This year, compared with last year's extraordinary spring, no sharp jumps in demand for sightseeing Europe have been observed; Egyptian and Turkish operators are blissful, experiencing the traditional mass influx of domestic tourists. Although some travel agencies believe that in May, thanks to optimal weather conditions, sightseeing tours to European countries are still the most in demand. Moreover, among inexpensive tours, programs covering the maximum number of countries and cities are the most popular.
Wealthy clients demonstrate a somewhat different approach to organizing May holidays. For example, it has been observed that at this time, far from cheap air tours sell like hotcakes. Preference is given to specific cities (Paris, Prague, Rome). And for complete beach relaxation, this category of tourists often chooses islands, but closer to European civilization (Tenerife, Gran Canaria).
As for prices, a year ago they were only slightly lower - in rare cases by 2-3%. This is due solely to the sharply risen euro exchange rate, as European tours are now priced in this currency.
Czech Republic
Incidentally, springtime Czech Republic never goes unnoticed by domestic tourists. A couple of days is usually devoted to walking tours of Prague, including a boat trip along the Vltava and a visit to the musical fountains. One day will be spent visiting a castle (for example, Český Šternberk). A trip to Karlovy Vary is always offered. And finally, the long-awaited free time - two days of independent walks around a city that is already familiar and loved.
Italian-style savings
For those who value independence, we recommend paying attention to an original offer from some travel agencies - a convenient "empty" tour to Rome. If you wish, you can roam the streets of the Eternal City on your own for the entire week. By the way, if you come across an attentive guide, you will receive a city map with the most interesting routes highlighted for your independent walks. If you are drawn to group activity, you can always join a group of like-minded people and head to Florence or the Borghese Gallery (excursions for an additional fee). During six days in Italy, you will be offered nine excursion routes, including visits to Pompeii, the Vatican Museums, and the evening excursion "Night Rome".
Undoubtedly, an economy tour to Italy (about 500 euros per week) will also find its buyer. The route goes through Rome, Florence, and Venice. The attractive price is due to inexpensive charter flights, a minimum of offered excursions, and cheap hotels on the outskirts or in the suburbs.
Paris to the max
There are many ways to spend a holiday week with Parisian chic - from "empty" tours without excursions to programs packed to the limit. So it all depends on the tourist. If Paris is like home to you, it is more advantageous to buy a tour without excursions and enjoy individual strolls along well-trodden streets and Parisian boulevards. However, if you wish, you can order a couple of excursions of interest either at home or on the spot and simply join a group of tourists heading to see the Louvre or Versailles at a convenient day and time. Besides practical convenience, you will also get financial benefit: you purchase the excursion at the group price.
For maximalists, travel agencies offer a super-packed tour to Paris consisting of 11 excursions to the most popular attractions, including the Louvre, Versailles, and Fontainebleau (and that in eight days!). Do not be surprised, but tour operators for France claim that for two years now this program has been in constant demand from early spring to late autumn, and among the most diverse categories of tourists.
Benelux... four in one
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, united in an economic union, have not lost any of their uniqueness. Even the clichés that surface with these names are charming and childishly simple. Belgium is chocolate and famous lace; the Netherlands are tulips and cheese, and Luxembourg is fortress walls, palaces, and banks.
Most often, visits to the Benelux countries are part of combined tours and usually precede getting to know Paris. The only drawback is the tiny amount of time allotted for exploring these charming countries. The standard offer usually looks like this: a sightseeing tour of Amsterdam and a mandatory boat ride along the canals, a short walk through the beautiful medieval Bruges, a visit to the ancient Steen Castle and the Antwerp City Hall, and a more detailed acquaintance with Brussels - Manneken Pis, Grand Place, Town Hall, St. Michael's Cathedral.
Beach Europe
The charm of a holiday on Gran Canaria lies in the ability to combine beach rest with excellent excursions around the island. The nature of Gran Canaria is unique: deserts in the south of the island, grand gorges in the western part, pine forests in the center, and mysterious black volcanoes in the northern part. You can safely go here with the whole family. Kids will have a great time here: there is no exhausting heat or spring-like cool water. The average air temperature on Gran Canaria in winter and summer is plus 22-27 degrees, and the water is constantly warmed to plus 20-24 degrees. Adults will also find something to do. By staying in one of the hotels in San Agustín and Playa del Inglés, they will find themselves in close proximity to numerous shops, restaurants, bars, and amusing attractions.
Skiing, Beach, and Museum
An unusual, almost exotic vacation can be arranged by going, for example, to Kaprun - an Austrian ski resort. The presence of a glacier on Mount Kitzsteinhorn turns skiing into a year-round pleasure, and truly summer weather (temperatures at the end of April and beginning of May reach plus 30 degrees) generously bestows an even tan on everyone. However, you won't be able to swim in the crystal-clear lake at the foot of the mountain, since the water is still icy at this time, but you can safely drink it. At this time, tourists are offered a compromise option: a ski warm-up, water treatments in the open-air pool of a mountain hotel, sunbathing - all nearby, then an excursion to the medieval Kaprun castle and a lyrical walk through the blooming surroundings. A more serious excursion program should be planned at the beginning or end of the tour. When flying through Vienna, you can stay there for a couple of days or head to Salzburg (the journey will take about three hours).
Bus, air, or railway
Year after year, the cheapest but also the most inconvenient bus tour enjoys steady demand. What is the reason for its enduring popularity? We place on the imaginary scales the exhausting overnight journeys for tourists, hours-long (in most cases) waits at customs, modest hotels, and meager breakfasts. Now we try to balance all this with a popular price: from 300 euros for an eight-day tour Germany - France - Holland... Well, judging by stable sales and the active work of tour operators in expanding the range of bus tours, the 300-euro weight clearly outweighs the possible inconveniences. The most popular is the tour package with Paris.
The second place is firmly held by the tour that is most optimal in terms of price and quality: 'train plus bus'. Traveling by train significantly eases the hardships of travel and slightly reduces travel time. At the same time, the cost of the tour increases by about a third compared to the bus option. The affluent public, however, increasingly prefers to save time and effort by paying extra for air travel.