May is a warm month with stable, relaxing weather. In Russia, the first half of the month is considered a vacation period due to May holidays and additional weekends. At the same time, the tourist season begins at international resorts. The second half of spring is traditionally chosen by people who want to avoid the influx of tourists and uncomfortable heat. It remains only to choose where it is better to go on vacation in May, because the sea is already warm, and the ski resorts are still open. The time has come for family, active and youth recreation.
Travel without a visa
In 2021, Russians can travel to 75 countries without visa documents. Each potential traveler has a wide selection of countries that you can visit without much preparation - just packing up your bags and taking your passport.
In addition, residents of Russia are allowed to visit their territory with only one internal passport:
- Abkhazia,
- Armenia,
- Belarus,
- Kazakhstan,
- Kyrgyzstan.
Holidays abroad without a visa remains available for citizens who do not want to travel far - neighboring states and countries of the CIS do not require visa documents. You can get to Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine by presenting a valid foreign passport at the border.
The European continent traditionally requires entry documents to discourage illegal migration. Russians can still visit five countries without a visa:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina - for tourist trips, you will need to draw up documents, Russians enter the country without a visa at the invitation of a private person, for treatment, business negotiations.
- Macedonia - the abolition of the visa regime is extended by the government of the country every time for 12 months. The current regime is valid until March 2021, we advise you to clarify its prolongation before planning a trip to the country.
- Serbia - for a period not exceeding 30 days.
- Montenegro - for a period not exceeding 30 days.
- Turkey - for up to 60 days.
You can go to the countries of Latin and South America, the Caribbean islands, Asia and Southeast Asia during the May holidays.
A complete list of countries that have a visa-free regime with the Russian Federation is indicated in the material "Visa-free countries".
Inexpensive vacation in May by the sea
The Mediterranean Sea is one of the places where it is comfortable to relax in May. The sea warms up unevenly, but a tourist will definitely not lose if he visits Turkey in the spring. As a rule, closer to summer in Antalya, the air temperature rises to + 25 ° C, and the water temperature rises to + 20 ° C.
Another option would be an economy trip to Crete in Greece. This island has a long history, such a trip will be interesting both for those who like to swim and sunbathe (in May in Crete the water temperature reaches + 22 ° C), and for those who prefer active recreation or walking in the historical center.
Rhodes will be no less interesting. In May, this region is even warmer than in Crete: in the daytime up to + 24 ° C degrees, and the water warms up to + 23 ° C degrees.
Off the coast of Cyprus in May, the Mediterranean Sea warms up to 21-22 degrees Celsius, you can sunbathe, swim, ride water attractions.
Cyprus remains popular throughout the tourist season with excellent service and affordable prices.
For those who are worried that the water will still be too cool in May, we suggest visiting Egypt. The last month of spring is considered ideal for a trip to the Red Sea coast. The air warms up to + 30 ° C degrees, and the water - up to 27 ° C degrees.
A beach holiday in the second half of May can be spent in the Maldives. By this time, the temperature is getting comfortable and house prices are still not biting.
Ski resorts
Most ski resorts close in March or April, but there are also interesting options for those who like to ski or snowboard in May.
The first in a kind of top I would like to mention is the Austrian resort of Hintertux. It is open 365 days a year and offers 45 to 65 kilometers of ski runs in May. The tourist center is well equipped with instructors. Hintertux is suitable for both professionals and people seeking to learn winter sports.
Finland is known among ski lovers for the tourist center Ruka in Lapland. At this time, the region has almost round-the-clock daylight hours. It offers tourists from 5 to 7 trails and a ski park.
Tignes in France remains open until the end of May; tourists are offered comfortable cottages and hotels in the mountains, from which you can quickly get to the existing tracks. The climate allows sunbathing right on the slopes of La Folie Douce, calm and clear weather are almost constant.
Passo Tonale in Italy is a kind of tourist Mecca for lovers of difficult trails in May and June. The region is characterized by the highest snow cover in the entire country. Trails of all levels remain open until summer.
Sightseeing holidays in May
Fans of sightseeing holidays will be able to choose from dozens of different options. Tours are conducted all year round, but in May they become more comfortable - not too hot and not too cold. Most of the Russian tourists decide at this time to go to Europe, for example, to Krakow, Sofia, Bucharest, Tallinn or Bratislava.
