- Beach vacation at the sea in May
- Where to go to Europe in May
- Excursion holidays abroad
- Holidays with children in May
- Where to relax in Russia
- Sea and river cruises
- Safari
- Food tours in May
- Events, festivals, carnivals
- Shopping tours
- Active recreation, diving, rafting
- Tours for May holidays
- Inexpensive vacation in May - what to choose?
- Where to go in May without a visa?
May is a joyful month in itself, when the agonizing presentiment of summer suddenly turns into reality on a particularly sunny day, a warm breeze or a fragrant flower in a flower bed. And if a vacation falls in May, then this month becomes doubly happy - from the fact that you are on the same wavelength with the weather, that amazing miracles await ahead, that the long-awaited summer will come after the May vacation, which means new trips to the nearest lake, to the usual the sea or a distant ocean.
Those who are especially impatient choose a beach holiday already in May. Exotic Seychelles, Maldives, Mauritius are at the service of hedonist travelers, where you can be sure of the obligatory scenic view around and of the high quality of service.
The flow of tourists to more budgetary, but in their own way, wonderful places does not decrease, where there are excellent resorts, wide clean beaches, the sea - with or without coral reefs, but always warm and suitable for swimming and diving. These are the beloved Thailand, Goa, Egypt, Turkey.
The high season begins at the beach resorts of Europe - hotels and restaurants in Cyprus, Greece, and the Canary Islands begin their work.
May is the perfect time for sightseeing trips around Europe and the world. It's not so hot yet, but the length of daylight hours already allows you to walk longer, devoting time to sightseeing. Travel to southern Naples, Dubrovnik, Barcelona, or opt for cooler Tallinn and Strasbourg. With children, you can go to France or Sweden, where popular amusement parks operate. Or just go to the sea in Tuapse, where there is a water park and a dolphinarium, and what else does a child need to be happy?
May is the month when Victory Day is celebrated on a large scale in all cities of our Motherland. If you find yourself at this time, for example, in Moscow or Sevastopol, you will remember this holiday for a long time. It is worth going to the film festival in Cannes in May, and to the noisy fair in Stuttgart.
In May, skis should be hidden until October. Extreme skiing can be replaced by kitesurfing in Anapa, trekking in Svaneti or diving in Malta.
Choose, plan, enjoy!
Beach vacation at the sea in May
Tourists who, since winter, dream of the azure sea and palms reflected in the water, bring summer closer as they can. For example, in May they are planning a beach holiday in places where the air warms up to 26-28 degrees, and the sea - up to 22. In southern Europe, summer comes into its own in the second half of the month, so swimming lovers can safely recommend booking hotels in the Canary Islands, in Greece and Crete.
Familiar, almost native, Turkey and Egypt are also actively receiving tourists. The high season continues in the elite Mauritius, Seychelles and Maldives. It will be good in May in Thailand, Morocco, Israel. Choose a resort area to your liking!
Turkey
Mediterranean Alanya, where beach lovers take their places in the sun at the end of April, is considered the warmest resort in Turkey. In May, the temperature of the air and water here will be a couple of degrees higher than in other Turkish resorts.
The advantages of a holiday in Alanya are obvious:
- it has its own airport, which accepts charter flights from around the world;
- local beaches are covered with clean, fine sand, pleasant for bare feet;
- prices for accommodation and meals at the beginning of the season will be lower than in Antalya;
- for accommodation, you can choose both comfortable and fashionable five-star hotel complexes that adorn the first line along the long beaches outside the city, as well as more modest three- and four-star hotels and excellent boutique hotels in the city itself;
- a large number of entertainment for the whole family: water parks, amusement parks, swing carousels, restaurants, etc.;
- rich nightlife. Let's just say that Alanya is called Turkish Rio.
Turkey does not require a visa from Russians.
More about Alanya
Active rest in Alanya
Weather in Alanya in May
Tunisia
May is a great time to relax in Tunisia. Summer stifling heat has not yet reached here, but the sea is already warmed up to a comfortable 20-22 degrees.
An old favorite of European travelers, Tunisia has re-emerged in recent years. The prices here are much lower than in Spain, and the service is good enough to satisfy the needs of even the most demanding tourists. Stop, for example, in Hammamet, which is especially loved by our compatriots. Here you can enjoy balneological treatments and stroll through the old town in between going to the beach, and at night enjoy the many nightclubs.
A busy nightlife awaits tourists in Sousse. Young people usually come here. Those who value a beach holiday will appreciate the luxurious local beach, which stretches 10 km north from Sousse to Porta el Kantaoui, a resort area lined with hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. The beach has a smooth entrance into the water, so it is often chosen for families with small children.
For 90 days, you can relax in Tunisia without a visa.
More about the resorts of Sousse and Hammamet
The cost of rest in Tunisia
Weather in Tunisia in May
Greece
In May, the southern islands of Greece open the high season. The Mediterranean Sea is already well warmed up by the end of May, which is used by many vacationers who dream of summer.
There are approximately 1400 islands in Greece. For a vacation in May, choose large islands that are easy to reach: Rhodes or Crete.
Only two beaches in Crete are covered with sand. They are considered local gems, so there are always enough tourists here. The rest of the sections along the coast are rocky, but have comfortable descents into the water, so they are also suitable for quality rest.
It is necessary with special care to choose in which village to stay in Crete. If you like an exclusively beach holiday, then book a room in hotels located in resort towns such as Agios Nikolaos. Dreaming of seclusion means your choice of a village like Bali. If you are planning to walk a lot, settle for a vacation in the ancient cities built by the Venetians - Rethymnon or Chania.
If you get tired of lying on the beach, be sure to go to the Palace of Knossos. You can also rent a boat with a team and go to the nearest islands - Kos, Mykonos and others.
To travel to Greece, you will have to apply for a Schengen visa at the embassy of this country.
More about Crete and Rhodes
The cost of rest in Greece
Weather in Greece in May
Cyprus
Back in April, the first sun and warmth lovers appear in Cyprus. In general, this Mediterranean island pleases its guests with 330 days of sunshine a year.
Maybe at the beginning of May the sea will still not be warm enough for long swims, so it is better to come to Cyprus at the end of the month, when there will be 100% optimal conditions for water procedures.
You can make your Cyprus holiday ideal if you choose the “right” resort that can meet your needs. Fans of noisy parties, regulars of discos, bars, nightclubs will like Ayia Napa. For a quiet family vacation, Limassol and Larnaca are more suitable. For those who are not averse to going on an excursion, we recommend staying in Paphos. By the way, excursion boats leave from the Limassol pier to Egypt and Israel.
All beaches in Cyprus are municipal. The most picturesque and cleanest ones are located in Ayia Napa and Protaras. The coast is covered with fine golden sand.
A visa to Cyprus is issued online. The authorization document is sent by mail about 1-2 days after contacting the embassy.
More about Ayia Napa
Holidays in Ayia Napa
Weather in Cyprus in May
Bali, Indonesia
Bali teaches its guests to live simple and easy, settling for a bungalow instead of a five-star hotel, dancing at beach parties rather than a trendy nightclub watching the sunsets instead of the neighbors.
The best hangout in Bali in May is going to Kuta and Legian. It is noisy, fun and there is always something to do: sit in bars in the evenings, lie on the beach in the afternoon, finally learn how to conquer the wave on the surf, because you are in a place where the world's best waves and just a paradise for surfers, ride on island by car with a driver, look for interesting places on the map of Bali and then enthusiastically tell new friends about them. Do not miss during your excursions the Gunung Batur volcano, surrounded by impenetrable, but not at all scary jungle.
Combine a trip to Bali with a stroll through one of the Asian cities where the plane stops - Bangkok, Singapore or Tokyo. The transit time can be extended to 2-3 days.
A visa to Indonesia is obtained upon arrival.
More about Bali
Information about entertainment in Bali
Weather in Indonesia in May
Thailand
Thailand is famous for its resorts with free night entertainment, which attracts many tourists to this country. However, Koh Samui is an exception to the rule. A respectable European public and families with children who prefer to spend their free time on the beaches and on excursions come here. Landscapes in the style of "heaven on earth", good weather, gentle waves of the Gulf of Thailand, pleasant neighbors on the beach - what could be better?
The most peaceful and serene beaches, where there are no waves and other unpleasant natural surprises, are located in Taling Ngam, Minama and Chong Mona.
There are several interesting entertainments for children on Koh Samui: the "Paradise Park Farm" petting zoo, where you can play with tame monkeys and other more familiar animals - foals, hedgehogs, etc., a menagerie with tigers and a large aquarium. Adults can go to the crocodile farm or ride elephants.
Another plus of Samui is the presence of numerous detox hotels, where progressive tourists go for a course of rapid weight loss and body cleansing.
You do not need a visa to visit Thailand.
More about Koh Samui
What's interesting on Koh Samui
Weather on Koh Samui in May
Goa, India
The most famous "beach" Indian state is Goa. The surprise of Goa lasts only a few days upon arrival. Then you get used to this place and realize that if Goa did not exist, then it should have been invented.
