By: Jordi Lippe-McGraw | From: The Points Guy

April is a month of renewal and rejuvenation as the world begins to shake off the winter chill and embrace the warmth of spring.

With this change of seasons comes a range of exciting travel opportunities, from taking advantage of Europe's spring shoulder season with its cooler temperatures and fewer crowds to experiencing vibrant cultural events like Istanbul's Tulip Festival. Also, many U.S. destinations are blooming (literally).

While you can score some great deals this month, it also marks spring break for many families. As a result, typical beachy destinations might be crowded and pricey.

With that in mind, we chose locales that strike a balance between shaking off those winter blues and taking it easy on your wallet. Here are TPG's eight best places to visit in April.

San Antonio

If you're looking for a lively and culturally rich destination, look no further than San Antonio in April.

This is the time of year when the city is transformed by its largest celebration, Fiesta. This annual festival traces its roots back to 1891, and it's one of the largest in the United States and is a true testament to San Antonio's rich Latin heritage and culture.

From April 20-30, visitors can enjoy various special events, parades and concerts that showcase the city's heritage and traditions. San Antonio is an ideal place to visit in April because of its mild weather, blooming flowers and the famous San Antonio Spurs, which host a yearly basketball game.

TPG tip: Thompson San Antonio — Riverwalk (around $263 or 23,000 World of Hyatt points) is a modern retreat soaring 20 stories above San Antonio's celebrated River Walk. It beautifully captures the contemporary spirit of this historic Texas city.