Best Countries To Visit In May

The beginning of summer, May is a month many around the world attach the most nostalgia with. Simply because it makes for a month of summer vacations, school breaks, visit to grandma’s house, picnics on porches and drives to the amusement park. Moreover, in today’s world, May means a trip abroad. With winter gone for good and warmth engulfing half the planet, so many destinations, especially in Europe and the States, open up for tourism. Some of the best countries to visit in May include European gemstones like France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Wales and the Eurasia star Turkey. USA’s East Coast is great in May, as is the West Coast of Australia. And the cherry blossoms in Japan are still in full bloom. So take your pick from the list below and jet-set-go!

France

The fashion cradle of the world is a beauty to behold at any time, but more so in the spring time. The month of May, being the peak of spring here, sees a whole new life blown into the France that has just gotten out of winter’s grip. It’s a dramatic change from cold to warm, with temperatures going up to 16°C by the end of May, people coming out for strolls and crepes, and cafes going alfresco on the cobbled streets outside their spaces. Vineyards are in their harvest season in the countryside and tourist spots all over France get ready to welcome the world to its doorstep. May, truly, becomes a magical time to visit France as the weather is perfect, you get to see a good deal, and crowd is way thinner than the summer time.

Things to Do:

Wines and cheeses are in making and May is the best time to plan some visits to cheese factories or vineyards settled deep within the French countryside. You are also welcome to stroll down smaller French towns or just straight up head to Paris. It has the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame, Louvre Museum and loads of River Sienna rides, garden walks and coffees-and-crepes in the chic French cafes. Head to Nice for some more of fun, including the Castle of Bastille and Promenade des Anglais. For luxury and relaxation, there is the French Riviera that encompasses resort towns like Cannes, Saint Tropez, Monaco and Nice too. For children and families (and even adults we’d suggest), do not miss Paris’s Disneyland. 

Tin Tin fans, Tamasha fans, Corsica awaits you too. Ensure you make the most of your time in this south-French town because what happens in Corsica stays in Corsica!

How to Reach:

France has two main international airports - in Paris and in Orly. Some regular airline connecting India (Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai etc) to France are Gulf Air, Air India, Jet Airways, Air France, British Airways etc. Waterways are pliable from England by crossing the English channel. Trains from all over Europe come to France through the Eurostar, as do buses.

Greece-Turkey

Located on the threshold of Europe and Asia, the two countries of Greece and Turkey are like sisters separated by a thin line. With similar cultures but different dominating religions, the two countries go way back in their shared history of wars and bloodshed as well as alliances and cultural intermingling. Their breakfast habits are the same, they each have dishes that are named differently but made similarly, Turks have white dresses for their weddings while Greeks like to spend all of their days drinking Turkish coffees. Owing to this, most tourists like to circuit the two places together, especially during May, when Greece has an average temperature of 21°C and Turkey 20°C.

Things to Do:

In Greece, you have a lot of cultural history to see, from the National Archaeological Museum and Parthenon to the Acropolis in Athens. There are white-white-washed walls with cobalt blue highlights, cobbled and terracotta streets and pristine aqua waters in islands like Santorini and Mykonos. Some other famous tourist spots are Knossos of Crete, Mt. Olympus of Macedonia, Olympia in Peloponnese and Thessaloniki (for nightlife).

While in Turkey, you will find a mix of the old and the new, minarets and high-rises all the same. Start with Istanbul, from the Hagia Sophia to Topkapı Palace, Sultan Ahmed Mosque to the Maiden’s Tower. Stroll through the bazars of Istanbul to scout for exotic spices, dry fruits, coffees and jewellery. Other great places are Pamukkale town, Ankara, Antalya, Hierapolis (spa city of ancient Rome), Cappadocia and Mardin. May is also the best time to devour some cold dondurma or the special ice cream only found in this region.

How to Reach:

You can take a flight to Greece or Turkey from India. For Greece, the main international airport is  Elefthérios Venizélos International Airport in Athens while in Turkey there are Istanbul's Atatürk International Airport and Ankara's Esenboğa Airport. Regular airlines flying there from India are Turkish Airlines, Air France, Emirates, Jet Airways, Gulf Air and Aeroflot. Internally, you can drive between the two countries with all relevant papers and visa, take buses, trains or flights. Ferries and yachts also ply between different islands here and make for a very lovely travel option

Wales

An integral part of the United Kingdom, Wales is a beautiful country in southwestern Great Britain. Symbol of the flourishing Great Industrial Revolution in Britain, Wales was once home to coal and miners’ industries in the late 18th and early 19th century. This is also a country of hauntingly beautiful beaches, cliffs, caves and rugged coastlines. The culture here is less English and more Welsh, bending towards the Celtic. Wales is very cold and misty almost all year round, leaving the window of only spring and summer to enjoy its bounty. Hence May is one of the best months to visit, with a temperature range of 6-15°C and drier, clearer days.