There is never a full house on the beaches of Goa. There are too many of them here to be content with the same stretch of coastline, so on lazy, sunny days, people cruise along the coast, meeting friends, hanging out in one or another beach cafe. Every tourist has their own favorite beach.
If you are in Goa for the first time, then go to the beaches:
- Morjim - if you miss compatriots and familiar food;
- Arambol - if you want to know fully what relaxation in Goa is. It is customary here to just look at the Arabian Sea all day, rising from the sand only to have a snack in the nearest Nepalese or Indian cafe;
- Gokarna - if you are interested not only in the sea. This coastal village is home to Indian worship sites. And on the shore there is a chic vegetarian cafe serving delicious dishes from exotic fruits and vegetables.
Goa is divided into two parts: North and South. In the North there are more mobile and noisy youth, in the South there are respectable tourists from Europe.
If you are traveling with a tourist group, the visa will be delivered to you right at the airport. If you come to Goa on your own, you need to get a visa at the Indian Embassy before departure.
More about Goa
Interesting places in Goa
Weather in Goa in May
UAE
The third largest emirate of the seven in the United Arab Emirates is called Sharjah. It is very well located, as it is washed by two gulfs - Persian and Oman. And this means that the lovers of a relaxing holiday by the water have kilometers of wide beaches and a well-warmed sea at their disposal.
There are several wonderful beaches on the shores of the Persian Gulf. You can choose Al Cornish - a long strip of golden sand that is separated from the city by a row of palm trees. On weekends, there is nowhere for an apple to fall: the locals come here with whole families, the ladies immediately go to the women's club located right on the beach, where they are taught to swim and dive with scuba diving, kids at this time play on special grounds, while men chase on scooters or bananas.
Another beach stretches from the Al-Khan village to the Al-Laye power plant, which is also very much appreciated by the locals for its cleanliness and safety. In general, in the Persian Gulf, dangerous marine life does not come close to the coast, so you can safely swim in the company with small children. Smooth and gentle descent into the water is another advantage of the local beaches.
A UAE visa is required, but it can be obtained directly at the airport.
More about Sharjah
What's interesting in Sharjah
Weather in UAE in May
Israel
Summer finally came into its own in Eilat - an Israeli resort located on the Red Sea coast. During the day, you need to be especially careful not to burn out in the sun, which provides an air temperature of 30-33 degrees Celsius. The water is heated to 24 degrees, which means that all guests of the resort spend their time on the beaches.
South Eilat is famous for its picturesque coral reef located right off the coast. It is allowed to snorkel or scuba dive here.
Idle vacationers who are indifferent to the beauty of the underwater world rest on the northern beaches. Here you can enter the water without rubber slippers, because the bottom is covered with fine, safe, non-traumatic sand.
Most of the beaches in Eilat are free. Some amount will be asked for the right to lie in the shade of an umbrella.
Tourists from Russia do not need a visa to Israel.
More about Eilat
Things to do in Eilat
Weather in Israel in May
Egypt
One of the best Egyptian resorts, Sharm El Sheikh grew out of a poor fishing village. Now it consists of about 200 hotels, which are built 30 km along the coastline of the Gulf of Aqaba.
The resort was built up chaotically, so its districts are so different from each other that it seems as if each of them is a separate city.
Fans of beach relaxation choose the Naama Bay area, where there are sandy beaches and almost no coral reefs near the coast. Shark's Bay will appeal to snorkelers and diving enthusiasts, as the picturesque underwater world awaits its observers a stone's throw from the coast. So that tourists do not trample corals, the entrance to the water here is provided from the pontoons.
In the Gulf of Nabq, there are pontoons a little less than a kilometer long, which shocks many vacationers. Nabka is also famous for its strong currents, so it is suitable for relaxation only for confident divers.
The Ras Um el-Sid area offers its guests very narrow beaches and a fairly deep sea near the coast.
A visa to Egypt can be obtained upon arrival.
More about Sharm El Sheikh
Active rest in Sharm
Weather in Egypt in May
Canary Islands, Spain
The subtropical climate, the well-warmed Atlantic Ocean, rather low prices compared to the beach resorts in Europe are offered to all visitors by the Canary Islands - blessed pieces of land located at the level of Western Sahara on the African continent.
The Canary archipelago consists of 13 islands, of which only 7 are large and two are small inhabited. If you are flying to the Canaries with a dream to swim in the ocean, then you will be interested, first of all, in the two largest islands of the archipelago with fashionable resorts, built-up hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and other establishments intended for tourists. These are Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
The latter has a stunning dune beach (near the town of Maspalomas), which is included in all the lists of the best beaches on the planet. This is a mini-desert overlooking the ocean, on the dunes of which they walk, slide down at fifth points, sit, have picnics and generally imagine themselves as travelers lost out of time and space.
Another trendy resort in Gran Canaria is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It has everything a traveler could dream of: the old town with attractions, the Triana district with discos and bars, wonderful beaches with excellent infrastructure.
The Canary Islands are Spain, so they will not be allowed here without a Schengen visa in their passport.
More about Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Weather in the Canary Islands in May
Seychelles
The islands in the Indian Ocean, named after the French official Moreau de Seychelles, are a place where time flows differently. Here you do not notice that you spend about 6 hours a day in the water, it is so warm, affectionate and pleasant; every evening you sit down to watch the natural show - the most beautiful sunsets - and you regret that there are few of them, because you would love to watch an encore; after a couple of days, you no longer remember the problems left at home.
There are three Seychelles islands most popular with travelers:
- the main, local "Navel of the Earth" - the island of Mahe, where the miniature capital of the state is located - the city of Victoria. Only the compilers of directories and local residents call this town a city. In fact, it is just a big village. Victoria's sights include the botanical garden, where the symbols of the Seychelles live - huge turtles. On Mahé, you should definitely find wild, secluded beaches - Anse Luis and Anse Major;
- La Digue is an island where almost everyone travels by bike from lagoon to lagoon in search of the most picturesque beach;
- Praslin is where coco de mer coconut trees grow. One bizarre coconut costs $ 200.
You can stay in the Seychelles for thirty days without a visa.
Weather in Seychelles in May
Morocco
The mecca of all ocean and long beach lovers in Morocco is Agadir. The beach here is incredible. It starts at the port and reaches the Sousse River, which is 10 km. A wide strip of sand is washed by the ocean, which means that there is wind, waves, ebb and flow. But the ocean is shallow near the coast, so even kids splash in the water for pleasure.
On both sides of Agadir along the coast, you can find excellent wild beaches, where people go kiteboarding, fish from yachts, and surf.
North of Agadir is Essaouira, which in May begins to transform from a surfer to a beach resort. Nevertheless, there are still a lot of fans of high waves here. It is worth settling in hotels hidden in the medina, buying souvenirs - exclusively at the local bazaar, which is legendary even in the famous Marrakesh.
You do not need a visa to Morocco, which only increases the popularity of this country among our tourists.
More about Agadir
Top attractions in Morocco
Weather in Morocco in May
Maldives
Everyone knows what an island looks like from a Bounty ad? Clean sand, an azure sea permeated with sun rays, palm trees fluttering in the wind, to which hammocks are tied. And now mentally replicate this picture for 2,000 copies and you will understand what the Maldives is - 2 thousand islands lost in the Indian Ocean.
A hotel has been built on almost every island, the guests of which during their holidays can consider themselves Robinsons, because, besides them, only service personnel live here. In May, diving enthusiasts say goodbye to the Maldives until the new season. But the islands are not empty. By summer, those who know a lot about relaxing holidays and know how to count money gather here, because prices for accommodation and procedures in numerous spas in the Maldives drop in May. The rest of the Maldives is the same: coral reefs near the coast, shallow lagoons suitable for families with children, snow-white sand.
The Maldives can be visited without a visa.
More about Maldives
Weather in Maldives in May
Mauritius
Mauritius's fame as a first-class resort began when the island was freed from the British yoke. Local residents decided to promote the natural resources of their island to the maximum on the world tourism market. Soon, luxurious hotel complexes appeared along the perimeter of this piece of land off the coast of Africa, comparable in size to some megalopolis such as Moscow, where you can stay for one night for at least $ 500.
Five-star hotels have everything that the soul of an epicure can want: a spa, a wonderful beach that seems to be public, but "strangers" do not go here, and if they do appear, they live in neighboring hotels, restaurants where the food is so exquisite, as if the world would end tomorrow.
People leave their hotels only for a few things: huge malls selling clothes and accessories of world brands, fields of ylang-ylang, which is used for perfumery, and a gourmet restaurant “Spoon des Iles”.
You do not need a visa to visit Mauritius.
