Who doesn’t love music? Jazz, Blues, Rock, Reggae – we might have different preferences, but music is universal. And if you’re reading this, you probably love travel, too. Put them together and you get to experience artistic and cultural expression in unique venues around the world. What better way to spice up your spring?

Top April Music Festivals:

St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival: April 30 – May 11, 2014

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Originally created as an attempt to boost tourism to the lush Caribbean island of St. Lucia in 1992, this festival has become one of the most popular events in the Caribbean and according to the famous jazz promoter George Wein, “one of top three Jazz Festivals in the world.”

What was once an event showcasing primarily jazz performers has broadened to become a premier cultural event. Last year it was renamed the St. Lucia Jazz & Art Festival and now includes art shows, culinary events and dance performances, in addition to jazz, R&B, reggae, Hip Hop and pop performances. Top artists such as Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, Herbie Hancock, Smokey Robinson, Rihanna, R. Kelly and many others have played the festival in the past.

In 2014 during the 12 day festival, over 50 world-class entertainers and artisans will perform at multiple scenic venues across ‘Simply Beautiful’ St. Lucia. Ticket prices range from free to $196. It draws several thousand visitors who celebrate side-by-side with as many local residents, providing a unique way to experience St. Lucia’s rich history and culture. Travel Maestro tip: Limited flight schedules into St. Lucia’s two airports will fill fast for the festival period, so don’t put off securing reservations!

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival: April 11-13 & April 18-20, 2014

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Coachella is a two-weekend, three-day destination festival featuring music, art and camping at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. In its 14 year run, it has become the one of the most successful concert events in the U.S. and its format has been copied by the likes of Lollapalooza in Chicago and Bonnaroo in Tennessee. It’s become so successful, in fact, that this year’s tickets went on sale January 10, 2014 at 10am PT – and SOLD OUT in a record 2 hours and 37 minutes! TM tip: Sorry, start planning for next year or try www.stubhub.com.

The music genres include rock, indie and Hip Hop, played on multiple stages by the hottest acts and rising stars. Past performers included Red Hot Chili Peppers, Madonna, The Cure, Coldplay, Prince, Paul McCartney, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. This year the headliners are Arcade Fire, the reunited Outkast and Muse. Installation art and sculpture, most of which is interactive, is positioned throughout the grounds for a visual treat to attendees.

The “destination” part of the concert format means that camping is available on the polo field adjacent to the festival grounds. There are nearby hotels if camping isn’t your style. Organizers encourage eco efforts of carpooling, or “carpoolchella,” and thousands of attendees arrive by shuttles or bicycles. In another nod to sustainability, organizers instituted a 10 to 1 recycling program where anyone who collects 10 empty water bottles receives a free new one. Coachella, with its California style is another unique venue for music lovers.

Byron Bay Bluesfest: April 17-21, 2014

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This year marks the Silver Anniversary (25 years) of the Bluesfest and the fifth year at its permanent home, the Tyagarah Tee Tree Farm just north of Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia (less than two hours drive from Brisbane). The festival grounds contain seven performance stages, five licensed bars, 50+ market stalls, and 40+ food stalls nestled on 120 hectares of an operational tea tree farm.

This year, blues legends such as guitar great Buddy Guy, Grammy winner Aaron Neville, harmonica master Charlie Musselwhite will perform, as well as popular groups like Dave Matthews Band, Elvis Costello, Dr. John, the Doobie Brothers and many more.

Tickets are sold in 1-, 3- and 5-day passes ($169-$625). Most attendees stay onsite in tent camp sites, or hassle-free Tent Motels and premier Rainbow Tipis are available for rent (just bring personal bedding). New South Wales and the festival site itself are the natural habitat of Australia’s iconic Koalas. Because coastal Koala populations are at risk, festival organizers developed a Koala Protocol that includes no dogs (except service dogs), 10 kph speed limits and an ecologist and staff from the University of Queensland onsite to provide assistance in the event of a koala encounter. TM tip: Tell me five days of renowned blues, a tipi and Koalas wouldn’t give you some interesting stories!