The welcome in May is unusually warm – it’s too early in the season for waiters and taxi drivers to start feeling jaded, and everyone is pleased to see the start of a new tourist season. The weather will be amazing, the sea is warming up and the countryside is still dotted with spring flowers. Best of all, prices are low so you can pick up some cheap holidays in May
1. Northern Italy
Best for: Big-city culture and natural beauty
If you’ve always wanted to go to Italy, this is the year to do it. Expo Milano , a World’s Fair event expected to bring in more than 20 million visitors, starts May 1 and runs through Oct. 31. The theme is Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life and so far more than 130 countries are participating in this global effort to promote a healthier lifestyle and sustainability worldwide.
There’s so much more to Milan than shopping. Stroll the easy-to-navigate streets of Milan’s historic city center and visit the Duomo, one of Italy’s most spectacular churches—the view from the top is well worth the $15 price of admission. Craving the countryside? Don’t miss Lake Como, a beautiful natural haven home to George Clooney and hundreds of tiny picturesque towns like Gravedona, Bellagio, Brunate, and Como that are begging to be explored. For a little adventure along the Italian Riviera, try Portofino, a beautiful seaside resort town just a two-hour drive from Milan—you can also get there by taking the train from Milan to Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo, or Genoa and connecting to Portofino by boat, bus, or taxi.
Hotels in Milan can be expensive, especially when conventions are going on. For a unique, authentic Italian experience, try staying in a local neighborhood rather than a pricey chain hotel—Airbnb has a number of options all over town starting at just $75 a night for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center. In Como, stay at Hotel Barchetta Excelsior for great views of the lake, the perfect spot to serve as your base for exploring the rest of the area by boat or funicular (hotelbarchetta.it, from $159). Stay at B&B Tre Mari Portofino for beautiful views of the Piazzetta and the Ligurian Sea below (bebtremariportofino.it, from $122).
2. Spain, the unspoilt beaches of the Costa de la Luz and the beautiful coastline of Catalonia
Spain is Britain’s favourite holiday destination. We’ve been heading down to the Costas in droves ever since the 1960s. But there is plenty more to Spain than high-rise resorts and sports bars. With a rich culture, beautiful countryside and fabulous food and wine, it remains one of the greatest countries in the world for a holiday, whether you want to lounge on a beach, explore a historic city or find an idyllic rural bolthole.
If you are travelling with children, see our guide to the best family holidays in Spain.
Villa holidays are hard to beat if you want a lazy break in the sun with privacy and lots of space. They are ideal for families and groups of friends. There are some wonderful places to stay in Cataloniaincluding medieval Pals and the pine-fringed bays of Calella and Llafranc.
In the far south-west of Spain, the Costa de la Luz is one of the country’s sunniest regions and boasts the finest beaches on the mainland – long swathes of soft sand protected by dunes. There are many great villas in the region.
In the rush to reach the south, many Brits neglect the north of Spain, which has lovely uncrowded beaches, rolling countryside, fascinating villages, mountains and great food. The provinces ofCantabria, Asturias, Galicia, Navarra and Salamanca are rich in culture and great value. We recommend Casas, which specialises in holidays to Northern Spain and has a great collection of self-catering cottages and traditional small hotels.
Also check out its sister company, Caminos, which offers self-drive holidays in Northern Spain of between four nights and two weeks with prices from £240 per person including car hire – flights or ferry crossings are extra.
Take a walking holiday in beautiful Catalonia, where you can enjoy gentle strolls along the coast, or hit the peaks of the Pyrenees. The Picos de Europa in Northern Spain is great for wilderness and wildlife spotting, or you could explore the timeless, unspoilt landscapes of Galicia or Castile. We recommend Inntravel‘s hotel-to-hotel walking which gives you both independence and the security and back-up of local experts. Your luggage is transported each day to your next hotel.
Another great way to see the Spanish countryside is on a cycling holiday. Again, Catalonia is a great destination. This gentle ride along the Catalan Coast is one of our picks.
3. Greece, head to the quite island of Paxos to chill out
Just seven miles long and three miles wide, Paxos encapsulates the magical beauty and variety of the Ionian: over 30 sheltered beaches on the east coast, dramatic cliffs on the west, olive trees and tall pines inland, surrounded by the clearest crystal waters, and fringed with caves, grottoes and unpopulated islands.
About half of the island’s population of 2,500 live in the three villages of Gaios, Loggos and Lakka, and help create that special sense of serenity, sociability and relaxation that characterizes Paxos.
Take a boat trip to the satellite island of Antipaxos and for a short while you can experience a real Robinson Crusoe moment, as you step onto one of the many unspoilt and deserted beaches, and reflect on what makes life so precious.
Flight Information
Commences – Monday morning
Departure airport – London Gatwick, Manchester and Bristol
Arrival airport – Corfu
On arrival – Transfer to Benitses port (20 minutes) for a private ferry crossing (takes about 2 hours 30 minutes)
Or sea taxi from Gaios port to Antipaxos
4. Turkey, the charming port town of Kyrenia
Holidays in Kyrenia centre around the picturesque harbour town in this beautiful unspoilt area of the Mediterranean. Surrounded by impressive scenic beauty in an area steeped in compelling history, Kyrenia holidays appeal to nature lovers, those seeking interesting history and culture, and sun worshippers alike.
Beautiful Kyrenia with its enchanting horseshoe-shaped harbour, the perfect spot for an evening promenade. Dominated by the Venetian castle to one side, in times gone by these harbour side premises were carob warehouses, now they are charming seafront restaurants, cafes and bars. Relax with a long, cold brandy sour – the local speciality – admire the views and soak up an environment that is of yesteryear. Holidays in Kyrenia, the perfect place to relax and unwind, away from the humdrum of everyday life.
Holiday accommodation in Kyrenia is spread around the region in sleepy hillside villages and coastal areas. Kyrenia’s clear, warm Mediterranean waters are blessed with fine sandy bays and rocky coves, so the beach-lover will not be disappointed. There is no place more charming than Bellapais village, made famous by Lawrence Durrell in his book ‘Bitter Lemons of Cyprus’ with the remains of its historic Abbey and the infamous Tree of Idleness. Bellapais village has been the inspiration for artists, photographers and writers for centuries. Set on the hillside, above Kyrenia, perched on a natural terrace, the main feature of the village is undoubtedly the 14th century Bellapais Abbey with spectacular panoramic views over Northern Cyprus, Kyrenia and the Mediterranean beyond.
Kyrenia holiday accommodation ranges from luxurious five star hotels to family-run establishments and villas with pools, offering something to suit everyone. Kyrenia holidays are perfect for those looking for a relaxing break in an unspoilt area of the Mediterranean and you can holiday here year round.
Why not combine a holiday in North Cyprus with a holiday in Turkey? Speak to our friendly reservations teams who can help you plan the perfect holiday.
travelexperiences.info collect
The post where to travel in May appeared first on Travel Experience.