What to see in Mauritius
Weather in Mauritius in May
Average air and water temperature in May
| Country | Air temperature | Water temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | +33 ° C | +29 ° C |
| Goa, India | +34 ° C | +29 ° C |
| UAE | +35 ° C | +27 ° C |
| Canary Islands | +24 ° C | +21 ° C |
| Seychelles | +31 ° C | +28 ° C |
| Bali, Indonesia | +29 ° C | +29 ° C |
| Tunisia | +25 ° C | +20 ° C |
| Eilat, Israel | +33 ° C | +25 ° C |
| Turkey | +25 ° C | +21 ° C |
| Egypt | +31 ° C | +25 ° C |
| Maldives | +31 ° C | +29 ° C |
| Morocco | +28 ° C | +20 ° C |
| Mauritius | +28 ° C | +26 ° C |
| Crete | +26 ° C | +21 ° C |
| Greece | +25 ° C | +21 ° C |
Where to go to Europe in May
In May, all of Europe beckons with excellent weather, green parks in which you can walk for days on end, and squares where street musicians play and fairs are held. It seems that no one is at home at this time, so there will be more tourists than in the off-season. Those who cannot live without the sea are welcome in old Dubrovnik or cosmopolitan Barcelona.
Northern cities, which will be warm, dry and calm in May, are also ideal for sightseeing or simply enjoying life. Tallinn and Strasbourg are proof of this. Finally, there is no better time than May for a visit to Italian Naples, where the air is not yet heated to a critical 40 degrees and a walk around the city will be a great pleasure.
Tallinn
The capital of Estonia, Tallinn, which the world first learned about in 1154 from the notes of an Arab geographer, is a place where you can come for a weekend or a long, two-week vacation - there will be enough activities and entertainment for a long time.
The old town is so miniature that it is impossible to get lost here. Every tourist who comes here thinks that he will get around everything in a couple of hours. In fact, two days are not enough for a thoughtful study of all local monuments, visits to museums and restaurants.
Be sure to climb the tower of the Church of Oleviste (St. Olaf) to look at the city from a great height and take spectacular pictures. A very interesting Maritime Museum is now located in a squat round tower called Fat Margarita. You inspect the expositions on each floor, and then go out onto the roof - and you realize that it was worth coming here if only for the sake of such a panorama of the port.
The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit turns into a concert hall on Tuesdays and Fridays - here they play old melodies on the organ. The duration of each concert is about an hour. Entrance fee is not charged.
End the long evening in the restaurant Olde Hansa, stylized as a 16th century tavern. Here waitresses in national costumes serve traditional Estonian dishes - order a leg of duck with onion jam, you won't regret it.
The refined area of Rottermani, which now houses several stunning show rooms, the Kadriorg Palace and Park and its museums, the ruins of the unique monastery of St. Brigitte, where many Soviet historical films were filmed, are worthy of attention.
Before traveling to Tallinn, you need to apply for a Schengen visa.
More about Tallinn
Tallinn landmarks
Weather in Tallinn in May
Dubrovnik
One of the most beautiful cities in Europe, which Bernard Shaw, and behind him all the guidebooks about Croatia call paradise, is Dubrovnik. According to experienced travelers, it is necessary to drive here in spring or autumn, so as not to be distracted from the local beauty by the gentle Adriatic Sea.
It is believed that Old Dubrovnik was founded in the 7th century and was separated from the mainland by a strait for about four centuries. Then they fell asleep. The place of the former strait can be easily found even now - now it is the main thoroughfare of the Old Town called Stradun.
You can do different things in Dubrovnik:
- count the sculptures of St. Blah, who is highly revered by the locals. The fact is that this saint, in essence, saved the city from the Venetians. He appeared in a dream to a priest from Dubrovnik and warned him about the enemy from the Most Serene Republic at the gates of the city. Then Dubrovnik was defended. Since then, Saint Vlach is honored everywhere in the city! The exact number of sculptures depicting him will not be given even by the guides;
- go into every oncoming church and monastery, and there are many of them. In the Church of St. Savior, admire modern art, in the museum at the Franciscan monastery - ancient manuscripts, in the Church of St. Blah - stained-glass windows, and in front of it - the Orlando column;
- go by boat to the island of Lokrum - a former military post, which has now been turned into a cozy park with peacocks, bright flower beds, cacti and pines.
A national visa is required. Entry is also allowed with a Schengen, Bulgarian, Romanian or Cypriot visa.
More about Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik landmarks
Weather in Dubrovnik in May
Naples
Naples, the capital of the Campania region, is already the south of Italy, which, as you know, is very different from the richer and more peaceful northern part of the country. Trains run here from Rome - about 30 per day. The journey takes about 3 hours. But going to Naples for one day is like seeing St. Petersburg in 30 minutes - yes, you can make an impression, but what will it be?
Naples is a noisy, fast, impetuous, lively city. Naples is exactly the way it is shown in old Italian films. There are four castles, the Royal Palace, which is guarded by copies of statues from the St. Petersburg Anichkov Bridge, the Cathedral, the main treasure of which is vessels with the blood of St. Januarius, an archaeological museum, where artifacts from Pompeii are collected, including frescoes of frivolous content.
From Naples, take a taxi to Vesuvius - the road leads almost to the crater itself. The rest of the way, tourists go on foot. A narrow dusty path runs along the crater. There is a souvenir shop not far from the top of the volcano.
Vesuvius is a dormant volcano. At any moment, an eruption may begin, however, the locals are philosophical about this development of events: they believe that they can avoid a catastrophe, because a laboratory studying it is working next to the volcano, which will surely warn everyone if anything happens. In the meantime, you can eat the best pizza in the world, because this dish was actually invented in Naples.
Italy is a Schengen country.
More about Naples
Naples landmarks
Information about Vesuvius
Weather in Naples in May
Barcelona
There are still not many tourists in Barcelona in May. Most come to the capital of Catalonia in the summer, hoping not only for educational walks in the city quarters, but also for a great vacation on the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. Barcelona does not disappoint its guests - there are wonderful beaches right within the city limits. And the swimming season here opens from mid-May.
Barcelona, which according to local legend is 400 years older than Rome, is actually a pretty young lady who loves to please and flirt with tourists. This city leaves no one indifferent. Walk along the central Ramblas, which, according to Maugham, is the most beautiful on Earth, get lost in the intricacies of the streets of the Gothic Quarter, climb Mount Tibidabo on foot before the start of the funicular to get ahead of other tourists and find yourself in a beautiful place alone, stroll along the promenade, feed the seagulls and confess your love to this wonderful city!
Take care of getting a Schengen visa in advance.
More about Barcelona
Gaudi's masterpieces in Barcelona
Barcelona landmarks
Weather in Barcelona in May
Strasbourg
The main city of French Alsace, Strasbourg is located at the junction of two countries - France and Germany, so there are German and French quarters here, both wine and beer are in demand in bars, and the locals speak a mixture of French and German.
In Strasbourg, which occupies several islands, bounded by canals and the Ile River, you can ride a pleasure boat. In May, the weather will be just right for such walks. The half-timbered houses of the French quarter called Petite France, the majestic Rogan palace, once belonging to local bishops, and now transformed into the collection of three museums, are clearly visible from the ship's board. The artistic one is especially interesting, because it features paintings by famous European masters of the past: Raphael, Botticelli, Rubens, Van Dyck and others.
Strasbourg also has its own Notre Dame Cathedral with a tall tower, which can be climbed by overcoming 332 steps.
Schengen visa required.
More about Strasbourg
What's interesting in Strasbourg
Alsace landmarks
Weather in Strasbourg in May
Excursion holidays abroad
Have you been to Europe many times? Are you dreaming of an exotic trip that you can remember on long winter evenings, sorting through photos and savoring the most beautiful moments? Then your choice in May is Asia or Africa.
You need to go to Myanmar or Madagascar for at least two weeks - and not because it takes a long time to fly there, but to a greater extent because of the large number of attractions that you should definitely see.
Myanmar
Myanmar, which in the past the whole world knew under the name Burma, is an ideal country for sophisticated travelers. It has everything that neighboring Asian countries offer (ancient monuments, natural parks, great beaches, delicious cuisine), but at the same time there is civilization here. Myanmar is chosen by those who dream of immersing themselves in Asian exoticism, but are not ready to give up good hotels, railways and airplanes.
In the former capital of Myanmar, the city of Yangon, you should go at least for the sake of the Shwedagon Pagoda, covered with thin sheet of gold and decorated with precious stones, whose total weight reaches 5 thousand carats. But even this is not what attracts thousands of pilgrims to the pagoda. It contains eight hairs of Guatama Buddha - a treasure of Myanmar.
Mandalay also managed to visit the main city of the country. There are still not so many tourists here as in Yangon, so you can at least for a moment imagine yourself as the master of the city and slowly look into the royal palace, visit a couple of pagodas and sit in the courtyard of the wooden Bagaya monastery. Sunset is best seen in the nearby town of Amarapura: any photo of the wooden U-Bane Bridge in the rays of the setting sun is worth showing off on the centerfolds of glossy travel magazines.
You can apply for a visa online to visit Myanmar.
