I am considering taking advantage of the recent discount in business class going to Europe by taking a trip SFO-LHR the second week of September, for about 10 days. I would love to hear thoughts and comments on these potential destinations, as well as suggestions to other places. I have been to Europe about 10+ times and have been all over Western Europe many times over.

1. Croatia and Slovenia. - Never been
2. Provence and the south of France. - I have been through the region before, a 3 days trip so this time would be an indepth look.
3. Scottland. - Only been to Edingburgh. Would be a countryside wandering this time.
4. Sweden, Norway, Denmark. - Never been.

I will be traveling alone.
Thanks

Let me first in line and say Helsinki, Finland, then take the Silja ferry overnight to Stockholm. The train to Oslo, do the Norway in a Nutshell tour, train to Copenhagen.

You can even take a day trip by ferry to Tallin Estonia.

We have been in those countries in September and the weather was beautiful.

I can appreciate your dilemma and don't think you can go wrong whatever you decide.

Is the list in order of preference or just as they came to mind? If the latter, perhaps your mind wants you to pick Croatia and Slovenia....

You might want to check out your connection options. You don't want to lose too much time in your 10 days just getting to/from your destination.

do you like small towns or prefer
cities with galleries, museums, etc? 10 day is not very long. Stockholm and Copenhagen are both great cities .

If you prefer smaller places with a lovely coast line , you might consider Croatia and Slovenia.

Danon, LOL you are echoing exactly what I thought too. I dunno tho... I like both. The thing is... which one is better done alone?

Jean, you are right... may be subconsciously I am thinking Croatia and Slovenia?... Transiting there would be more lengthy than hopping over to Scottland or Sandi tho...

If you've ever wanted to go to Scotland and the highlands, I would think the second week of September is a great time to do it.

I wouldn't pick the Cote d'Azur. It's still too much in the season.

I've never been to the other places.

Did you say you're going alone? If you only speak English, do you think that gives Scotland an edge?

In Scotland you could have a nice mix of pretty nature and culture.

When I travel alone I prefer big cities. I find more to do during the day (and night).
I was alone in Stockholm for 5 days and Copenhagen for 3 . It worked for me. One can always take a side trip .

In Croatia and Slovenia most people move around a lot (often traveling by car).
I have been alone in Ljubljana , Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik ( with a number of side trips) and it was o.k.
too.

What did you do in Stockholm for 5 days?

2. Provence - when I was there around the same time, it rained everyday. Nimes was flooded. It was not a good time to travel.

Well, I visited museums, gardens ,churches, the City Hall, the summer palace ( a nice boat ride) ,walked around different areas of the city - Gamla Stan, Soedermalm etc.
It is a beautiful city on 14 island (on the sea and the lake).
The only area I did not like was around the train station where some crazy city planers decided to build a number of ugly high rises (in the 60s )
I am sorry I did not take at least one day trip but I had trouble sleeping ( it was early July and light even after midnight) so my " mornings" started very late in the day. I am sure one can see a lot in a shorter time.
Fodor's Stockholm was very informative.

Thanks Danon, I think you're just about sold me on it.

What do you think my itinerary would be like?

Another poster had a few more suggestions re Scandinavia.
If you have 10 full days you may wish to consider Cop 2-3 days, Stock. 3-4 days and .... side trips? , another country ????- depends how much you like to move around.
I flew SAS from LHR to Stockholm, Sto. to Cop. , and Cop to LHR.
I was originally hoping to go to St.
Petersburg from Stockholm but could not afford it.
As you know Scandinavia IS expensive !
If you decide to go in that direction
( or some other - like Croatia) , you might wish to post another thread with more specific questions than " Destination in Europe..."

Portugal!

Croatia and Slovenia as you have not been to that part of Europe. I find the further east you go (not that Croatia/Slovenia are east but still) the more I like it. It just seems more real and genuine. It is also comparatively inexpensive. The beauty is shockingly breathtaking. Indescribable, really. I love it that time of the year especially because so many yummy things are in season including the fabulous white truffles (at the end of September on)!

I would also recommend the Czech Republic unless you have already been there. Prague is great but I feel that many overlook everything else the countryside has to offer - charming villages, beautiful architecture, pretty and idyllic countryside, etc.

Scotland and Croatia are my favourite countries on the planet so I am a bit biased but I would choose those first. However, since you have been to Edinburgh perhaps try something different this time.