Darling buds of May: where to travel next month

Simon Calder’s Travel Week [SUBSCRIBE]( [SUBSCRIBE: £1 FOR 3 MONTHS]( April 16, 2023 [View in browser](   SIMON CALDER’S TRAVEL WEEK [The Independent]( [The Independent]( May, with its bumper crop of Bank Holidays in 2023, is just around the corner. [May means a relatively crowd-free break on Ischia]( It's therefore an ideal time to make your annual leave go further by booking a break. Plus travelling at this point in the year - still technically "shoulder season", as it's known in the biz - can help keep costs down. Here are some of the [best holidays to book for May](, or get inspired with our selection of [cool city break destinations]( for a springtime urban escape, from Valencia and Valletta to Baku and Liverpool. express From 26 May, [Brittany Ferries]( will operate a peak-time fast ferry link from Portsmouth to Cherbourg, linking the Channel ports in just three hours. It carries cars as well as passengers. The inbound fast service sails to Poole. [VISIT LA MANCHE]( [I'm an image]( Fort Lauderdale link South Florida gains a restored gateway from the UK on 26 May, when [Norse Atlantic Airways]( starts flying from London Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale – hub for culture and cruises, and close to the Palm Beaches. [48 HOURS IN THE PALM BEACHES](   Question of the week   Question of the week           I’m thinking of going to Tunisia in May. What are the must-sees?         Tunisia is an excellent choice in May: temperatures are comfortable, and you will enjoy plenty of daylight without the intense heat of July and August. Start in Tunis, the capital, with its combination of Arabic intensity and French style. The Bardo museum, west of the city centre, is a magnificent location for a superb collection of classical creations. Nearby Carthage is the leading archaeological site; the ruins of the city-state that once dominated the western Mediterranean are well worth a day. Almost next door, Sidi Bou Said is a cliff-top village that distils most succinctly the character of Tunisia, with blue-and-white painted cottages clustered around cobbled lanes. Most holidaymakers aim for the string of resorts running south along the east-facing shore from Hammamet – itself with a fascinating Old Town. Inland, there are plenty of tours into the desert. Try to visit the Great Mosque of Kairouan, one of the holiest shrines in the Islamic world. This magnificent structure stands in contrast to the mesmeric wilderness beyond. [How Tunisia is embracing its Berber culture]( [£100 extra off North Macedonia TUI deals]( The code allows even greater savings on the already discounted lakes and mountains holidays [Exclusive offer at Peak District hotel]( Enjoy two nights from £124.50 at Mosborough Hall – and bring your dog along for free [Get 25% off a four-day Italy sailing trip]( Drift along Italy’s gorgeous coastlines and visit Amalfi, Capri and Procida with a local guide   Enjoying this newsletter? Unlock unlimited, ad-free reading on the website and in The Independent app when you subscribe – plus, benefit from our [welcome offer when you join today](. Europe The ultimate Portugal guide Sandy stretches, picture-perfect cities, rugged islands and superior surf swells: Portugal has something to suit every traveller. [GET INSPIRED]( City break What to do in Barcelona Where to eat, drink, shop and stay in the Catalan capital: the essential guide to making the most of your next trip. [PLAN A TRIP]( 'It’s not presumptuous to label Barcelona (aka Barna, not Barca) one of the world’s great cities' Paul Stafford Spain expert Hotels Magic in Mykonos Whether you’re visiting to go wild or to wind down, here's where to stay on the Greek party island. [BOOK NOW]( Walking holidays Hiking the Hebridean Way May is the perfect time to discover Scotland's knock-out walking route connecting the islands of the Outer Hebrides. 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