More about Yangon and Mandalay cities
Top attractions in Myanmar
Weather in Myanmar in May
Madagascar
Madagascar is an amazing island. It is impossible to prepare for a trip to this country, even if you read dozens of travel guides. Previously, it was part of Africa, now it is an independent piece of land with hundreds of endemics, red land, bizarre rocks, long wide beaches and people who regularly perform primitive rituals, while having a higher education. There are 19 species of lemurs out of 70 existing on the planet, 20-centimeter butterflies, 7 species of baobabs grow, predatory flowers are found.
May is especially pleasant in Madagascar: warm and dry. The island is so large that travelers, upon arrival, have to choose where to go and what to do, because it is simply impossible to see everything in one vacation. To observe lemurs, people travel to the Isalu reserve. It is located on a plateau cut by canyons, at the bottom of which rivers flow. The uppermost level in the reserve is a dry steppe, below there is a humid forest, which lemurs have chosen.
Beach lovers head to the north of the island, where the most comfortable recreation areas are located. For spectacular shots of one of the most famous local attractions - Baobab Avenue, you should travel west of the island to the city of Morondava.
The capital of the island - the city of Antananarivo - can also surprise tourists. There is a royal palace, a wonderful Zuma market and excellent gourmet restaurants.
To visit Madagascar, you need a visa, which is issued upon arrival at the airport or at the country's embassy.
More about Antananarivo
Top attractions in Madagascar
Weather in Madagascar in May
Holidays with children in May
There are proven places on the map of Europe and Russia where you can and should travel with children. Such a trip will be easy, interesting and memorable. Children, even the smallest ones, will be delighted, their parents will be able to relax and rejoice for their children, and maybe get no less pleasure from the trip than the younger generation of the family. May is the best time for such joint trips - you don't have to take a lot of things, you can travel light.
Where to go with children in May? Out of competition - amusement parks in Europe. Trips to St. Petersburg and Tuapse are also excellent options. You can also go to the Belovezhskaya Pushcha nature reserve in Belarus.
Stockholm
Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is a unique place that will be interesting for both adults and children of all ages. Moreover, the same attractions are offered for parents and their children:
- Skansen Park is an open-air museum located on the island of Djurgården. Here are collected old buildings from all over Sweden. The park looks like a typical Swedish village: there are wooden houses, craft workshops, a pharmacy, shops. You can go into any building to get acquainted with the life of Swedish peasants. Fascinating master classes are provided for children: both kids and adolescents, sticking out their tongues from zeal, actively sculpt dishes, bake buns, embroider, etc.;
- a museum of fairy tales of the Swede Astrid Lindgren, popular all over the world, called "Junibakken". It is located on the same island of Djurgården and represents houses belonging to different characters in Lindgren's tales. A cable car has been laid over these locations, so the museum can be viewed from a height, listening to the explanations of the audio guide, which broadcasts quite confidently in Russian;
- the 18th century frigate Vasa, now converted into a museum. It sank as soon as it was released from the shipyard, and lay at the bottom of the sea until the last century, when it was raised to the surface, repaired and converted into an exhibit.
Schengen visa required.
More about Stockholm
Sights of Stockholm
Weather in Stockholm in May
France
It will take at least two days to explore the Futuroscope amusement park, which is located in the city of Poitiers. Trains run here from Paris; the journey will take about an hour and a half. The road from Lyon will take about the same amount.
Futuroscope is a park of the future with interactive attractions and advanced cinemas with a variety of special effects. Cinema buildings are fantastic. For example, one of them is built in the form of a pipe, the second is a crystal. The films shown in them give the full effect of immersion in virtual reality. Viewers feel like fish plowing the seas, or captains of a star cruiser heading to other galaxies.
It seems like it’s just fun, but in fact, every show, every fun in this park has educational moments. A child in a playful way learns about the life of dinosaurs, about the laws of physics, about ecology and the like.
A Schengen visa is required to visit France.
More about Futuroscope
Weather in France in May
Belarus
Belovezhskaya Pushcha is a huge nature reserve located on the border of Belarus and Poland. It is a virgin forest with trees that have been growing for 200-300 years.
The main thing for which it is worth going here is the bison, of which there are about 500 in the Pushcha. It is not easy to find animals here, but local guides will help you with this. They will lead you along ecological paths, show powerful bison, ferocious wild boars, shy deer in the natural environment, tell about the rare plants that grow here, and about the numerous birds that consider the Pushcha their home.
In addition to walks in the wild forest, in Belovezhskaya Pushcha you can visit the "Museum of Nature", the residence of Father Frost and the Viskuli estate. There is also a small zoo in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, where you can see animals without chasing them throughout the forest. Finally, the older children will be happy to go fishing with their parents, which is organized here for guests.
Russians are allowed to enter Belarus without a visa in their passports.
Weather in Belarus in May
St. Petersburg
The northern capital, St. Petersburg in May softens its harsh temper, releasing the cold on all four sides and rejoicing in the bright spring sun and transparent sky.
Peter is a big city where you can spend your entire vacation in museums and various specialized places designed exclusively for children. However, keeping in mind such locations, do not forget to show your children the city - its embankments, canals, palaces, statues and monuments, squares and suburbs with wonderful parks.
Places in St. Petersburg that will delight children and adolescents:
- The Hermitage is a huge museum displaying masterpieces of world art, antique artifacts, and jewelry. Children must be taken to the Knights' Hall, to the Egyptian exhibition, to the treasury. And do not forget to mention that there is a ghost here: they say that the Hermitage is visited by the ghost of Tsar Nicholas II;
- Museum "Petrovskaya Aquatoria", which operates in the shopping and entertainment center "Admiral". It is recreated on a site of 0.25 sq. Km. copy of St. Petersburg of the 18th century. You can endlessly view this huge model with moving figures and the change of day and night;
- New Holland Island, recently converted into a recreation area. For the younger generation, there is an entertainment attraction stylized as an 18th century ship;
- Amusement Park "Divo-Ostrov" with a bunch of carousels and a Ferris wheel;
- two water parks "Waterville" and "Rodeo Drive".
More about St. Petersburg
Attractions of St. Petersburg
Weather in St. Petersburg in May
Tuapse
The beach resort of the Krasnodar Territory Tuapse is ideal for families with children, because there is a lot of entertainment for the little ones.
A favorite place for all kids in Tuapse is the local dolphinarium called "Aqua-world". The show of fur seals and dolphins is complemented by a performance of funny clowns. After the performance of marine artists with the cutest dolphins, you can take a photo for memory.
A stone's throw from the dolphinarium there is the Dolphin water park, where shallow pools with a play area for the little ones, slides for older kids and scary attractions for adults are installed.
It's a good idea to spend a few hours in the company of your family at the local zoo, which works in the Red Square department store. The zoo is notable for its modest size, but like a magnet it attracts children of all ages. Here it is allowed to stroke and feed cute rabbits, goats, mice and other harmless animals.
More about Tuapse
Attractions Tuapse
Weather in Tuapse in May
Where to relax in Russia
I don't want to stay at home in May. It's time to plan short and long trips around our vast Motherland: you can go south - to Sochi, Crimea, Astrakhan, or go north - to Kizhi. The weather in May guarantees long leisurely walks, during which the sun will be gentle and the wind just refreshing. Do not forget to take your children, friends and older relatives with you - traveling in a large company is more fun!
Astrakhan
Astrakhan, where planes fly from Moscow, trains run and buses go, has been known since the 13th century - the Arab traveler Ibn Battuta left a mention of it in his notes. In those days, the village, which later turned into the city of Astrakhan, belonged to the Golden Horde.
In May, it is sunny and warm in Astrakhan. The city stands on the Volga, over which bridges are thrown. The heart of Astrakhan is the ancient Kremlin, which is located in the very center and is visible from afar. The high Kremlin belfry attracts the attention of all tourists. From the Kremlin you need to walk along the river, enjoying beautiful views, babbling fountains, graceful lanterns reflected in the water surface, and mansions of past centuries.
Locals recommend that you definitely visit the fish market, where many types of river and sea fish are sold, which are caught right there, near Astrakhan. Dealers, showing especially large specimens, willingly freeze in front of tourists' cameras.
In June it will be possible to come back here for a wonderful fishing, when in one place, without stopping, one after another goose bites.
More about Astrakhan
Sights of Astrakhan
Weather in Astrakhan in May
Sochi
Sochi, a subtropical resort on the Black Sea coast, is as crowded in May as it is at the height of the high season, that is, in July-August. If you do not plan to open the beach season, since the sea is not yet warmed up enough for swimming, then we recommend you just walk, enjoying the healing sea air and tropical luscious greenery. You can appreciate the latter in numerous local parks, for example, in the arboretum, which is beautiful at any time of the year, but especially dressed up in spring. A cable car lifts everyone to the top of the Sochi arboretum.
