Map
7 ideas, picked for these days
A weekend in Carcassonne: the Cité, the Canal du Midi and a Cathar castle
1 May is also a holiday in France, so the Cité fills with French families: sleep inside or at the foot and tour it early and at dusk. The Canal du Midi boat sails from April to October, so it is already running.
A weekend in the medieval Empordà, based in Peratallada
From May to August the balloon goes up every day at 6:30, and in May the Baix Empordà does not yet have the coastal crowds. Book the flight and dinner before leaving: the hotel restaurant is closed on Wednesdays.
Two nights at the Parador de Cardona, inside the castle, with the Salt Mountain and Solsona
From May the castle closes at 19:00, and as 1 May is a holiday, it opens even if it falls on a Monday. The parador's Saturdays sell out early: on a long weekend, book as soon as you know the days.
Pals: rice fields, Gothic quarter and beach
In spring the Pals rice fields are flooded and green, and the beach can still be parked at without effort. The little train among the rice fields has limited places and dates that change with the season: book it along with lunch.
Berguedà by motorbike: Coll de la Creueta and a mountain table
May opens the good season for the Coll de la Creueta, at over 1,900 metres, when there is no longer snow in the verge. In spring there may be gravel on the bends, and the petrol is filled in Berga.
Montseny: easy beech forest and grill
The Santa Fe beech wood has in May and June its other season, with the light green of new leaves. The loop round the reservoir is flat, 2.6 km, and works with a pushchair, with grandparents and with a dog on a lead.
Penedès: a walk through the vines and an aperitif at the winery
In May the vines on the Camí del Vi already have leaves and the family winery's terrace opens for the aperitif. It is 3.5 flat km and one-way only: booking is essential, and more so on a holiday.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is Carcassonne worth it on the May long weekend?
Yes, if you have three days and sleep inside or at the foot of the Cité. Bear in mind that 1 May is also a holiday in France and there will be lots of people at midday: get up early and return at dusk.
Can you go to the beach?
For a stroll, yes: Pals and its beach are less than an hour away. For swimming the water is still cold.
What should you book first?
Charming accommodation in Peratallada, the Cité or the Cardona parador; then the balloon and the Pals little train.