Where To Travel in May: Best May Food Holidays

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Want some ideas on where to go on holiday in May? We’ve curated our pick of destinations for a food lover’s break as spring eases into the start of summer, with something for everyone. From UK staycations to European city breaks and long-haul adventures, there's plenty to discover this month.

This is just a small selection of our UK, European and global travel guides – check out our travel hub for much more.

The UK at it’s best – Shropshire

A lush expanse of fertile farmland, rolling hills and historic market towns, Shropshire is both a scenic and gastronomic gem, where good food abounds thanks to the energetic efforts of local farmers, artisan makers and chefs.

Ludlow is arguably the region's foodiest town – stop at Vaughan's for sandwiches, The Mousetrap for artisan cheese and The Fish House for its seafood bar. Find fine dining at Mortimer's, serving broadly modern British dishes of, say, salmon with baby beets and horseradish crème fraîche, or beef with confit onion mash, shallots and baby leeks. In May, the Ludlow Spring Festival is a celebration of craft beer and food against the dramatic backdrop of Ludlow Castle.

There is plenty to explore in Shropshire beyond Ludlow too. In Shrewsbury, head upstairs at The Walrus for classy cocktails and gourmet snacks, or choose between four different patty options for a brilliant burger from The Beefy Boys. Base yourself at The Bear Inn in Hodnet, a 16th-century former coaching inn which is now a spruce country pub of real charisma. Its 12 bedrooms were individually styled by interiors ace, Octavia Dickinson, while chef Joe Andrews’ food is creating a similar wow factor. Expect dishes such as pork wellington with sage, apple, carrot and a cider jus, or ox cheek, mash, quince, roscoff onions and a corn crumb. The kitchen draws on vegetables grown in nearby Hodnet Hall’s 200-year-old walled garden.

The UK bolthole – Bull, Burford

Bull in Burford is a 16th-century coaching inn that combines modern, stylish comforts with historic charm, plus an exceptional art collection that includes a roll call of big hitters – Basquiat, Banksy, Dali, Hirst, Bacon and Warhol to name a few. Art lovers can request a guided tour, though you’ll also find a detailed booklet in your room encouraging you to discover the collection at your own pace.

There are 18 rooms in total, including the stylish Venetian room. A super king-size bed, soaring ceilings adorned with dramatic 15th-century portraits of Roman emperors, and a light-filled lounge area with window seating makes it hard to leave. As well as rainfall shower and Wildsmith Skin toiletries, the ensuite bathroom boasts underfloor heating, a thoughtful touch to warm up after brisk walks.

Dinner is served at Horn, where classic dishes are executed with confidence. Make sure to visit elegant bar Vincent’s too – perfect for unwinding after dinner or a long countryside walk. At breakfast, expect a seasonal menu focused on local, organic, farm-fresh ingredients – from pastries and smoothies to cooked classics. The window seat is a prime spot to watch the historic high street come to life beneath Banksy’s Met Ball (the iconic disco riot police helmet), a perfect snapshot of old meets new.

For those keen to get out and about, reception offers a Walkabull map, detailing scenic routes with distances, timings and difficulty levels – ideal for exploring the Cotswolds countryside by foot or bike.

Check rates and availability at booking.com or bullburford.com

The cultural moment – Ballymaloe Food Festival, East Cork

The Ballymaloe Festival of Food returns for its third year from 15-17th May, making it the perfect time to visit this foodie corner of Ireland. The jam-packed three days celebrate Irish food, seasonal cooking and the producers behind it. There's a busy line up of workshops (from cooking with seaweed to chocolate truffle making), cookery demos, expert masterclasses and impressive pop-up dining events hosted at Ballymaloe House. Drinks enthusiasts are well covered too, with events including a martini masterclass or cheese and wine pairing session.

Expect familiar faces from the foodie world on the line up, including talks or signings from Helen Goh, Thomasina Miers and Felicity Cloake. Beyond the dining and workshops, there's live music and local producer showcases – you'll want to have room in your suitcase to take plenty of edible souvenirs home...

Book tickets here.

Ballymaloe Festival of Food 2025. — Credit: Joleen Cronin

The seasonal city break – Rome

May is one of the best times to visit Rome: warm sunshine and long evenings without the intense heat and crowds of the peak of summer. Spring light brings the monuments to life, from the piazzas around the Pantheon to the fountains near the Trevi Fountain, while café culture spills out onto the streets.