Things to Do:

Hiking an trekking up the mountains of Wales is a very coveted pass time. This country is all bout outdoorsy stuff, from walks to picnic by the pebbled beaches, explorations and hikes to sightseeing. Go and see the Conwy Castle, Beaumaris Castle, Cardiff Castle and the Big Pit National Coal Museum. BBC drama Poldark based on the novels of Poldark is currently shot here and you might get a peak into their outdoor shoots. Some towns of Wales that must be explored on your trip here are Cardiff, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire and the walled town of Conwy. The Cornish beaches are amazing for afternoon walks, while the countryside has some great hiking trails for you to follow, like the Snowdon Peak, coupled with the Snowdonia National Park that is home to lakes, thickets, railway lines and wildlife.

How to Reach:

You can fly from from India to Wales on one-stop and two-stop flights from Mumbai to Cardiff; stopovers being in the Gulf or a European country. The best way, however, to reach Wales is to fly to London and then take a domestic flight/ car/ train/ bus to Wales.

Mauritius

Mauritius is a beach haven in the Indian Ocean, known world over for its natural tropical bounty of aqua pristine waters, white sands, emerald green palms and beautiful plush resort homes. Since Mauritius falls in the southern Hemisphere, it experiences winter in May. But because it is a tropical island, the effects are maritime, leaving the temperature at a warm maximum of 27°C. This is a perfect time and weather for your May vacation, coupled with long sunny days and great water temperature for all kinds of water sports. 

Things to Do:

Explore the famous Bois Cheri Tea Plantations, take your family scuba diving and kite surfing to Belle Mare, snorkelling in Blue Bay Marine Park and cave sea kayaking to Albion Caves. The beaches around here are the best for lounging with a cold condensed drink and a book. Horse rides are amazing at Riambel Beach, especially at the time of sunset. There are also luxury yatch rides and cruises, swimming and surfing on the sea. For nature lovers there is Mauritius National Botanical Garden, Tamarin Bay (dolphin watching) and Grand Bay (under-sea walking). One great thing to do here is take the Albatross seaplane ride over the coast of Mauritius to get a bird’s eye view.

How to Reach:

Mauritius’ Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Plaisance is 50 km away from the capital Port Louis. Daily flights from India include carriers like Jet Airways, Air India, Emirates and Singapore Airlines. You can also take one of the many international cruise liners sailing through the Indian Ocean. Domestically, you can travel by hiring cars, motorbikes and boats.

Croatia

Croatia is a beautiful coastal country tucked away by the Adriatic Sea, home to more than one thousand islands. This East European country is an attraction for its medieval charm, gothic settings, coastal towns and beaches. In May, Croatia sees a nice pleasant summer, with 14 long hours of daylight and average highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. The capital city of Zagreb is in full bloom at this time, with everybody out to take some sun in and enjoy the spring weather. 

Things to Do:

Explore the beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park, home to a chain of 16 terraced lakes, pristine waterfalls and limestone canyon. Hvar island, located in the Adriatic Sea is another relaxed destination giving off spring vibes. With its fortresses, 13th-century walls and Renaissance buildings, this island is an explorer’s paradise and makes for super amazing photos. Dubrovnik is a great spot for beaches and also hosts amazing lavender fields that show full purple blooms at this time. Off the Dalmatian Coast rests the island of Vis which is known for its sea caves, Roman ruins and fresh beaches, while history nerds need to go straight to circuit the cathedrals here - Catherdral of St. Dominius, Euphrasian Basilica and St. James Cathedral. Diocletian’s Palace and Roman Amphitheatre in Pula are also great for touring.

How to Reach: 

Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and Pula host Croatia’s most significant international airports. Connecting flights are available from India to Croatia by airlines like Air India, Jet, Lufthansa, Air France etc. You can also travel to Croatia by taking a train from any of these European cities - Austria, Greece, Germany, Serbia etc. Buses are also widely used.

