‘In one Baltic capital we were the only passengers on a 52-seater tour coach’

Quiet streets, deserted sights, balmy weather, lower prices… your stories reveal many good reasons for travelling in May

SPRING LOADED

Mayday! It was May 1, and in Kent the thermometer stood at 6C. A biting north wind blew. On impulse, we jumped in the car, dipped beneath the Channel on Le Shuttle and 30 minutes later emerged in France – also grey and cold. Then the sun came out. We stopped at a small village for lunch and ate omelette and salad outside, overlooking the cobbled square.

We filled the car with fruit, cheese and wine and went no further, staying the night in the village with the deafening but beautiful sound of the church clock chiming every quarterhour. Tired but happy, we returned to Kent to find that the sun had followed us and spring had arrived at last.

Pat Elliot, Hampshire

BETTER NATURE

Our May adventure began in Banff, Alberta. Elk grazed in sunshine on the banks of the Bow River. At Lake Louise we marvelled at the snowy peaks all around, with part of the lake iced over and the remainder a vivid turquoise. At Jasper, we hiked the forest trail and spotted loons on Lake Beauvert.

On Vancouver Island, our hotel was empty in early season so we were upgraded to a room with a balcony overlooking the Pacific. We took a boat trip to see bears catching mussels and crabs in the shallow waters. Fewer people in May meant we could enjoy nature at its best – with the bonus of eating bison steaks, huge beefburgers, fresh trout and delicious cakes. Marilyn Levi, Hertfordshire

LAVA LOVE

My best May escape was to Ravello, on the Amalfi coast of Italy. Finally free from travelling in the school holidays, we booked a week with Magic of Italy. As Naples airport was closed, we flew to Rome and took a coach to Ravello.

We arrived at our hotel in the early hours, with one other couple, to find a buffet supper left for us and helpful waiters on hand. The hotel was dated but also comfortable, and with superb food. We had no hire car, so took buses and explored the coast, as well as Pompeii and Vesuvius. In fact, the couple who had arrived with us (he was a geologist) got engaged at the top of the volcano, so champagne flowed that evening. Wonderful memories. Judith Mancktelow, Gloucestershire