4-5 day trip to a place on my bucket list
 

Hi
I've got an itch for a short European trip in April or May, to a location that I haven't been to before. I'd be forcing myself not to go to a place I already love, but to see a place that has been on my to-do list.
Contenders at the moment are

Barcelona
Grenada (to see the Alhambra)
Edinburgh
Chatsworth
London's Chelsea Flower Show
Sissinghurst
Zermatt (No idea yet of those travel logistics, assuming plane plus trains)
Iceland

I have visited Great Britain a number of times, mostly London plus some sidetrips, but have always wanted to see the Chelsea Flower Show.

I am interested in history, art, architecture, and gorgeous scenery (not necessarily all on the same trip). Each person's tastes are his/her own, but I'm interested to hear why you would recommend one of these over another.

If you want to see the Chelsea Flower show, you could do Sissinghurst in the same trip. There is lots to see and do in Kent. Ightham Mote is a 15th century moated manor house.
Hever, Ann Boleyn's childhood home, is in the area. Along the coast are the splendid chalk cliffs and Dovwer itself with its castle, Roman lighthouse, World War II memories. The castles at Walmer and Deal are a great visit.

If you like gorgeous scenery, Chatsworth and the Peaks area might be your cup of tea. Lots of little villages. Welldressing in Tissinghurst is held on Ascension Day which comes in May. Flower petals are used to decorate the wells there. Other villages have their day for well-dressing.

I think these might be my top choices for a 4-5 day trip. However, I would not scorn any of the others. It is just that these two choices would seem to combine the most of the differenbt things that you want to see.(By the way I think it is Granada in Spain. Grenada is one of the Carribean Islands.)

yes, you're right of course about the spelling, I realized my uncorrected typo after I posted it.
Thanks for the insights.

By the way, any tips on how to get to some of these smaller places, whether it's Chatsworth, Sissinghurst, or Zermatt, much appreciated also. I will also do some searches.

Elaine, I made a mistake: it is Tissington not Tissinghurst. I just googled it to check on the dates of well dressing this year. It is from Thursday May 13 through Wednesday, May 19. Also discovered a small manor house located in the town which might be fun to visit.

derbyshire-peaksdistrict.co.uk
tissington-hall.com

Above are two websites which might be of interest should you choose Chatsworth and area.

In both the areas I recommended I think you would want a car to make most use of your time. In Kent, you might be able to get around by train and bus, but in the Peaks you would want a car to get out into the Park. Perhaps some of the UK experts could give you more help on this.

the Derbyshire-peak website has links to public transport in the area.

The only place that I've been to on your list is Granada and the Alhambra, which I enjoyed immensely.

Have you been to Seville? If not, Granada and Seville would be a nice trip in the spring.

I'd like to visit Barcelona. I only rode from the port to the airport but liked what I saw on the way

I would be traveling solo, and definitely do not want to drive.

I think someone here posted about visiting Chatsworth via public transport; I'll see if I can find that.
Never considered Seville; will look up the culture and attractions.
Right now, airfares from NYC to just about anyplace in Europe seem visciously expensive ($800-1000), but I may bite the bullet anyway.
Great information so far, thanks.

Well I vote Barcelona - for a short trip I would think it is one of the easiest, logistically - I would assume direct flights. May would be a great time to be there and there is alot to see and do - wonderful architecture, a medival part of the city, plus the waterfront - quite different than Great Britain.

Iceland. Short flight and it is beautiful in may. You can take day trip tours from Rekyavik. The currency collapsed so the exchange rate is great. Check out Iceland Airline's packages for ideas.

I guess I'd better do more reading about Iceland. Daytrips never occurred to me.


To the above list (for a short trip) I've just added Sarajevo, but not sure how I feel about going there solo. Again, more reading is needed.

Chelsea/RHS Wisley (a MUST in my opinion)/Hever/Chartwell/Sissinghurst/Scotney Castle. That would be an AMAZING 3 days gardens trip. You'd need a car though.

If you want to see the flower show, it is a good idea to join the RHS. It does cost - but it also gets you in on the much less crowded member days. They are still crowded, just not <B>CROWDED</B> :)

Chatsworth would be a very doable one night trip from London by train/bus. A couple of Fodorites have actually managed it as a day trip - but it is a loooong day.

Another vote for Barcelona. My husband and I did a last minute trip while in France for only 3 days and I'd love to go back. We were there in late May a couple of years ago; I'm a fan of Gaudi.

I say knock Barcelona and Iceland off your list. Not places to go unless you already are wildly enthusiastic.

Granada is one of the world's certifiable wonders. It's just indescribably beautiful and important. You like flowers? Go to the gardens of the Alhambra in April. Those are some of the most incredible gardens ever created by man. They changed Europe's ideas about gardens, and the beauty of dancing water. The Alhambra is a statement, a cultural triumph. A lost moment for humanity. An education. Profound. Be sure to go at night too. Stay at the Parador if you can. They sometimes have last minute cancellations.

