Planning Vacation for Next Summer. England or France? Help me decide!

[romantico]

So, I have begun saving for a vacation next spring or summer. I have narrowed it down to either England or France. I love both. Of course, on top of going to Paris and London, I was curious if anyone can recommend any towns nearby or right outside either city. Is there a site where I can see video or pictures or learn on cultures.

Also, if anyone here has been to either and would like to share stories,give advice or have any photos,please feel free. FYI, I have always said England or France is where I would move to if I ever felt this country was 'lost' or becoming a place for the one percent only.

[Angry Dragon]

1. Why not do both

Maybe even Scotland.
Good rail system so travel is pretty easy
York has plenty of history
Roman walls and foundations ....


When I travel I prefer smaller towns and cities. I feel you get a better feel of the country and people.

[elleng]

2. Lived in England during jr. year of college,

long time ago, and have returned to British Isles several times. Rail system was great at the time, so took lots of DAY TRIPS from London, to cathedral towns and Stratford. At Stratford, saw lots of plays, cheap for standing-room prices.

Very interesting to visit Scotland, Ireland and Wales, to compare culture and geography. Talking myself into returning! Thanks!

Obviously no way to know what the financials ANYWHERE will be. I understand London VERY expensive.

[romantico]

3. Scotland

Scotland and Ireland are on my list. Reason I thought I'd pick one for now is so I can spend more time at one place. Airfare is not that bad so going to England for the summer and then France the following spring is what I was thinking about.

[elleng]

4. Do the Highlands and Islands; we did.

And for Ireland, could do Aran Islands. Ferry over, and take cart w horse around, and chat w driver.

http://www.aranislandferries.com/

April in Paris! Did it last year.

[Seedersandleechers]

17. Going to the Western Hebrides in October.

Last time I was in Scotland you couldn't drag me away from Edinburgh. Have you been to Skye?

[elleng]

18. Over-ferried Skye,

did Barra and one of the Uists, I think.
One of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITES:

Castlebay, on Barra:

[romantico]

20. Thanks

Thanks for that awesome video. As Tina Fey would say, "I Want To Go To There!"

[pipi_k]

5. Some years ago

my youngest stepdaughter was an exchange student in Manchester, England. Her oldest sister took a trip over and the two of them went to Scotland to see the family castle.

When J asked what we all wanted for souvenirs, I jokingly replied that I wanted a piece of the castle.

Sure enough, she brought me back a small chunk of this...



Anyway, they loved Scotland

[fizzgig]

6. i loved scotland

i'm pretty sure i have pictures like this one in a box somewhere. it was beautiful.

[RebelOne]

7. Definitely Scotland.

I have been there twice and would move there if I could afford it. And take a trip to Inverness and visit Loch Ness. You may even see Nessie.

[romantico]

11. I

I wonder if Ireland and Scotland can both be seen in a 7-8 days. Just looking at the picture you posted makes me want to put that on my list. LOL

[SwissTony]

13. BOTH in 7-8 days???

I know Americans don't get the holidays others enjoy, but that's way too little time. All you'd see is airports, docks, train stations, bus stations. And a few touristy sites.

If you've only got 7-8 days, pick one...and come back later for the other.

[aikoaiko]

8. All travel is good travel.

I've never had an interest in London. Paris and smaller French cites are more my taste. The museums, live performances, and food are more to my liking. Although if you like theatre then London is the place to be.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

9. How long do you plan on staying,

and do you want to spend most of your time touring large cities, or do you want more countryside? You might want to check out the travel shows of Burt Wolf, Rudy Maxa, Rick Steves and even Joseph Risendo (I don't have cable and these are the shows available on UNC-TV). Definitely check out Globe Trekker on PBS -- featured travel tends to be on the cheap.

You could always hit Paris, take the train north and spend some time on the coast, then Chunnel it over to London. One of many suggestions...

[romantico]

10. Not sure

Not sure how long. At least a week. I'd rather spend more time in one place and then come back to another place later. May do something like 5 days in London and maybe 2 or 3 in Paris. I'd love to see some of the country though in both places.

[Arugula Latte]

12. If you have to pick, I'd say France

just because, with the different language you will feel more like you're truly "traveling" (although they do so the USA and England are two countries separated by a common language, which is also true). But if you can get to the Mediterranean region of France -- ooh la la.

[Major Nikon]

14. My wife likes England, but I prefer France

If you want a more cultural experience than a tourist experience, I'd recommend checking around for a good B&B. I've also had wonderful experiences with small family run hotels. Look for a small hotel with a highly rated, yet mid-priced restaurant. This usually means the locals are coming in for dinner so you get good interactions between the tourists and the locals.

[HappyMe]

15. France!

Yup, I pick France.

[TreasonousBastard]

16. Many years ago I stayed in a small B&B in St. Germaine en Laye, which is..

a suburb of Paris about a half hour train ride away.

I loved the place with its cobblestoned streets, bicycles loaded with bread... It was everything you expected a small French town to be if you saw enough Truffault movies.

I doubt it's the same now, or as cheap, but the French are undoubtedly much the same.

Other than that, I'm big on Scotland and Germany. Scotland, if you get the right rail pass, is the easiest place in the world to get around and the Scottish Tourist Bureau is great-- no reservations necessary, they'll find you a room anywhere and answer any question you can think of.

Germany, btw, is rarely thought of as a tourist destination, but the people are usually great, the sights are incredible, and the cost is reasonable.

[Kaleva]

19. if you wish to tour either as a drunken sailor would, I could offer some advice.

[pink-o]

21. Put me in the France Camp.

I lived in England in the 70s, it was cheap, livable, communal and almost socialist. IOW, a great place to be. Not so much now: all of Europe is expensive, but no place as much as London. The crowds are outta control, the Americans are even stupider over there than they are in the rest of Europe (prolly cuz they figure they don't have to learn another language...little do they know!) and mostly: just about everything you can find in London nowadays is also in New York or Boston. Paris and Rome are far more Euro cultural and everyone speaks English in Europe now.

I love the Med, spent a lot of time in Cannes, Nice and St Tropez area. Believe me, Cornwall is great, but there is NO place in England that looks like the South of France.

The other solution is to just go to my favorite place in the world--Italy--and you'll be in heaven. Che Bella!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

22. Buy a guidebook for both countries and/or get the Rick Steves DVDs

Then make your decision based on which one appeals to YOU, not on what might appeal to other people.