Visit some of europe’s biggest capital cities
The Catalan capital city of Barcelona is one of Spain’s most enigmatic destinations, easily accessible by air and high-speed train services.
Traces of the influence of one man – Antonio Gaudi – are all over some of the city’s finest buildings, and the Parc Guell has many monuments celebrating his vast influence.
The finest collection of Pablo Picasso’s paintings is also exhibited in the eponymous museum, which ideally needs a full morning or afternoon to do it justice. Less than £15 will also buy you a day pass on the city’s Bus Turistic which will take you on a ‘best of’ city tour, while another experience to be enjoyed by public transport is the view from the top of the Tibidabo, a hill affording amazing panoramic city views.
The communications tower up here was designed by Sir Norman Foster, whose influence is also strongly felt in another iconic Barcelona landmark – the Camp Nou stadium, home of the city’s football club.
May’s weather is warm enough for wandering around comfortably, yet well below the heights of July and August, so you’re certain to see far more at this time.
Take some time out on a trip to paris
Cole Porter’s song line ‘Paris in the springtime’ has become a phrase to describe all that’s best about the French capital – and it’s as true as ever that this time of year is a great one for visiting.
As the city with more parks, gardens and open spaces than any other in Europe, you’re backing a winner if you can visit around this time.
There’s plenty happening all year round, of course, but the River Seine with its many romantic bridges, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Moulin Rouge and the Louvre museum and art gallery are best explored ahead of the main holiday season.
Regular Eurostar services and budget airline options mean there’s healthy competition for travellers, so fares are kept reasonable, while accommodation once you’re here caters for every budget, and efficient bus and metro systems make getting around relatively straightforward.
Then of course, there’s Disneyland Paris, great for making it a half-term holiday to remember for all the family. Accommodation comes in all styles and fits every budget, and you can make your stay flexible, although many of the best deals are available if you stay for at least one Saturday night.
Pamper yourself on a may holiday to budapest
A May break in Budapest will not only offer you plenty of sightseeing, but you could also return reinvigorated, courtesy of the city’s famous thermal spas and Turkish baths.
Architecture lovers won’t want to miss the grand St Stephen’s Basilica, the Citadel and Statue of Liberty up on Castle Hill, or the iconic buildings of the Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church.
Another city build around one of Europe’s grandest rivers, this time the Danube, it has enough shops, theatres and concert halls to keep anyone entertained. The river itself is a world heritage site, while a modern underground metro system makes exploring well beyond its banks easy.
Above ground though, you should find your way to Andrassy Avenue, the city’s most elegant thoroughfare which is home to the Opera, Academy of Fine Arts, Heroes’ Square, and several imposing statues.
Three and four-star hotels predominate the city, while there are also numerous bed and breakfast establishments, and even self-catering options for city visitors.
May sees nature begin to display her full beauty, so whether you’re looking for a lazy beach holiday, or fancy roaming around a new city, you’ll see many of our suggested holiday spots at their best.