Best places to GO in MAY

THE CARIBBEAN

Exuma swimming pigs, Bahamas, Caribbean

 

  • BAHAMAS, Caribbean (Tropical climate -hot and dry weather, Avoiding heavy rain season, Inagua National Park, Pink flamingos, Blue Lagoon Island, White  and pink sand beaches, Turquoise waters, Amazing scuba diving and snorkeling,  Exuma swimming pigs,  Garden of the Groves, Peak tourist season in November -December, August could be the cheapest month to fly but there is a highest risk for hurricane activity from August to October, Good time to visit is generally mid-December to May)

 

  • BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS(BVI) / US VIRGIN ISLANDS (USVI)( Mild weather ranges between 22°C (71°F) – 17°C (62°F), BVI have 4 main Islands whereas USVI have 3 main Islands, Outdoor activities, Great place for sailing and yachting, Diving, Brilliant white-sand beaches, Island hoping -need passport if travel to both BVI and USVI, Sage Mountain National Park (BVI), Shoulder season, Fewer tourists, Better deals on accommodation/ flight tickets till June,  St. Thomas island is cheaper to live on than St. John (USVI))

NORTH AMERICA

Yosemite National Park, CA, USA

 

  • KEY WEST, FL , USA (Pleasant weather, Peak tourist season December -February, March to May also is a peak tourist season but sees a fewer crowds, Number of amazing Festivals, Watersports, Nightlife, Amazing beaches, Conch-style architechture, Dry Tortugas National Park, Key West Aquarium, El Meson de Pepe, Old Town Trolley, Truman Little White House)

 

  • YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WY,USA (April till May before the peak season, Landscapes and wildlife, Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful Geyser, Morning Glory Pool, Grand Canyon Yellowstone,Mammoth Hot Springs, Hayden Valley, Yellowstone Lake, Norris and Upper Geyser Basin, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Boiling River)

 

  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA, USA (Yosemite Falls ,Bridalveil Falls, Ribbon Fall, Warm weather, Fewer tourists before the peak season in June-August)

 

  • GRAND CANYON, USA (March till May before the peak season, Pleasant temperatures,Viewpoints on the Canyon, Canyon Village, Canyon Skywalk, Colorado River rafting, North Kaibab Trail, Rim Trail, Havasupai Falls)

 

  • WASHINGTON DC, USA(National Memorial Day, Fun Festivals Snohomish skydiving – one of the best places to fly above the mountains and San Juan Islands)

 

  • NEW YORK, USA(Pleasant weather from April to June as well as September to early November, Before the peak tourist season in June – August, Fewer tourists , Mid-January and February -the cheapest time to visit, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Broadway, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State, Central Park, Times Square at Night,  Little Italy, Chinatown, Nightlife in Manhattan)

SOUTH AMERICA

Machu Picchu, Peru

 

  • PERU (After the wet season, Fewer tourists before summer crowds trickle in, One of the best time to visit May till November, Inca trail, Machu Picchu (UNESCO),Titicaca Lake, Humantay Lake, Cusco’s Architectural Treasures, Colca Canyon, Rainbow Mountains , Paracas and Huacachina, Amazon jungle, Nazca Lines (UNESCO), Sacred Valley, Moray, Palomino Islands, Ballestas Islands, Peruvian coastline, White sand beaches, World’s surfing destination (surfing competitions), Delicious cuisine: Ceviche, Aji de Gallina, Papas a la Huancaína, etc.)

 

  • GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (Before the peak season, Less humid, Milder temperatures to see lush green foliage, Fewer tourists, More accommodation choices, Unique wildlife spotting: turtles ,penguins, albatross, flamingos, Best place to get away from the city life, Floreana’s green beaches and red beaches of Rabida, Transparent blue waters, Island hoping, Surfing and diving paradise)

 

  • CHILE  (Best time to visit September – November and March – May, Shoulder season, Zapallar town and its beaches, Concón and its 3 beautiful beaches ,Town of La Serena, Staning landscape of Caleta Cóndor Beach, Valparaíso, Swimming, surfing and sunbathing in Reñaca (water here is cold, better to cool off after hot summer days))

 

  • SANTIAGO, Chile (Best time to visit September – November and March – May, Shoulder season, Valle Nevado, Sky Costanera, Palacio de La Moneda, Cajon del Maipo, San Cristobal Hill, Metropolitan Park, Hill-park Cerro Santa Lucia, Gorgeous beaches- Bahia Inglesa(Caldera, Atacama), Playa La Piscina beach, and more)

