Many Romans retreat to the countryside around Easter, but after those festivities die down, there's no better time to visit Tuscany's hill towns. Usually packed with tourists during the summer high season, the plazas of Siena and San Gimignano are charming and easily navigable in the spring. And you'll be surprised how green this region gets before the summer sun browns the terrain (bring an umbrella, though, as showers are more prevalent this time of year).

The seasons are reversed Down Under, so travelers from the Northern Hemisphere can get a taste of autumn smack dab in the middle of their own spring season. Regions such as Hawkes Bay on the North Island and Central Otago on the South Island are known for their brilliant foliage. It's also harvest time for New Zealand's well-regarded wine regions, including Marlborough, which grows some of the world's most popular Sauvignon Blanc grapes.

The crowds don't stream in until June, but the casks in Prague's beer gardens start flowing in May. Coincidentally, that's the month when the multi-week Czech Beer Festival begins. Beer not your thing? Starting in mid-May, the Prague Spring International Music Festival is the official kick-off to Europe's classical summer festivals, and draws many of the world's top orchestras.

After the spring break and Easter holiday crowds stop coming, the islands of the Caribbean usually drop their prices in preparation for the steamy, stormy summer months (hurricane season starts June 1). On St. Lucia, recognizable by its twin Pitons, the annual Jazz Festival takes place in early May, ensuring that the island will keep hopping for at least a little longer.