fun4all4

Hi all,

OK... here is the deal. I usually travel with my DH and/or our sons, ages 12 and 14. We have a lot of travel planned for this year. We were in London in December 2005, will be in LA in March and have a big trip to Switzerland/Italy scheduled for the end of June. Also thrown in are some weekends to NY and DC.

So, my younger son just decided to go to camp this summer and will overlap with my older son being away. DH must stay and work. I, however, now have about 8 nights (including travel time) that are FREE which has never happened before.

Of course, my first thought is "Where can I go and what could I do with that time?" It is also likely that I may be solo for the first time ever although it is possible a friend or my recently widowed 64 yr. old Dad may join me.

With only a week, I am thinking one or two locations tops. As it is the height of the summer season, I was thinking either Northern Europe or possibly the Pacific NW of the US (never been to Seattle, Portland, Vancouver for example)or Quebec. In Europe, my thoughts have been Scotland? Amsterdam and/or Copenhagen and/or Stockholm? Norway?

I am a 39 yo female and like good food, art and architecture, walking/hiking and nature/scenery. I do not want to rent a car if in Europe alone. Usually like to combine a city with a smaller, more quaint area for outdoors.

I am happy to do a ton of research about an area, but am so excited with the multitude of possibilies that I'm not sure what to focus on. So, as I know we Fodorites love to give our opinions ;-), I am asking for yours!

If you had an extra "bonus" week in your travel schedule this year for the end of July, where would you go and what would you do? (Not France or Italy because been and planning to go back with family in the near future; also have Poland/Prague on the drawing board). Sorry this is a bit long, but wanted to provide good background for making suggestions.

Thanks for any and all input!

ekscrunchy

There is a lot happening right now in Copenhagen (and I do not mean anything cartoonish)..new mueums, thriving art scene, great food, both Danish and ethnic. Easy to get around on day trips and easy to navigate alone. I've not been to Stockholm so cannot comment there.

ira

Hi F,

Lucky you.

Scandinavia is lovely in the Summer.

fun4all4

OK, thanks....sounds like Scandanavia would be nice then.

I'll look into Copenhagen for sure. Any particular day trips or perhaps a smaller town place to stay for several nights after several in Copenhagen?

Any who think Norway, Stockholm or Amsterdam would be better choices?

Any other ideas for how to set up a great 8 day trip?

noe847

I have been to Scotland 3 times in the summer and have had beautiful weather. Great mix of cities (Edinburgh and Glasgow are very close to each other) and smaller quaint villages/towns and lovely scenery.