CENTRAL AMERICA

Arenal Volcano National Park

  • COSTA RICA (Green Season/ peak nesting season for many species of animals till October with a bit of rain , Perfect for Caribbean coast visit, Cloud forest in the central highlands, Tortuguero National Park, Wildlife spotting, Outside activities -sport fishing, Arenal Volcano National Park hiking, Better rates for Accommodation and flight tickets, Fewer tourists)

EUROPE

Azores Islands, Portugal

 

  • SANTORINI, Greece (Fabulous seascape of Aegean Sea, Submerged volcano, The lagoon-like waters, Boutari Winery, The Ancient Minoan town of Akrotiri, Night life, Red beach, Pleasant warm weather, Before the peak season, Better prices)

 

  • BARCELONA, Spain (Pleasant weather, Shoulder tourist season till June, Many summer festivals and carnivals, One of the best time to visit April – May before the tourists cram beaches across Spain, 4,5 km of coastline, Beautiful beaches: Barceloneta, Bogatell, Mar Bella, and Nova Icaria, Architecture of Antoni Gaudi: Sagrada Familia, Casa Milà or known as La Pedrera (“The stone quarry”),Casa Batlló, and more, Art museums: Museo Picasso, The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Hospital de Sant Pau (UNESCO), Park Güell, Parc Natural de Collserola, Bunkers del Carmel, Santa Maria del Mar church, In October city usually experience heavy rains, Shoulder season is in March – May, September – October and off-peak tourist season is in November – February(chilly weather but carnivals and fun events are still in its full pace)) 

 

  • AZORES ISLANDS , Portugal ( Breathtaking landscapes,Before the peak tourist season June – August, Sete Cidades-Giant volcanic crater, Mount Pico, Whale and dolphin spotting, Hiking, Surfing, Diving, Affordable delicious food made on the volcanic rock and steamed, Tea plantation , Cozy hotels, Pleasant weather to start the summer season)

 

  • CANARY ISLANDS, Spain (Mild summer temperatures, The Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (In February), Jardín de Cactus,  Volcanic landscape, Timanfaya National Park, Famara beach, Outside activities,  Scuba diving through the art park Museo Atlántico, Sailing, Surfing,  Climbing a volcano, Low tourist season, Better and cheaper deals on hotels/accommodations)

 

  • COTE d’AZUR, France (Before the summer peak tourist season till September, Warm weather, Wine testing, Languedoc beach, Cannes Beaches, Hilltop Village of Eze, Beautiful scenery, Seaside resorts, All-size yachts, Romanesque and medieval architecture, Nightlife, Reasonable hotel and flight ticket prices that are getting more expensive closer to June – plan ahead your trip if you pick this time to travel)

 

  • CORSICA, France (Comfortable weather, Sunshine guaranteed, Fewer tourists before the peak tourist season from July-August, Spring (April – May) and Autumn (September – October ) have less tourists, Gorgeous landscape, Mountainous area, Pristine white-sand beaches surrounded by crystal clear Mediterranean blue waters, Scandola Nature Reserve, Palombaggia, Porragia Island, Bonifacio Citadel, Désert des Agriates)

 

  • RUSSIA (May – September (summer) one of the best time to visit, November – March (winter) if you are fan of winter, Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Arkhangelsk (The lost Paradise – Poonezhye, Arсtic beaches of the White Sea), Crimea, Irkutsk (Outstandingnature, clear-clean waters of the world’s biggest fresh-water Lake Baikal and its “Pearl” – Olkhon Island), Trans-Siberian Express to see Altai Mountain, Russia’s largest island – Sakhalin, Outside activities: Hiking/trekking, diving, river rafting, helicopter trips, Island hopping, wildlife/bird spotting)

 

  • SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia ( Warm and sunny weather, Beginning of the summer, White Nights season till August, Cultural, historical, and architectural landmarks, Winter Palace museum and the Palace Square, The Hermitage Museum, Watch a performance at the Mariinsky theatre, The Savior on the Spilled Blood Cathedral, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Peterhof)

 

  • MOSCOW, Russia (Moderate summer weather, Nation’s cosmopolitan capital, Red square, Kremlin – home to the president and tsarist treasures in the Armoury, St. Basil’s Cathedral -colourful and onion-shaped domes,Bolshoi Theatre)

 

  • GORNO – ALTAISK, Russia ( May – September is the best time to visit,  Pleasant weather, Katun River Valley, Russia’s most beautiful road and most beautiful lake, Belukha sacred mountain, Altai mountains,  Altai Mars –multi-colored mountains of Kyzyl-Chin, Kurai Steppe (1500 – 1600 meters above sea level),  Shavlinskye Lakes,  Ulagan Pass (high mountain pass at 2082m /6,830ft), Katu-Yaryk (high mountain pass at 1188m /3897ft), Chulyshman Valley (river of 241 km/150 mi long))

