May
May feels abundant - fields spilling colour, markets brimming with early summer produce, and coasts inviting slow drift. Days are warm but not heavy, the calm before the crush - the perfect balance between stillness and summer. It’s a month for the kind of travel that feels generous and unhurried, easy and alive.
These curated travel ideas are designed to ignite your wanderlust. Discover the experiences selected to get your mind racing about where to travel this month. Book a call for further inspiration, expert guidance, a tailored itinerary, and insider advice.
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Greece
May in Greece is magical: islands awakening, wildflowers blooming, and sunshine without the summer squeeze. Stand before the Acropolis as golden light washes over millennia of history, then journey into the ancient heart of the Peloponnese; from the legendary citadel of Mycenae to the open-air magnificence of the Theatre of Epidaurus. Taste the country’s culinary soul with hands-on cooking classes or market-to-table food tours. Athens is having a moment; design-forward hotels, rooftop dining, and revitalised neighbourhoods bursting with creative energy. If you crave those hot languid boat days, the water warms later in summer but in May, explore the charming streets of Chania or Santorini without the crowds, and tackle breathtaking hikes like the Samaria Gorge in cooler comfort.
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Scotland
Wild coasts, rugged peaks, scenic drives through majestic valleys. Trace the Highlands from windswept shores to glassy lochs, discover lesser-known islands for true remote beauty - or by private boat, dolphins dancing in your wake. Edinburgh’s cultural energy, storied architecture, and grand dining rooms complement your journey into the wild.
Experience bold rewilding projects, feast on the freshest seafood, learn about fierce clan history, and stay in a historic castle or an impeccable country estate. Private distillery access, panoramic picnic viewpoints, and epic hikes without summer crowds - May in Scotland is raw and romantic.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
As the waters return in May, the Okavango Delta becomes a shimmering oasis, a vibrant floodplain where wildlife gathers in extraordinary abundance. Drift silently by mokoro past elephants and red lechwe, or soar above the channels on a thrilling doors-off helicopter flight.
Come sunset, sip sundowners on a secluded island; G&Ts in hand, the melody of hippos grunting in the shallows, and the sky melting into apricot and violet. Exceptional lodges blend sublime luxury with deep conservation impact, while expert guides make every moment feel cinematic. Add South Africa or Victoria Falls for the ultimate African odyssey.
Borneo, Malaysia
Prime wildlife season, the rainforest at its lushest after the rains. Cruise the Kinabatangan River in search of orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants at the water’s edge. Venture into Lahad Datu’s primary rainforest, ancient jungle alive with rare species and real conservation stories.
Stay in remote lodges, explore canopy walkways, head out on captivating night boat safaris, then switch scenes with world-class diving off Borneo’s islands, where sea turtles glide above vibrant coral gardens a few fin kicks from pristine beaches. Wild, humbling, and completely unforgettable.
Japan
With cherry-blossom crowds gone and warm days arriving, May reveals Japan at its most elegant and immersive. Wander traditional wooden-fronted districts and buzzing neighbourhoods alive with contrast — the neon futurism of the cities one moment, quiet temples the next.
Hike mountain trails stitched with shrines, explore the art-rich islands of the Seto Inland Sea, and stay in luxury ryokans with rejuvenating onsen (and the beautiful ritual surrounding them). Meet artisans safeguarding centuries-old crafts.
In the cities, dive into energetic street-food scenes as well as refined dining, and embrace a fascinating culture unlike anywhere else.
Travel Inspiration for the Year
