Luxury May holidays

From luxury self-drives in southern Europe to whale watching in Canada, May is an excellent time to escape on holiday before the summer crowds arrive. Our specialists have picked out their favourites below.

European sun

Italy and Spain are ideal May destinations, with Tuscany enjoying highs of 21ºC, ideal for road trips and exploring Florence. In Spain, Andalucia basks in sunshine, while Portugal's Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve all benefit from the same Iberian heat, and self-drives are a little quieter thanks to avoiding peak tourist season. Over in Scandinavia and the Nordics, the arrival of spring sees Norway's fjordland bloom in wildflowers, rushing rivers and spectacular waterfalls.

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Tuscany, Italy

North America

May is an excellent time to head on a USA road trip. with fewer crowds in across its world-famous cities and majestic national parks. It's also a great time to spot whales in eastern Canada while the western Rockies lend themselves perfectly to a luxury rail journey.

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Arches National Park, Utah, USA

Safaris in Southern Africa

While the south of Africa's temperatures begin to rise in May, the humidity in destinations such as Botswana remains low, making it an excellent time to head on a safari. Luxury safari lodges abound, alongside superb dining and expert guides as you go in search of the Big Five.

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Okavango, Botswana

Adventures in Asia

Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia enjoy endless sunshine during May, with Bali particularly pleasant. The latter is the perfect destination for a honeymoon, combining culture with the region's superb beaches. Japan is also an excellent choice, with the chance to catch the end of cherry blossom season in the north.

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Lombok, Indonesia

The Caribbean

Prior to the rainy season, May is a great time to head to the Caribbean for a luxury hotel stay and it's often quieter post-Easter. Barbados and St. Lucia are our top picks.

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Beach, St Lucia

Our top May holiday ideas

Rocky Mountaineer

Highlights of the Canadian Rockies on Rocky Mountaineer

Travel in style between Vancouver and Calgary, enjoying included gourmet dining and drinks throughout, while taking in spectacular national parks on expert-led tours and a thrilling helicopter ride over the Rockies.

Alhambra

Andalucia: a luxury road trip

6 days from £1,870 pp incl. flights

Knit together the world wonders of Andalucia with scenic drives, luxury palace stays and private tours included throughout.

Mokoros, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Highlights of Botswana

10 days from £13,940 pp incl. flights

This is a safari at its most indulgent. Explore the winding waterways of the Okavango Delta and the vast expanse of the Kalahari Desert with stays in ultra-luxury lodges, enjoying all-inclusive activities and dining.

Tented accommodation, andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp

Luxury Tanzania

Tanzania offers some of the world’s best safari experiences, combined on this itinerary with the finest in all-inclusive stays. You’ll take in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and flamingo-dotted Manyara Lake with touring and flights included throughout.

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap

Best of Cambodia

14 days from £4,610 pp incl. flights

Explore traditional floating villages and stay in everything from tented suites on rainforest rivers to luxury boutique boltholes overlooking the Gulf of Thailand on this ideal introduction to Cambodia.

Lombok beach and coral reef, Indonesia

Highlights of Bali and Lombok

12 days from £4,150 pp incl. flights

Experience the best of Indonesia’s paradise islands with stays in private-pool villas and jungle-clad bungalows as private touring and transfers bring you between water temples, snorkelling trips and traditional performances.

Japan cherry blossoms

Highlights of Japan

10 days from £7,330 pp incl. flights

This is the ideal introduction to Japan, pairing a host of highlights with personalised tours, including a trip up the iconic Tokyo Skytree, stays at luxurious ryokan accommodation, traditional kaiseki feasts and journeys aboard the bullet train.

Novice monks, Bangkok

Highlights of Thailand

Showcase the best of Thailand in style, taking in Bangkok’s infectious energy, enjoying a taste of adventure at a jungle-clad elephant camp, and ending with an indulgent beach break on the beaches of Krabi.

Ha Long Bay

Highlights of Vietnam

13 days from £6,065 pp incl. flights

An introduction to Vietnam's most iconic and enticing sights, including its vibrant towns and cities, verdant countryside and, of course, its world-renowned cuisine.

Komodo Dragon fight

Bali, Singapore & Komodo: luxury cruise and stays

17 days from £9,335 pp incl. flights

Between island-hopping on a luxury small-ship cruise, complete with technicolour dives and Komodo dragons, you’ll explore Singapore’s futurism and stay in private-pool villas in Bali.

Florence, Italy

The Tuscan Coast & Florence

Tuscany is famous for Renaissance art and architecture, with the city of Florence at its forefront. Less well known perhaps are the region’s beaches, each as lovely as the Botticelli Venus. This trip combines the beauty of both.

Geiranger

Norway's Western Fjords

7 days from £2,810 pp incl. flights

Couple stylish accommodations with the meandering roads of Norway's majestic western fjords for the ultimate summer self-drive adventure.

Lisbon, Portugal

Porto & Lisbon luxury break

From the picturesque villages of Duoro Valley to the fairy-tale charm of Sintra, this Porto to Lisbon trip offers it all – world-class wine, magnificent scenery and stays in two fabulous hotels.

Florence, Italy

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Florence to London

4 days from £4,980 pp incl. flights

Journey aboard the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, starting amid the exquisite architecture of Florence before crossing the Alps in style en route to London.

Humpback whales, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick

Highlights of the Atlantic Canada

22 days from £4,035 pp incl. flights

Explore the scenic beauty of Atlantic Canada on a scenic self-drive through charming villages and dramatic coastal landscapes.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA

Rockies to the Red Rocks Discovery on Rocky Mountaineer

10 days from £4,555 pp incl. flights

Experience Rocky Mountaineer's newest route as you travel in luxury through the American Southwest, taking in three of Utah's "Mighty 5" National Parks.

Coastline, Highway 1, California

Luxury Pacific Coast Highway with Las Vegas Self-Drive

14 days from £5,660 pp incl. flights

Explore the spectacular coast of California and revel in the bright lights of Las Vegas on this luxury self-drive from San Francisco.

Jade Mountain, Saint Lucia

Jade Mountain, Saint Lucia

With unbeatable views across the famous Piton World Heritage site and the Caribbean Sea, Jade Mountain is one of St Lucia's most luxurious resorts.

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