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10 holidays in May to book this year

Photo credit: andreydayen - Getty Images
Photo credit: andreydayen - Getty Images

From Good Housekeeping

Looking for some late spring travel inspiration? Make the most of the warmer weather while avoiding summer crowds by a booking a trip in May.

Whether you're looking for city break ideas, fancy learning something new at a festival or simply want to relax by the sea on a chic staycation, Good Housekeeping's travel expert, David Wickers, has rounded-up 10 exciting May 2020 holiday ideas worth checking out now.

Here are 10 of the best holidays in May to book this year...

Yoga in Tuscany

Join Aggie MacKenzie, the How Clean Is Your House? star-turned-yoga-instructor, on Good Housekeeping's bestselling, four-day fitness break. Available 2-5 May 2020, this is a great opportunity to improve your core strength and tone your body, as well as relax and make new friends in the Italian sun with healthy, home-cooked Italian meals throughout your stay.

Solo travellers can stay in a double room alone at no additional cost.

BOOK NOW From £1,099 per person.

Photo credit: Aggie MacKenzie
Photo credit: Aggie MacKenzie



Turkish Coast

From 23 May (until 24 October), British Airways is introducing flights from Heathrow to Dalaman, a new route giving easy access to the Lycian coast and within easy reach of the Gulf of Fethiye and the delightful towns of Kas and Kalkan.

Vintage Travel has expanded its Turkey portfolio for 2020 with 10 new properties, including Kalos overlooking Kalkan.

BOOK NOW From £1,400 for a week for up to six travelling in May

Photo credit: ilkaydede - Getty Images
Photo credit: ilkaydede - Getty Images



Fun in the Ukraine

Kiev, the Ukrainian capital comes alive on the last weekend of May to mark 'Kyiv Day' with its central squares packed with open-air concerts, street performers, dance competitions and parades in traditional costume, culminating with a spectacular firework display on the 31st.

Regent Holidays offers a number of tailor-made tours to the Ukraine including an eight-day twin centre Kyiv and Lviv from £755pp B&B, including transfers, overnight train to Lviv and flights.

BOOK NOW From £755 per person

Photo credit: andreydayen - Getty Images
Photo credit: andreydayen - Getty Images

Waterways anniversary

Celebrate 250 years since the construction of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal through the Pennines was authorised on May 19 1770. At 127 miles long, linking the waterways of Yorkshire with those of Lancashire and the River Mersey, it is the longest single canal in the country.

Unlike the original working boats, those available to hire today come with central heating, hot water, TV, WiFi, fully-equipped kitchens, showers and flushing toilets, some with king size beds, baths and wood stoves. Three or four nights from Drifters' base at Reedley costs from £669, sleeping four, fuel extra.

BOOK NOW From £669

Photo credit: jasonmgabriel - Getty Images
Photo credit: jasonmgabriel - Getty Images

St Lucia Festival

One of the biggest festivals in the Caribbean, the St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival takes place from 1-10 May, celebrating local and international talent at locations around the island. Ten days based at the adults-only Hideaway, part of the Royalton hotel at Smugglers Cove, in a junior suite with balcony and terrace with whirlpool bath, starts at £1551pp, all inclusive with access to an exclusive adults-only beach, pool and restaurants as well as full run of the famous main hotel and its opulent spa with Tui, departing on 3 May, with flights and transfers also included.

BOOK NOW From £1,551 per person

Photo credit: Paul Baggaley - Getty Images
Photo credit: Paul Baggaley - Getty Images

Roses in Morocco

Held annually in El Kelaâ M’Gouna, in Southern Morocco’s stunning Dadés Valley, the May Festival of Roses celebrates the harvest of rose petals for use in perfume, rose water and cooking. Festivities include parades, music, dancing, sporting events and a rose-themed market.

May is one of the best times to visit Morocco, when everything is blooming and usually tanning weather but without the summer scorch. TravelLocal has an eight-day trip which includes Marrakech, Ouarzazate, the Todra Gorge and Skoura as well as the Dades Valley from £640pp based on a private tour for four people including transport, excursions and a local guide. Flights extra.

BOOK NOW From £640 per person

Photo credit: Davide Seddio - Getty Images
Photo credit: Davide Seddio - Getty Images



Salcombe seafood

Inspired by the famously flavoursome brown crab caught off the South Devon coast, Salcombe Crab Festival – or Crabfest – is an annual celebration of the local fishing, food and tourism industries.

Taking place on May 3, events include hands-on cooking demos, wine tastings and an 'omelette challenge'. Stay just 15 minutes away in Kingsbridge at No.8 Belle Vue with Holiday Cottages, a great base for exploring the beautiful South Hams. Three nights, arriving Friday 1 May, costs £103 pp (£511 total for five people).

BOOK NOW £103 per person

Photo credit: Devon and Cornwall Photography - Getty Images
Photo credit: Devon and Cornwall Photography - Getty Images

Alaskan cruise

Barely changed since the beginning of time, Alaska's natural credentials are mind boggling, topped by 34,000 miles of coastline, more than the east and west coasts of the 'Lower 48' combined.

May marks the start of the cruising season. On 5 May, for example, Holland America's Koningsdam, the company's first Pinnacle class ship, will carry passengers along the scenic Inside Passage, into Glacier Bay and to coastal towns, with sightings of wildlife likely to include whales, porpoises and bald eagles. From £1679pp for one week, plus one night pre-cruise hotel, including flights.

BOOK NOW From £1679 per person for one week

Photo credit: John Morrison - Getty Images
Photo credit: John Morrison - Getty Images

Festival in Wales

Hay Festival, the world's best known book festival, takes place from 21 May until the end of the month. It promises: "Great fiction from Hilary Mantel and Ali Smith, activism from Gloria Steinem and journalist Afua Hirsch, 20th century history from Wild Swans author Jung Chang, performances from musicians Amadou and Mariam with the Blind Boys of Alabama, singer Aldous Harding and Shakespeare’s Globe on Tour".

The Festival village is free to enter, with ticketed events in 10 tented venues, plus a range of sites to explore ranging from a 'Wild Garden' to creative workshops in the 'Make and Take Tent', market stalls to a programme of guided walks with acclaimed writers in the Brecon Beacons.

BOOK NOW

Photo credit: David Levenson - Getty Images
Photo credit: David Levenson - Getty Images

Spanish opening

The first of the Ikos chain of luxury hotels to open outside Greece will be unveiled this month on an Andalucian beach close to Marbella. The 400-room hotel offers a spa, children’s club, a range of water sports and dining options as well as a complimentary beach childcare service for the over 4s.

Sovereign Luxury Travel has one week, all-inclusive stay from £1,195pp including flights and transfers.

BOOK NOW From £1,195 per person, including flights and transfers

Photo credit: Deejpilot - Getty Images
Photo credit: Deejpilot - Getty Images



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Photo credit: Hearst Owned
Photo credit: Hearst Owned

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