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Where to travel in May

Long days, open terraces, warm seas in the Mediterranean, and the last month before peak pricing hits.

The best month for Mediterranean coast and islands if you want swimmable water without August. Ferries are on full schedules by late May.

May picks

Portugal

Lisbon

Tiled hills, cheap seafood, and the best sunset spots in Western Europe. Stay 3–5 days, or 5–7 with sintra and the coast.

Japan

Tokyo

The most rewarding big city on earth for people who like to wander. Stay 5–7 days, or 10 with a kyoto leg.

Spain
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Barcelona

A beach, a mountain and Gaudí, all reachable on foot from a single apartment. Stay 4–5 days.

Italy

Rome

Three thousand years of layers, and the best carbonara within a mile of anywhere. Stay 3–4 days.

France

Paris

Better on the second visit, when you stop trying to see everything. Stay 4–5 days.

Netherlands

Amsterdam

A city best seen from a bike, once you get out of the centre. Stay 3 days.

Indonesia

Bali

Three or four completely different trips sharing one island. Stay 8–12 days, split across two bases.

United States

New York City

Pick two neighbourhoods a day and stop trying to do the rest. Stay 4–5 days.

United States

New Orleans

The most distinctive city in America, and the easiest to plan badly. Stay 3–4 days.

Morocco

Marrakech

Four days of sensory overload, three hours from most of Europe. Stay 3–4 days, or 6–7 with the atlas or coast.

Croatia

Split and the Dalmatian Coast

A Roman palace you can live inside, and a ferry terminal to a dozen islands. Stay 6–8 days including islands.

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