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.