odie1

I will be honest in I have not put much research into this yet, but I need to get our tickets bought so any feedback on this idea would be appreciated.

Who: My husband, daughter (will be 13) and I
Plan: Fly JFK on April 14 arrive April 15 LHR @ 7:00 or AMS @ 10:50
The For Sure: We are going to see my uncle, 88, (My father's twin brother-my dad passed away 6 long year ago) and will stay for his 89th birthday. So the plan is:

April 15-19-Holland or England
April 20- Travel to Holland, stay the night somewhere near Keukenhof
April 21-Keukenhof Gardens, train to Eindhoven
April 21-25: Eindhoven
April 26-flight from AMS to JFK

I have made many trips to Holland over the years. We were last there six years ago (the first trip for my husband and daughter). We spent a day in Amsterdam going through the canals on a private boat, a day at Kinderdijk and Madurodam and the rest of the time in and around Eindhoven.
We spent five nights in London seven years ago and have never been to any other part of the UK. We spent ten days in Ireland nine years ago. We have always wanted to see more of the English countryside. My daughter suggested Scotland but the time may be too short and the month not so good. My husband has always wanted to go to Wales but again, I think we would have the same issue as with Scotland. Also considered the Bavaria region of Germany or the Ardennes (my father was at the Battle of the Bulge) but I think for this trip we are looking for a quieter trip. We love the outdoors, nature, small charming villages, and excellent food. A castle (wish Highclere Castle would be open then) or two would be great as well.

So my question is this, which of these options would be best for that time of the year: Cotswalds, the Dales area or somewhere else in Holland? We have no problem renting a car and driving.

Thanks for any input you can provide!

sofarsogood

Dead easy

fly from JFK to MAN - train to York, explore the coast, the North York Moors and the Dales. Return the car to MAN and fly to AMS

sorted.

nytraveler

I think that time of year would be lovely in the Cotswolds and it really fits your pretty villages, good food and some easy walks in nice countryside. An easy drive from LHR.

hetismij2

Have you been to the north or east of the Netherlands at all? Or down to Maastricht? Utrecht, Zwolle, Apeldoorn?

If you want a castle or two then Muiden and Haarzuilens might appeal.

sofarsogood

ask 3 different people you're gonna get 3 different replies

odie1

sofar-should have been clearer. we are using AA miles and I had looked but no availability to MAN on AA metal. So would that change your mind, that it had to be LHR?

ny-What you say about Cotswalds sounds good.

hetismij-I know I have been to Maastricht and Utrecht when I was younger, not too sure about the other two places. Will look them up but we don't want large cities this go around. I'm thinking country and I know the first two are not country.

hetismij2

OK, fair enough. Have you been to Friesland Drenthe and/or Overijssel? Or the islands?

sofarsogood

would that change my mind? nope

simply buy a connecting flight from LHR to MAN (and collect more air miles - see it's win win all the way