May is that month in which you can officially start getting excited about your summer. Europe starts to wake up from its winter slumber, the beaches get busier, the sea gets warmer and enjoying a glass of vino on the cobbled sidewalk becomes more acceptable. Whether you are up for the challenge of South America or you want somewhere closer to home we have analysed the top destinations in our travel guide for May 2022 from our years of experience.
Italy
Recognised as the month of the rose in Italy, May is a stunning time to visit Italy. Temperatures are warm in comparison to the hot summer months and crowds are less in the popular tourist spots. Not to mention the gardens and countryside are blooming with flowers and colour at every corner, with Florences Iris Garden open to the public for a couple of weeks in May.
Highlights
Architecture, food, style and passion are just a few of the things Italy is best recognised for. Delve into a country full of culture and beauty and throw in delicious food and wine and youve got yourself the destination of a lifetime. We have years of experience when dealing with travelling to Italy with many of our staff frequently visiting the Italian peninsula. Below we have highlighted our favourite parts and must-visit spots the country has to offer from buzzing cities to peaceful lakes we are here to make your Italian experience unforgettable.
Rome
Starting off with the capital city or better known as the Eternal City packed to the brim full of incredible history and hidden gems at every corner Rome. You could spend a week in this bustling city as theres enough to see and do to keep you busy for a lifetime.
Explore the historic Vatican City which you could spend a day itself exploring due to the sheer size of what is classified as the worlds smallest sovereign state. Discover ancient art in the Sistine Chapel a must for any art lovers which will blow your mind, stand in awe at the size of St Peters Square or experience a service at the centre of the Roman Catholic religion and try get a glimpse of the Pope.
Step into the arena of the historic Colosseum the cities most thrilling ancient sights. Seating over 50,000 people you can only appreciate this magnificent structure in person as there are so many different aspects to this attraction from underground tunnels to viewing platforms which allow you to appreciate how before the times the Romans were. Make your way to the top of our next attraction the Spanish Steps, a romantic setting which connects Piazza di Spagna and Trinit dei Monti. Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish in this iconic part of the city, or just simply enjoy a glass of vino on the Trastevere and watch the world go by.
Venice
Heading to the northeastern region of Italy you will find another hugely historic city in the form of Venice The City of Canals. Venice was built on around 120 tiny islands which are separated by hundreds of canals and linked together by bridges or only accessible by the famous Gondola or speed boat. Venice is an unique city which is like nowhere in the world and has many landmarks such St. Marks Square a huge open space with restaurants bars and live music giving the area a classy Italian vibe. Architecture in Venice draws many visitors with stunning structures such as Doges Palace an old gothic-themed palace or Saint Marks Basilica a cathedral with glided domes.
Other cities worth visiting are the fashion hub of Italy in Milan up in the north of the country again famous for its art, culture and architecture. Florence the capital city of Tuscany is also home to incredible art and its most iconic building the Duomo domed structure overlooking the city landscapes. Just a short journey west of Florence you can visit Pisa and its famous leaning tower.
Lakes
Italy is home to some stunning nature to beyond its incredible cities, frolic through the colourful Tuscany countryside or cruise along the Amalfi Coast. Lake Como is a personal favourite, situated around ninety minutes outside of Milan you will find a peaceful town set on top of the extravagant Lake Como . Home to many major celebrities burrowed in hidden paths of the surrounding areas of the mountain backed shores has a certain je ne sais quoi which makes it so popular. Admire the numerous mansions by boat as they open up onto the lakes and enjoy the lakeside hotels or simply pass through on one of our Escorted Tours available.
Coastlines
Further down towards the bottom of the boot you will find the Amalfi Coast stretching over fifty kilometres along the Sorrentine Peninsula of Italy. Possibly the most iconic shoreline in Europe when your here you feel like your part of a Hollywood film with pastel-coloured fishing villages dotted along the coast on top of sheer cliffs. You will find many vineyards and lemon groves all providing the locals with the freshest produce on top of fishermen bringing in their catch of the day served to you on a pebbled beach.
The region is also home to some of the best hotels in the country if youre after an unforgettable luxury experience in the seaside town of Sorrento home to many incredible rooftop bars with some of the best views in the area to enjoy a gin and tonic with fresh lemon. Jump onboard a boat to the idyllic island of Capri with its dramatic steep sheer cliff faces or meander through caves on turquoise waters.
Sicily
At the very base of Italy sit the island of Sicily, famed for being the toe of the boot, a historic place with ancient ruins at every corner along with beautiful beaches and coastlines.
Mount Etna sits overlooking the island adding to its dramatic landscapes, rolling countryside fills the island with many popular hotels setting up on this booming tourist hot spot. Our pick of the bunch is Club Med Cefalu which has recently had a refurb to increase its an unparalleled luxury. Overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea with easy access to local beauty spots. Eat under Michelin star food and take advantage of its top of the range amenities with incredible customer service to make your stay here an unforgettable one. You can also find Club Med Kamarina on this ancient island a huge modern resort offering the very best of Sicily, in view of the mighty Mount Edna.