Many sanatoriums in Sochi, for example, "Volna" or them. Ordzhonikidze, their appearance resembles noble estates. For a greater resemblance to the estates of aristocrats, the buildings were surrounded by lush gardens decorated with sculptures, cute ladders, and fountains. All this can be seen even now, wandering into the territory of some old health resort.
It is better to end the day on the embankment, watching the fall of the sun into the Black Sea. Some go on boat trips at sunset in order to get even a little closer to the sun setting beyond the horizon.
More about Sochi
Interesting places in Sochi
Weather in Sochi in May
Sergiev Posad
Sergiev Posad, included in the Golden Ring route, is very close to Moscow (only 71 km), so you can easily get to this city for a weekend in the company of children and households.
The main attraction of Sergiev Posad, for which thousands of tourists come here every year, is the Trinity-Sergius Lavra - a monastery founded by Sergius of Radonezh in the XIV century. Now it is a vast complex, consisting of about 50 buildings - cathedrals, residential buildings, a bell tower, a refectory, built for receptions of the royal court and striking with splendor of baroque decoration and paintings of walls and ceilings.
In Soviet times, a museum operated on the territory of the lavra, which today has moved outside the monastery. Here you can see a selection of old icons, ancient books, ornate clothes of churchmen and much more.
With children, you should go to the local Toy Museum.
More about Sergiev Posad
Sights of Sergiev Posad
Weather in Sergiev Posad in May
Kizhi
The pearl of Karelia - the islet of Kizhi - 5, 5 kilometers long and a little more than a kilometer wide, is built up with wooden buildings. Some of them look like fairytale chambers, like, for example, the Transfiguration Church with 22 domes, others look too simple and laconic, like the bell tower built in 1874, which appeared on the island in Lake Onega most recently.
Around the same time, local residents decided to dilute the wooden architecture of their graveyard, as the district was called in those days, with a stone temple. But there was not enough money for construction, so the partially erected building was dismantled. This decision is still remembered with gratitude by travelers who were lucky enough to see Kizhi with their own eyes.
She appreciated the local architectural complex and the UNESCO organization that included Kizhi in the World Heritage List.
Many buildings on the island of Kizhi are open for inspection, such as the house of the wealthy peasant Oshevnev.
More about Kizhi
Weather in Karelia in May
Yalta
Crimea has not lost its popularity for over a hundred years. He was loved by Russian emperors and those close to them. From those times, beautiful palaces and parks have remained here. The Crimean peninsula was highly appreciated by the inhabitants of the Soviet Union, for whom numerous health resorts were built here.
Crimea is improving every year, becoming more interesting, fashionable and vibrant. In May, fans of excursions come to Crimea. Most tourists choose Yalta and its environs for recreation, which make up the resort area of Big Yalta. It includes towns and villages built on a strip near the sea with a length of 70 km. The Yalta region is located between Foros and Gurzuf.
The main promenade and the most pleasant place in Yalta, where you can accidentally meet old acquaintances, is the embankment, built up with mansions dating back to the 19th century and decorated with palm trees. There is also the lower station of the lift to Ai-Petri. Walking around Yalta, you cannot miss the house-museum of A. P. Chekhov, the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, the Armenian temple.
More about Yalta
Top attractions of Yalta
Weather in Yalta in May
It is easy to get from Yalta by public transport to the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, the Massandra wine estate, the Livadia Palace, the Tsar's path, which connects Gaspra with Livadia.
Sea and river cruises
At the end of spring, when it is not yet hot, but already not cold, the rivers of the European part of Russia turn into lively arteries along which pleasure boats ply. This will continue all summer, however, some sections of the rivers may become shallow, which means they will become inaccessible for pleasure boats, so it is better to go on a cruise, for example, along the Volga or Oka in May.
In the same month, a cruise to the Croatian islands will be very successful. Riding a yacht from island to island, you can get a good tan, and at the same time see the most beautiful corners of this Balkan country.
For those in love with exotic and distant countries, we recommend a cruise in Southeast Asia. Large luxury liners go from port to port, and before the eyes of astonished tourists, as in a kaleidoscope, countries, faces, skyscrapers, beaches are changing …
On the Volga
A cruise on the Volga now will surprise no one. This is such a familiar, comfortable, "lamp" type of recreation, when you swim along your native river past green lawns and birch groves, enjoy the truly Russian expanses, go as part of organized excursions to museums, estates, churches, remember the history of your beloved land and even find new friends, because it is impossible to go on the same ship and not make friends with the neighbors on the deck.
The offered routes differ in the duration and richness of the excursion program. The minimum cruise on the Volga takes 2-4 days, the maximum - about 2 weeks. Almost all cruises start from Moscow. A standard cruise includes visiting, for example, such cities: Uglich, Myshkin, Rybinsk, Yaroslavl, Ples and Nizhny Novgorod, where the route ends.
If the cruise lasts about 10-12 days, then the ship will return to Moscow through the Oka, thus making a circle.
It is better to book a seat in a cabin on a cruise ship cruising along the Volga in advance: cruises are inexpensive, so seats on them run out very quickly.
Croatia
May, when the Adriatic Sea is considered cool for swimming, is the perfect time to cruise the Croatian islands. This state, the former Yugoslav Republic, owns about a thousand islands. Many are tiny uninhabited tracts of land, others are lonely monasteries or chapels, and still others are large enough to be a resort area with attractions, hotels and beaches.
Multi-deck cruise ships stop at the following islands:
- Korcula is the home island of Marco Polo. Even his ancestral house has been preserved here, which has been turned into a tourist attraction. There is an observation deck on the roof of this house;
- Mljet is a narrow island that stretches for 40 km. Its main treasure is a chain of lakes surrounded by pine groves. On one of the reservoirs there is an island where Benedictine monks built their monastery in the 12th century. Now this building has been converted into a hotel;
- Hvar is a large island, "captured" by holidaymakers more than a hundred years ago. Tourists interested in sightseeing will be interested in visiting the local cathedral and fortification, from the walls of which magnificent panoramas open up.
To stay in Croatia, you need to apply for a national visa.
More about the islands of Korcula, Mljet and Hvar
Croatia landmarks
Weather in Croatia in May
Southeast Asia
There are a lot of routes for sea cruises in Southeast Asia. For example, you can sail around the region from Shanghai, China, without forgetting to take a walk around the city before leaving.
When the liner makes a stop in the capital of Thailand, Bangkok, you should definitely see the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the former royal palace, the Wat Pho sanctuary and other interesting tourist places.
The next point in the excursion program can be Indonesia, for example, the island of Bali - a small piece of land, famous for the most beautiful landscapes: there are volcanoes, hills, the slopes of which are decorated with picturesque rice terraces, many temples, nature reserves, wonderful beaches with cafes, discos, schools, where teach surfing.
Some liners call on the islands belonging to Malaysia, for example, on the island of Penang, which is called the "Treasure of the East". Tourists have the opportunity to see the capital of the island - the city of Georgetown, the second largest in Malaysia. It is customary to be surprised at the mixing of cultures, since the city has a Catholic cathedral, a mosque, a Hindu temple and a Chinese sanctuary. And Georgetown can also be called a street art museum: its streets are decorated with about a hundred paintings.
Safari
Seasonality plays an important role when choosing safari tours. You need to go to the place where the optimal conditions for observing wildlife are formed. In May, we offer you two options for such trips: Costa Rica, where during safari you can see sea turtles, sloths and predatory cats, and Spitsbergen, where they go in order to at least from afar admire the owner of these places - a polar bear.
Costa Rica
May is the start of the rainy season in Costa Rica and the best time to spot sea turtles and sloths in the Tortuguero National Park, the most famous nature reserve in the country. It has a long strip of beach where endangered sea turtles build their nests. Tapirs, sloths, jaguars live in the tropical forest bordering the beach, and manatees can be seen in the lagoons near the coast. Tourists can be accommodated in a lodge on the territory of the park, so that nothing prevents them from walking all day in a company with a guide in search of wild animals.
Another great adventure in Costa Rica awaits those travelers who make their way to the private nature reserve Selva Bananito, located in the virgin region of the Talamanca Mountains. The staff of this park is actively working on the study of big cats, of which there are 6 species in Costa Rica. Tourists are allowed to participate in the research of scientists and install a camera in the jungle with their own hands that will track the movement of jaguars, ocelots, cougars and other felines.
The camera will send photo and video reports to your home computer so you can continue to observe wildlife at home.
Tourists are arranged a descent along the rapids of the Pacuare River, passing through the rainforest, so that they can watch a variety of colorful birds right from the water.
Russians do not need a visa to Costa Rica, provided that the trip does not take more than 90 days.
Weather in Costa Rica in May
Spitsbergen
May is the beginning of the so-called "high" season in Svalbard, when the ice begins to melt fast enough for nimble, small boats with tourists on board to approach the edge of the pack ice, where polar bears meet.
From the board of tourist ships, designed for only 12 tourists, you can also watch walruses basking on the shore, seals, and northern seabirds.