West Coast, Australia

Australia is a continent. So it is not always conducive to say that one season or month is the best time to visit Australia. Different parts of this country-continent have different moods and seasons. May, being the winter month here, is quite cold in most parts, except the west coast of Australia that is majorly dominated by the city of Perth, Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef. There is much to do in the seas here, from diving to snorkelling, surfing to kite and wind surfing. Beaches and marine parks are abound, as are restaurants, shopping arcades and festivals.

Things to Do:

May is the best time to check out Australia’s wild west coast; the Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth in particular. This is the beginning of the dry season here and shark sightings on the coast of Exmouth is brilliant. The coral reefs are exceptionally beautiful and cruises along this coast make for some amazing holiday time. The annual Whale Shark Festival is celebrated here by snorkelling, diving and swimming beside the sharks. You can also spot kangaroos, colourful parrots and emus here at this time, with whales in Rockingham, Bunbury or Monkey Mia. Kimberley is great for waterfall picnics, sightseeing by some ancient rock formations and hikes through wildflower. Perth and Fremantle make for all the city fun like parks, shopping in malls, beaches, restaurants and cafes.

How to Reach:

Australia’s 5 major International airports are located in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne. Direct as well as connecting flights ply from Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi with Air India, Jet etc. Cruises from New Zealand are a luxurious option too. Once in Australia, you have rail, roads, domestic flights and buses for commute.

Spain

The world has heard of the Spanish Inquisition and the world famous footballers that have come from the soil of Spain, the tapas and the sangrias; but all of this and more is best experienced in Spain during the spring and summer months. May in Barcelona means alfresco cafes and bars serving endless pitchers of sangria, while Madrid is famous for bull fight festivals. This time of the year is special, in that, the winter is gone and what is left behind is the warmth of a new spring, with temperatures comfortably hovering between 20-23°C.

Things to Do:

Visit Barcelona for its sweeps of walks, ancient city marvels, churches like Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and La Rambla Barcelona. Sit outside a cafe or tapas and eat some patatas bravas along with sips of sangria while the sun streams bright in the Gothic Quarter. Visit Cordoba, one of Spain’s hottest cities and one of the most cheery in May due to its festivals like Cruces de Mayo, Cordoba Festival and Feria Corridas (bull fighting). Madrid celebrates bull fights too in the festival San Isidro all May, while Seville hosts the great Seville Fair or La Feria de Abril from April to early May. Some other amazing stuff to do in Spain includes a ride along the International Zip Line, Caminito del Rey, having a drink on the Ice Bar, seeing the Holy Grail of the Valencia Cathedral, eating Gazpacho from McDonald’s, visiting the only European Desert in Almeria and exploring the Tomb of Christopher Columbus.

How to Reach:

The best way to travel to Spain from India is by air. Madrid International Airport, Barcelona International Airport and the Malaga International Airport are among the main International airports here and you can catch 12 hour flights from Mumbai or Delhi. From elsewhere in Europe, there is the Euro Rail and trains from France and Italy are very frequent. You can also drive in from Andorra, Portugal or France across the border.

Italy

The land of pastas and pizzas and leather loafers and charming men, Italy is a brilliant holiday destination in the gem that is Europe. Summer here is the peak touristy season, while spring is the shoulder season, with May attracting less tourists but showing the same warm weather patterns. The temperature at this time is around 25°C and new flowers peep from every window. Light rains might be expected halfway through May but the latter half is dry and good. 

Things to Do:

Explore the vineyards and cellars of Tuscany to scourge great wine and grab amazing photos for your holiday album. Florence hosts the annual Festa del Grillo in Cascine Park and the fair is ripe with tomatoes, strawberries, beans and more. Rome’s attractions like the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica and Trevi Fountain are brilliant and queues at each minimal. Do visit the world’s smallest country - the Vatican City, which is the head of the Roman Catholic Church. In Florence, you have a hoard of museums, sculptures of David, the Duomo and Uffizi Gallery. Venice is known for its canals, gondola rides and a romantic vibe in its streets, Milan for its fashion. Also worth visiting at this time is the Isle of Capri and the Amalfi Coast along with Sicily.

How to Reach:

Italy’s major cities each boasts of an international airport- Rome, Florence, Milan, Pisa and Sicily. Direct as well as stopover flights from Delhi and Mumbai are available with Lufthansa, Air India, Emirates and British Airways. Euro Rail connects Italy to other major European countries and ferries also ply to ports of Venice, Bari and Ancona.