We work with some amazing travel operators in which run some incredible escorted tours, activity holidays and even some delicious food tours to experience Italy the best way you can.Travelspherespecialises in tours toItaly some of our favourites to recommend is the Grand Tour of Italy which visits all destinations mentioned above and more. Discover below some of our favourite tours to Italy and all of its stunning locations:
Grand Tour of Italy
OverView This amazing journey of discovery will introduce you to so many of Italys iconic highlights, including the
Magnificent Maggiore & Lake Como
OverView Relax and enjoy the beauty of Lake Maggiore, flower-filled islands and charming Lake Como.
Treasures of Florence and Tuscany
OverView Unearth unique traditions and sensational cuisine on this relaxing tour, taking in iconic monuments
Peru
Peru in May is perfect for visiting as the wet season finishes yet its winter hasnt started yet meaning the temperature hasnt yet started to turn. This is vital for Peru as you can imagine some of the hikes can be a daunting task in the winter months and the fewer clouds the better. May is the perfect time to visit the Inca Trail and of course the infamous Machu Picchu as you are more likely to get the clear skies and dont experience the cold temperatures that are common in this area.
Highlights
Peru is a country with many treasures, with a rich history dating back to the beginning of time to stunning nature which is like nothing you will see anywhere else it is one of those destinations you will never forget. Discover ancient temples built by the Incas hidden away in the Andes mountain ranges and only found by following a specific path with a certain Machu Picchu waiting for you at the end of the road. Oh and dont forget the hilarious Llamas who call Peru their home.
Machu Picchu
From the depths of the Urubamba Valley a roadway dating back to as long as man can remember is still going strong to this day and being used by thousands of travellers a year. Follow the path up through the clouds and experience incredible landscapes the Andes are famous for on one of the popular four-day treks we offer here at Aspen Travel an experience that should be on everyones bucket list. Perhaps the most breathtaking archaeological site in the world Machu Picchu which was build in the 15th century and for reasons unknown later abandoned adding to the mystery of this incredible structure which when you see it in person youd be amazed to believe it was built with just bare hands.
We have a number of incredible tours on offer to take you to the heights of Machu Picchu safely and securely no matter at what level of fitness you are or what you think you are capable of, if you have dreamt of seeing this magnificent spectacle then we can help. Cox and Kings offers a Peruvian experience like no other, in between hikes and adventures enjoy the countries best hotels and accommodation to relax and take the edge of your activity-packed journey their best seller is the tour Train to Machu Picchu.
Lake Titicaca
Peru is home to South Americas largest lake, Lake Titicaca which many in Andean history is the birthplace of the sun. With this in mind it gives the place a magical feel, take in the sapphire coloured waters which glisten in the sunshine and go as far as the eye can see. Visit one of the floating islands in which settlers have been living their lives for many years living off the lands and in conjunction with the rhythm of the seasons. Finish your day with sunset over the lake, a momentous occasion many locals believe is a religious experience in a place where history believes the sun was born.
You can also tick the Amazon Rainforest off your bucket list while youre in Peru with a visit to Parque Nacional Manu set in the Amazon Basin on of the wildest most remote corners the Amazon Rainforest has to offer. This magnificent link of rivers which leads into the Amazon River is a hot spot for seeing wildlife, from incredible birds such as the squawking macaw to the mysterious tapir. Take a boat trip through the many tributaries that make up this dramatic landscape. Or for the more adventurous of us take a kayak to get to the tighter more secluded spots.
Trekking in Peru
Peru is famous for its mountainous regions and one of the most popular is The Cordillera Blanca set in the heart of Peru. Beautiful to look at these mountains are a set of spikey peaks covered in snow and attract high altitude trekkers from all over the world. On your journeys, you can expect to come across alpine lakes and historic local Andean Villages. This will give you an intriguing look into how people live their lives in up in the Andes.
Another Peruvian experience which is like something out of a fairy tale are the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountains located in the southern part of the country. As it sounds the rainbow mountains is a mountain range of all different colours. They are made up of minerals which are very rare to and special to this area. You can experience this unique part of the world on a day trip from Cuzco in a ten kilometre round trip which brings you to a hillside viewpoint which faces the mountain and gives you a 360-degree view of the highest mountain in Southern Peru, Ausangate.
Tours to Peru
Treasures of Peru
This introductory tour of Peru includes the countrys most celebrated sights. Starting in Lima, explore
Train to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is perhaps the most breathtaking archaeological site in the world. Yet Peru also
Classic Peru
Enjoy a taste of Peru on this introductory tour of some of the countrys most
