Hi there !First of all, I'll say that i'm so glad that Rick Steves has this stuff available.
Anyway! I am wanting to go to Europe. Its not my first time to Europe, but it will be my first time to England. My aim is to visit both England and Scotland. Like a lot of Americans, my Ancestry is completely from the British Isles -so it is kind of like "going home" in a way. Im not sure where to start.
If anyone has any suggestions, please suggest away! I am all ears or eyes.
First- try to determine what it is that draws you to the British Isles (in addition to your heritage). Do some reading, watch some films, etc. Then start to ask some questions-
How much time can you take to travel and what time of year?
How do you like/want to travel (structured, vagabond, luxury, cheap, quickly, ambling, etc.)?
Are there any special 'focus' areas for you for this trip (period(s) of history, art, architecture, etc.)?
Are you comfortable with public transport like trains and buses, do you want to drive, etc.?
What is your budget?
Then start to rough out a plan.
Just to start you off I'll offer some ideas (I LOVE the UK- have been more than 40 times, so I have a few)
If you have one week- plan on exploring London to get a taste - OR Edinburgh if you prefer to start with Scotland - you could include one day trip from which ever one you chose.
If you have 2 -3 weeks- Plan on London for 5+ days- with one or more day trips, then Edinburgh for 2-3+ days, parts of the Highlands for 3+ days, area of England between Scotland and London for several days- depending on interests, possibly other areas
If you have more time- let us know and we'll get more specific then.
It's nice to open jaw this type of itinerary, into Glasgow or Edinburgh (smaller, easier airports for arrival), then home from London. Flying into London then immediately trying to get to Scotland is a time and money waster. Often flights from the US/Canada fly over Scotland to get to London anyway.
United, Virgin Atlantic, and Icelandair fly into Glasgow, United flies to Edinburgh.
You may feel more overloaded with choice in Britain because you probably know more about it than other parts of Europe - more of the history, literature, films, names of the royal family, etc. So which are your favorites of these? Have you been saving a magazine article about something?
You don't need to start from scratch. I would start from the general sightseeing priorities that Rick lays out in his guidebooks or under the England and Scotland sections of the Explore Europe page on this site. Then add in a few particular passions or discoveries of your own that don't require making a big detour in a logical plan. As always, you have to assume that you will return. Buying Rick's separate England and Scotland guidebooks gives you more total coverage than the single Great Britain book; check the contents list for destinations.
We went to England last June and found RS guide book VERY helpful. We purchased it elsewhere on this web site when it was on sale. Happy travels.