The ice-covered Svalbard archipelago is located north of Norway. It is an amazing mixture of icebergs, glaciers, fjords, where people are very rare. It is worth coming here for the alien landscapes - desert tundra, mountains covered with white snow caps, ice fields sparkling in the sun, blue bottomless sky in summer.
Ships with tourists on board go along the coast, mooring in various secluded coves so that people can go to the icy beach and take a walk. However, it is better not to meet face to face with bears - "kings of the north", but to observe them from afar. They say that during one Arctic safari, tourists are shown about 20 bears.
Svalbard, which belongs to Norway, has a permanent population of only 3 thousand people. About a third of them live in the city of Longyearbyen, from where ships sail in search of a polar bear.
More about Svalbard
Food tours in May
Even if you have been to this or that region (country, city) a hundred times, you know it thoroughly, then still come back here for the hundred and first time to appreciate it from the other side - gastronomic.
Those who go on gastronomic tours are lucky, because they have a unique opportunity to taste the most delicious and freshest products, often in the places where they grow, to take part in the harvest, or just walk to the most famous cafes and restaurants, savoring the top positions on the menu. learning tastes and enjoying everything at once.
In May, head to Tuscany, where the truffle hunting season begins, or Belgium, where you can spend your entire vacation tasting local beer.
For truffles to Tuscany
Tuscan gastronomy in May includes participation in the search for summer truffles. To go hunting for rare mushrooms, which are still not as expensive (about 200-250 euros per 1 kg), as those that will be found in the fall, you need to settle in the Tuscan countryside - away from the paths traveled by tourists.
If you've opted for an organized food tour, great. You will be accommodated in a villa near some village in Tuscany and will regularly take you hunting in the nearest oak grove.
If you decide to organize a similar trip yourself, then, having arrived in a Tuscan village, go straight to the grocery store and voice your desire to join the truffle hunters. The owner of the store probably knows the local dog owners, who are looking for mushrooms hidden under the oak roots. The next morning you will be taken with you to the nearest forest. Probably, they will ask for a fee of 20-50 euros, or maybe they will arrange a hunt for you for free, and even the mushroom you find will be presented. Take it to the hotel restaurant where you are staying and ask for it to be added to your lunch. By tasting pasta with truffles, you will finally know Zen.
Don't forget to get your Schengen visa in advance. This can be done through the consulate or visa center.
Top 10 Italian dishes
Weather in Tuscany in May
Beer journey through Belgium
Knowledgeable people go to Belgium to try beer, of which there are about 500 varieties. In every Belgian city, you can count on tours to local breweries. Don't feel like walking in an organized crowd - just go to the bars.
To pass as your own in a Belgian bar, you need to know the following:
- any local is aware of trappiste sorts - this is the name of the beer that is brewed by 6 Belgian Trappist monasteries. Tourists are not allowed in them, so trappiste beer should be tasted in bars;
- besides the monastery varieties, try other varieties - cherry, white, chocolate, etc. Cherry, which is called kriek, is especially popular with tourists;
- the strength of local beer is from 1, 5 to 12 degrees. Start with lighter beers, such as white, and end with stronger beers such as Duvel;
- certain types of cheese are provided for any type of beer in Belgium. Roquefort is served to the monastery.
To visit Belgium, you need to take care of the Schengen stamp in your passport.
Top 10 Belgian dishes
Weather in Belgium in May
Events, festivals, carnivals
A trip timed to some festival, holiday, sporting event seems brighter and more interesting than a simple trip to the same place. In May, the world famous film festival is held in Cannes, where stars of the first magnitude gather (and they can be found in restaurants, hotels, on the embankment, in the market), in Moscow and Sevastopol grandiose festivals are held, timed to Victory Day, in Stuttgart, tourists are waited on a noisy spring fair, in Peterhof - at the opening of fountains.
Moscow
You can come to the capital throughout the whole of May, but especially its visit will be remembered if your vacation falls on Victory Day, which is celebrated here on a large and large scale.
Rehearsals for the parade, which will take place on Red Square on May 9, are held three times, starting at the end of April. You can look at military equipment and take beautiful pictures on the Zvenigorodskoye highway, Tverskaya-Yamskaya and Tverskaya streets.
On Victory Day, the parade from Red Square will be broadcast on special screens on Poklonnaya Hill. Theater Square on this day will be a place to honor veterans and their families. A festive concert will take place here. You can also listen to songs dedicated to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and hits of the 40s on Tverskaya Zastava Square.
In the evening, when it gets dark, guests and residents of Moscow should look up - the finale of this day will be a magnificent festive fireworks.
More about Moscow
Sights of Moscow
Weather in Moscow in May
Sevastopol
You can go to Victory Day in Sevastopol, where this holiday is considered one of the main celebrations of the year. On May 9, Soviet soldiers liberated the city from German invaders, therefore, Victory Day is a double holiday for local residents.
In Sevastopol, as in Moscow, a parade is taking place on Nakhimov Square - not so large-scale, but also very spectacular. To the sounds of solemn marches, veterans and descendants of the soldiers who defended and liberated the city pass through the streets of the city. The latter are carrying portraits of their relatives, soldiers and officers of the Red Army, who are no longer with us.
Throughout the Victory Day, guests of the city can visit the military ships docked in the port of Sevastopol on a guided tour.
In the evening, a concert will take place on Nakhimov Square, the program of which will include everyone's favorite songs of the war years. Dance evenings will be held in city parks.
The celebrations will end with a wonderful fireworks display over the Black Sea.
More about Sevastopol
Interesting places of Sevastopol
Weather in Sevastopol in May
Peterhof
Actually, the fountains of Peterhof, one of the most beautiful districts of St. Petersburg, begin their work at the end of April, but the festivities in honor of the opening of the fountain season are usually held on a weekend in the second half of May. An enchanting performance is being prepared for this day, to see which thousands of residents and guests of St. Petersburg gather. The center of attention of all those present is the grandiose Grand Cascade, which on this day turns into a dancing one. In addition, tourists will enjoy open-air concerts, a performance with actors dressed in historical clothes, and a stunning fireworks display.
It is interesting that you can come to the celebration of the opening of the Peterhof fountains every year, because the festive program has never been repeated.
Electric trains, buses and minibuses run to Peterhof from the Baltic Station. You can also get here by boat from the Palace Embankment.
More about Peterhof
Weather in Peterhof and St. Petersburg in May
Stuttgart
For three weeks, from the second half of April to May 10, German Stuttgart becomes a center of attraction for thousands of tourists who come here to the large-scale spring fair - Stuttgart Springfest. This festival takes place in the suburbs of Stuttgart, 25 km from the airport.
The scale of the fair is in no way inferior to the Christmas one. Here, tents are set up, where they non-stop cooking and serving Tyrolean cuisine - delicious sausages, juicy sausages, pork knuckle, fried potatoes. All this is washed down with beer in unlimited quantities. The audience, warmed up in this way, is entertained by musicians and DJs.
The Spring Fair is considered a family event, so come here with young children, for whom there are fun attractions. Near the pavilions, there are booths selling souvenirs, toys, handicrafts, gingerbread cookies, various desserts, cotton candy.
You need a Schengen visa.
More about Stuttgart
Weather in Stuttgart in May
Cannes
The attention of the whole world during the Cannes Film Festival, which takes place annually in the second half of May, will be riveted on the Croisette - perhaps the most famous promenade in France and Europe. This street was paved in the 1860s and named Empress Boulevard. There are as many as two Festival Palaces on it - the old one, built in 1949 and now called Stephanie's Palace, and the new one, erected in 1979. The laconic architectural style of the new Palais des Festivals still causes fierce controversy in the press. Local residents contemptuously call this building a "bunker". Nevertheless, it is here that the red carpet is laid for the meeting of movie stars from Europe and Hollywood.
Outside of film screenings and parties, movie actors can be seen at the Le Baoli Club and at the Palm Beach Casino. Many stars choose to start their day with a run. And guess where they run? On the Croisette. Therefore, do not yawn and get up early to have time to take exclusive photos of celebrities without makeup.
Artists can be watched near the most famous local hotels - "Martinez", "Majestic" and "Carlton". If the funds allow, you should splurge on a ticket for one or several festival events - After Party, Chopard party, film screenings (ticket price - 1500-7000 euros). So you will find yourself in a stellar environment and will be able to meet the mighty of this world.
To visit Cannes, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa at one of the special visa centers in Moscow or at the French consulate.
More about Cannes
Cannes landmarks
Weather in Cannes in May
Holidays and festivals around the world in May
| Country | Holiday / festival | Location | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Beltane Celebration | The 1 of May | |
| Thailand | Rocket Festival | Yasothon | May 3-7 |
| Cyprus | Feast of Flowers Anfestiria | the 6th of May | |
| Germany | Hamburg Marine Festival | Hamburg | May 8-10 |
| Canada | Tulip festival | Ottawa | May 18-18 |
| Spain | Herb and honey fair | Barcelona | May 11 | Netherlands | National Mills Day | May 9-10 |
| Japan | Mallow festival | Kyoto | May 15 |
| France | Cannes festival | Cannes | May 12-23 |
| Germany | Strawberry festival | Oberkirche | May 23-24 |
Shopping tours
There is very little time left before the summer sales in European capitals, but shoppers know where to go in any month of the year to return home with a big catch. The main rule of all shopaholics is to come to a certain country and buy goods produced here. We will tell you what special things can be found in shops in Madrid and Warsaw.
