Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary
The Best Trips to Book in May: What to Lock in Now
UPDATE: THE PANDEMIC IS CAUSING HUGE CHANGES IN TRAVEL, SO CLICK TO ASK WENDY BEFORE PLANNING ANYTHING.
PLEASE SEE OUR COVID-19 TRAVEL COVERAGE.
WE WILL UPDATE THIS ARTICLE AS INFORMATION DEVELOPS ON SAFE TRAVEL.
If a sea or river cruise is in your 2020 travel plans, right now may well be a smart moment to book it. It’s true: If you want your choice of cabin and departure date, cruises to many destinations that are popular in May (Alaska, the Greek Islands) and to places where vessels are few (French Polynesia, France’s canals) need to be reserved a year in advance. Below, you’ll find those and seven other extraordinary getaways that must be booked right now.
(Don’t miss the rest of our series on what trips to book in each month of the year. If you prefer to know which destinations are ideal for traveling to in any given month, see our Where to Go When series, and don’t miss our comprehensive guide to the benefits of booking early.)
Alaska Cruises Done Right
Cruise Alaska during the spring or fall and you’ll find a lot more than snow and ice. Photo: Lindlad Expeditons/David Vargas
For: May to September 2020
A cruise is the best way—indeed, the only way—to see some of Alaska’s most beautiful coastline. Look for one that encompasses both the Inside Passage (an archipelago of 10,000 islands in the Alaska Panhandle near British Columbia) and the Gulf of Alaska (the coastline farther north that gives you access to Alaska’s interior). The shoulder months of May and September see the lowest fares, as well as colorful wildflowers and fall foliage, respectively. The warmest and longest days are in June and July, when you’ll also see active, calving glaciers.
Why book in May? The season is short for Alaska cruises, so book at least a year in advance to reserve the cabin you want on the ship that’s right for you; if the price drops before your final payment, you can request a refund for the difference.
You’ll be marked as a VIP and get a trip like this.
Finding Bliss on the Mediterranean
Barcelona is a don’t-miss port on many Mediterranean cruises. Photo: Pixabay
For: May 2020
May is the sweet spot for a Mediterranean cruise: The weather is gorgeous, temperatures are ideal for sightseeing, and crowds are not as abundant as in summer, when kids are out of school and both overseas visitors and Europeans flock to the seashore.
Why book in May? Cruise-line incentives are generally the richest from May through October for the following year’s departures. Snag your preferred cabin at the best rate currently available, and don’t be too concerned about the price dropping or missing out on a last-minute deal: All cruise lines will fulfill a reimbursement request if the fare falls before you send in your final payment, as long as you didn’t book a nonrefundable rate.
You’ll be marked as a VIP and get a trip like this.
Mexico’s Eye-Popping Monarch Butterfly Migration
Monarch butterflies, Michoacán, Mexico. Photo: Scott Clark/Flickr
For: November through March
The Monarch butterflies arrive in Mexico on their annual southern migration in November, and they can be viewed at a biosphere reserve in the states of Michoacán and Mexico until March. It’s quite a sight to see, with up to one billion butterflies carpeting the forest. During the peak months of January and February, wildlife lovers can also spot migrating gray whales in Baja California.
Why book in May? The hotel options are slim in this region, so it’s important to secure your room as soon as possible.
You’ll be marked as a VIP and get a trip like this.
Morocco’s Best Season
Wendy and family on a camel trek through the Sahara Desert, Morocco.
For: Mid-September to mid-November 2019
Spring and fall see the best weather throughout Morocco, avoiding the harsh heat of summer. Autumn is also the perfect time to spend a night at a Sahara encampment, with clear skies for stargazing. And the fall harvest means that markets are full of fresh dates, newly picked olives and pomegranates, and the first fruit of citrus season—making the local cuisine even more delicious.
Why book in May? Wait until summer, and you’re likely to find that the most experienced guides and most atmospheric riads have already booked up.
You’ll be marked as a VIP and get a trip like this.
Rafting Iconic Rivers in the American West
Choosing the right river is the first step to planning a rafting adventure. Photo courtesy O.A.R.S.
For: May to September 2019
Fifty-one years ago, the Salmon River in Idaho and the Rogue in Oregon were among eight waterways designated by the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act to remain free-flowing, thanks to their outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational value. Unplugged, active days on these rivers and starry nights around the campfire are a proven recipe for rejuvenation and reconnection with friends and family.
Why book in May? Book now while there’s still space on guided trips down both of these rivers this summer.
You’ll be marked as a VIP and get a trip like this.
England’s Spectacular Fall Foliage
Bodiam Castle and moat, East Sussex, England. Photo: Visit Britain
For: October and November 2019
Few places are more charming and romantic than the English countryside during the fall, when the foliage is bright and colorful and the summer crowds have gone. It’s the perfect time to stroll between villages, go on drives along the winding roads, and while away an afternoon in front of a pub’s toasty fire. Plus, the restaurant menus are full of freshly harvested fruits and vegetables, plus lots of game, such as venison, duck, and pheasant.