Start the day like a Roman at Caffè Sant’Eustachio, a historic espresso bar serving coffee near the Pantheon since 1938. For lunch, the stylish deli-restaurant Salumeria Roscioli showcases Italy’s incredible produce, from Cantabrian anchovies and Pugliese mozzarella to classic pasta like cacio e pepe, all alongside an enormous wine list.

Traditional trattorias remain the soul of the city. At tiny Da Danilo, expect comforting Roman dishes and a cosy, football-memorabilia-covered dining room, while La Matriciana Dal 1870 serves one of the city’s best spaghetti amatriciana near the opera house. In Trastevere, queues form at Da Enzo al 29 for outstanding carbonara and tiramisu.

As evening falls, Rome truly comes alive. Enjoy late dinners at classic spots like Al Moro (near the Trevi Fountain, if you want to pop by at night), then finish with inventive cocktails at Drink Kong.

Bowl of rigatoni on a tiled table — Santo Palato

The culinary destination to explore – Puerto Rico

Visiting Puerto Rico in May means you'll be just outside high season (from July-April), but still get the great weather. Perfect for exploring the island's beaches, mountains and chasing waterfalls in El Yunque rainforest. Head to Rincón on the west coast for surfing, brilliant beaches and incredible sunsets.

Naturally for an island, you'll be spoilt for choice with seafood, with mahi-mahi, snook, yellow-fin tuna and dorado all appearing on menus. Look out for Caribbean lobster too (sometimes called spiny lobster), with its firmer meat than Atlantic lobster and commonly served doused in chilli crisp.

Puerto Rico grows over 1,000 exotic fruits – surely a challenge to see how many you can try on your trip? Guava is a popular highlight, appearing in everything from cocktails to cheese toasties. Try the grilled ham and cheese croissant with guava jam whilst you pick up a coffee at micro-brewery Cuatro Sombras. For those with a sweet tooth, Choco Bar Cortés is a must-visit. It's a cafe devoted to all things chocolate and has an impactful social history. In 1902, the US banned the teaching of Spanish in schools, so comic strips in the wrappers of the chocolate bars helped teach young Puerto Rican’s how to read their language.

Buildings on the coast of San Juan, Puerto Rico

The blow-out trip – Vancouver, Canada

This western Canadian city has a real pull for those that love the outdoors, so the late spring weather makes May an ideal month to visit. Hike the North Shore mountains as ski slopes give way to scenic walking trails, cycle along the Vancouver seawall or take a day trip to Abbotsford to walk through a stunning tapestry of tulips. Get the ferry over to Granville Island Public Market, an indoor market with local produce and an overwhelming choice of food stalls to stop off at. Take a seat and order food from A La Mode for pie, Chau Veggie Express for Vietnamese, Kaisereck Deli for perogies or Sen Pad Thai for Thai.

Vancouver is well known for its variety of cuisines, especially Asian options. While you’re in the city, head to the suburb of Richmond for some of the best Chinese food outside of China. Hop between stalls at Richmond Night Market, open on weekends from April throughout summer, for karaage (Japanese fried chicken), pillowy bao buns, sushi tacos and more.

Beer lovers will enjoy the independent craft beer scene – plan a mini beer crawl through Mount Pleasant to tick off Mount Brassneck Brewery, 33 Acres and Main Street Brewing. Non-drinkers are also well-catered for, with surging popularity of non-alcoholic options leading to interesting creations across the city. Check out The Drive Canteen on Commercial Drive for an abundance of non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits. Check out our full guide to Vancouver cuisine from local chef Angus An for more insider top tips to the city.

The boutique retreat – Argos in Cappadocia, Turkey

The mesmerising landscapes of Cappadocia in Turkey continue to draw visitors from across the world. Argos in Cappadocia is a luxury cave hotel in the hilltop village of Uçhisar, with extraordinary views over the region's famous dramatic volcanic moonscapes and ‘fairy chimney’ landforms. Most of the hotel’s 71 rooms are architectural hybrids, built into caves hewn into the rocky hillside and finishing them in a contemporary style. Suites may take the form of single-storey warrens, with stone sitting areas concealing grotto bedrooms; others are duplex, with rooftop balconies spilling out onto the hillside. The most romantic options have their own jacuzzi, or even a swimming pool.

