With Easter so close it’s surely time to start thinking about summer holidays! The sooner the better as far as we’re concerned, so we’re in complete agreement with our friends at Thomas Cook, who suggest that May is the perfect month for a holiday… and they’ve got ten reasons to back it up!

________________________________

1. Cheaper for families, better for friends

For families with pre-school kids May is the perfect time to travel! Family holidays are much more affordable during the month of May compared to the months of June, July and August. Meanwhile for those heading away with a group of friends or on a romantic getaway May is also a great time to head away as there are less kids around, meaning you can have a more relaxing holiday.

2. Lounging at leisure

In the height of summer the beaches of any holiday destination are packed with tourists. To avoid traipsing around the beach in the search of some free towel space head to the sun in May when the beaches aren’t as crowded, but are just as gorgeous!

3. Browned off for summer…

Holidaying in May makes sense for tanaholics!  Why wait until mid-summer to work on your colour when you catch the rays in May and show your tan off for the summer months?!

4. Pocket-savvy prices

Holidays in May give you serious value for money allowing you to save approximately 20%!  You can save up to €300 per person on May holidays as opposed to holidaying during the months of June, July or August. 

5. Dining and drinking

Less crowds means you can have your pick of restaurants and bars without the long waits!  You might even get a bar stool as opposed to being crammed into a full bar like a sardine! 

6. May sunshine is just right for our sensitive Irish skin

Let’s be honest – 99.9% of us Irish suffer from pale skin syndrome.  It’s nothing to be ashamed of – we’re just not built for serious heat! That’s why going away in May makes sense for us. It’s still very warm in places like the Algarve and the Canaries but it’s not the same blistering heat that could be expected of these holiday destinations during the months of June, July and August.

7. It’s summertime in Ireland!

For 9 months of the year, the weather in Ireland is pretty miserable.  Now we all know that the summer months here are unpredictable but if there is ever a time that we can expect some sunshine on these shores it’s June, July or August, so why leave during these months?!  Plus don’t forget the summer festivals and concerts that you could miss out on if you wait until mid-summer to head on your hols!

8. It’s sooner. Simple.

We need sunshine soon. It is freezing outside and it has been for the last 6 months – we’re sick of it.  We need to get some sunshine ASAP – May is only 2 months away, we can just about hold out until then!

9. Friendly faces on foreign shores

The service sector in all of the Mediterranean destinations have just opened for summer. It’s the beginning of their season, they’re going to be eager to please and enthusiastic so by our theory they’re nicer in May! Whereas by the end of the summer let’s face it – most of them are pretty fed up… wouldn’t you be?!

10. Soaking up the sun

We can expect highs of 15 degrees Celsius during the month of May on our lovely isle.  Crete is expecting highs of 24 degrees. Do you need any more reasons?!

 

Convinced? Then get booking with up to 20% off May bookings with Thomas Cook Ireland! 

With temperatures in the early to mid twenties and less crowds in resorts and at beaches, May is the perfect time to get away. By booking now, Thomas Cook Ireland is offering couples savings of up to €275 per person on luxury holidays to Spain, Crete, Egypt or Turkey.

The Thomas Cook Ireland May sale has great offers on luxury accommodation for those flying from Dublin and Shannon opting for a sun holiday before the peak summer season. Crete brings average temperatures of 23C in May where the 4-star Horizon Beach, overlooking the Gulf of Stalis, is available from €798 per person (saving €275) on a bed and breakfast basis for a week departing 24 May from Dublin.  

If you are looking for real indulgence the 5-star Stella di Mare Beach Hotel & Spa in Egypt, overlooking Naama Bay has availability from just €1278 per couple (saving €192) from Dublin on 9 May for 7 nights on bed and breakfast basis. Turkey offers 10 hours of sunshine in May where the superior 5-star Goldcity Resort in Mahmutlar near Alanya offers couples a tranquil setting from €1090 per couple (saving €180) on a bed and breakfast basis for 7 nights with departure from Dublin on 19 May. The spectacular 5-star Kusadasi Golf & Spa Resort is available on an all inclusive basis for 7 nights from €1318 per couple with departure from Dublin on 18 May. 

“These offers are available for a limited time only and are especially attractive to couples looking to avoid the crowds and queues that June, July and August can bring", says Sharon Harney of Thomas Cook Ireland. “Plus they are great value for money!”.

 

To book call the Thomas Cook team in Dublin on (01) 514 0328, log onto www.thomascook.ie  or visit your travel agent.