Never mind, figured it- two different websites. Thanks for the tip. I might get lucky!! Hopefully late July will go down, early July is a really good price!

Hi, marvelousmouse.

RE: TRACKING AIR FARE

You likely use some sort of website to track fares, but I like google's flight search: ita software. You can search your preferred airline w/nearby airlines, and search a calendar for lowest airfares. Also, airfare watchdog will send you emails when lower airfares go into effect. I've flown from Chicago O'Hare to London Heathrow for $586 RT the past two years because I've been alerted by email. (Those were on AA and BA.) Good luck!

https://matrix.itasoftware.com
http://airfarewatchdog.com

Hi, again. I see you're leaning toward England and visiting the countryside and National Trust properties. (We would be awesome travel buddies.)

RE: National Trust
My favorite National Trust properties have been Calke Abbey in Derbyshire, Carlyle's House in London.

RE: Countryside
As for the countryside, I don't know if you're interested in hiking (or as they say over there, 'walking'), I have had my favorite walks in the Cotswolds. Gorgeous countryside that feels so quintessentially English. I've done the Lake District, the Peak District and Yorkshire, and I like the walks in the Cotswolds best. I haven't rented a car in that area, as I really don't like that stress (I did rent for the north, once), and did perfectly fine with public transportation (buses and trains). Many disagree with me, and there are likely more out of the way villages you'll not get to easily, but when I based in Cheltenham, I stayed at the George Hotel, and had easy access to a big bus stand that took me to several areas: Chipping Campden, Broadway, Winchester, Snowshill and several others. I used traveline to help sort out the routes. If you don't want to plan walking routes, I think there are several relaxed routes around Winchester, and the walk from Broadway up to the Broadway Tower is easy.
http://www.traveline.info
Also, I had a wonderful day out with "The Secret Cottage" tour out of Moreton-in-Marsh, which has an easy rail connection to London.
https://www.cotswoldtourismtours.co.uk

RE: London/Economical Hotels
I like to end my vacations in London, as I find the city easier to navigate than the countryside, so it feels like I'm really having fun and relaxation at the end. If you're traveling alone, I pre-pay to stay at The Strand Palace and the Nadler Victoria. The Nadler properties are nice, as they have a little kitchenette in their rooms. I've stayed several times at the Nadler by the Earl's Court station, which is a bit west, but I found it rather nice for the areas I was visiting, in Kensington and Chelsea, and the tube stop is really convenient.

Have fun planning!

So helpful! Thank you so much- I do enjoy hiking, that's most of the reason I wanted to go in July. And the Secret Cottage has been on my list, so I'm glad to hear from someone who had done it. And thanks so much for the traveline site, bookmarking!

Like you said- navigating cities is much easier. How do you usually plan your walks? Do you do loops or do you walk from transit to transit? Is the latter possible? I use buses frequently in town but not really in rural areas because of course that's not something common here.

Hi, marvelousmouse.

RE: Walking the north Cotswold villages with public transportation.

I rather liked taking the buses around the Cotswolds. It’s not the fastest way to get around, but as I was there to hike, it was really nice to have a local driver navigate those roads and it gave me time to study my maps and relax after. You do need to get the bus schedules sorted on traveline, but that was fairly easy. And people are lovely and eager to help navigate the journey. Though, as they are English and respectful about getting up in your business, they don’t step up to help like Americans. You may need to approach them with questions/clarifications.

The walks I wanted to do were in the north, so I ended up basing in Cheltenham the first time. (Though other Fodorites may be able to chime in with other bases with good transportation options. I imagine Moreton-in-Marsh would also be quite good. I also remember Winchcombe as being a village with numerous circular walks originating there.)

I flew into Heathrow, took a bus from Heathrow to Reading Rail station. Took a train from Reading to Cheltenham Spa rail station, walked to the George Hotel (about a mile or so away, if I recall correctly, but an easy, residential walk—even rolling my suitcase). BTW: The George Hotel was wonderful, with the best English b’fast. It sets you up for a day of hiking.)

In Cheltenham, 1½ blocks away is a large “bus stand,” where you can ride to several villages.

FANTASTIC WALK #1: Chipping Campden to Broadway Tower to Broadway
I rode from Cheltenham to Moreton in Marsh, transferred to a bus for Chipping Campden. Walked Chipping Campden to Broadway, and bussed back to Cheltenham from Broadway. (Also, on another trip, I walked from Moreton-in-Marsh to Sezincote, which is fantastic and an easy walk.)

