Do you need a quick getaway?
Needing a break from work asap? Want a change of scenery but not sure where to go? Want good weather but want to also beat the crowds to some of the most popular attractions? Do you want to save money by traveling in the shoulder season? Keep reading for inspiration on where to go in Spring of 2024. Below are 5 recommendations.
1- Iceland
Brúarfoss, Sólheimasandur, and Búdir
May in Iceland is considered shoulder season, which many consider a great time to visit. In May, accommodations and car rentals are less expensive and it is overall less busy as compared to peak season which falls during its summer months. In the summer peak travel season both accommodations and car rentals can also be more difficult to come by without booking sufficiently in advance. Lastly, this time of year, the days are getting longer, there are spring flowers, and the puffins are back.
What to see and do
It almost seems as though you choose puffins or northern lights when traveling to Iceland but if you’re really spontaneous and can go in early May, and if you are willing to stay up super late, there is still a chance to see them. By late May, however, the nighttime hours diminish. I visited during the fall shoulder season and used this website to track cloud cover and aurora activity. While I didn’t get to see any puffins, I did see the northern lights and enjoyed less busy trails, beaches, and roads.
What should you do in Iceland? I suggest you rent a car or a camper van and see as much of the country as is feasible. If you have at least 7 to 10 days, you have time to hit the highlights driving around the ring road. If you have a week or less, you could consider driving to and around Snæfelsness peninsula, the golden circle, and to various points along the southern coast.
While I spent countless hours researching my trip to Iceland, you can actually go and figure out what to do once you’re there if you don’t have time to plan much in advance. There is one main highway that circles around the island and there is excellent signage pointing you to the most popular sites. I used google maps to help me plan for a logical and time efficient itinerary by flagging the places I wanted to go. Flagging these destinations will help you remember everything you want to see, as there are seemingly infinite trails, waterfalls, and beaches to explore.
2- Cuba
As I wrote recently in the Top 7 Places to visit in Cuba article, there is much to see and do in Cuba. In that article I described how to visit Cuba from the U.S. and the one thing you need to do to satisfy the requirements for both the U.S. government as well as the Cuban government. You will also find more detail on where I suggest you go and what you could do at each location. Contrary to popular belief, there are not many travel restrictions and it is indeed legal to travel there as a U.S. citizen.
If you only have one week to visit Cuba this spring and you don’t mind moving around every few days, I suggest going to Havana, Trinidad, Varadero, and, if you like snorkeling or scuba diving, add in Bay of Pigs. If you want to move around less, I would suggest (1) Havana and Viñales (2) Havana and Varadero, (3) Havana and Trinidad, or (4) Havana, Viñales, and Varadero. You can also opt to add in a day trip to Bay of Pigs from Havana.
3- Northern Italy
Northern Italy in May generally delivers pleasant temperatures, less expensive accommodation, and fewer crowds. Whereas I might be tempted to go just to drink espresso and eat the delicious pasta and gelato, there is also amazing architecture, rich history, and beautiful scenery. If you have a week to spare, you can fly into Milan, visit the city, and take the train to both Venice and Cinque Terre.
Milan
In Milan, I highly recommend you visit the Duomo. The Duomo is an absolutely stunning cathedral dating back to 1386, when construction is believed to have begun. In the later phases of construction, artists such as Leonardo da Vinci became a part of its development and construction. As you leave, you can pass through another Milan highlight: the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Designed and constructed beginning in the 1860s, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is now a beautiful shopping mall but known especially for it iron and glass roof and also for its mosaic floor. After you pass through you will find the Teatro alla Scala, another major must see in Milan. If you book quickly, you may even be able to secure tickets to an opera, ballet, or symphony.
Venice and Cinque Terre
Venice (left) Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre (right)
When you’re ready to venture out of the city, you can take a train to Venice and enjoy the views along the way. There you can enjoy the architecture, the winding alleys, the canals, and a gondola tour. We actually went to Venice only for the day due to time constraints. While it was a long day, a day trip to Venice is possible if you also have limited time.
To wrap up your quick northern Italy getaway, I recommend you head to the west coast. Cinque Terre is a collection of 5 colorful, hillside towns along the northwest coast of Italy. May is considered by many to be a perfect time to visit Cinque Terre. Because the towns are connected by a series of trails, the temperate spring weather will make your hiking excursions even more pleasant. When you’re ready to relax at the end of the day, you can find one of many terraced restaurants to have an aperitivo, or a wine and a snack, and catch the sunset. We watched the sunset at the Vista Panoramica di Riomaggiore.
