Side Trip from London
 

I just had the opportunity to book a last-minute two-week trip to accompany my husband on business to London - going in just 2 weeks! We were just there for 12 days in late July / early August so I have had the opportunity to see many of the top tourist attractions, although there are a number of additional sites I plan to visit in/around London during the days my husband is working. My question is regarding a good side trip from London - we will have 4 days after he has finished with business to visit somewhere else. In August, we spent a fabulous whirlwind weekend on a side trip to Paris. Where to go this time? What else is close enough in terms of travelling time but offers an atmosphere that is completely different than London (as did Paris) ... I absolutely loved London (also went to & enjoyed Bath last time) but this is only my second time to Europe and I hate to pass up a possible opportunity, however short, to experience something different. Suggestions? Brussels? Some other part of France that can be reached in a short time from London? Somewhere else?? I know people on this BB don't like such general questions and ordinarily so do I, but this has come as a very last minute surprise therefore with trying to take care of things at work in order to actually go on this trip, I don't have a whole lot in the way of daydreaming/planning time! Thanks for any suggestions!

Two thoughts come to mind. Eurostar to Paris to catch up on those sights you may have missed on your last trip or, for a new and totally different experience, Bruges, Belgium which with a side trip to Ghent and Brussels could fully occupy your four days. Eurostar will take you from London to Brussels in less time than to Paris, a second train from Brussels to Bruges will take you under an hour. Bruges, hardly changed since the 16th century is a small, easily walkable city with architecture, language, custom, food and ambiance totally different from either Paris or London. Ghent offers an excellent day trip (it's about half way between Brussels and Bruges); Brussels itself is good for an afternoon and evening trip. <BR> <BR>If you'd like some suggestions for restaurants and accommodations in Bruges, feel free to Email me directly.

Edinbugh and Glasgow?

Absolutely Belgium, a real winner. Also consider Ireland or Holland?

Have you been to the Cotswolds?

Two weeks from now is the dead of winter, so forget the touristy parts of England (Cotswalds, Cornwall, etc.) and you can be assured of being chilly in Scotland; I'd head for snow via a quick flight to Zurich or Geneva, or sun (and middling warmth; it will still be cool)to Nice, the airport that serves Nice, Cannes, Monaco, St. Tropez. <BR>Or just go back to Paris. Hard to beat. <BR>BAK

Canterbury is nice and you could make it a day trip

If you would like the country-side I would strongly recommend the Cotswolds, Wales, or for a warmer climate, Devon & Cornwall. The Downs and Channel Coast also offer incredible history and sight-seeing. <BR> <BR>If you decide on the Cotswolds, I would strongly recommend Lord of the Manor in Upper Slaughter. A truly five star hotel with a wonderful restaurant in an idyllic setting. It is pricey, but you can probably get a room at this time of year for about 150 pounds, which is a deal.

Why not try Amsterdam. It's a lovely city and has the most wonderful Van Gogh museum. <BR>Or do something completely mad and fly to Helsinki and stay in their famous "ice hotel." Beware of Finland, the people are so charming you will want to return again and again.

Thanks to the plethora of cheap airlines in Britain, you can more or less go anywhere for a few days from London - Nice, Barcelona, Madrid, Amsterdam, Prague, Paris, Stockholm, Berlin etc. etc. etc. Be bold! <BR>www.go-fly.com <BR>www.ryanair.com <BR>www.easyJet.com <BR>www.buzzaway.com <BR>www.virgin.com <BR>www.britishmidland.com <BR>will help you, as will www.lastminute.com and www.ebookers.com and www.eurostar.com - you could book a mini-break from London which might work out cheaper and easier and more convenient.

Another vote for Edinburgh -beautiful city, friendly people and lots to see & do.

I'd second/third the idea of hopping a flight to the Mediterranean. It will still be cool, to be sure, but it can be quite pleasant, a bit like California in terms of day/night temperatures. If it were us, we'd suggest either Barcelona or the Monaco/Menton areas, which probably offer the best chance at actually warm days. After London in February it's amazing how one's spirits can rise with the sunshine and citrus trees, even if it's not beach weather.

Another vote for Belguim. We have really enjoyed our visits there. Also, I would strongly recommend using one of the inexpensive airlines to get to other parts of Europe. We flew from London to Nice last spring and loved it!