Where to travel in May?

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the northern United States, Chicago is one of the largest cities in the United States. Chicago offers everything you would expect from a large, multicultural city: breathtaking architecture, world-renowned museums, a vibrant art scene, many trendy restaurants and bars. You will discover a hundred breathtaking skyscrapers that form the Chicago skyline, including the Willis Tower, 443 meters high, which was the tallest building in the world for 25 years.

From a cultural point of view, I recommend in particular the Field Museum which is one of the most beautiful natural history museums that I have visited. The Chicago Art Institute is also a place renowned for its impressionist and post-impressionist works.

Chicago also has a magnificent park that should not be missed: Millenium Park. You will be able to discover there in particular the famous reflective sculpture of Anish Kapoor: Cloud Gate. Finally, Chicago being located on the shores of Lake Michigan, one of the largest lakes in the world, the city gives the impression of having its own coastline. You can therefore take advantage of its sandy beaches and nice walk along the lake.

Japanese capital from the 8th to the 19th century, Kyoto remains today the historical and cultural heart of Japan. Indeed, the city is home to many Buddhist temples, such as the oldest and most famous: Kiyomiyu-dera or the magnificent temple of the golden pavilion Kinkaku-ji. Do not leave Kyoto without visiting Fushimi Inari-taisha, it is the main sanctuary of the goddess Inari. It is very famous for its thousands of red toriis which form a path on the hill where the temple is located. For a stroll outside the city, discover the Arashyama bamboo forest, with its bamboos several tens of meters high. Nearby, you can also visit the Iwatayama Monkey Park with its hundreds of macaques and its superb panorama of Kyoto.

To discover the mysterious culture of geishas, ​​samurai and matcha delicacies, stroll in the traditional district of Gion and in Hanami Koji street in particular. Finally for lovers of Japanese pop culture, the International Manga Museum in Kyoto is a must. It’s quite possibly the best manga museum in the world, with over 300,000 manga comics.

Venice, the capital of Veneto region, is located in northern Italy. This city without roads but with many canals extends over more than a hundred small islands in a lagoon of the Adriatic Sea. Although (too) touristy, Venice remains a “must” in many people travel list, because it is full of remarkable historic sites, magnificent squares and superb buildings.

Start with Saint Mark’s Square with its basilica covered with Byzantine mosaics and its emblematic bell tower. Not far from there, you will discover the superb Doge’s Palace of Gothic style. Then simply get lost in the city and take its canals by gondola or vaporetto (famous water bus and main means of transport). Cross its many bridges including the Bridge of Sighs or the famous Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal of Venice. Also visit the palaces, museums and churches decorated with significant paintings by the most important Renaissance artists, such as Tintoretto or Lorenzo Lotto to name a few. Finally, if you have the opportunity to visit Venice in February (date to check each year), you can participate in the famous carnival which takes place over ten days.

Santa Antao is the greenest and most mountainous island in Cape Verde. This volcanic island is located in the north of the archipelago opposite Sao Vicente island. It is very easily accessible from Sao Vicente by ferry. I did the round trip several times between these 2 islands in the same day and I highly recommend it. By renting a car in Santo Antao, it is possible to go around the island in one day. Nevertheless, it is better to stay a few days to better enjoy this island.

Start with the city of Porto Novo located in the southeast of the island. This city is where you will arrive by boat and where you will find the more solutions for accommodation and food. Then, by car, climb to the center of the island to reach the green mountains where you can do great hikes. Reach the top of Pico Da Cruz for example to enjoy its superb view. You can also take a look at the impressive Cova crater. Going down to the north coast of the island, stroll through Ribeira Grande and Ponta do Sol. Finally, take the beautiful coast road on the east of the island to return to Porto Novo.

Nice is a coastal town of the French Riviera located on the Angels’s bay. This city with different facets, at the same time posh, popular, festive and dynamic, offers many attractions. You can of course enjoy its long beaches and its famous “promenade des Anglais” with its cafes and luxurious hotels. You can also stroll through the medieval streets of old Nice and discover its Baroque churches and its colorful Cours Saleya market for example. Do not forget to climb up the hill of the castle, from up there, you will enjoy a superb panorama of Nice bay.

On the cultural side, you will have plenty to do with, among others, the Henri Matisse museum dedicated to his career and the Marc Chagall museum which presents his greatest religious works. You can also visit the city’s museum of modern and contemporary art (or MAMAC), which offers many avant-garde works by French and international artists.
Finally let yourself be tempted by the gastronomy of Nice based on olives and seafood. You can also try its chickpea pancakes called soccas which can be bought directly in the street.