WALK: Stanton to Snowshill (back to Stanton)
The next day, I took a bus to Stanton, and walked to Snowshill and back to Stanton, to catch the bus back. Snowshill is the prettiest Cotswold village, and Snowshill Manor and Garden is a great National Trust property.

HARDER WALK: Painswick to Kings Stanley
The next, I bussed to Stroud, then Merrywalks Rd to Painswick to walk to Kings Stanley. (This walk scared me a bit, as it goes through a wood that is easy to get lost in. Wasn’t the best walk, I’d pass--unless you can go with an experienced guide.)

EASY WALK: Winchcombe to Sudely Castle
The next, I bussed to Winchcombe (I think I called it Winchester this a.m.—my error.), walked to Sudely Castle (awesome awesome awesome) and then back to Cheltenham. Winchcombe has a wonderful church and yew trees in the graveyard.

RE: Preparing for Walking the Cotswolds
I ordered Ordnance Survey maps ahead of time, photocopied the sections I needed for each day, laminated them, and studied them ahead of time. You’ll need a map compass, hiking boots, sun hat and back pack. I used trekking poles, which helped me when the going up/down hills and when ground was muddy, but these aren’t necessary.

There are garmins and other digital mapping tools, but I never used those. Maybe someone else could help with that. I was always nervous about reception in those areas, so wanted to be prepared with a map and compass.

Googling “Best Cotswold Way” walks or something to that effect, will bring you lots of ideas as to which villages/walks you want to attempt. I think much of the Cotswold Way is very well marked, but don’t be fooled that you’ll not need map and map reading/compass skills. I’m not the best outdoorsman, but I managed to do it, so don’t be too afraid—just be mindful to put some planning and preparation into the walks.

RE: The Secret Cottage Tour
Enjoyed this very much. You can read about it here on my blog, and see a few pics. It was great to meet fellow travelers, and you are fed really well. I booked this spur-of-the moment on a rainy day when I didn’t want to walk and it was perfect. I think I have some entries that were posted about Sezincote, too.
http://www.susannelord.com/blog/2015...secret-cottage

Have a great time planning!

Thanks. Did you put your trekking poles in checked baggage? I would like to take mine but I'm thinking they aren't allowed in carryon.

My map reading skills are bit terrible but I think could figure it out. I would be less worried about hiking there than at a NP. Possibly less chance of getting lost and injured I would think.


Was amused to discover that I've read your blog before- I remember the damsel! Thank you very much for the link.

Couple of points to add to the info on hiking:

I have taken collapsible hiking sticks in my checked bags. Would not try it in carry on as there are sharp points under the rubber.

There is a direct National Express coach from Heathrow to Cheltenham.

This is THE site for hiking in Britain:
http://www.ramblers.org.uk

Public footpaths in Britain are usually pretty well signed. Note that you may find yourself using a right-of-way across private property.

I find google maps on my phone very useful for buses.

National Trust:

Consider joining Royal Oak, the US affiliate.
http://www.royal-oak.org

London lodging

During university term time I usually stay at the Ridgemount on Gower Street. During vacations I stay in one of the LSE student halls of residence. Usually Grosvenor House, where I get a kitchenette as well as an en-suite bath. All of them are in good locations, but Grosvener House is convenient for the Piccadilly line in from LHR, and there is Marks and Spencers for food supplies right outside Covent Garden tube station.

http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/Home.aspx

To stay in one of the colleges in Oxford or Cambridge see:

http://www.universityrooms.com

If you choose Cambridge, don't miss Ely, another 15 minutes by train with a wonderful cathedral.

HI, Marvelousmouse.
You know, I've never hiked in a US Nat'l. Park, but some of the longer hikes on the Cotswold Way CAN turn you around and get you lost--though, yes, there's usually a village close enough by. However, there is a potential in getting so lost that you may find yourself losing sunlight, which would be bad. So early morning hiking is important. But you sound like you've done enough hikes to know that.

Also, when I hiked in September and May, I was surprised by how solitary the hikes are--especially on the weekdays. In the Lake District, there seem to be quite a few hikers, but not as many in the Cotswolds. Though, perhaps in the summer, there'll be more folks around. If there are more challenging hikes you want to try, maybe try those on a weekend.

