Something for the (long) weekend

In mainland Europe you can’t beat the month of May, when the weather turns balmy and there’s a Bank Holiday break at both ends. So why not decamp to somewhere lovely for a leisurely long weekend before the summer hoards descend? Travel writer Francesca Syz suggests seven great destinations to try

Impress your loved one in… SEVILLE

You can’t go to Seville without experiencing a live flamenco performance. While there, whisk your partner to the Taller Flamenco school for personal tuition. There are courses to suit everyone and, once a month, weekend courses for beginners (in May from 23rd to 24th).

Indulge your inner oenophile in… SPLIT

An ideal base from which to explore some of the best Croatian wineries, Split is an hour’s drive from the amazing Bibich Winery run by Alen Bibić and his wife Vesna, who rustle up feasts of local food and wine. Taste Croatia can arrange a visit.

Go wild in… MADEIRA

This Portuguese island is safe, beautiful and littered with old-school quintas and subtropical gardens, but it also attracts those looking for adrenaline-fuelled adventure. Canyoning, which involves abseiling, climbing, jumping and swimming, is popular and offered in numerous gorgeous locations – visit Madeira Adventure Kingdom to get in on the action.

Check in to a hot hotel in… BODRUM

There’s a touch of the French Riviera about Turkey’s Bodrum Peninsula. It is now home to Mandarin Oriental’s first European resort, which is set in luxurious gardens and offers stunning panoramic views over the the aptly named Cennet Koyu (Paradise Bay). The Mandarin Oriental Bodrum blurs the line between indoors and outdoors with its low-rise villas, places to eat and drink, an outdoor pool complex and an idyllic spa.

Brush up on a little history in… RHODES

Famous for beautiful beaches, Rhodes is also home to one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. Rhodes Old Town may be packed with shops and restaurants geared towards tourists, but it remains unsettlingly atmospheric, with cobbled alleys, Byzantine churches and ancient palaces. For an insider tour, take a look at Dopios.

Discover new cuisine in… CAGLIARI

While most Brits overlook the Sardinian capital, Cagliari is a destination in its own right. For a slice of local life, make a bee-line for Convento San Giuseppe, a family-run restaurant in a converted convent. Order the traditional Sardinian porceddu (milk-suckling pig) with fennel, and sample freshly baked Sardinian bread. You can also learn to make traditional fregole (gnocchi-like pasta) at one of the cooking classes.

Surf the waves in… FUERTEVENTURA

Fuerteventura is a windsurfing hotspot, and May is a great month to learn, when the winter swells have subsided. The area is considered one of the best places in Europe for surfing and windsurfing – get a tailor-made trip with Active Adventures, who cater for everyone from beginners to experts, solo travellers to groups.

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This article has been tagged Adventure, Destination

Francesca Syz