Top 5: Bank holiday hotspots 2010

Holland Flower Route © Creative Commons / ingo.ronner

Something different: Holland Flower Route

Close, affordable and easily doable in a weekend, driving along the Holland Flower Route, which extends 40km (25 miles) along the coast of northern Holland from Haarlem to Leiden, is the perfect short break for the May bank holidays. Follow the scent of fragrant irises, tulips, dahlias and lilies that burst to life in May, forming an endless kaleidoscope of colour on the horizon. Along the way, stop by the impressive Castle Keukenhof and the Frans Hals Museum, one of Holland's top-notch galleries. You're guaranteed a dose of authentic Dutch culture as you wind through streets lined with scores of roadside flower vendors, canal-strewn villages and the richly historical cities of Haarlem and Leiden.

Family: UK Lake District

Head to the Lake District, in northwest England, for a May bank holiday break perfect for family fun. With undulating mountains strewn with waterways, the dazzling geography of this easily accessible region gives plenty of activity options. Get active and go hiking, mountain biking, sailing, kayaking or rock climbing; or, mellow out with a leisurely hot-air balloon ride, fishing trip, or golf outing to the area's many courses. Or course, you can always just lounge lakeside and lap up the sun. Younger kids will love pony rides at the Stockbridge Pony Trekking Centre, while the whole family will enjoy a choice of comfortable accommodations, ranging from quaint cottages to 5-star hotels.

Food: Bologna, Italy

You won't be whittling your waistline with a visit to Bologna, a city known as la grassa (the fat), but mounds of homemade pasta, fresh meats and creamy cheeses are well worth the dietary lapse. A two-hour flight from London will land you in the fertile Po River Valley, where Bologna lies tucked into the majestic mountainous landscape of northern Italy. Be sure to try this historic city's namesake foods, baloney meat and Bolognese sauce, alongside anything containing the region's speciality: pork. Spend a day visiting the age-old University of Bologna, wander through streets lined with baroque-style buildings, and after you're tuckered out, settle in with a glass of the locally-produced Lambrusco red wine.

Wellness: Evian, France

If the mundane is dragging you down, pep up with a trip to the thermal springs of Evian, France, for a refreshing break. You can't beat the natural health benefits of this town which lies on the shores of Lake Geneva - from clean mountain air to some of the world's purest mineral water; it's the perfect restoration destination. In the spirit of wellbeing, most hotels in Evian boast luxurious spa facilities that focus on improving health of body and mind. Book a room in the Hilton Evian-les-Bains to experience ultimate Zen relaxation at the glamorous Buddha Bar Spa. Alternatively, take advantage of the natural mineral water and visit the Evian Thermal Spa for hydrotherapy and hydration treatments, nutrition workshops, massages and various other beauty treatments.

Beach: Algarve, Portugal

Heavenly beaches, sunny skies and average May temperatures of 22°C (72°F) - it's paradise at Lagos in Algarve, Portugal, and it's only a two-and-a-half-hour flight from London. Jet out to this southern seaside idyll for a holiday experience that lets you saunter between beaches secluded by wondrous rock formations and centuries-old fishing villages turned into bustling town centres. History buffs should head to the medieval churches, the ancient Nossa Senhora da Luz fort-turned-restaurant and the Roman ruins in nearby Luz.