    

  • PRAGUE, Czech Republic ( Flowers blooming, Spring Music Festival, Festival of Rosé Wines at Prague Castle, Czech Beer Festival, Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, and Saint George’s Basilica)

 

  • VIENNA, Austria ( Mild weather and mild crowds, Shoulder season – in between peak and off-peak tourist season, Big food festival in May, Hofburg Palace, Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, Belvedere Palace, World-Class Opera House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hundertwasser museum, MuseumsQuartier)

 

  • GERMANY( One of the best time to travel May – September, Pleasant warm temperatures 19°C /66.2°F,  Shoulder season, Before the tourist crowds got thicker and airfare/ accommodation prices went up (June – August) ,Snow-free alpine trails, Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, Berlin’s Museum Island, Neuschwanstein Castle (Southwest Bavaria), Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, Kölner Dom, The Black Forest, Miniatur Wunderland and the Historic Port of Hamburg,  Rhine Valley, Munich’s Marienplatz , Munich’s English Garden, Traditional food and beer, Nightlife) 

 

  • HARZ MOUNTAINS, Germany ( Mount Brocken – the highest peak in northern Germany, The Harz National Park (247 square kilometres),  Mountains’ surrounding landscape, Outdoor activities : Dog tours, tubing, snowboarding, skiing and skating on the lake!  Walpurgisnacht (May Day’s eve) celebrations on 30th of April)

 

  • COPENHAGEN,Denmark (Mild summer temperatures,  Fewer tourists, Lower prices, Tivoli Gardens, Canals, Kongens Have – Rosenborg Castle Gardens, Christiansborg Palace, National Museum of Denmark, The National Gallery of Denmark, Nyhavn Harbor, Red Square, The Round Tower, Den Bla Planet, Amalienborg Castle, Cycling culture and tasty cuisine)

 

  • IRELAND ( Peak tourist season June-August, Best time to visit March – May and September – November for milder weather and smaller crowds, Cobh’s colourful architecture, Guinness Storehouse, Blarney Castle, Cliffs of Moher, Sligo Abbey and Strandhill Beach, Killarney National Park, Music festivals)  

 

  • LONDON, UK (Mild spring temperatures 15°C /59°F, After 2nd of May prices are cheaper, Before the peak tourist season in June – September, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben,  The Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, The Natural History Museum) 

 

  • MORGES/GENEVA ,Switzerland (Comfortable summer weather, Shoulder seasons from April – June as well as from September – October, Fewer tourists, Tulip Festival, One of the best places for skydiving over the Swiss Alps (Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau) Lake Thun, and Lake Brienz – Interlaken skydiving (about 1 hour by car from the capital city -Bern), Cheaper flights are possible, Peak tourist season in July-August – very long days, snow-free alpine trails, more events for tourists)

 

  • SVALBARD, Norway (Beginning the peak season June – August, The best and warmest time to go during the summer months from May till October, Average summer temperature 5°C/41°F, This is the warmest time to visit Wildlife spotting: Polar bears, Norwegian archipelago, Arctic landscape, Aurora Borealis during daytime, Midnight sun, Polar night, Snowmobile tours, Dog sledding, Hiking, Boat tours, World’s northernmost chocolate factory, See the ghost town)

  

  • NORWAY (Comfortable warm weather, Before the peak tourist season from mid-June and August, Shoulder season, Good time to visit in May and June as well as in September and October, Fewer tourists, October to March are best for Northern Lights, Tromsø city for Northern Lights, Oslo (Vigeland Sculpture Park, Viking Ship Museum, Architecture, Diverse shopping experiences, Gorgeous scenery), Lofoten islands, Nordland, Trondheim and Trøndelag, Bergen and the western fjords, The Geirangerfjord and the Northwest, Salmon, Heart shaped waffles)

MIDDLE EAST

Bodrum, Turkey

 

  • TURKEY ( Best time to visit March – May and mid-September – mid-November, Before the summer peak tourist season (June – August) , Pleasant warm weather, Less tourists, Room rates and airfare are average, Rich culture and history, Istanbul city, Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace Museum, Ephesus, Paraglide above Ölüdeniz , Bodrum, Wildlife spotting: Sea Turtles in Dalyan, Mount Nemrut, Finest cuisine, Grand Bazaar, Top beach destination –  Blue Lagoon (Ölüdeniz), Kabak Beach (Fethiye), Mermerli Beach (Antalya), Icmeler Beach (Marmaris), Cleopatra Beach (Alanya), Patara Beach (Gelemiş), Kaputaş Beach (Kas), Cirali Beach and more) 

