While the conflict in Iran makes travel to the Middle East and many Asian destinations difficult, it doesn’t mean holidaymakers are cancelling their plans. They’re just looking a bit closer to home – or further west.
Get an early taste of summer in the Mediterranean with a villa holiday in Corsica, a slow exploration of southern Italy or a relaxing cruise through the Rhine’s fairy-tale landscapes.
Take long hikes along the Yorkshire coast, or get together with friends in rural north Wales. For something extra special, sail through the Aegean on a traditional gulet or be knocked sideways by the views while riding on Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer.
Wherever you decide to go in May, take a look at these holiday ideas for inspiration.
Read more: Under the radar Mediterranean destinations for Easter
Corsica
Grab a gang of eight and hole up in the delightful Le Citaj on Corsica’s northern coast. You’ll be right by the attractive town of St-Florent – handy for explorations of Cap Corse and colourful Bastia. This traditional stone house has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a large garden with a pool and lots of lounging space. Corsican Places has availability from 2 May for seven nights starting at £699pp, down from £969pp, including flights, luggage, car hire and welcome pack. If you want to travel during May’s half-term holiday, it’ll be £979pp.
Italy
Avoid the baking heat of summertime southern Italy by exploring Puglia in much more temperate May. This six-night, two-centre “Baroque Cities of the Hidden South” tour with Long Travel leads you into beautiful cities and towns, including Lecce and Ostuni. Between your boutique hotel bases in the ancient settlements of Conversano and Lecce, you’ll meander between Alberobello, Nardò, Martina Franca and other notable stops on the Salento peninsula. Prices start at £1,549pp and include flights, car hire, breakfast, welcome dinner and wine tasting.
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Yorkshire
Head to the Yorkshire coast to explore the newly designated King Charles III England Coast Path, which forms part of Ramble Worldwide’s “North Yorkshire Coast and Country” guided walking holiday. Highlights include Robin Hood’s Bay, Whitby and Staithes, not to mention dramatic landscapes of towering cliffs and moody moors. Prices for a 3 May departure start at £949pp and include five nights’ half-board accommodation and guided walks.
Read more: New King Charles coastal path to stretch the entire coast of England
Germany
Soak up the sights and scents of springtime with this leisurely adults-only river cruise up the Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam. This is seriously fairy-tale stuff – riverside castles, vineyard-covered hillsides, historic cities such as Rudesheim, Koblenz and the stunner that is Cologne, not to mention beautiful Basel and Amsterdam. Iglu Cruise has a seven-night cruise departing 11 May from £1,689pp, including flights, full-board accommodation and gratuities.
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Grenada
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Guaranteed stupendous sunsets, clear Caribbean waters and the wonderfully named Pink Gin Beach at your feet await at Sandals Grenada, an all-inclusive adults-only resort on the southwest tip of the island. It’s certainly a stylish place to kick back for a week and completely relax on soft white sands and in five pools, two whirlpools, 10 restaurants and six bars. Tropical Sky has availability for a 7 May departure with prices starting at £2,519pp, including flights, transfers and all-inclusive accommodation.
Wales
Chill out in the countryside of north Wales, a few miles from Aberdaron Beach, when you stay at Brynhynog Fawr. This four-bedroom farmhouse on a working farm on the Llyn peninsula has bags of space for eight people, including a large garden with serene views of rolling hills and mountains. Booked through Wales Cottage Holidays, it costs £996 for five nights from 15 May, and up to two dogs are welcome.
Read more: Two new walking trails set to launch in Wales this year
And if you want to splash out…
Greece
There’s cruising, and then there’s sailing through the Dodecanese on a traditional Turkish gulet, an altogether more romantic and intimate affair. This 15-day tour with Peter Sommer Travels comes with two extremely knowledgeable guides who bring each destination to life. You’ll meander around the Aegean, stopping at various islands including Kos, Kalymnos, Samos, Tilos, Symi and Rhodes, mixing lazy swim stops and long lunches with fascinating cultural tours. Prices for a 23 May departure start at £6,395pp and include airport transfers, full-board accommodation, transport and entrance fees. Flights are extra.
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Canada
This really is the gold standard for epic railway journeys. The excitement begins even before you board the Rocky Mountaineer train with a couple of days in Vancouver spent whale watching and feasting on fabulous food before crossing British Columbia to Lake Louise (staying at the Fairmont Chateau), the Columbia Icefields and Banff in Alberta. Then fly home after a day in Calgary. Inspiring Travel has a nine-night Rocky Mountaineer Gold Leaf Tour starting at £7,555pp, including flights, transfers and specified excursions.
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Mary Novakovich is editor at large at 101holidays.co.uk
