My husband and I are taking a trip next month but we cannot decide where to go, Paris or Edinburgh. We have 8 days just for touring. I always dream about Scotland and love to see Edinburgh and Scottish highlands. But I am afraid the weather in mid-late October might be too cold for us to enjoy and the landscape may be too bleak or not green enough. Paris sounds wonderful too. Any inputs will be greatly appreciated.

Scotland is beautiful whatever the weather. Climate is unpredicable, it depends what you are used to....

If you really want to go to Scotland, I vote for Scotland. I finally got to go in late May09 and LOVED IT. I don't know about the weather, but even in May it was unpredicable. I would bring warm clothes to layer, also we had rain ponchos and/or umbrellas.

The worlds top ten tourist destinations as measured by the annual number of international visitors (courtesy Wikipedia):

#1 - Paris
#2 - London
#3 - Bangkok
#4 - Singapore
#5 - Kuala Lumpur
#6 - Hong Kong
#7 - New York City
#8 - Dubai
#9 - Istanbul
#10 -Shanghai

Why did I give this? Well, think of supply and demand. Of course everyone's taste are different as hinted at by alihutch above. I just wanted to throw this out there. There is a reason Paris is the most sought after city for a vacation: IT"S WONDERFUL! I love Edinburgh too, but I went in August when it was in the low 70's everyday.

Thanks for all your inputs. Considering the unpredictable and cold weather, I am thinking Paris it is. I cannot get the cold weather out of my mind. I will wait till next summer to go to Scotland. Many thanks to you all.

But you can get cold and unpredictable weather in Scotland in July and August...low 70s everyday is VERY unusual

"<i>Thanks for all your inputs. Considering the unpredictable and cold weather, I am thinking Paris it is.</i>"

Both cities are wonderful -- so whatever you choose would be fine. BUT -- <u>do not base the decision on the potential weather</u>

It can be just as cold and nasty in Paris as in Edinburgh. Or just as pleasant. Or anything in between. Edinburgh is not the Arctic and Paris is not the Caribean . . .

I've been in Paris in the Fall when it was glorious and when it was raining/sleeting sideways. Same in Edinburgh.

Well we were in Edinburgh in July anad the temps were in the high 40's rainy and quite windy. (When we left London 4 days before the high was in the high 70s.) But we loved Edinburgh nevertheless. But - we are from NYC, are used to cold weather (way colder than this in winter) and had no problem-since we always travel with umbreallas, waterproof walking shoes and clothes we can layer.

But, if a little chill or rain will make you miserable, Paris is liklely to have better weather (but you will still probably see some rain and it may be chilly at night). Obviously Paris has many more major attractions.

But if you can;t get Sotland out of your mind go. But do expect rain and chill.

Thanks to janisj, I am back to "undecided." I know Paris is a feast and I would not be bored. But Scotland seems so mysterious and enchanting. I love both nature and architecture/culture. Will Scotland satiate my appetite for both? I love to hear more comments on Scotland if any one care to elaborate. Thanks in advance.

Hi, nytraveler, thanks for your inputs. We are from Mississippi and hardly travel in cold weather. But I would love to hear about Scotland. Is it really that beautiful and worth enduring the unpredictable weather?

Hmm, interesting debate. I am pondering Norway or Spain from Italy in mid-October. Sounds like the arctic is not the place to be for someone used to more tropical climes! Any advice on this - am middle-aged female travelling solo for first time. YIKES!!!

I love Paris -- I love <B>LOVE</B> Scotland/Edinburgh.

8 days would be a a long-ish leisurely visit to Paris, 8 days would give you a minor taste of Scotland (it is a biiig place)

Is there any particular Scottish place/site that intrigues you?

In general, w/ 8 days 'on the ground' you could spend 2-3 days in Edinburgh and visit two other areas. If you rent a car,having 5 or 6 days would let you see Fife/St Andrews and Stirling/the Trossachs/Loch Lomond, or the Borders and Ayrshire (Robert Burns country), or Fife and the northeast coast/the Castle Trail, or a bit of the Highlands and any one of the other mentioned areas, or even the Trossachs and one of the islands (Skye or Mull/Iona or others). Or several other combos. I probably wouldn't go all the way to Skye in that short a time. It wouldn't be rushed in the Summer when it is light til 11:30PM, but in Oct your days will be shorter.

Flying into Edinburgh or Glasgow would work equally well - you could just go w/ whichever has the best fares/schedule.The two cities are very near each other.

(re nytraveler's comment about 40's/rain in Edinburgh in July - Does happen, but just as easily could be 70's-80 and bright sunshine)

Thanks janisj for the trip ideas. Our family took a trip to Grand Canyon 2 years ago and the feelings of awe and connection with the earth linger. I guess I want to experience another place like that again. Paris is a city. It seems Scotland offers the country and the city both. I want to see Edinburgh, Glen Coe, riding the west highland railway, seeing Dunnotar castle in its stunning setting. Soo..Do you think I should go in October or wait until next summer? Many thanks.

It sounds like you can take two trips. So I say go to Paris in October and Scotland in the summer. Problem solved.

"<i>I want to see Edinburgh, Glen Coe, riding the west highland railway, seeing Dunnotar castle in its stunning setting. Soo..Do you think I should go in October or wait until next summer? Many thanks.</i>"

All great - but now you are spreading things a bit too thin.

Dunnottar is on the east coast (near the 'Castle Trail' I mentioned). The west Highland line is on the west coast. Glencoe is towards the west but sort of 'middle-ish'.

So w/ 8 days to see all of those would have you rushing quite a bit.

Re the 'Castle Trail' - there are castles almost literally around every corner in parts of Scotland, but a specific area mostly in Aberdeenshire is called the Castle Trail and Dunnottar is near there.

Practically, w/ 8 days/nights on the ground (not counting travel days) you could do 2 days/nights in Edinburgh (but 3 would be better) and then pick up a car and head towards the NE and come back down the center -- or -- towards the west. But not both really.

two possible itineraries would look something like:

1) Edinburgh 2 nights, Fife 2 nights (not just St Andrews and definitely not just golf), Aberdeenshire 2 nights (Dunnottar, Stonehaven, Deeside, etc) and 2 nights near Stirling for the Trossachs/Stirling Castle/Doune/Loch Lomond, etc.

It is an easy drive from the Stirling area to either GLA or EDI for a flight out.

2) 2 nights Edinburgh, 2 nights west of Stirling, drive through Glencoe and the Road to the Isles (the road covers the same route as the West Highland line) and take a ferry to Skye. This would be a long driving day but totally doable, but would pretty much mean 3 nights on the Isle since you wouldn't get there until the early evening. Return to the mainland and have 1 day to 'play with' before flying out.

There are many other options - but these are just two to get your research started.

-- NOW -- if you do have the choice of timing -- going in June would be wonderful (did I mention the loooong daylight hours )

But to see everything you want plus other sites in each area you would want 10 to 14 days. W/ just 8 days, I'd still cut back to one coast or the other.

In a perfect world - you'd do 8 days in Paris in Oct and 2 weeks in Scotland in June

Thanks janisj and nikki. Indeed, I should go to Paris in October and live the Scotland dream next summer. Janisj, the itineraries you suggest make me realize that realistically 8 days will not be enough to explore my Scottish dream. I really appreciate your planning the Scotland trip for me. To be honest, I find it overwhelming when I do the research on Scotland myself. You do not know how much I appreciate your taking the time to help me making the decision and also planning the Scotland trip. This Fodors community is great. Heart-felt thanks to you all who are so generous to offer your help.