I'm in the preliminary stages of planning a six week trip to Europe, and as it happens, will be in England over my 40th birthday. Any suggestions on where or how to celebrate? I was thinking Bath, staying at a nice hotel doing and doing a spa day, but can't seem to make the itinerary work. We will be in England September 11th - 24th, with my bday on the 20th. I'm looking for relaxation, a nice dinner, or some sort of fun activity - not a club or dancing or anything like that. Any suggestions? Or suggested itineraries to make Bath work (London, Oxford and the Cotswold's are the only places I know I want to go as of right now).

Going by car or train to those English places - makes a big difference in itineraries - by train you could go to Oggsford first then Cotswolds and onto Bath but a car would be nicer for say the Cotswold Hills though there are buses and trains to many of the towns but bus service IME is not that frequent - depends whether you want a quick look or in-depth tooling around. If car I would rent in Oggsford - saving driving out of London and a day or so on a car rental. If going by train check on the Days Out of London railpass that covers trains to all those places - fully flexible just hop on any train anytime - also gives two airport transfers on airport express trains - details on English trains and passes - www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.seat61.com.

If by car you may again want to pick up in Oxford and if in a hurry return in Bath and blast back to London on one of England's few high-speed train lines (well high-speed for the U.K. anyway) - again saving a day of car rental when in Bath where there is no need for a car. If a car and time driving back to London via Salisbury (a really neat old town with stunning cathedral) and Stonehenge and the Avebury Circle is easy - again may want to return the car in Salisbury and take the train into hectic London.

"...can't seem to make the itinerary work."

What, exactly, isn't working?

When you say "a nice hotel", how nice? In other words how much are you will to spend? When I can afford them I enjoy country house hotels and you should be able to find one you'll like in the Cotswolds. Google "country house hotel cotswolds" for ideas.

here's a couple of youth hostels in Bath to whet your appetite

www.royalcrescent.co.uk

www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk/

I'm trying to spend at least 4 days in London and am willing to rent a car, which most of what I've read says to rent the car AFTER Bath, but if I do that, we're in Bath too early or too late. I'm sure I could figure out how to make it work with a little more research.

"Nice" hotel I would say about $300/night, I liked the Gainsborough in Bath but I just Googled for the country house and I like what I see! Any in particular you recommend?

Olive, those sorts of hotels are usually beyond my budget and the one I have stayed in twice is not where you want to be.

One I know of in the Cotswolds is Barnsley House but I haven't been there since it was a hotel. I visited when it was still the home of the famous garden designer, Rosemary Verey. They do say they have a spa. http://www.barnsleyhouse.com

Have a look on Trip Advisor for reviews of any you're considering.

Can you not go to Bath first?

Also what kind of $ are you talking about? Start thinking in real money (GBP) and we might have better ideas.