Spain
Madrid, the capital of Spain, cannot be called a fashion center, but those in the know say that local designers produce and sell amazing clothes and accessories that are comfortable to wear and completely change people. Fashionistas and fashionistas from all over the world, once in Madrid, first of all go to the Salamanca area, where the most famous boutiques of local fashion designers are concentrated. On rue Serrano, look for a clothing store from Adolfo Domingues. Here you can find great casual clothes perfect for the big city. Adolfo's wardrobe items are characterized by discreet colors, simple shapes, and laconic tailoring.
On the same street, there is a boutique selling handbags from Loewe, a Spanish competitor to Louis Vuitton. On the street Claudio Coelho go to the Armand Basi boutique. This brand has been around since the 1940s. Now, under her name, not only clothes are sold, but also shoes, perfumes, and interior items. All things are bright and catchy.
Javier Larrainzar is not to be missed on rue Castello. This is the kingdom of vacation clothing - under the bright sun, against the backdrop of yachts: flying materials, stripes, light shades. Very impressive and expensive!
A Schengen visa is required for shopping in Madrid.
More about Madrid
Shopping in Madrid
Weather in Madrid in May
Poland
Residents of Warsaw prefer to shop in large shopping centers - for example, in Galeria Centrum on Marshalkovskaya, where products from popular European middle-class brands are presented, and in Zlote Tarasy on Zolotoy Street, where you can find a couple of Polish boutiques. The latter include Wolczanka, Reserved, Batycki. The Batycki store offers excellent leather items.
The clothes of Polish brands are presented in separate shops on Jerusalem Alleys (the boutique is called Prochnik) and on Khmelnaya Street (Shopuum). ShopKo is renowned for quality, durable and long-lasting apparel that rivals Zara for a price. There is another store on Khmelnaya Street, which is known to all true fashionistas in Poland. This is Jan Kielman - a shoe salon where shoes, boots and much more are made according to individual patterns. The company has been operating since 1880. From the time of taking measurements to the delivery of the shoes to the customer, it will take about a month. A pair of hand-sewn shoes will cost a minimum of $ 1000-1500.
Poland is part of the Schengen area, therefore, the corresponding visa is required.
More about Warsaw
Shopping in Poland
Weather in Warsaw in May
Active recreation, diving, rafting
In recent years, trips associated with any hobby or active sports have become very popular. The people specially plan a trip to Finland to go fishing in the silence of the Lake District, or to Svaneti, where you can wander the mountains alone, enjoying the clean air and almost complete absence of civilization.
Diving enthusiasts no longer have to go to distant lands to the azure sea-ocean. In the Mediterranean Sea, the diving season begins in May, so you can choose Malta for your first dives. Travelers who dream of learning how to ride a surf, which is pulled by a special parachute, may not go outside Russia at all: kitesurfing is taught in Anapa. Admirers of rafting come to Altai in May.
Georgia
For those tourists who are fed up with all-inclusive vacations, we recommend going to the place where people have lived in harmony with nature for centuries and offer their natural resources to visitors with an open heart. Such is the Georgian Svaneti, like frozen in the Middle Ages - a mountainous region with small villages, waterfalls, glaciers and Svan towers, on which it is customary to walk on foot with or without a tent, with guides or independently, armed only with a map, where routes for trekking are marked. In total, more than a dozen of them have been developed.
Small Mestia is considered the capital of Svaneti, in which only about 3 thousand people live. Despite such compactness, the city has quite modern hotels and guesthouses. Most of the hiking trails start from Mestia.
In about 2 hours, overcoming 6 km, you can walk from the main town of Svaneti to the Chalaadi glacier - beautiful, strict and dangerous. It is not recommended to come close to it, so as not to be trapped due to frequent rockfalls. The route to the lakes near the Ushba glacier is calculated for one day.
Two kilometers separate Mestia from the village of Landgeri, where unique churches are located. One, consecrated in honor of Christ the Savior, was built in the 10th century. In the second, beautiful frescoes dating from the XIV century have been preserved.
For some reason, you don't want to walk around the neighborhood - rent a bike or jeep.
Russians do not need a visa to Georgia.
Walking routes in Georgia
Unusual places in Georgia
Weather in Georgia in May
Finland
Fishing in Finland was still respected by Emperor Alexander III. Every summer he came to Langinkoski with his family, where he sat with a fishing rod for days on end. Once he managed to catch a 30-kg salmon, which shocked even the local avid fishermen. You can see a replica of this fish in the fisherman's lodge of Alexander III, which has been preserved and turned into a museum.
In general, fishing on the lakes in Southeastern Finland is organized everywhere. Moreover, the methods of fishing are different everywhere. On Lake Saimaa, the following practice is practiced: from a boat in which there are 3-4 fishermen and a local huntsman, they throw several rods with bait. The boat then drifts peacefully through the calm waters. Since the spinning rods are securely attached to the boat, tourists rest at this time, drink tea from forest herbs and enjoy delicious snacks. When the biting begins, the finest hour of the fishermen comes. Their task is to prevent a large catch, for example, pike or salmon, from breaking down.
There are also places in Finland where you can settle right on the shore of the lake and fish perch without leaving your home further than 50 meters. Moreover, the prey is completely yours: you can roast it on a fire or grill in specially designated picnic areas and eat it.
For fishing in Finland to take place, you need to take care of the preliminary registration of a Schengen visa.
Hiking trails in Finland
Weather in Finland in May
Altai
Strong-minded tourists, real adventurers who cannot imagine life without surges of adrenaline, are waiting in Altai, where special rafting routes have been developed along the restless, rapids Katun River, not suitable for navigation, but at the same time quite suitable for kayaking and rubber rafts.
Katun, whose name can be translated as "mistress", begins at the Belukha Mountain and stretches for 688 kilometers. This waterway has long been included in the lists of the most interesting rivers in the world for rafting. It even hosts competitions in which teams of experienced rafters from all over the planet participate.
There are three routes for descent on Katun. They cover different parts of the river. Most rafters prefer rafting in the upper and middle sectors of this waterway. Such a journey cannot be called easy. It lasts approximately 7 days. During this time, the riders cover 320 km, overcoming difficult rapids.
Walking routes in Altai
Weather in Altai in May
Anapa
If you've never done kitesurfing, but dream of learning, it's time to go to the Krasnodar Territory, to the estuaries, which are located about 3 dozen kilometers from Anapa, where excellent conditions are created for gliding on the water with normal wind.
For riders of any skill level, the Kiziltashsky and Vityazevsky estuaries are suitable. The depth in the estuaries is shallow - at best it reaches the waist of an adult, the bottom is devoid of sharp stones and other dangerous objects, there are no poisonous sea creatures, and currents that knock you down are not observed either. The banks are within walking distance, so there can be no disorientation and panic.
Most often, the north wind blows on the Anapa estuaries, which helps to easily glide through the water on a board with a kite - an inflatable kite. Riders appreciate the south wind much more, which is rare in these places. It provides luxurious waves up to 5 meters high on the sea located next to the estuaries.
In Veselovka on the Kiziltash estuary there are kiting schools. Group and individual lessons are possible.
More about Anapa
The cost of rest in Anapa
Weather in Anapa in May
Malta
Malta is located in the Mediterranean Sea, which does not boast such a vibrant underwater world as tropical waters. Nevertheless, every year, starting in May, divers from all over Europe, and perhaps the world, come to Malta to see the natural and technical local dive sites:
- The blue hole. It is located off the coast of the island of Gozo. Despite its impressive name, the "hole" is just an 18-meter well that even beginners can handle;
- The Inland Sea, which is adjacent to the Blue Hole. It is surrounded by rocks, a round body of water, which can be reached from the outer sea only through a stone tunnel, half filled with water. Divers pass this tunnel under water, the rest of the tourists - on boats;
- the flooded statue of Christ, which has become one of the symbols of Malta. This dive site is often photographed for glossy magazines. The height of the concrete figure, now completely covered with shells, is 4 meters. She was lowered to the bottom of the sea, to a depth of 36 meters, in 1995.
The sea off the coast of Malta is very clean, with underwater visibility reaching 50 meters. All local dive sites are located close to popular resorts: it takes less than an hour to get to the dive sites by public transport.
Do not forget to apply for a Schengen visa in advance.
Diving in Malta
Weather in Malta in May
Tours for May holidays
May weekend, a couple of days at your own expense - and now you have about 10 free days at your disposal, for which you can give up to distant or not so countries. Nearby is Prague, beloved by all tourists - noisy, cheerful, cheap and especially beautiful in spring. It will be good in May in London, from where it is worth breaking out to Scotland for a couple of days. For lovers of Asian exoticism, we recommend a trip to South Korea.