"History, art, architecture, and gorgeous scenery" -- ?

Granada. And you can even have them all on the same trip.

still thinking about this, though May air fares are giving me pause.
How can I get to Grenada by public transport?

how about Brugges? architecture, history, visit the western front, bicycle, etc.

My top picks from your short list would be either Edinburgh or Granada, although we haven't been to Granada yet. Edinburgh in late April or May would be lovely and the bus system is so easy to use. While we had a car, we only used it for daytrips outside the city and used the bus system for touring the city. We spent two days just wandering between the Castle and Holyrood Palace! As for daytrips, there are plenty of places and opportunities nearby. Could you keep us posted on what you decide?

--Annie

Both Barcelona and Edinburgh are very easy to do solo without a car. Both perfect for that season and amount of time. Both offer day trips by train if you wanted (but enough in each city to keep you busy for that length of time. I have photos of both at www.pbase.com/annforcier if you want to whet your appetite.

Granada is wonderful, as is Seville. I did a Seville-Cordoba-Granada trip that I loved but had 8 nights. Four or five days might be a tad long just for Granada, and just a bit short to do both Granada and Seville, so doable but not perfect. We flew from NYC to Seville and out of Grananda (on one ticket but with a change in Madrid) and did trains and bus between them.

I'm doing Reykjavic this summer but only for one day, I think you'd have to like that kind of scenery a lot to do five days. And it looks like it would be mostly day tours if you don't rent a car and five days of that could get boring.

But the short answer is see where you can get the best priced flight. I was looking at Paris in March and seeing prices of $900 and up (and not even non stop or good times). Then I came upon a $490 flight to Barcelona. I'm going to visit my daughter but I can pay for my flight plus her easyjet flight from Paris to BCN and still have money left over. Flight prices are crazy this year (that's also the reason I'm going to Rekyjavic next summer, Iceland air had the best prices to europe so I'm doing a stopover).

I would recommend either Grenada or Iceland. Very different but both beautiful and easy to do in a few days. We took the high speed train from Madrid to Seville, enjoyed the town and then the train to Granada. Very doable in 5 days. Take a tour into the country around the capital of Iceland. Awesome geography.

Spearfish

For good weather and the time of the year you want to go along with prices-Barcelona!! It is a great city to get around on by foot,bus or underground;prices on hotels and restaurants are terrific along with wonderful food and wine!!! Sightseeing includes many varied things from the waterfront to art and history.
Iceland is VERY expensive and hard to get around without a car or bus service-rental car was going to be extremely expensive for our family last year at almost $2800USD for a week. Edinburgh can be really rainy at that time of the year and since you have done London and the UK alot-go for something different but reasonable?

Granada, hands down, in May. I was there in the fall and fell in love with the whole city. The surrounding mountains are beautiful, and I was told that the gardens of the Alhambra are at their peak in early to mid May. If you can add a couple of days, do visit Seville. Barcelona would also be a great short trip.

Since you are adding things to your bucket list, I suggest Agrigento in Sicily.

Hey I would have picked Sicily too but it wasn't on her list and its harder to get to. I love Ortigia Sicily next to Siracusa on the eastern side though.

Elaine:

Have you been to Lisbon? It is off the radar for many people but I thoroughly enjoyed my trip there over this past Thanksgiving.

Elaine, it was 40 years ago that I was in Zermatt, but I do remember that we had to take an electric train up there (no cars in the town itself, at least then). Of course, I have no idea if that's still the case, but I doubt that they've built a road up that mountain! It's gorgeous, being at the base of the Matterhorn.

I love Lisboa (my ex-husband was born there), and I would definitely advise a holiday there with a side trip to beautiful Sintra.

But, that is not on your Bucket List.

So,

I would go to Barcelona for 5 days. There is so much to see and do in this Mediterranean city, the city of Gaudi.

Edinburgh is interesting, but the "damp" could kill a person. Cough, cough, sweetie darling.

I think my aunt wrote a book on Chatsworth, but I can't remember. I know she interviewed Debo for British TV or something. One of Debo's pet chickens took a dump on my aunt's shoes from Harvey Nichols.

Good luck,
Thin

Thin, I'm fascinated by the Mitford sisters, and also the Kennedy connection, not to mention the Jane Austen connection, and would like to see Debo's little country place. At her age, it won't remain hers for long.

The European airfares are keeping me from taking the plunge.
I'll count my pennies and do some serious investigating this weekend.

Well, too bad that you won't be going to Chatsworth in July. Antiques Roadshow will be there on Thursday, July 8. I just saw the date posted on my aunt's blog.

I have always loved Nancy Mitford's "The Pursuit of Love/ Love in a Cold Climate." The character Linda Radlett always has reminded me of my mother, who was also a Linda.

