May Vacations

At the height of spring, flowers are in bloom, the days are warmer, the school year is winding down and May vacations are something to think about.

Alaska

To escape the business of life, an Alaskan cruise is the perfect May vacation. Astonishing landscapes of endless forests, glaciers and mountains dotted with serene villages and fields of wildflowers at their peak breathe new life into any tired soul. With nine cruise lines owning 27 ships, there is sure to be a cruise to suit any time frame. Take the Inside Passage, a round-trip tour from Vancouver to Seattle, or tour the Gulf of Alaska, a one-way trip from Seattle or Vancouver to Seward or Whittier. Shore excursions offer much to tourists as well. Fish for salmon in Ketchikan, strike gold in a creek near Skagway or fly over Mendehall glacier.

Bermuda

When sun and sand are in mind for a May vacation, there's no better place than Bermuda. Turquoise, aquamarine and sapphire seas meet pristine beaches skirted by swaying palms and lush tropical landscapes underneath an electric blue sky. Bermuda's most popular beach, Horseshoe Bay Beach, is home to pink sand, clean, clear water and scenic limestone cliffs. Blue Hole Park, a nature reserve, boasts 12 acres of winding trails through jungle-like vegetation and to caves for exploring. Take a glass-bottom sightseeing tour to see the wonder of the ocean, but if a closer look is desired, book a snorkeling charter through Aquatic Bermuda.

Spain

Spain is a perfect location for a May vacation. A bit showery, the climate is temperate and becomes warm and dry towards the end of the month. A day trip from Madrid to Segoria and Avila provides tourists with many sights to see. Experience the grandeur of Roman architecture at the remains of formally ten-mile long aqueduct at Segoria. While Avila's San Vincent Basilica and Catherdral can take a sightseer's breath away, the panoramic view from Los Cuarto Postes will leave tourists gasping for air. At the Alhambra and Generalife Garden, an escorted tour guides visitors through many pieces of the Moorish architecture of the Alhambra courtyards, featuring the Serallo, Algazaba fortress and the Patio de los Leones, just to name a few.

Egypt

May vacations spent in Egypt are sure to never be forgotten. Every tourist coming to Egypt visits Cairo to take in the grandeur of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, but Cairo's mosques, bazaars, citadels and the Museum of Antiquities are diamonds in the rough. Tour the 62 opened tombs in the Valley of the Kings, where kings from the 18th to 20th dynasties made their final resting places. The temple complex, Dier el Bahri, will leave a sightseer awe-struck at the beauty and skill of ancient Egyptian architects. Enjoy a Nile cruise taking three to five days to float between Luxor and Aswan and watch the history of Egypt open along the coastline like a lotus bloom.

Iceland

Another unique May vacation can be found in Iceland. Iceland's scenery is not an icy land, but rather a lush, green landscape dominated by towering mountains, clear lakes and wide open spaces. In Reykjavik, an Icelandic city, explore neighborly pubs, exciting clubs and quaint cafes. A trendy city, Reykjavik reflects Iceland's obsession with architecture, design and technology. Soak in the warm, milky waters of Blue Lagoon, a spa filled with mineral-rich sea water believed to have healing properties. Natural beauty is common in Iceland; take a trip to Gullfoss, powerful waterfalls cascading 105 feet whose spray creates rainbows on sunnier days allowing for perfect photo opportunities.

The perfect May vacations are easy to find; now there's just one decision to make: which May vacation to take?