Unexpected escapes for your March Break consideration

There's nothing wrong with tradition; you could go to your tried-and-true March break destination again this year.

Or you could go to Bogota.

You wouldn't be the only Canadian considering a less conventional getaway right now; countries including Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Iceland are topping travel searches at the moment. With your March break daydreaming in full swing, we asked Timothy Chan from G Adventures, to dish on the tips and hidden gems in some exciting locales to make your decision that much harder!

Bogota, Colombia

Colombia's capital city is quickly becoming known for its emerging restaurant scene. "A lot of Colombians left the country and studied abroad, but have now returned to Colombia giving the food scene an interesting international Colombian twist," said Chan. Spots to visit include Zona G, Bogot's gourmet gastronomic hub, and the trendy Usaqun neighbourhood, which boasts a lively Sunday market, he said.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Why visit freezing Iceland literally, land of ice in March? Answer: lagoons, lagoons, lagoons. Take a dip in one of Iceland's many geothermally heated pools and feel winter melt away. If the lagoons don't blow you away, the nighttime Northern Lights surely will.

Auckland, New Zealand

Welcome to wine country. In and near Auckland, you can have your pick of wineries to spend your afternoons swilling wine at in the late summer sunshine. The region is known for its "mouth-filling Cabernet Sauvignons and complex Chardonnays" according to Wines of NZ. Chan recommends taking the ferry over to Waiheke Island and visiting Podero Christi, StonyRidge and Casita Miro vineyards

Nashville, U.S.A

Tennessee's capital is known for its music scene, but Nashville has hidden oddities for the traveller looking for less conventional attractions. Some of the, frankly, weirder things you can do in Nashville include a tour of the Tennessee State Prison where The Green Mile was filmed, a visit to the city cemetery where there's a slab of rock supposedly put there by a man whose girlfriend jumped off a cliff, and a visit to the Willie Nelson or Elvis fortune teller booths.

Malaga, Spain

Spain in March can be chilly, but thanks to Malaga's microclimate, you'll find milder temperatures, with daily highs around 20C degrees. You might not want to go swimming, but you can get in some great skiing in the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains roughly 100km from Malaga city. There's also the comfort food. "A 'plato de los montes' is a must try. These dishes are normally only served in the winter/spring months and usually include plates piled high with meats, fried potatoes, fried green peppers and fried egg," said Chan.

Brisbane, Australia

Don't be deceived by the city feel of Australia's third most populous city it's much more than a concrete jungle. With it's burgeoning arts scene and the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast just a short drive away, you could spend your morning checking out street graffiti and your afternoon surfing. And just a 20-minute drive from Brisbane, there's Moreton Island. There, Chan suggests you snorkel and check out the 15 shipwrecks, try sandboarding or cruise around in a four-wheel drive looking for the best stretch of beach. If you want to stay in the city, check out Streets Beach, a man-made beach in the centre of the city.

Athens, Greece

Must-see spots like the Temple of Olympic Zeus, the Acropolis and the Parthenon are a trip back in time. After sightseeing, visitors can step back into present day and take in Athen's incredible political street art. Want some context for what you're seeing? Book a tour with a guide who's also a street artist.