Prague
May in Prague is a time to admire a fresh, as if reborn city from numerous observation platforms, the best of which is Prague Castle, which can be reached from Mala Strana along Nerudova Street.
The walk along Nerudovaya itself turns into a real adventure for curious travelers. Here, almost every house has its own logo and a corresponding name that sounds like music. On the rise from Nerudovaya to the hail, long downtime begins near the parapet - the look and the camera are trying to capture all the most interesting in the city spread out below. Find the next point on your route right away - a miniature copy of the Eiffel Tower, an observation tower on the Petřín Hill. And even though it is open to all winds, and it is periodically shaken by the incoming air masses, it is still worth climbing on it.
Back in the Old Town, look for the Clementinum - a complex of a former Jesuit monastery, where tourists are now allowed. There is also an excellent observation deck here.
A wonderful observation deck, from where you can see most of Prague's bridges and take unique pictures, is located on Vysehrad.
Take care of getting the Schengen in advance.
More about Prague
Trips from Prague
Weather in Prague in May
London - Edinburgh
You can dream of Foggy Albion by the fireplace with a volume of Conan Doyle or J. K. Rowling in your hands, or you can pack your suitcase and go there for the May holidays. First of all, everyone goes to Buckingham Palace, where the changing of the guard begins every day at 11:30, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square.
It is easier to plan your further route in London from the height of the local London Eye. There are always a lot of tourists here, despite the rather expensive tickets. You can look at the city spread out below from a height of 135 meters. The wheel completes one circle in 30 minutes.
It is unlikely that any of the travelers who find themselves in London will refuse to inspect the Tower. Ships stop at Tower Bridge heading for Greenwich, where the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and various attractions such as the prime meridian and the ancient oak planted by Shakespeare are located.
In London, you can stay for a week, and then go to Scotland - to Edinburgh, the main attraction of which is the castle, in which the chapel of the 12th century has been preserved. A military museum is now open in the fortress. In Edinburgh, it is worth renting a car and exploring the nearby distilleries and castles. But remember about driving on the left!
A national visa is required to visit the UK.
More about London and Edinburgh
The most popular castles in England and Scotland
Weather in UK in May
South Korea
Seoul is not just another Asian metropolis with high-rise buildings and complex interchanges, night markets and bright neon signs. No, Seoul is a unique city where modernity does not intersect with antiquity in any way, but as if it exists parallel to it. No one encroaches on ancient buildings here. On the contrary, they are appreciated, reconstructed in every possible way and proud of them. Organize a walk through ancient palaces, tombs, authentic markets, where descendants continue the trading business of their ancestors.
A few days can be spent exploring the Bukhansan Nature Reserve and Huwon Park, as well as a visit to the Sejong Cultural Center, where performances by a local acrobatic group, concerts of philharmonic orchestras, performances and much more are held.
When you want to feel like a child, go to the Caribbean Bay water park or the Seul Land park, where, in addition to attractions, there is a large zoo.
Our compatriots do not need a visa to South Korea.
More about Seoul
Seoul landmarks
Weather in Seoul in May
Inexpensive vacation in May - what to choose?
On a tight budget, you can have a great vacation abroad even during the high season, which starts in May in many countries. Relaxing rest, treatment in sanatoriums, excellent fishing are offered in the resort area on Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan.
Fans of ancient architectural objects and picturesque landscapes should go to Montenegro in May. This state in the Balkans, due to its great popularity among tourists, will cease to be so pleasant in terms of prices in just a few years, so seize the moment and enjoy a budget vacation!
Kazakhstan
The popular recreation area, located on the shores of the Kazakh lake Balkhash, comes to life in May. The lake water heats up to about 20 degrees, which allows some people to open the beach season. Less daring tourists who do not risk getting into cool water simply sunbathe on sandy beaches, go fishing in the Ili River delta, where 6 species of fish are found, or, armed with cameras, go to secluded places on the banks of Balkhash to watch 120 species of birds.
One of the largest lakes in the country, Balkhash is located in the southeast of Kazakhstan. The lake is famous for the fact that it consists of two parts - freshwater and salt. Tourists, many of whom are foreigners, including Russians, live in tourist centers, sanatoriums, rest houses, which are built up in cities and villages along the coastline of Balkhash.
Especially many housing options can be found on the shores of the eastern, salty part of the lake. The cost of living in local boarding houses starts from 1500 rubles per day.
According to the reviews of vacationers, here you quickly forget that there is only a lake in front of you, not the sea. The water near the coast is crystal clear, waves are frequent, and there are excellent opportunities for diving.
A visa for Russians to Kazakhstan is not required.
More about Balkhash
Top sights of Kazakhstan
Weather in Kazakhstan in May
Montenegro
In May in Montenegro, absolutely everything is screaming about the approaching summer. The sun is shining brightly, which still spares vacationers, providing them with suitable weather for sightseeing trips. Fragrant flowers look especially striking against the background of the turquoise of the sea. Street cafes started their work a long time ago - and there are probably no more places under the striped umbrellas.
Prices in Montenegro will be 30 percent less than in neighboring Croatia, so you should allow yourself a maximum of excursions while the Adriatic Sea is still not warm enough for swimming.
Little Montenegro offers a lot of entertainment:
- walk through the unique city of Kotor, freeze with admiration, seeing the views from the fortress on the mountain, admire the churches on the islands in the Boka Kotorska Bay;
- go to Skadar Lake - the largest freshwater reservoir in the Balkans, which is located on the border of Montenegro and Albania. The water tour on the lake lasts from 1 to 6 hours. During this time, tourists visit islets with monasteries, picturesque fishing villages, fortresses and secluded beaches;
- Go rafting along the 82-kilometer-long Tara Canyon. Here you can also go for a jeep ride in the surroundings, feel like a climber, or just take a picture of a famous landmark - the most beautiful Djurdzhevich bridge with a height of 150 meters across the canyon.
To visit another landmark of Montenegro - the photogenic island of Sveti Stefan, order lunch at one of the local restaurants. Otherwise, you will simply not be allowed into the territory of the island.
You can stay on the territory of Montenegro for 30 days without a visa in your passport.
More about the resorts of Budva and Kotor
Unusual places in Montenegro
Weather in Montenegro in May
Where to go in May without a visa?
If some trips around the world were not preceded by crazy visa quests, people would travel much more often. Therefore, it is worth especially appreciating those countries where our compatriots are welcome without special permits. There are quite a few such countries, we have already written about some above, at any time you can go there, armed only with a passport, insurance and wallet. By the way, both countries recommended by us for trips in May are also suitable for a beach holiday, so feel free to combine an excursion with relaxation on the beach.
List of visa-free countries
Philippines
The Pacific Ocean, the island nation of the Philippines - our choice in May. It is impossible to describe the Philippines in a nutshell, but we will try: paradise beaches, unique flora and fauna, architectural monuments left over from the time of the Spanish rule.
On the largest island of the Philippines, Luzon, is the capital of this country - the city of Manila, a large, bustling Asian metropolis. There are many residents and many tourists who are primarily interested in colonial architecture, for example, the remains of a 16th century defensive structure about 5 km long, which has already been transformed in our time in a very original way: they have combined a historical monument with modern realities. Now in the wall there are various establishments for tourists: restaurants, souvenir shops, art galleries.
Also worth seeing is Fort Santiago and the city's main Catholic church. Both date from the same 16th century.
For authentic products that can become good souvenirs, people go under the Chiapo Bridge, where local craftsmen sell their handicrafts. Antique gizmos will be found in the Silahis department store.
Manila does not sleep at night. Locals and tourists alike enjoy the nightlife that is plentiful in the stretch between the city's arteries of Remedios Circle and Jose Nacpil Street.
More about Manila
Top attractions in the Philippines
Weather in Philippines in May
Cuba
Liberty Island in the period after the reign of Fidel Castro, indeed, received a little freedom. Locals can finally get microwaves and laptops, and the Internet in Cuba is no longer as rare as it was a decade ago. In recent years, an increasing number of tourists are discovering this island.
Cuba is a paradise for beach lovers. Luxury resorts have been created here for foreigners, where every guest can feel like the ruler of the world.
For those who have never been to Cuba, we recommend that you definitely visit its capital, Havana. Even a simple walk along the streets of this city will be remembered for a long time: colorful locals in bright clothes, old men smoking cigars and drinking rum in street cafes, an abundance of Soviet and American retro cars and picturesque colonial buildings.
Take a look at the oldest fortress on the American continent, Real Fares, built by immigrants from Europe, go to the colorful cloister of Santa Clara, whose building dates back to 1644, go to a performance at the Bolshoi Theater, which can simultaneously accommodate 1,500 spectators. And be sure to find Ernest Hemingway's villa, where he lived and worked for 20 years.
More about Havana
Top attractions in Havana
Weather in Havana in May