4- Mexico City, Mexico
Teotihuacan, Los Dinamos National Park, and tacos in Coyaocán
I went to Mexico City for the first time a few months ago and absolutely loved it. Even though I generally prefer small towns and wilderness to big cities, Mexico City offers something for everyone. The food is amazing, the people are kind and friendly, there is endless history to learn, cultural sites to visit, museums to explore, and even high altitude lush green forests nearby where you can hike and catch views of the city and Popocatépetl.
May is considered a great time to visit as it is springtime and the weather is generally favorable. Even though Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world, the individual sections or neighborhoods are quite walkable.
What to see and do
Within the Polanco neighborhood, you will find the largest and most visited museum in Mexico: the Museo Nacional de Antropología. I suggest scheduling 2-3 hours for this museum alone. I was surprised at how quickly the time passed as I marveled at all of the incredible artifacts.
What are other places to consider for a one-week Mexico City itinerary? Consider a day trip to Teotihuacan, a day hike in Los Dinamos National Park, explore Coyoacán, and the historic center of town. Try to secure tickets to a show at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, or at least go enjoy a Oaxacan hot chocolate at Finca Don Porfirio and sit on the balcony to admire the palace and its surroundings from the 7th story. This cafe was recommended by my Spanish immersion teacher and it was a perfect stop after overlooking the entire city in the Torre Latino, or Latino Tower.
5- North Carolina, U.S.A.
Cape Lookout (left) and Bald Head Island (right)
Whether you like the rolling, lush green mountains or the tranquil seaside, the U.S. state of North Carolina delivers. There are several airport options and once you land a rental car will take you wherever you want to go. Before, or after, you take off to your beach or mountain destination, consider spending time in your arrival city. The Raleigh Durham airport (RDU) is located between two cities (Raleigh and Durham) each of which has a unique flare and both of which have received recognition for their culinary offerings. Of note, Duke University’s campus is worth visiting for its gothic architecture, which is the same style architecture you will find if you go see the Duomo in Milan.
The Coast and Outer Banks
The Raleigh Durham airport may be the best starting point for your journey to North Carolina’s coast. I would encourage you to visit the Outer Banks, which are barrier islands off the coast of the mainland. Along the Outer Banks you will enjoy peaceful sunrises and sunsets, beautiful beaches, wild ponies, historic sites, museums, and scenic lighthouses. You can also enjoy a ferry ride to Cape Lookout or to Bald Head Island to visit the locations featured in the above photos.
Besides eating fresh seafood, other popular springtime activities include kayaking or stand up paddle boarding in the intracoastal waterway (a personal favorite), fishing, sailing, and parasailing. If it’s warm enough, you can swim, surf, kite surf, or wind surf to name a few other options.
The Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway
View from Grandfather Mountain (left) and Valle Crusis (right)
The largest and most populous city, and largest airport hub, in North Carolina is Charlotte (CLT). Asheville’s airport (AVL) is increasingly popular as well. Both of these airports can serve as your gateway to the beautiful North Carolina Mountains. The North Carolina mountains are all a part of the Blue Ridge Mountain range which is a segment of the larger Appalachian Mountain range. The Blue Ridge Mountains are the second oldest on earth having begun their formation roughly more than 1 billion years ago. Known for its charming small towns, numerous hiking trails and waterfalls, long range views, and housing a large section of the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, the North Carolina mountains are not to be missed.
There are countless places to visit, but you can start by exploring Mount Mitchell, which is the highest peak in eastern U.S., and by driving over the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway Viaduct. If you’re heading north, then just before you drive over the Viaduct, stop to visit the short but popular Beacon Heights trail which will take you to a large rock outcropping with endless views. As you continue driving north just past the Viaduct, I suggest you take the short hike up the Rough Ridge trail for more beautiful views and unique vegetation.
Conclusion
I hope this list helps you plan a quick getaway this Spring. Each of these areas is great for May travel as the winter weather should finally be over but the main attractions won’t be nearly as busy.
Where will you travel this May? Did any of these locations make your list? What locations did I miss? Tell me in the comments!
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