Best Global Travel Destinations To Visit In May

May is the perfect time to travel and explore new places as the weather warms up, wildflowers bloom, and adventures await. With summer approaching in Europe, there are plenty of options to choose from, whether you're looking for cultural adventures, classic historical sites, or beach vacations. Here are some of the best places to visit in May:

- Italy: Enjoy the warm weather and explore the serene Tuscan Hills, Venice, Florence, and Milan. Experience gondola rides and indulge in delicious Italian cuisine.

- Greece: Greece offers a delightful temperature of around 21°C, making it perfect for exploring islands like Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete, as well as archaeological sites like Delphi and the Acropolis.

- France: France provides a mix of glamour in Paris, Roman ruins in Marseille, the architecture of Lyon, and the beauty of the Loire Valley.

- England: Explore the English countryside, historic sites like old castles and Roman ruins, and enjoy surfing on the beaches.

- Seychelles: This tropical paradise offers exquisite natural beauty, spectacular beaches, and luxury resorts. It's a great destination for ecotourism and water activities like diving and snorkelling.

- Japan: Witness the end of Japan's spring season and the blooming of cherry blossoms. Visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and other popular destinations to experience the country's unique culture and natural beauty.

- Peru: Peru's May weather is perfect for exploring Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and the Amazon rainforests. You can also enjoy various festivals, such as Corpus Christi and the Fiesta de Florecer en Cajamarca.

- Indonesia: Indonesia in May offers dry, sunny weather and fewer crowds. Conquer Mt. Batur, snorkel the reefs of Gili Island, and experience the vibrant nightlife.

- United States National Parks: May is an ideal time to explore national parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Utah's Zion National Park, with mild temperatures and fewer tourists.

- Fiji: Fiji in May is paradise, with the start of the dry season bringing endless sunshine and perfect temperatures for snorkelling and exploring the South Pacific waters.

The Scottish Highlands: Wildflowers and rhododendrons bloom in May, and the midges haven't arrived yet

The Scottish Highlands are a sight to behold in May, when wildflowers and rhododendrons burst into bloom and the midges have not yet arrived. The Highlands are gloriously untamed and boast grand country estates, reams of lochs and lakes, and acres of land for tramping.

The Scottish Rhododendron Festival, organised by Discover Scottish Gardens, runs from 1 April to 31 May and features a wide variety of horticulture, from gardens to woodlands. Some gardens to visit during the festival include Gargunnock House Garden, with its walled garden, woodland walks, and massed plantings of azaleas and rhododendrons; and Brechin Castle, with its curving walled garden and blend of ancient and modern plantings.

In addition to rhododendrons, May is a great time to see Scotland's native wildflowers. These include the Scotch thistle, which can grow up to five feet tall and is often found in barren wastelands and roadsides; the Scottish bluebell, which blooms from July to September in dry moorland; and heather, which can be found coating the hills and mountains in purple. Another flower to look out for is the Scottish Primrose, which blooms into a beautiful shade of purple with a yellow centre and can withstand the wild weather of coastal cliff edges and barren grounds.

If you want to avoid the midges that arrive later in the year, consider staying in accommodation that offers midge repellent. Bog myrtle, for example, is a natural midge repellent with a sweet, honey-like aroma, and extracts of the plant are used in commercial repellents.

Botswana: It's the dry season, so the weather is comfortable, and wildlife spotting is optimal

Botswana is a great choice for a May getaway. It's the dry season, so you can expect comfortable weather and optimal wildlife spotting. The temperatures are relatively cool, typically 10°C/50°F in the morning and 28°C/82°F in the afternoon.

The dry season in Botswana means that animals will concentrate around waterholes and rivers, making it a great time for game drives and wildlife spotting. The Okavango Delta, in particular, comes into its own during the winter months when rainwater from the highlands of Angola fans out over temporary floodplains that teem with wildlife. You might spot elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, and even the semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope.

The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, though arid and cracked, also attract a large population of wildlife during the dry season. Springbok, wildebeest, and zebra are drawn to the juicy patches of grass that sprout up, followed closely by lions and cheetahs. Along the Boteti River, you can witness Southern Africa's largest zebra migration.

Botswana's vast national parks, such as Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve, offer excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and a variety of activities. The northern parks, with their permanent waters, are home to huge herds of buffalo and elephants. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, on the other hand, showcases the arid beauty of the Kalahari Desert.

