I can book a round trip to Europe between now and May 15th for only 40,000 air miles on United so I'm thinking about hoping a flight to Europe while I can get it practically for free with all the miles I have accumulated. What's a good place to go in May? I'm assuming it's close to spring time during May and won't be a frozen waste land over there. Any suggestions?

May is them middle of spring so I would think most of europe would be good to visit.

IIRC, even alaska starts warming up around may so you shouldn't have too much of a problem.

Well, If you come to Holland, may is a little late for our famous  tulipfields, but we had a cold winter (who hasn't?) so perhaps the flowers are late too.
But further we have a lot of culture to offer: van Gogh museum, Amsterdam with its canals, and of course Heineken beer.
But there are of course other european cities that are worth a visit: London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona (my favourite), Prague to mention a few.
London is the cheapest at the moment because of the low english pound, the eurozone can be quite expensive now.

best regards,

Bopper
 

How about Spain or Denmark or Greece? 

I had some fun in Italy; Milan, Firenze (florence - great; a good walk, a lot of art, and some bargains), and Rome.

Athens isn't bad; most of the stuff is around the Acropolis, and I've heard good things about the Greek islands.

London is good too, but too much to see in a week (I found out the hard way...;)

Spain :)

Southern Europe. Croatia tends to be pretty inexpensive, non commercialized and pictoresque. Next door to Italy too.

Two recommendations: Sweden and northern Italy. You cant go wrong with either.

I've been to London twice back in the 80's. I'm tempted to go back just because it's cheap right now. I'd rather go someplace I haven't been though. Then again, if I get out of London this time It'll be someplace I've never seen. I've never seen the country side.

Attached Link: http://www.tallinn.info/flash/

If you want warmth don't bother with the UK, even in May it can be cold [LOL].
I'd go to anywhere in Southern Europe if you want warm.
Greek Islands are nice or why not take a mediterranean cruise and hit a lot of places.

Attached Link: Northumberland

Let me chip in for Scotland: 2009 is Homecoming year, so there's loads of stuff going on. If there's even the tiniest bit of Caledonian DNA in you, it's a good excuse for us to relieve you of your tourist dollars. (Excuse my cynicism). This is THE year to visit Scotland if you've ever had a hankering to do so.

In May the weather will be pleasant: warm-ish and not too much rain. Probably. On the other hand, there could be snow, a heatwave, Atlantic storms... the weather is unpredictable.

It's the ideal time to visit Edinburgh - busy enough to be interesting, not so busy that it's annoying. This is a city you have to experience to fully appreciate: I take it for granted as I live there, but every now and then I think 'wow!'.

Also consider a few days doing the Highlands and Islands - you will avoid the clouds of midgies (seriously annoying mosquito-like flies) that plague these areas in late summer.

Also, if whisky is your thing, May is Whisky Month...

Well stuff it then, can't let you English and Scots get in without us Welsh. 

So forget the nice warm med and get yourself over to Wales, super place, lots of Castles thanks to the Normans and our own language for you to practise at!

LOL! Such competition! I never imagined you guys were so competative.

If it were me, I'd go to Amsterdam.  The coffee shops aren't just for coffee.  If you have time, take a train to Maastricht - it's worth the side trip.  I also heartily recommend Haarlem and the less well known Zaandvoort.  When we lived in West Germany years ago, my wife and I went there many weekends.  Germany still had the awful shopping hours (virtually none on the weekend).  A Dutch friend of mine summed up the difference between Germany and the Netherlands:

In Germany, anything not specifically allowed is prohibited,
In the Netherlands, anything not specifically prohibited is allowed.

That pretty much sums up the Zeitgeist.

Not to slam Germany - you could do worse than Munich with side trips to Rotheburg ob der Taube (Medieval city with the ring wall and most buildings intact) and Neu Schwanstein (Ludwig's castle - you know, like at Disney World).

Klebnor

* I also heartily recommend Haarlem

• I agree with that, it's my hometown.

May can be pretty in holland, not to hot and not cold.

Bopper.

Hey Bopper,

If you find yourself in Zandvoort, try Het Wappen.  Good food, cold beer (small glasses, but i would guess you're used to that).

Klebnor von Kroons

BTW, Bopper, can one get Poffertjes at the Grote Markt in Haarlem this time of year?  There used to be a good stand by the train/bus station as well.

If so, they are not to be missed.

Klebnor

Sorry, I'm bit late in replying, but my daughter asked a serious question.

The Poffertjeskraam ("pancake"shop) by the trainstation is gone for a long time, the one on the grote markt is still there.
In Haarlem we have our own beer brewery "Jopen" beer, with different flavours.

Bopper.

Finland!
...No wait...This place sucks actually.
There's lots of things to see in Italy, Sweden is great during the spring time. Estonia is nice. Spain is great (Nice people there). Personally I want to travel to Greece one day and see the remains of Plato's academy (obviously now is not a good time to travel there). 

 Why wold ANYONE want to go to Sweden when you've got Denmark so close? ;)

Actually.. I'd say starting off in in either Holland or Germany then moving towards Denmark will get you the best of... well Holland, Germany and Denmark.

Besides, I'll be royally pissed if you go to Europe without visitng ME! ;)

Ouch! That sounds like marching orders.  As of this moment, all travel plans are on hold. My car went into the shop this afternoon. I went out to grab a bite to eat and ended up having to drop the car off to see why it wasn't behaving properly. It kept trying to die on me going up hills.

Italy, north or south is just spectacular in May.  And you will be a little ahead of most of the other tourists.  Last year went small town hopping in Umbria - wow, going back for more.  Don't forget to spend some time in Urbino.  Sicily just as good. 

This year going to Amsterdam in May.  Can't decide if side trip should be to Maastricht or Bruges.  Anyone been to both?