Luxury Holiday Destinations in May

Best For: Artistic City Break

Revered as one of the world’s great art capitals, no trip to Amsterdam is complete without exploring the abundance of treasures scattered throughout its superb museums. Throughout history the Netherlands has produced some of the most celebrated artists on the planet and there is no better place to see the fruits of their labour than the Rijksmuseum, where collection highlights include Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid” as well as a stunning early self-portrait by Rembrandt. A temporary exhibition focussing on the origins of European Baroque, which showcases masterpieces by the likes of Caravaggio, makes visiting in May even more worthwhile. For fans of slightly more contemporary art, the Van Gogh museum is not to be missed. Since being founded in the 1970s, the museum has developed an astonishing collection, which includes hundreds of personal letters in addition to some of the artist’s finest paintings and sketches, allowing visitors to develop a clearer understanding of the enigmatic painter’s life.

As well as its rich art heritage, Amsterdam has developed international acclaim for its iconic canals and charming stilted buildings. To enjoy this pulsating city in all its glory head to the rooftop bar at SkyLounge, where the award-winning snacks menu, including crispy Peking duck and grilled gamba skewers, proves the perfect complement to the breath-taking views. We recommend starting your evening in style here before heading to one of the city’s many esteemed restaurants. Our personal favourite is the Michelin-starred Restaurant Vermeer, where the highest quality seasonal Dutch produce combined with culinary mastery results in beautifully presented, mouth-watering dishes.

Best For: Sporting Glamour

Located on the elegant French Riviera, the principality of Monaco is known as a playground for the rich and the famous. The city’s reputation for glitz and glamour is due in no small part to the intrinsic link between the Casino de Monte Carlo and Ian Fleming’s James Bond, perhaps the world’s most debonair literary creation. Located in a sophisticated Belle Époque building, you can follow in 007’s footsteps by taking a seat at one of the classic felt blackjack or craps tables, which attract high rollers from across the globe. And who knows, with over €297million already won over the past year, you may win a pretty tasty jackpot.

May is undoubtedly the most spectacular time of year to visit Monaco, as this is when the annual Grand Prix comes to town. The highlight of the Formula One calendar, the race brings Monaco to a standstill as the crowds flock to see their sporting idols whizzing around the city’s compact streets. Considered the most technically challenging course on the circuit, this is where the legendary Ayrton Senna rose to prominence with victory in 1984, further enhancing its iconic status. For the best views of the race, head to the beautiful Port Hercule, where you’ll hear the home crowd roaring on local driver Charles Leclerc.

Best For: Spectacular Scenery

Located just south of Naples on the Sorrento Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most picturesque stretches of coastline in Europe. For a real taste of the region head to Sorrento, which offers astonishing views of the imposing Mount Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples, as well as acting as the ideal base for trips to nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum. The town’s main square (Piazza Tasso) is a veritable treasure trove, highlighted perfectly by the alluring Chiesa del Carmine, which features a striking fresco by Baroque painter Onofrio Avellino. Fashion enthusiasts are spoilt for choice by the trendy boutiques on Corso Italia, the town’s main shopping street, but the highlight of any trip here is a hike down to the Marina Grande, which is home to a traditional fishing community and the pristine pastel-coloured houses so typical of the region. On the other side of the peninsula lies the chocolate-box town of Positano. Dramatically perched on a cliff-edge, the town was a popular holiday destination in Roman times, when many leading statesmen would purchase villas along the coast, and continues to be a favourite amongst celebrities to this day. Italy’s supercars are famous around the world and you can make your trip even more special by exploring the region by car (ideally in true Italian style behind the wheel of a Ferrari or Lamborghini!) with a host of companies offering exclusive, personalised itineraries.