 

  • AMMAN/PETRA ,Jordan (Pleasant Spring weather till July, Comfortable warm temperatures between 17°C/62°F and 37°C/ 98°F, Peak tourist season but less tourists compare to March – April and September, The lost city of Petra -famous archaeological site in southwestern desert, Red Rose City (UNESCO), Nabataean rock-cut temple/tombs, Dead Sea, Holy month of Ramadan starts in approx.mid of April till mid of May – smoking, eating, and drinking in public is prohibited during the hours of daylight but most restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions will still be open, Another peak tourist season from September till December) 

AFRICA

Casablanca, Morocco

 

  • RABAT/CASABLANCA/ ESSAOUIRA, Morocco (Spectacular nature and landscapes, Amazing hiking)

 

  • MARRAKESH/HIGH ATLAS, Morocco (Pleasant weather, One of the best months to visit till May, Shoulder season till May which is considered as the low tourist season, El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Jemaa el-Fna sunsets, Maison Tiskiwin, Dar Si Said, The mellah – the old Jewish Quarter, The Marrakech Museum, Ali Ben Youssef Madrasa, Central courtyard, Majorelle Garden at former home of Yves Saint Laurent, Rue Errachidia and Bab Doukkala impressive neighbourhoods, Open air markets -The central souks, Mint tea, Rock climbing, Ski mountaineering, Mountain biking, Morocco’s Toubkal National Park)

 

  • FES, Morocco (Best to visit is mid-March – May or September – October, November – February is off peak season season – for budget travelers, Authentic experience, Less chaotic than other cities of Morocco, Narrow streets make it look like a maze – can get lost easily in that cultural surroundings, World’s oldest university – the University of al-Qarawiyyin, “Ancient walled city”creation in the Middle Ages, Colourful, Medersa Bou Inania, Medersa el-Attarine, Fes el Bali, Bab Bou Jeloud, World-famous tanneries – Chouara tannery (oldest leather tannery in the world), Carpets, Traditional tasty cuisine)

 

  • MALAWI (Dry season,  Lake Malawi, named as “Warm Heart of Africa” for its friendliness nation, Mulanje Mountain, Likoma Island, Domwe Island, Beaches, Kayaking Snorkelling, Liwonde National Park, Kasungu National Park, Nyika National Park, Karonga, Nkhotakota, Nkhata Bay, Ilala Ferry,  Town of Dedza, Wildlife spotting: elephants, hippos, antelopes, crocodiles and birds) 

 

  • ZAMBIA (Dry season, South Luangwa National Park, Victoria waterfalls (Seven Natural Wonders of the World) sharing with Zimbabwe on the south, Lake Kariba to spot Big Five animals – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo, Morning Safaris and Wildlife spotting: leopards/ elephants/ giraffes, Less tourists and Off-peak season prices till June, Cool dry season is May – August, Hot dry season is September to November)

 

  • ZIMBABWE (Dry season, Victoria waterfalls (Seven Natural Wonders of the World) sharing with Zambia on the north, Lake Kariba to spot Big Five animals – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo, Morning Safaris and Wildlife spotting: leopards/ elephants/ giraffes, Less tourists and Off-peak season prices till June, Cool dry season is May – August, Hot dry season is September to November)

 

  • BOTSWANA (Before the peak season which is July to October, Beginning of the dry season, Nice warm weather 25°C/75°F and 34°C/94°F, Safari park, Kalahari Desert, Okavango Delta for big 5 – rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo, Chobe River’s amazing sunsets, Chobe National park,  550 species of birds (November to March – best for birdwatching), Nxai Pan and Makgadikgadi Pans National Parks, Moremi Game Reserve, Lodges and camps, Green season in November to April)

 

  • SEYCHELLES ISLAND (115 Islands, Warm weather between the hot and humid, Before the peak tourist season in July, Hiking the mountain trails, Dazzling beaches, Rock climbing, From April to September can find better deals on accommodation)

 

  • MADAGASCAR (Dry Season till October, Wildlife spotting, Rainforest treks, Humpback whales (migration in July), Very unique animal species and flora and fauna – 800 species of butterflies and 40 species of lemurs)

