What can you expect if you are planning a trip to Europe in May?
Before our recent jaunt overseas, I didn’t really know what clothes to pack or what weather I would encounter in the northern Spring. I thought it would probably be cooler than the Autumn days we were leaving in Australia …
Upon checking the internet, the temperatures did appear to be several degrees lower. But temperatures don’t really tell you a lot – it’s hard to tell without knowing whether the sun is shining, or the wind is strong, if it’s humid or dry …
So I thought I’d share what we experienced in Europe in May.
Europe in May: the Mediterranean
We spent two weeks cruising to various ports in the Mediterranean – with stops in Italy, Greece, Croatia, France, Spain and Malta.
Although it was cool on our arrival in Venice, necessitating jackets and scarves, I didn’t really need either for the remainder of our time in the Mediterranean. In fact, I’m sure the mercury soared above 30 degrees Celsius at several ports of call, including Santorini, Malta, and Pompeii. Being outdoors in the sun and doing a lot of walking probably made us feel even warmer.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that the sun won’t be as strong as it is in Australia – I found hat and sunscreen were still essential. Although strangely, I used more moisturiser than I ever do in Australia – my skin just seemed to gobble it up!
While we were actually out at sea, it could get quite breezy and cool on deck at times. Also, the water was really too cold for swimming – both the pool on the ship, and the sea at the ports we visited.
Europe in May: London
London weather reminded me very much of what is often said about Melbourne: all four seasons, often in one day!
1 – Freezing cold and windy at Stonehenge;
2 – Catching a London Cab on a warm sunny day;
3 – Storm clouds and hail at the Tower of London;
4 – Inside this London cafe it was so hot, my face went red!
Our first day was wet, rainy and cold. We were then blessed with a couple of days of sunshine and much milder temperatures. I’ve previously mentioned that I didn’t wear some of my winter clothing even in London.
Although the weather was definitely cooler than at home, you are constantly in and out of houses, shops, museums, and public transport – all of which are heated (in fact probably over heated). One of the first things we did in our accommodation was turn the heating off! It does get a bit annoying constantly taking jackets on and off to adjust to the change in temperature between indoors and outdoors; it was worse on the Tube in peak hour, because there wasn’t room to move, let alone take a jacket off. So you just feel like a sweaty sardine. Gross!
Plane Trees
The other thing you should expect about London in May is that this is peak plane tree season. Pollen and hairs from the leaves and seed capsules abound – it swirls around like a feathery snow! Piles of it mount up on doorsteps and footpaths. It’s everywhere, and both the hubster and I found it made our eyes red and irritated, our throats sore, and our noses twitch. Glasses or sunglasses were essential especially when sightseeing on the open topped, double decker bus.
Europe in December?!
We had a fabulous time in Europe in May – and are already dreaming of our next trip. Maybe next time we’ll go in December, for a white Christmas?!
Do you have a trip planned – and if so where are you off to?
