olive travels: where to visit in May

Spring produce in the Severn and Wye Valleys

The banks of these rivers that span England and Wales come alive with lush greenery and produce in spring. Wye Valley Produce makes the most of the microclimate to produce award-winning asparagus and rhubarb, available to pick up at the farm gate, St Briavels farmers’ market, or to try in the area’s restaurants, including Michelin-starred The Whitebrook and Severn & Wye Smokery. At the latter, asparagus is paired with Welsh sea trout to enjoy on the banks of the Severn River, and towards the end of the month you might even find wild Severn salmon (catch quickly as most are snapped up by London’s The Ritz).

While you’re in this part of the world, taste local tipples including sparkling wine at Parva Farm vineyard and hoppy ales alongside stonebaked pizzas at woodland microbrewery Kingstone Brewery. Visit the area at the end of May and make a detour north west to Hay-on-Wye, on the edge of the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park for Hay Festival, bringing together film, literature and food. Foodie events include farm walks, cookbook talks and honey-making workshops.

Alfresco dining in Zurich

Watch Zurich burst into life in spring with sunlit terraces and vibrant alfresco dining. Frau Gerolds Garten is the hotspot for open-air bars and casual eats amongst artfully decorated shipping containers. Smart bistro Neumarkt provides the perfect lunchtime pitstop after a morning’s mooching through the old town’s cobbled streets. Secure a spot in the sun-drenched garden to enjoy seasonal dishes such as confit artichokes topped with truffle shavings. With uninterrupted lakefront vistas, Fischerstube serves fresh fish dishes from the lake itself. Swish restaurant Lux boasts the city’s largest panoramic terrace as well as innovative, climate-neutral vegan foie gras with rhubarb chutney.

Or go DIY and pack a lakeside picnic of upmarket Swiss delicacies from Berg und Tal grocery shop, including Swiss Alpine cheeses and artisan bean-to-bar La Flor chocolate (the latter can also be sampled at trendy Das Provisorium). Weekly seasonal markets are in full bloom at Bürkliplatz and Viaduct Market Hall offers six days a week of enticing produce beneath the railway arches. Choose a scoop of ice cream from local favourite Gelateria di Berna and get lost in one of the city’s 70 green oases.

Historic hotel Marktgasse offers boutique charm and comfort in the heart of the old town. There’s an on-site Michelin-starred Igniv restaurant for fine dining as well as a more informal breakfast selection.

Festivals in Croatia

In the city of Split, Croatians celebrate Sudamja, the feast of St. Domnius, on 7 May. In the lead up, the city comes alive with processions, concerts, exhibitions and Dalmation feasts. Explore Split’s fish and vegetable markets, where spring produce such as wild asparagus, crab and cuttlefish, is in abundance. Try Split's famous soparnik flatbreads stuffed with chard, garlic and olive oil with local wine, and Dalmatian John Dory fish stew in traditional taverns, before exploring local history and architecture. Hop on a ferry to the island of Šolta where you can explore olive groves and sample the famous wild rosemary honey.

Celebrate spring produce and the great outdoors in Vancouver

This western Canadian city has a real pull for those that love the outdoors, so the late spring weather makes May an ideal month to visit. Hike the North Shore mountains as ski slopes give way to scenic walking trails, cycle along the Vancouver seawall or take a day trip to Abbotsford to walk through a stunning tapestry of tulips. On 26 May, locals put a spotlight on one of British Columbia’s most prized shellfish to mark the beginning of the short season for this sweet and delicate prawn in the annual Spot Prawn Festival. Tuck into a spot prawn bisque on the waterfront, discover local produce at the artisan stalls or indulge in a six-course brunch prepared by some of British Columbia’s finest chefs. For more vibrant local produce at its best, book a table at vegetarian fine-dining restaurant, The Acorn. Zero-waste dishes include the likes of wild greens with nettle noodles, rainbow carrot red curry and peach sorbet with umeboshi caramel and apricot compote. While you’re in the city, head to the suburb of Richmond for some of the best Chinese food outside of China. Hop between stalls at Richmond Night Market, open on weekends through summer, for karaage (Japanese fried chicken), pillowy bao buns, sushi tacos and more.

Remote island adventures in the Philippines

The month of May is a great time to visit this stunning archipelago of 7,000 tropical islands. The warm climate hasn’t quite reached rainy season, and tropical fruits are in abundance – taste Java plums, jackfruit, watermelon, pineapples, pomelo and the islands’ national fruit, mangoes (try to find the champagne mango, considered the sweetest in the world).

Community-based hospitality initiative, Tao, has adapted its desert island fantasy tours to ensure sustainable tourism for the islands’ fishermen and farmers. A true escape (don’t expect room service or Wi-Fi), here you can wake up each morning in a bamboo hut before heading out on a private boat tour, going snorkelling or swimming off deserted beaches or enjoying a traditional massage. In the evenings, return to sip on rum cocktails and feast on fresh fish in the company of your fellow adventurers.

Learn more about Filipino cuisine here.

Croatia photographer credit: CNTB Ivan Šardi