Industrial, you’ll paint your own piece with guidance from Juliana Suro and her father, José Noé Suro, who host a residency program with local women artists and sister art galleryPlataformaand their rotating artists in residence. This feminine spirit touches modern gastronomy too. At Santa Teresita’sXokol, chef Xrysw Ruelas is a storyteller of ancestral Mexican ingredients and matriarchs. Juana Segundo Alcántar, abuela to Xokol chef Óscar Segundo (Ruelas’s husband), is depicted in a lifelike mural overlooking the dining room’s communal tables, where guests are treated to tortillas freshly pressed with multicolored circles.How to plan it:Guadalajara boasts warm, comfortable weather most of the year, but spring is ideal for sunny days, minimal rainfall, and fewer crowds. Not all luxury accommodations break the bank here either. ConsiderCasa Habita, a trendy boutique hotel, or retreat intoQuinta Real, an elegant stone mansion. Direct flights to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) via AeroMéxico or Volaris depart from major US hubs, and excursions to Jalisco tequila distilleries are available by train,bus,private charters, and tours. —Alisha Miranda GettyThe Peloponnese, GreeceGo in April for:Homeric history and hiking in pleasant weather without the Euro-summer crowdsIn July 2026, Christopher Nolan’s filmThe Odysseywill take viewers on a voyage to Greece’smyth-drenched Peloponnese peninsula. The Oscar-winning director shot scenes on the cinematic southwest coast of Messinia, where Homer’s epics are anchored in ancient history. Sustainability-focusedCosta Navarino, home to four luxury resorts and a recent influx of restaurants run by Michelin-starred chefs, makes an ideal base for exploring the film locations. Hike to oceanside Nestor’s Cave to see where Matt Damon’s Odysseus outwits the Cyclops. Swim in Poseidon’s realm at omega-shaped Voidokilia Beach and photograph flamingos at Gialova Lagoon. Meander Methoni Castle and the nearby town ofPylos, where Odysseus’s son seeks wisdom from Trojan War hero King Nestor.Beyond the setjetting, there's lots of outdoor fun to be had: When it’s completed in spring 2026, the 1,075-milePeloponnese Trails networkwill enhance this mountainous country’s standing as a destination for outdoor fitness. Along restored mule paths, hikers can taste Messinia’s famed olive oil and visitUNESCO World Heritagesites such as Mystras.How to plan it:From Athens, it’s about an hour’s drive to the Peloponnesian fortress ofAcrocorinth, anotherOdysseyfilm...

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