Have a fun holiday no matter where you go.

Cheers,
Thin

Iceland, Iceland, RAH RAH RAH!!!
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...in-iceland.cfm

:) Actually, I would recommend Iceland for some of the reasons recommended above: it's quick to fly to from the east coast, it's got the history and gorgeous scenery for sure, plus an interesting art scene, and Icelandair runs great specials. (Subscribe to their newsletter for some of the best deals.)

Also, you can see a fair amount in five days without feeling particularly rushed, and you can definitely get around without a car. (Public transport, day trips, etc.) I know, because that's how I've gone! Oh, and the Blue Lagoon, whilst touristy, of course, is really a wonderful place to soak and relax; you feel all bubbly and invigorated yet enormously relaxed when you're done.

Now look: I've talked myself into wanting to go back again!

(My second choice would be the Chelsea Flower Show; I would LOVE to see it, but can't travel in May. So I have to make do with helping to set up the Philadelphia Flower Show, the largest indoor one in the world.)

Amy, thanks for your comments. I live in NYC, and so the Philadelphia Flower Show wouldn't be hard for me to finally see--I've never been.

Chatsworth would be relatively easy and you could do the Chelsea Flower Show on the same trip. Fly in to Heathrow, train into London and then a train to Sheffield. Chatsworth is about 20 miles from Sheffield. You could either walk along from Sheffield Railway station to the bus station (a 2 minute walk) and take the bus to Baslow or Bakewell and then taxi from there to Chatsworth or a taxi all the way to Chatsworth. If you can find a taxi driver that is up for a scenic tour ask them to take you to Curbar Edge on the way, the views are superb.

The Cavendish Hotel in Baslow is closest to Chatsworth. The restaurant there is excellent.

Market day in Bakewell is Monday and the town becomes a very bustling place. The livestock market used to be right in the middle of the town but I think they have now moved it accross the river. Well worth a visit though.

Enjoy your trip!

Phil

I have traveled solo to Edindurgh and Barcelona and HIGHLY recommend both of them. Easy to navigate. Felt perfectly safe. Loved them both. They are very different cities so a bit of reading about each of them would let you know which you might prefer. It's hard for me to choose just one...

yeah, it's hard for me to choose as well. I'm leaning toward some portion of the UK for this trip, but scheduling issues have to be resolved first.

Here's a challenge:
If I don't go to Ediburgh, is there a small airport I can transfer to from Heathrow that willl put me close to Chatsworth?
Or, separate question, does Oxford have an airport that I can get to from H'row?

Elaine, not really. Train to Oxford would make more sense.

Have you given up on the Chelsea Flower Show? My sister goes every other year and usually has her tickets by now.

Edinburgh is easy on public transport. Chatsworth much more complicated.. A car would be practical.

No car? Barcelona or Edingburgh

>>does Oxford have an airport that I can get to from H'row?<<

>>Train to Oxford would make more sense. <<

Actually - the easiest/least complicated way to get from LHR to Oxford is the direct coach. Taking a train would require either going into London first and then another train from Paddington to Oxford - or - a coach to Reading and then a train from there.

I'd just get on a bus at LHR and get off in central Oxford.

I have always wanted to go to Zermatt and finally did last fall. We flew into Geneva, took the train to Montreux (1 hour 15 min) where we were based. to get to Zermatt took a train from Montreux to Visp then a narrow guage train to Zermatt - total time 2 hr 45 min from Montreux. I thought it was an adorable village and would love to go back and stay overnight, spend more time ( we only had about 2 hours then had to take the trains back).

Granada isn't a five day destination, but it is really amazing. We took the slooow train from Granada to Madrid and it was 5 hours on astonishing loveliness - one of the most unexpected upside surprises we've had on a vacation. Edinburgh could be a very relaxing 5 days. Barcelona is doable in 5 days, and a really wonderful city, from all perspectives (unless you only like wilderness). Iceland is also doable in 5 days, and is closer than the continent. It is, in my opinion, another wonderfully surprising destination, with exotic landscapes/natural geology, a really wonderful major city (shopping/dining/art), and a cool new sport to try (riding the Icelandic horses, which anyone can do and is different than regular riding). It might be a bit chilly in May, but if you don't mind that, then I would put this at the #1 spot, with Barcelona (which will be warmer) at #2.

Nothing against the other UK destinations, but they are not as unusual or exotic as your other choices.

It looks like, to my dismay, this trip won't happen this spring or summer after all; too many competing commitments.
I will revisit the ideas for the autumn (not Zermatt).
thanks for all the input. Zermatt does stay on my list, though, as do the other places mentioned.

well, one good thing about life, is that "travel happens."
I've booked flights to include a short trip to Zermatt and a day or two in Geneva for July. Airfare was visciously expensive.
Will be researching hotels and sightseeing on other threads.