PhillandJon

This being our first trip we're planning abroad, I'm a little overwhelmed.

We're thinking of spending a week(ish) in the UK with London as a base, and a week(ish) in Florence, with a lot of small Tuscan town exploring. (We'll have a car.)

We're both crazy for London, and being from New York City, the size and scope of London and getting around probably is not going to shock us much. But I'm also a little afraid we'd start to feel like we're in "NYC overseas." We'd want to see a few of the major sights, but most of the London leg wouldn't be about major tourist attractions.

Anyhow. I ramble, Point being, the more I read about London, the more I think we might want to take a few days off of the London week and spend more time in Italy. We're quiet vacationers and like to amble around exploring. We love food, wine, history.

I guess there are no real solid answers here, but I'd love to hear some personal opinions from other travelers who enjoy quiet trips, discovering on their own, and exploring.

dfourh

How about three nights in London, then three nights or so in Manchester, then going to Italy. In London (it will be a bit jet-laggish when you first get there) you can see the major sights. Manchester is not tourist London, it is England. It is vibrant, and doable. It is alive and full of character, with an abundance of architectural interests and friendly pubs (the science & industry museum is fantastic) but it is nicely human - - a place to enjoy the English side of English, in an urban situation, but with no big hype. Then, after that, DEFINITELY, go to Italy, and love the sun and the languid delights.

nytraveler

Although London is also a big city - but not nearly as big as NYC - it has a completely different feel. (London's grater metro area is about 8 million people, while NYC is about 25 million.) Lots of spread out neighborhoods with very different characters - a few city-like but not most.

You can certainly do day trips while staying in London (Windsor, Oxford, Hampton Court, Greenwich, Bath and a host of others - without having to switch hotels several times).)

agedude

nytraveler hit the nail on the head. A 60-minute train ride in any direction will take you to a great, historic location. Besides the ones already mentioned, Cambridge, Leeds Castle, and Canterbury are also easily doable "day trips". Don't shortchange England because you don't want to get overwhelmed by London.

Conversely, you could have the same experience in Tuscany. Sienna, Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano and Volterra are all approximately an hour away from Florence.

Also, consider the weather. Could be rainy in England, could be hot in Italy, it depends on the time of year. Decide what interests you most, make the call, and don't stress you made the wrong decision. There is no wrong decision here, you'll have a blast wherever you decide to spend your time.

ellenem

"and a week(ish) in Florence, with a lot of small Tuscan town exploring. (We'll have a car.)"

You do NOT want a car in Florence (difficult driving and parking, exorbitant fines for violating limited traffic zones in the historic center). If you want to explore Tuscany by car, stay someplace else where cars are not a problem, perhaps after a few carless days in Florence.

PhillandJon

Thanks so much! Many great ideas to explore! We'll look into day trips from London (perhaps more that we were thinking originally - I love the idea of Canterbury ... I'm a Director of Music in and Anglican Church and play a pipe organ for a living.) Thanks for the auto tips when in Florence. I'll look into which Tuscan towns can be done by train, and see if there are any we'd like to do by renting a car for just one day.

We have nine months - I love the planning! I think I've read every London and Tuscany travel guide in print!