Destination dilemma - how do YOU decide?

With your literature background, you should consider Edinburgh. Lots of connections! Or do a "tour" of castles. Theres lots in Wales, the borders (north England/south Scotland) and all over Scotland. Maybe you could pick a favorite author or novel and do a themed trip- try to visit settings from the book, the author's home, etc. We've been to the UK more than 40 times and we love doing day trips from London, so, if you need ideas, feel free to private message me.

My first trip to Europe was 5 weeks in length and I planned it as if I might not ever get to go back. Yes, I know Rick says to plan as if you will return, and I have, many times. But you don't know what life has in store for you; your traveling days could end in a heartbeat. I wanted to see it all and do it all and I did, with no regrets; it was a perfect trip. I kissed the Blarney stone, saw Big Ben, went up the Eiffel tower, went to the Louvre, went up Mt Blanc, saw Neschwanstein castle, drank beer in Munich, stayed in the old cities of Prague and Krakow, went to Auschwitz and the salt mines. I traveled the canals in a gondola and spent the last two weeks exploring Italy, its hilltop villages and all the delights of Rome. Now when I travel, it's all icing on the cake. I do repeat some favorite places, like Venice, but also take in as much as I can that I haven't seen yet. My M.O. is not to travel the same road twice!

So my only question for you is: all that time and money spent to cross the ocean, and you're only going to the UK? I couldn't do it; there's just too much out there to see! (and those flights to the continent are so cheap!) Good luck and have a great trip!

It would be so easy to take Eurostar over to France and visit Paris and Normany (for all of the WW2 sites). With that much time, you could add the Loire Chateaux as well if you are interested.

That being said, when I take each of my kids on a first trip to Europe, we devise a route that includes 2-4 nights in each location for a total of 20 days or so that includes about 5-6 countries - hitting some high points. I have been to Europe many times, but I will probably only take each child once:

Trip with oldest son: London, Paris, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, Salzburg, Munich

Trip with daughter: London, Paris, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, Vienna, Munich

Trip this summer with youngest: Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Paris, Lauterbrunnen, Munich

We all have said that Lauterbrunnen was our favorite stop - beautiful and relaxing after visiting cities. Paris is always there because I lived there, studied and worked in college, Munich because the kids had a fascination with Neuschwanstein, Vienna for daughter to see Lippizaners - you'll notice that didn't make the list again, plus Salzburg had been our least favorite stop two years earlier. Scandinavia this time because youngest son has a special interest in Sweden. You get the idea.

It's hard to choose, I agree, but remember how easy train transportation is, and make your wish list. With that much time, I would definitely pick something to see outside of the UK. No telling when that next trip will be. Happy planning!

I read. The public libraries of several nearby cities have huge travel sections. Most of what's there is old, but so is the stuff I enjoy. (Just to be clear, I use this mostly for inspiration, not nuts and bolts).

The end the process is maybe not easy but it is rewarding, and ultimately a little arbitrary. You give yourself permission to try different sights and activities and even if you find they are not all equally worthwhile you chalk that up to experience. Good luck!

Well, after 4 weeks in England I would be ready to leave for the continent. You can take the Eurostar to Paris, return , for under 70 GBPs. I just bought my ticket for end of July . With two weeks you could visit Paris and possibly Rome . Why wouldn't you?

Paris is a great city to solo in,, and the daytrips you could take,, and hey, since you like warfare/history, you could definately take 3 or 4 days and do some Normandy France.

I would not limit myself to UK,,, although I do think the poster who suggested Scotland has a good idea.. Scotland could be intersting too.

I have to admit, I always struggle for awhile with the decision of where to go and I've traveled to places repeatedly without regret but I have to agree with some of the other posters - with that much time don't limit yourself to England.

Scotland would be brilliant as would Wales and Ireland. All are within easy reach via great train and air options.

As was mentioned before, Paris is only a little over 2 hours away by train. We purchased Eurostar tickets in advance before we left the U.S. and paid $102.00 roundtrip London-Paris. (we traveled last month) August is vacation time in Paris and many residents leave the city. If you decide to go in August be sure to check opening and closing times and book your hotel in advance.

If I had the amount of time you have I would be throwing a few more countries into the mix.

Have a great trip!

If you are interested in the history of warfare here is a recent article in the Telegraph about English battlefields:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/archeology/5105568/Search-on-for-lost-battlefields-of-England.html

If you go just across the Channel you will be in the vicinity of famous battlefields of WWI, WWII, Waterloo, and the Hundred Years War. And presumably many others, but that's just off the top of my head.

Thanks for the opinions so far!

Actually, it's good to hear that it isn't necessarily easy for others when it comes to narrowing things down either.

For those a little boggled by my travelling style... I'm 29, single, and a teacher. I know exactly when my holidays are every year, and have two months "off" in the summer. I'm a compulsive saver, so my extra money ends up going towards travel.

I'm not in a raging hurry, and enjoy living in one area and getting to know it. Unless I get hit by a bus tomorrow, there will be more holidays and more trips. Our district is in talks to have a two week Spring Break next year... :)

As I'd mentioned, France is a future trip - part of one doing France, Belgium, Germany, focusing on war related events. At the centre of these is visiting the grave of my great-great-grandfather, as no one from my family has ever been. He was a 21 year old Canadian killed by German machine gun fire during WWI.

The ideas are lovely, thank you. Being a warfare person, I'm also a castle buff. A student of mine attempted to persuade me to go to Wales (where she's from) promising oodles of castles. I'm not sure I want to drive on this trip though, so that might not be feasible. Based on responses, in some way a whirlwind tour of other countries sounds an interesting counterpart to my usual staying in one place... and would make for an interesting 30th!

Again, thank you. It's just good to know that I'm not alone in this!