In China, Beijing is emerging from the winter gloom, and, from Guangdong to Yunnan, farmers, standing in water up to their thighs, transplant spring rice. In the streets of Istanbul, Turkey, sorbets are making their appearance: summer is approaching and the evenings are pleasant. Italy honours the Virgin Mary, Milan celebrates fashion. Everywhere, you may feel as if you are the only visitor.
While there is no set season for discovering the wonders of Italy, spring best enhances the treasures of the country’s heritage. From the Great Lakes of the North to the southern tip of Puglia - not forgetting eternal Rome, timeless Tuscany or aquatic Venice - May makes the boot sing from heel to collar. Italians at this time of the year are in a festive mood, celebrating fashion in Milan, Saint Nicholas in Bari, books in Turin, the Holy Spirit in Orvieto, and the Virgin almost everywhere.
See all our trips to Italy
At the edge of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal stuns with its richness and history. Paying it a visit in the heart of spring is truly an excellent idea. While the Algarve in the south is welcoming all year round, the rest of the country enjoys a temperate climate. After a rather harsh winter, the mild spring weather of May offers the perfect opportunity to fully appreciate the sparkling brilliance of Lisbon, the popular charm of Porto, and the UNESCO-listed alleyways of Guimarães. The very holy town of Fátima draws pilgrims for the country’s largest religious gathering in mid-May.
See all our trips to Portugal
What better season than spring to admire a legendary English lawn? In May, the sun’s rays return to the United Kingdom, although not enough to cause sunstroke, but just enough to illuminate the countryside’s charming shades of green. The east coast, sheltered from the whims of the ocean, presents a more welcoming landscape. And if by chance a cloud decides to misbehave, the British have a ready-made solution, retreating to one of the countless pubs scattered across the islands, from Plymouth to Edinburgh, not forgetting London and Cardiff along the way.
See all our trips to the United Kingdom
The lovely month of May marks the beginning of the dry season in French Polynesia. This tiny piece of France in the heart of the Pacific Ocean sees the rain subside, the temperatures hover around 25 °C (77 °F), and the trade winds temper the sun's warmth. In other words, May brings together the ideal conditions to fully enjoy a stay on this paradise scented with tiaré, celebrated by the brush strokes of Gauguin and the songs of Jacques Brel.
See all our trips to French Polynesia
More than a bridge between East and West, Turkey is a crossroads of spiced aromas and bustling bazaars. In May, the country enjoys wonderful weather conditions. The sun bathes and sets the Ottoman lands in warm light, and there is not a cloud on the horizon. Fabulous Istanbul unveils its many charms, from the heights of Galata Tower to the gardens of Topkapi Palace. And if the sun becomes too overwhelming, there’s nothing like seeking refuge in the troglodyte cities of Cappadocia.
See all our trips to Turkey
Travel with complete freedom, guided by your interests,
ideas and passions.
250 travel specialists, organised by country and region. Driven by a passion for beauty and never short of ideas, they inspire you and design an ultra-personalised journey: itineraries, accommodation, workshops, encounters, and more.
Always at your service: with a dedicated travel specialist, Concierge service and 24/7 assistance, our teams support you and adapt in real time, for a trip that is both flexible and expertly supported.
With family, as a couple, in a group of ten, on a road trip, by train, by boat, for a weekend or a round-the-world journey... Trips tailored to your preferences, enhanced by clever services, for ever smoother travel.