East Coast, USA

The United States of America is a huge country and takes about half a continent in landmass from coast to coast. With such a diverse burst of geography, it is very difficult, just like in the case of Australia, to pin point the best month or season for the whole land. Therefore for May, we suggest the East Coast as the best bet for travel as the temperatures are nice and moderate, days long and sunshine good. Some of the star attractions here include places like New York, Washington DC, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Cape Cod, New England and Boston.

Things to Do:

Visit New York for its Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge and a vibe that is just unrivalled. The temperatures are in 20s and spring brings about a colourful bloom. Washington DC is still in the thrall of April’s cherry blossom and the trees have all turned either baby pink or white. Don’t miss the Capitol, Lincoln Memorial and the Whitehouse. While in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, do eat the classic Philadelphia cheesecake and tuck into some amazing NYC style pepperoni pizzas. The city is full of history from the American War of Independence, like the Independence Hall where the US Constitution was adopted, or the Liberty Bell. If you are looking for some beach-holiday destinations then head to Georgia, New Jersey or South Carolina.

How to Reach:

Direct as well as connecting flights ply from India (Mumbai, Delhi, Amritsar, Kolkata etc) to New York, Washington DC, Philadelphia etc. The best mode of domestic travel in the States is flying and you get the regular taxis for commute within the city. There are metros, buses and coaches too. We suggest using the metro trains as they are cheap, pervade all corners of the city and make for one hell of an experience.

Seychelles

Another tropical beach destination in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is a unique set of 115 islands for beach vacations. This country is different from Mauritius in that it boasts of a unique combination of thick mountainous rainforests, coral reefs and untouched beaches. In May, the temperature here hovers between 28 and 31°C. This is technically the winter here but the weather remains warm and balmy, making the place great for a summer vacation. 

Things to Do: 

Some islands in Seychelles lack any modern infrastructure and that makes them so unique. They are getaways from all the noises of real life. La Digue is the most famous of them all and has a quiet, tranquil quality around it without paved roads or too many cars. You can also visit the Curieuse Island for its giant tortoises and Praslin for its Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Island hopping is also kind of a thing here so go from North Island to Frégate to Félicité. Mahe, the capital of Seychelles, hosts the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens, some amazing cafes, restaurants, resorts and bars. For water babies, there are many beaches, with snorkelling in Anse Lazio being the best.

How to Reach:

Seychelles International in Victoria is Seychelles’s major international airport and receives direct flights from Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Bangalore. The airlines flying here regularly are British Airways, Emirates, Jet and Sri Lankan Airlines. When in Seychelles, you can commute by using local bus services (on Mahe and Praslin), taxis, hired bicycles or ox-carts (on La Digue). Ferries and domestic flights help in island hopping.

Japan

Japan is a beautiful small island nation in the Pacific, known for the hardworking and dedicated populace that the land is blessed with. They are the world’s leading change makers and their industries and products are way better than the rest. Japan is also a haven of nature and very well preserved, with its national parks and the tallest mountain all lovely almost all year round. In May though, the spring time does a different kind of magic on Japan, with a temperature range through the day of 15-23°C, dry sunshine filled days and pink cherry blossoms adorning most trees. 

Things to Do:

May is an extension of the cherry blossom season of April here and the only little difference is some higher temperature. The place looks like a fairytale, with trees all covered in baby pink blossoms, festivals of Sakura (Japanese for Cherry blossom) everywhere, special sweets at all cafes and even Starbucks. You can participate in Hanami, a Japanese tradition to go see the cherry blossoms, centred around picnics, fests and parties. Go for Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen and Yoyogi Park in Tokyo to participate in these events. Yozakura or night-time illuminated cherry blossom also is great. Other amazing places to visit in Japan include Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera (for the temples) and Kinkaku-ji (home to lakes, lake-houses and peace). Odaibaand is another chic city that is home to a giant ferris wheel, cool sushi bars and cafes on the waterfront.

You will also enjoy Tokyo’s Disneyland that carries forward its Easter decorations and regular cartoon parades from April. Head to Okinawa for beach fun and ocean views while Mt. Fuji is one hell of a sight. 

How to Reach: 

You can take a flight to Narita Airport of Tokyo from Delhi, while Mumbai operates stopover flights with a halt at Delhi. Kolkata and Chennai run stopover flights too. Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysian Airlines, Air India etc are major players working these routes. If you wish to travel by sea, there are a few cruises that leave from China, Australia and Singapore for Japan.