OCEANIA

Te Wahipounamu, New Zealand

  • NEW ZEALAND (Off-peak tourist season April – May, Comfortable mild temperatures, City sightseeing,  48 volcanic cones, Unique wildlife, UNESCO World Heritage sites – Te Wahipounamu, Tongariro National Park, and the Subantarctic Islands, Skydiving and other extreme sports at Fox Glacier in Westland Tai Poutini National Park (New Zealand South Island’s west coast))

ASIA

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

 

  • SRI LANKA (Yala National Park wildlife, Buddist holiday –Vesak, Finest climate in May – October on the east coast and December and April on the north coast, Peak tourist season from November – mid-February)

 

  • MALDIVES (Nice warm weather, White beaches with emerald crystal clear waters,  Luxurious overwater bungalows, Water sports destination -swimming, fishing, diving, snorkeling, water-skiing, Off-peak season, Better and cheaper deals on accommodations)

 

  • HANOI/HO CHI MINH CITY/ HA LONG BAY/HOI AN, Vietnam (Northern hiking rice fields, Warm weather before the rainy season, Rice fields in Ninh Binh, Ho Chi Minh City Museum)

 

  • VIETNAM (One of the best time to visit from March to April as well as September to November, Peak tourist season till June, Comfortable weather, Halong Bay , Cat Ba Island hiking trail, Mekong delta cruise, Ngo Dong River, Phong Nha National park, Hang Son Doong – world’s largest cave(UNESCO), Cat Tien National Park, Wildlife spotting, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Buon Ma Thuot waterfalls, Temples)

    

  • SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan (Comfortable weather temperatures ,Cultural treasures- mosques/mausoleums /blue mosaics)

 

  • KITAKYUSHU, Japan (Peak tourist season, Hanami, Ashikaga Flower Park, Kawachi Fuji Gardens)

 

  • NEPAL (Peak tourist season till June, 10 highest mountains in the world, World’s highest mountain peak – Mount Everest (best time to climb is from March to May and from September to November), Annapurna, Gautama Buddha – Lumbini, Pristine glaciers, Traditional festivals, Hiking , One of the best white water rafting, Golden trio sightseeing –  Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara, Panoramic Flight Over the Himalayas, Tibet region, Chitwan National Park, Lumbini Peace Park, March – May is also ideal for trekking and exploring nature, Vibrant culture, Traditional tasty food some acquired from Tibetans, Peak tourist season in Autumn (September – November) and Spring (March -May)) 

 

  • SHANGHAI/ GUANGXI and YUNNAN provinces,China ( Dry season, Mild temperatures, Peak tourist season, Pudong area, Reed Flute Cave near Guilin, Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yuyuan Garden, The Bund, City God Temple, Shanghai Museum, China Art Museum, Ancient limestone cave famed for its vast quantity of different types rock formation that rises from the floor of a cave, Tiger Leaping Gorge to hike, Lujiazui skyline, Nightlife, Zhangjiajie – Flouting mountain/ Avatar Mountains (5 hours by plane or 1 day by train) October – mid-November and April are the best to go there, Zhangjiajie Bridge (260 m) – the world’d tallest breathtaking glass bridge that has world’s highest bungy jump, Good time to visit would be September -November and March – May) 

 

  • BEIJING, China ( Mild temperatures, Before the peak tourist season in June – August, March to May as well as September to October could be considered as the best climate months full of colours and comfortable weather, The Great Wall, Forbidden City – Imperial Palace, Jingshan Park,  Temple of Heaven, 1 day Terracotta Warriors tour from Beijing – Basically form Beijing to Xi’an City of Shaanxi Province that can be reached by overnight train or by plane (2 hours), Beijing duck and other dishes of Jing cuisine/ Mandarin cuisine) 

 

  • SOUTH KOREA(Nice weather, Before the peak tourist season, Bamboo Festival, Boseong Green Tea Festival, Seoul’s palaces, Namdaemun and Dongdaemun market, Cheonggyecheon stream, N Seoul Tower hiking, Seoul Nori Madang, Seoul Grand Park, Lotte World and Everland theme parks, Good time to visit April – June and September -November, Peak tourist season is June -July)

 

  • NORTH KOREA(Spring and Autumn the best so far if you want to visit that ‘closed’ country – Korean guides are provided to all visitors as its illegal to travel outside designated tour areas (South Koreans and journalists are routinely denied), Tower of the Juche Idea, Demilitarized Zone, Pyongyang Metro , Kim Il-sung Square, Mansudae Grand Monument, Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, Rungrado May Day Stadium, Kim Il Sung Stadium, Traditional Korean food)

PEAK SEASON: Canada, Costa Rica, Borneo, Russia, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, Malasia, Netherlands.