Epic May Journeys: Uzbekistan's Silk Road, Route 66, Norwegian Fjords & Alaska Ferry
Ditch long layovers and cramped buses—turn your journey into the ultimate adventure with these spectacular road trips and sea voyages.
From dramatic fjord vistas and endless highways to landscapes brimming with exotic allure, these routes will have you wishing the trip never ends.
Discover Uzbekistan: Perfect Weather for Silk Road Splendor
Caravanserais, the Silk Road, and aromatic spices evoke romance in Uzbekistan, Central Asia's cultural crossroads for millennia.
The iconic cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva gleam with mosaic-tiled mausoleums, mosques, and madrasas from ancient times. Bukhara's late-May Silk and Spices Festival honors this legacy through traditional carpet weaving, wood carving, music, and art. Mid-20°Cs (70°Fs) in May ensure comfortable exploration amid blooming tulips and apricot orchards.
- Trip plan: Fly to Tashkent, then overland via Kyzyl-kum Desert to walled Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand's stunning Registan Square.
- Need to know: Uzbekistan is one of the world's two double-landlocked countries.
- Other months: Apr-Jun & Sep-Oct – warm, ideal; Nov-Mar – cold, clear, quiet; Jul-Aug – very hot.
Conquer Route 66: America's Legendary Open Road
May warms Chicago for festivals—the perfect launch for Route 66, the 1926 'Mother Road' from Illinois to California, spanning 2,423 miles (3,900 km) across eight states.
No longer fully signed, 80% remains drivable with a guidebook, weaving through deserts, plains, mountains, diners, and vintage motels. May avoids high-elevation chill and desert heat or crowds.
- Trip plan: Allow 2-4 weeks for the classic route; use interstates to shorten, or focus on segments like Oklahoma to California for a Steinbeck pilgrimage.
- Need to know: Springfield, Missouri, claims Route 66's official birthplace.
- Other months: May-Oct – prime (Jun-Aug: busiest); Nov-Apr – cold, some closures.
Sail Norway's Fjords in Midnight Sun on Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten ferries connect Bergen to Arctic Kirkenes along 1,491 miles (2,400 km) of fjord-carved coast year-round, serving remote communities.
May-June brings mild weather and endless daylight—no sunset in Tromsø by mid-May for nonstop scenic views. Disembark for Lofoten fishing, Sami encounters at North Cape, or Geirangerfjord hikes. Bergen's May festivals add allure.
- Trip plan: 12-day Bergen-Kirkenes round trip; opt for shorter sails or excursions.
- Need to know: These are functional ferries, lacking big-ship luxuries.
- Other months: May-Sep – best weather, long days (Jul-Aug: priciest); Oct-Apr – cooler, aurora chance.
Alaska Marine Highway: Inside Passage Before the Crowds
The Alaska Marine Highway ferries navigate the island-dotted Inside Passage from Washington's Bellingham to Alaska's Skagway, linking remote spots with Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island, Great Bear Rainforest, fjords, glaciers, history, and wildlife like orcas, humpbacks, eagles, and bears.
May's long days mean active wildlife, fewer crowds, and no summer bugs.
- Trip plan: Hop on/off at ports for hinterland exploration (some weekly service); book cabins or lounge/deck camp.
- Need to know: Bellingham lies 68 miles (110 km) north of Seattle.
- Other months: May-Sep – peak season (Jun-Aug: busiest); Oct-Apr – still sailing, rougher seas.
Need more ideas? Our book Where To Go When reveals 360 escapes, from family adventures to wildlife encounters and serene retreats.
