lois_dc

Hi there,

My husband and I are just embarking on planning a vacation for early- to mid-May, and were thinking of a couple of options in Europe, but I'm frankly overwhelmed - so I thought I'd ask for advice. We are thinking 10 days to14 days. Somewhere warm and sunny. We don't want to try to do or see too much so not looking for a jam-packed itinerary but could be into moving cities a couple of times. I was thinking Spain, Greek islands or possibly Croatia -- though the little I've read makes it sound like a lot might be closed on Croatia's coast might not be open.

Any recommendations or advice would be very welcome!
LOIS DC

kimhe

Andalucia in Spain is wonderful in May, spring blossom is here and the summer heat is still some weeks away. Both fabulous cities with tons of history and culture such as Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga and Cádiz (the two latter by the med and with great beaches, especially around Cádiz), beautiful mountain and coastal landscapes, and plenty of small villages all around. May is also serious festival time in Andalucia (especially in Cordoba), gives you the opportunity to get a bit under the skin of things and excperience the local food, wine, song, music, dance and festive spirit. http://www.andalucia.com/
http://www.andalucia.com/festival/monthlyguide-may.htm

I would suggest coastal Malaga or Cádiz, and some days in Sevilla with a couple of fiesta days in Cordoba 40 mins away on the high speed AVE train. http://www.andalucia.com/cities/cordoba/festivals.htm

brotherleelove2004

The Greek islands are ideal by mid-May, sunny and warm enough for a swim in the deep blue sea! Relaxing and timeless.......

danon

Spain for beautiful cities , history, and , if you wish, beach time

yorkshire

Mid-May in Croatia will be fine as well, though the sea could still be too chilly for swimming depending on your tolerance.

WWK

Mid-may can still be too chilly for swimming in Greece. Last year we had some rainy days on the islands, too. I think generally end of May/early June is better for the beach and sun.

PetrosB3

May is probably the best time of the year to visit the Greek Islands. It's the beginning of Summer, the weather is warm and the tourists are few. It's ideal. And vacationing there is a guarantee for excellent vacations.You have everything you may ask for, Historic sites, Crystal clear waters, Medieval towns and ofcourse exceptional Mediterranean cuisine. And don't forget there are more than 300 inhabited islands to choose from, go search which suits you the best.

brotherleelove2004

Which country's underlying culture and history interests you the most? Therein lies your answer.

welltraveledbrit

The question about history and culture is a good one.

I very much enjoyed at trip to Andalusia at that time of year, the orange blossom in Seville was unforgettable. Personally I found the history and culture here more compelling than Croatia, where everything seemed designed to make us forget the recent history.

I covered some of what some of what we enjoyed in Andulucia on my blog. There are posts and pictures of Seville, Cordoba, Ubeda, though I never got around to writing about Grenada which we loved.

http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/search/label/Spain

Just to complicate things it could be a lovely time of your for Puglia...?

BrettKronewitter

I second the idea of Andalucia it´s beautiful and has some fantastic sights like the Alhambra palace in Granada, the mosque in Cordoba and the Giralda in Sevilla. The food is fantastic and cheap and the people are very friendly. The canary islands is a great Spanish destination as well with great weather in May.

kja

I haven't been to Greece yet, but with 10 - 14 days in early-to-mid May, I personally would choose Andalusia over Croatia. That time frame and that time of year seem to me to be perfect for Andalusia. In contrast, it's a little early for some of Croatia's highlights. JMO.