The hotel's cave spa offers a unique subterranean escapism, and dining privately in the ancient converted monastery, though an indulgent add-on to your stay, is a one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience. Hotel restaurant Nahita is the first farm-to-table restaurant in the region, where all ingredients are sourced within a strict 60km radius. The menu focuses on traditional local cuisine: think succulent lamb cooked in a tandoor for twelve hours, aubergine “testi” (dough-sealed clay cooking pots) kebabs, and pillowy, smoke-scented breads.

Check rates and availability at booking.com or argosincappadocia.com

The alternative choice – Black Forest, Germany

While many travellers gravitate towards Germany’s famous cities, the quietly seductive Black Forest offers a more unexpected route into the country’s food culture. Best known internationally for its namesake gâteau, this lush region in the southwest is often overlooked – yet it’s precisely that under-the-radar status that makes it such a rewarding alternative.

Base yourself in Freiburg, the unofficial capital of the region, and explore a landscape of pine-clad hills, vineyard paths and meadows in bloom, with traditional inns and farm restaurants waiting at the end of many trails. Menus celebrate regional comfort dishes such as Käsespätzle and delicate Swabian ravioli – head to Dorfstuben for these refined country dishes and don't forget to order the apple fritters for dessert.

The Black Forest is a haven for winer lovers too. For a walking holiday, plan a day for the Oberkirch wine hike. You'll cover a 7km hiking trail where you'll be surrounded by magnificent vineyard landscapes, with multiple stops for food and wine. The highlight is ascending to the summit of the Schauenburg Castle ruins for the the most mesmerising views of Oberkirch – it'll make you truly fall in love with the charming Black Forest region. See our full guide to the Black Forest here.

The scenic pick – Ischia, Italy

Swap the crowds of Capri for fewer tourists and a relaxing island experience on Ischia. Just a 90 minutes’ ferry ride from Naples, Ischia is dotted with 300 or so thermal springs; visit the waters bubbling up from the sea bed at Sorgento, have a therapeutic thermal mud treatment at one of the many spas or visit the stunning Negombo Thermal Park, with its impressive collection of rare plants. Eat rabbit stew at rustic agriturismos and dishes cooked in the baking hot sand at Ristaurante Emanuela on Maronti Beach, tour the island’s vineyards with their ash-rich soils or sip limoncello or local walnut liqueurs as the sun sets.

For one of the island’s most memorable dining experiences, book a table at the Albergo Il Monastero, within the walls of the 15^th century Castello Aragonese. The castle is one of the island’s most striking landmarks, set on its own dramatic headland at Ischia Ponte (pictured below). The restaurant serves Campanian classics with a twist like grilled octopus with chickpeas and rosemary purée, as well as the castle’s own wine. You can also stay over at the Albergo, in simple rooms (once monks’ cells) with fabulous views of the Tyrrhenian Sea; doubles cost from £130 per night, b&b (check availability at booking.com).

Discover the rest of our lesser-known Italian islands for unspoilt getaways.

The off-season gem – Zurich, Switzerland

Switzerland is not just a winter city to visit when snowy and filled with Christmas markets, or as a stop off for ski lovers on their way to the slopes. In May, watch Zurich burst into life in spring with sunlit terraces and vibrant alfresco dining. Frau Gerolds Garten is the hotspot for open-air bars and casual eats amongst artfully decorated shipping containers. Smart bistro Neumarkt provides the perfect lunchtime pitstop after a morning’s mooching through the old town’s cobbled streets. Secure a spot in the sun-drenched garden to enjoy seasonal dishes such as confit artichokes topped with truffle shavings. With uninterrupted lakefront vistas, Fischerstube serves fresh fish dishes from the lake itself. Swish restaurant Lux boasts the city’s largest panoramic terrace as well as innovative, climate-neutral vegan foie gras with rhubarb chutney.

Alternatively, go DIY and pack a lakeside picnic of upmarket Swiss delicacies from Berg und Tal grocery shop, including Swiss Alpine cheeses and artisan bean-to-bar La Flor chocolate. Weekly seasonal markets are in full bloom at Bürkliplatz and Viaduct Market Hall offers six days a week of enticing produce beneath the railway arches. Choose a scoop of ice cream from local favourite Gelateria di Berna and get lost in one of the city’s 70 green oases.

Historic hotel Marktgasse offers boutique charm and comfort in the heart of the old town. There’s an on-site two Michelin-starred Igniv restaurant for fine dining as well as a more informal breakfast selection. Check rates and availability at booking.com.