Why book in May? Autumn is far less busy than the summer, but the beauty of the season is no longer a secret. Plan now for the fall so that you still have the best choice of accommodation at the finest countryside inns and stately homes, which have just a handful of rooms each.
You’ll be marked as a VIP and get a trip like this.
Australia: Hiking in Tasmania
Tasmania’s six-day Overland Track takes you through a Wilderness World Heritage Area. Photo: Cradle Mountain Huts
For: September 2019 to March 2020
Tasmania has a bounty of fantastic hiking trails; two of the most iconic are the Overland Track and the Three Capes Walk. The Overland Track is a six-day, 40-mile adventure through the heart of the island’s spectacular UNESCO-designated Wilderness World Heritage Area, past mountains and rainforest. Join a guided trek and stay in private huts where three-course dinners are served, accompanied by Tasmanian wines. The Three Capes Walk is a four-day, 30-mile trek on the remote and rugged Tasman Peninsula, with guided departures that overnight in lodges.
Why book in May? Spots on the guided hikes along these trails during the busy summer season—particularly over school and Christmas holidays—almost always sell out. Reserve your spot now, while there’s still availability for those most popular periods.
You’ll be marked as a VIP and get a trip like this.
Cruising the Canals of France
Barge Luciole cruising on Canal du Nivernais, Burgundy, France. Courtesy: Barge Luciole
For: June and September 2020
These two months are considered peak season for barge cruises along the canals of France, when the weather there is at its best. September is particularly popular in the wine regions, since that’s when the grape harvest takes place. Barges glide through the canals for a few hours each day, moving slowly enough that you can walk or bike alongside; passengers spend the other half of the day on guided excursions to local chateaux, markets, and villages. Canal barge cruising is a wonderful way to get to know a bit of France on an intimate level.
Why book in May? Barge vessels range in size from just four to 14 passengers, so there is very little inventory available. Itineraries during these most popular months often sell out a year or more in advance.
You’ll be marked as a VIP and get a trip like this.
China’s Unique and Traditional New Year Celebrations
Miao festivities in Guizhou, China. Photo: WildChina
For: October and November
Rich in colorful minority culture, China’s southwest province of Guizhou sparkles with the traditions of ethnic groups such as the Buyei Miao and Yi Miao. During October and November they will be preparing for their new year celebrations (Miao New Year starts on November 2 in 2019). Join the Miao people, adorned in their signature silver headdresses, as they gather provisions, arrange ancestor worship, visit neighboring villages, and play the Lusheng—a traditional musical instrument made from bamboo. You’ll be kindly welcomed into the community with rice wine and exotic feasts of local fare.
Why book in May? Still off the beaten path, Guizhou has only a few high-quality hotels and English-speaking guides; book now to ensure you get the best of the best.
You’ll be marked as a VIP and get a trip like this.
Namibia’s Delightful Shoulder Season
A desert lion crosses a sand dune in Namibia: Flip Stander & Ultimate Safaris
For: April and May 2020
Namibia is glorious in April and May: Temperatures are moderate both day and night, and the landscape is greener and less dusty than later on in the year. Plus, it’s the least expensive time to visit, with savings of up to 35% off the high-season rates that kick in from June through August. Don’t miss Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp; this vast, isolated wilderness is an ideal place to see oases, sand dunes, and the country’s uniquely desert-adapted wildlife. Or for a completely private experience, stay at The Nest @ Sossus, a new, one-of-a-kind luxury villa immersed in the picturesque landscape of the Namib Desert.
Why book in May? Namibia fills up even more quickly than the rest of the continent—even for shoulder season—so if you don’t reserve your guides and accommodations now, you’ll likely be out of luck.
You’ll be marked as a VIP and get a trip like this.
French Polynesia’s Unusual Cruise Experience
The Aranui 5’s route through French Polyneisa’s Marquesas Islands includes a stop at Hiva Oa, where you can walk a black-sand beach and see the most impressive collection of tika sculptures outside Easter Island.
For: May/June or September/October 2020
The Aranui 5 is a combination freighter/cruise ship that does a two-week trip from Papeete, Tahiti to the Marquesas Islands (see: How to Island-Hop Your Way Around French Polynesia). It’s one of the last such combination ships left in the world, giving travelers an overview of the region while resupplying local communities.
Why book in May? This cruise is so popular that it often sells out a year in advance; the balconied cabins go first. Book now for a spring or fall cruise next year.
You’ll be marked as a VIP and get a trip like this.
We’re here to help
If your goal is an extraordinary trip when the time is right, go to Ask Wendy. We know which trip-planning specialists have up-to-the-minute intel for your destination and can minimize your risk and maximize your experience. Check out Real Trips Right Now to see the difference that this makes.
Be a safer, smarter traveler: Sign up for Wendy’s weekly newsletter to stay in the know. And read real travelers’ reviews of Wendy’s WOW List and use it to plan your next trip.
Our Latest Newsletters
