Some of the world's biggest stars descend on the French Riviera for the Cannes Film Festival from 11 to 22 May 2016. Join the glitzy jet set, do a bit of star-spotting and soak up the fabulous views, restaurants and weather. And if you've got time on your hands, head over to Monaco for the Grand Prix from 26-29 May. Stay: To rub shoulders with the stars, really push the boat out at the stunning Le Mas Candille in nearby Mougins. For great family-friendly campsites in the area, visit eurocamp.com.
In May, with summer showers and humidity yet to arrive, the Bahamas enjoy average daily temperatures of between 24C and 27C and water so warm that even divers can plunge in with just a short suit. Seafood festivals, fishing tournaments and the Abaco Island Roots Heritage Festival all make May a wonderful time to visit too. Stay: The One & Only Ocean Club, Nassau, offers super-luxury in beautiful surroundings.
Spring in Greece is the most perfect time of year to visit. The sun shines but it is not too hot (like July and August), the fields are carpeted with wild flowers that must be seen to be believed, beaches are deserted and you can get the best seat in your favourite waterside taverna - the relaxed pace is what May holidays in Greece are all about! Stay: Holidays in May start from £389 per person per week at Kalokeri Apartments in Kefalonia, including flights and three days' car hire with ionianislandholidays.com
Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America – 22 miles long and 12 miles wide – and for over 75 per cent of the year the sun is shining. The lakeside beaches boast golden sands and the water is so clear – 99.9 per cent – that it’s possible to see a 10-inch white dinner plate 23m below the surface. The lake is a playground for activity and adventure and in May the temperature is a beautiful, balmy 22-26C. Stay: Some of the stunning lakeside lodges include Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Mourlatos Lodge, and Sunny Side Lodge.
These Indian Ocean islands are stunning all year round but May is a good time to visit as the flowers are in full bloom. None more so stunning than at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vallée de Mai on Praslin, home to the endemic Coco de Mer and the rare Seychelles Black Parrot. The well-preserved palm forest has not changed since prehistoric times and is the most-visited site in the Seychelles archipelago. Praslin is a 15-minute flight or 40-minute ferry ride from the main island Mahé. Stay: For real luxury, Raffles Praslin Seychelles offers an all-pool villa concept. Carrier offers seven nights from £2,085 per person, based on two sharing a Garden View Pool Villa, including breakfast, return flights from London and private transfers.
There's nowhere better to take a photographic holiday than Iceland. May sees the Icelandic countryside bursting into life with the sun disappearing for only a short time with endless sunrises and sunsets – a photographer's dream! Capture some of the classic and iconic sights such as Gullfoss, ranked in the world's top ten most beautiful waterfalls. Book it: Visit wildphotographyholidays.com for info on the getaway and accommodation.
Norcia, in the Perugia province, is the perfect place for a break during May and one of Umbria’s best-kept secrets. Stay: At the Palazzo Seneca. Set in the Monti Sibillini National Park, which is absolutely beautiful at this time of year - it's wonderful for families. The gorgeous landscape is even more amazing in May when the wild flowers are out... You can enjoy leisurely strolls across flowered meadows and paths down canyons. An excursion to Lake Pilato is ideal for wide-eyed children, while it's also the great for foodies seeing as Norcia is the capital of the Italian black truffle.
Alentejo is a little-known yet extensive rural region in south-central Portugal, easily accessible for UK travellers who yearn for a proper holiday without the crowds. Discover sweeping plains, dotted with cork forests and sunflower fields; explore medieval hilltop towns; sample world-class wines and relax on the deserted and glorious coast. May is a gorgeous time to head to visit Portugal weather-wise. Stay: Herdade do Freixial, with its views over the estuary in Vila Nova de Milfontes, costs from £494 per person in May, including seven nights’ B&B, return flights from Gatwick and car hire with Sunvil.
- Renowned for its coastal splendour and set against a backdrop of seven mountains, Bergen provides a wealth of sightseeing opportunities, as well as a vibrant music scene. By the end of May, the city enjoys nearly 19 hours of daylight every day. Fly: Norwegian offers cheap flights from London to Bergen, known as the 'gateway to the fjords', with prices starting at £44.90 one-way in May.
- With year-round sunshine and an endless choice of things to see and do, Palm Springs has something for everyone. Temperatures hit an average high of 35C in May making it the perfect place to escape to the sunshine. The city’s enduring celebrity appeal, excellent climate, beautiful landscapes and host of fabulous dining spots guarantee a truly Californian experience. This May, you can enjoy live music in one of the US’s most iconic national parks at the Joshua Tree Music Festival (12-15 May). Just 50 minutes from Palm Springs, the music and art-focused event caters to music lovers of all ages. Stay: In one of the newly-opened hotels, ARRIVE, in the Uptown Design District, or the stylish V Palm Springs.
From 4 May 2016, British Airways launches new direct flights to Costa Rica in May, with a twice-weekly service from London Gatwick to the capital San Jose. Some of the country's highlights include the Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park and Monteverde Cloud Forest. Book it: Wexas Travel offers a 12-day Costa Rica Classic itinerary, which includes sampling freshly ground coffee on the slopes of the Poás Volcano, zip-lining through the rainforest canopy in Arenal Volcano National Park and relaxing on the jungle-backed beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. The holiday costs from £2,395 per person based on two sharing and including flights.
- There’s no better time to walk in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Dolomites than in May, when the hiking routes are quiet, temperatures are mild and the wild flower meadows are in full bloom. Stay: Adler Dolomiti in Ortisei, the capital of Val Gardena, provides a wonderful base from which to explore the beautiful area. The hotel offers two free guided walks every day and the routes change daily. A three-night weekend stay costs £340 per person on a half-board basis.