With its diverse ecosystems, Botswana is a nature lover's paradise. From the water-rich Okavango Delta to the arid salt pans, Botswana offers a range of landscapes and wildlife to discover. So, if you're looking for a combination of comfortable weather and optimal wildlife spotting, Botswana in May is an excellent choice.

Indonesia: Dry, sunny weather and small crowds make for a great time to visit

Indonesia is a great place to visit in May. With a dry season spanning from May to September, you can expect dry, sunny weather and small crowds, making for an authentic and rewarding trip.

The weather in May is hot, with temperatures in Bali lingering in the 86°F to 90°F range, while East Java is hotter, averaging 95°F to 97°F. Evenings stay warm, especially in Bali, where temperatures rarely fall below 87°F to 90°F. Java is a little cooler, averaging 68°F to 70°F at night.

With dry conditions across the country, May is a great time to climb some of Indonesia's volcanoes. The volcanos on Java, Lombok, and other islands, such as Mt. Bromo, Mt. Ijen, and Mt. Rinjani, are in perfect condition for climbing.

The beaches along Bali's southern coast are idyllic and still fairly uncrowded. You can enjoy popular destinations like Kuta, Ubud, and Tanah Lot without the usual masses. The southern part of the island is full of beach activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, sea kayaking, and other ocean sports.

Diving conditions are also excellent in May. Head to the islands of Nusa Tenggara, where you can dive off the coast of Lombok and the Gili Islands, or visit the Komodo National Park.

If you're looking for a mix of culture and nature, head to Java. In addition to climbing Mt. Bromo and Mt. Ijen, you can check out the sacred Borobudur Temple complex near Yogyakarta or the Candi Prambanan complex by Borobudur.

For a more remote experience, consider visiting the Moluccas or Raja Ampat, which see far fewer tourists.

May is the beginning of the dry season in Indonesia, so you may still experience occasional scattered showers, but they are not usually as intense as earlier in the year. It's also the time when airlines and hotels begin switching to high-season rates, so you may be able to find some deals if you hunt around.

Greece: The weather is perfect for island-hopping, and there are fewer tourists than in the high season

Greece is a great choice for a May getaway. With a varied geography of coastlines and mountains, the weather is delightful in May – the temperature stays around 21°C, making it perfect for exploring the islands.

The high season in Greece is July and August, so by visiting in May, you'll be avoiding the summer crowds and soaring temperatures. The average high in southern Athens in May is 25ºC, cooling to 14ºC at night, so you'll still get plenty of sunshine but it won't be uncomfortably hot.

May is a great time to visit the islands of Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Corfu, and Crete. In Crete, you can hike the famous Samaria Gorge before it gets too hot, or explore the Palace of Knossos with fewer tourists around. The island of Andros is also a good choice for May, with its picturesque footpaths, quaint villages, and windsurfing.

If you're looking for a balance of warm weather and fewer tourists, May is a great month to visit Greece and go island-hopping.

Madeira: It's the start of the whale-watching season, and the annual flower festival takes place in May

Madeira is a great place to visit in May, with its annual flower festival and the start of the whale-watching season.

The island is known for its "unparalleled landscapes" and crystal-clear waters, and in May, the arrival of spring makes its gardens even more colourful and vibrant. The month is dedicated to the beauty and fragrance of flowers, with the festival featuring a diverse programme, including flower parades, a flower market, floral installations, and flower carpets. The festival runs from 1st May to 25th May 2025, with the official opening ceremony taking place on 2nd May at 6 pm in the Central Square (Placa Central) in Funchal's centre. The flower festival is a celebration where families and communities come together to mark the arrival of spring.

May is also a great time for whale watching in Madeira. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the island offers a unique opportunity to spot marine wildlife. While bottlenose dolphins can be seen year-round, April to October is the best time to spot whales. Sperm whales are commonly seen around Madeira throughout the year, but depending on migratory routes, you might also encounter humpback, fin, or sei whales. In addition to whales, there are around 20 different species of dolphins that can be found in the waters around Madeira, including Risso's Dolphin, Common Dolphin, and Atlantic Spotted Dolphin. The calm and clear waters of the archipelago provide the perfect setting for a magical experience of observing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

So, if you're looking for a unique travel destination in May, consider Madeira. With its vibrant flower festival and the exciting opportunity to witness whales and dolphins in their natural habitat, it promises to be a memorable and enchanting experience.

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