The Best Places to Travel in May 2024

May might just our favourite time of year to travel. Springtime is in full bloom, summer is on the horizon and yet you can still take advantage of shoulder season’s lower costs and lesser crowds. With the increasingly sweltering summers, too, we think that May is the best time to visit this gorgeous selection of destinations, all of which have Culture Trip departures in 2024.

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Trips_Southern Italy_Salerno_AdobeStock_231197512 (4)-min

Seductive Southern Italy

Expect glorious Mediterranean sunshine and long days of la dolce vita on this glorious tour of Italy’s most splendid stretches of coastline. We’ll start in the ancient and characterful streets of Naples, where you’ll be treated to an incredible street food tour. From there we’ll wind down the Amalfi Coast, stopping off in picture-perfect seaside towns and cruising along crystal clear ocean waters. Then it’s time to head east, stopping off at charming Puglian towns like Matera, Alberobello and Locorotondo, before eventually reaching the mesmerising beaches of Polignano a Mare. We’ll spend the last four days sampling world class olive oil, discovering beautiful baroque towns and dining on fresh Italian delights on the coast of Puglia. Join us in Naples on 25 May 2024!

From US$2599

Next available from 29th Mar 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Naples, Italy

ENDS AT

Lecce, Italy

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Easy

STYLE

Discovery

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Cyclades Islands, Aegean Sea, Greece, Europe

Greek Island Odyssey

The coastal theme continues, but can you blame us? May is when Europe’s enviable collection of coastal destinations start to become drenched in sunshine, and Greece is no different. This eight-day island-hopping bonanza is the complete Greek experience, starting with a bit of ancient history in Athens, as you get a guided tour of the Acropolis. Then we set sail for the Cyclades, anchoring first on the pretty island of Milos, where you’ll get charming villages, hidden beaches and incredible coastal caves on a boat cruise around the island. Naxos is next, where you’ll visit a rural family home to partake in a Greek cooking masterclass, using only the freshest ingredients grown on the island. Our final destination? It just had to be Santorini. The famous sunsets here are particularly lovely in May, and act as the perfect way to watch the sun go down over our weeklong Greek retreat. Will we see you in Athens on 26 May 2024?

From US$1819

Next available from 14th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Athens, Greece

ENDS AT

Athens, Greece

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

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Beautiful sunrise over famous Balinese landmark Tegalalang rice terraces. Magic sun rays, amazing light.

Blissful Bali

Let’s get out of Europe for a minute! May marks the beginning of Bali’s dry season, which means the island is hot, sunny and dry, and perfect for beach time and water-based activities. Our epic 12-day itinerary features both, and so much more, as we take you on a comprehensive tour of this Indonesian paradise. We’ll hike through rice paddies and visit sacred temples, take yoga and cooking classes and summit Mount Batur at sunrise. Then, on the tiny island of Gili Trawangan, we’ll go on a proper tropical retreat at a luxurious beach resort. You’ll get to go snorkelling with sea turtles, have the chance to trek around the entire island, or simply live the good life by chilling by the pool, hitting the beach or booking yourself in for a massage. We have departures running throughout 2024, including one starting on 18 May.

From US$1929

Next available from 16th Mar 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Bali, Indonesia

ENDS AT

Bali, Indonesia

DURATION

12

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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A man in an orange kayak paddles by the rocky coastline of Hvar Island, Croatia

Coastal Croatia

We couldn’t escape the Med for long, but when you catch your first glance of the glimmering waters that trace Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, you’ll understand why we had to include this eight-day getaway. The trip starts in the historic port city of Split, and ends on the iconic streets of old Dubrovnik, but the meat of the sandwich is a truly sumptuous seaside adventure that will have your Instagram followers on their knees. From Split we’ll go island-hopping, first to the surreal island of Vis, once a Yugoslavian military based, now a dreamy island destination surrounded by wild beaches and beautiful cave systems. Then it’s onto Korcula, where you’ll discover the gorgeous medieval walled town of the same name, as well as the gorgeous wine region of Lumbarda – yes, a wine tasting is included. Back on the mainland we’ll visit the unique town of Ston for their famously fresh oysters, before rounding off the trip with a guided tour of Dubrovnik. Join us in Split on 26 May 2024!

From US$2169

Next available from 29th Mar 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Split, Croatia

ENDS AT

Dubrovnik, Croatia

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Jacobite steam train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, as seen in Harry Potter

Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands by Train

Our last entry on this list is yet another European gem, but this time it’s not about glamorous beaches and crystal clear waters on the Med. Instead, we suggest a charming jaunt to Scotland. The rugged landscapes of the Highlands, in full bloom come May, are at their most handsome under a slight springtime shine. You’ll wake up to those views, having started the trip in London, as our overnight sleeper train pulls into Fort William. That’s not even the coolest train ride of the trip, as the Jacobite steam train (AKA the Hogwarts Express) awaits us on day three. Having crossed the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct and made it all the way west to Mallaig, you’ll get to explore the Isle of Skye, Inverness and Cairngorms National Park. We’ll round off the trip in the capital, with a guided tour of Edinburgh’s gorgeous gothic streets – the perfect place for a plate of haggis and a wee dram of whiskey. See you at London Euston station on 27 May 2024!

From US$2499

Next available from 29th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

London, England

ENDS AT

Edinburgh, Scotland

DURATION

7

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.