It will take at least 3-4 days to get to know the main attractions of the selected city. Combined tours are also popular, which involve visiting several countries at once with the issuance of one visa.
May is a great time for comfortable acquaintance with another culture, when visiting, for example, Vietnam. The programs for tourists include excursions around Nha Trang, to the Baho Falls, a real world reserve - the Kanzo mangrove forests. You can also go for a ride on an ATV or swim on the river on a boat - you choose.
You can also have a good time and gain new impressions during a tour in the UAE. The most interesting for tourists is Dubai - the city of the future. At your service are sightseeing excursions with a rise to the Burj Khalifa, travel to the Persian Gulf with wonderful sea and mountain views, desert safari, amusement parks.
May festivals and holidays
May is surprisingly rich in holidays, festivals and entertainment. In many countries, they try to open the tourist season on a grand scale and chic. In Greece, for example, the first of May is celebrated not only on Labor Day, but also on Flower Day in honor of the ancient Greek gods.
Youth holidays in Greece in May are not complete without visiting a colorful holiday in the north of the country - Pirovassia - with a fire show, walking on coals, mesmerizing music and dancing in the open air.
Another date that Greek tourists should remember is May 18. On this day, museums are revered in the country: tickets are canceled and all visitors are allowed in for free.
Romantic spirits cannot miss the largest spring event in Austria - the Vienna Ball. The main events are planned for the end of May.
At the same time, a traditional holiday dedicated to Scotch whiskey takes place in Scotland. All eminent producers of the country are preparing exhibition stands, visitors have the opportunity to taste the rarest varieties of the drink.
Germany hosts an entire May festival. It lasts a week, includes numerous fairs, a competitive program, and ends with a grand fireworks display.
And how not to remember the island of Madeira in Portugal: in the second half of spring, during the annual flower festival, it turns into a bright and fabulous world with street parades and dances.
Where can you relax in Russia
The tourist season is already opening on the Black Sea coast in May. The most popular among Russians are the resorts of Anapa, Tuapse, Sochi, Gelendzhik, Kabardinka, Lazarevskoe.
Even if the sea has not yet warmed up, numerous boarding houses and sanatoriums offer comfortable relaxation and swimming in the pools. Due to the relatively small influx of visitors, low prices for housing, food and entertainment, a seaside vacation in Russia in the spring allows you to save money.
Where to fly on vacation with a child
Holidays with children require more careful planning. It is advisable to choose a country and a resort that will allow both children and adults to have an interesting time. Pay attention to the temperature of the water, if swimming is included in the compulsory program.
In May, Israel, the city of Eilat, is very popular with families. In summer, the region already gets hot, and in May, the temperature remains comfortable. Tourists are offered a variety of spa tours and health-improving programs, excursion tours around Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Mount Sinai and the Dead Sea coast. You can swim, walk in the city center, go shopping or sunbathe.
You can fly to have a rest in May with a small child in Tenerife - the largest and most famous resort in the Canary Islands.
If you want the highest quality service, pay attention to Spain, where the temperature at this time reaches a maximum of + 27 ° C.
An excellent option would be to rest in a complex with heated pools. To brighten up the free time of young tourists, there are water parks.
For a family vacation in Egypt, we advise you to choose Hurghada - in May the air in the region warms up to +35 degrees, it is comfortable to swim in the water, it is not very hot to walk due to the cool sea breeze. Jordan, in addition to its attractive temperature regime, offers another entertainment - diving for the whole family.
Conclusion
With the onset of May, Russian tourists are ready to pack their bags - the tourist season has finally begun. You can go to the sea, a ski resort, or choose an active excursion program.
A vacation in May is more economical than a summer trip, because prices have not yet risen against the backdrop of mass demand. Spring travel is also often more comfortable - the beaches are not crowded, and the temperature, even in Egypt and Turkey, allows you to walk all day long without hiding from the sun in the shade.
In many countries you can already swim, others offer active excursion programs. To understand in which country it is better to relax in May, you should first decide on the desired direction. The rest is a matter of technology: sea, skiing, family spa vacation or a festival tour - the choice is yours.