Yes, I checked my trekking poles. I don't think I would have been able to carry them on. The tip is a bit pointy. At times, they're a bit of a pain to tie/untie from your backpack, but at the end of a hike, when you start to get fatigued, they can help quite a bit. I also find them helpful if the ground is muddy to keep from turning an ankle and to keep your balance.

Thursday's tip on staying in a university dorm is an excellent one. I've never done it, but it can make London a bit more affordable.

I'm trying to follow this thread but could use some clarification. (I know, it's still a work in progress, but no harm in asking...)

How long do you have? You started saying two or three weeks, then later that seemed to become three to four. BIG difference.

If it's four and laps into August, then Edinburgh becomes a big question mark, good or bad. Throughout August Edinburgh is filled with people attending or participating in the various festivals - the "big" International Festival, and the (vast, chaotic) Fringe Festival, during which every hotel room is booked and every church basement, auditorium, theater, pub, warehouse or spare room is given over to people putting on theater, music or other productions. (The last two I attended a few years ago were a musical version of Hamlet, with the ultimate duelists fighting with poisoned herrings, and a musical version of <i>Oedipus at Colonus</i> featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama.)

<i>IF</i> you enjoy street theater, improv comedy, cutting edge music (or bagpipes at the Tattoo) then Edinburgh in August is a dream come true. Exhilarating doesn't even come close.

If you <i>DON'T,</i> then it can be hellish.

But just as a thought experiment, what if you spent a few days in Edinburgh during the festival, had a ball seeing some plays or events, then did some countryside exploring in Scotland? Even in Edinburgh itself there are marvelous "hidden" (well, not really) places like the Dean Path and Dean Village <b>maitaitom</b> visited, where it feels like you're a hundred miles from the crowds on Princes Street. Look at the pages on Undiscovered Scotland - http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/ - for Cramond, Duddingston and Swanston, three ancient villages on the periphery of Edinburgh.

Cramond is on the coast with ruins of a Roman wall, a tidal path out to an island in the Firth of Forth, a famous comfy pub (okay food, cheap good beer) and an ancient church. Hopefully by next year a short "chain ferry" across the mouth of the River Almond will be reopened, allowing one to walk along the shoreline from Cramond to South Queensferry, past a ruined castle and a stately home (Dalmeny House) open to visitors. South Queensferry is also ancient and historic; R.L. Stevenson allegedly composed much of <i>Kidnapped</i> while residing at the Hawes Inn, which sits undisturbed and still open for business beneath the incredible arches of the Forth Rail Bridge - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload...30617_15Hs.jpg . Here's the website for the walk - https://dalmeny.co.uk/dalmeny-house/the-shore-walk

Duddingston is close to town; it's on the far side of Holyrood (Queen's) Park from Holyrood Palace and the (hideous) Scots Parliament buildings. This "village within a city" has another ancient church, a wee loch, and reputedly the oldest still-functioning pub in the UK, the Sheep Heid, complete with skittles lanes. http://www.gpsmycity.com/tours/holyr...-tour-125.html

Swanston also has Stevenson connections; he lived in this village for a time. Swanston is south of town, at the foot of the Pentland Hills, superb walking country with expansive views to the south and north. Swanston is home to numerous thatched buildings, rare in Scotland. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...ton/index.html

So if you are interested in Edinburgh but also want some outdoors and rural experiences accessible without a car, it's hard to do better in Britain for a marvelous city in such close proximity to very interesting and beautiful countryside. And of course, either with a car or using trains or buses (or small-group tours like those offered by Rabbie's and their ilk) Scotland is an absolute banquet of possibilities.

To clarify, re: time:

I have 4-6 weeks in which I could take a vacation, late June-early August. The 3 week thing was more that a month wore me out in Japan this year, but that may have been more the heat or humidity. I'm not sure. I'm tired right now, gardyloo. I may very well be looking at 4-5 weeks when I go to book the flight in a few months, and I suspect that it will be 3-ish weeks outside of London and one week for London. Right now it is just "what if"- I'm trying to get a feel if I would be better off looking for open jaw or round trip.

I think I have enough sightseeing on my list for Edinburgh that I would not want to be there during the festival, but yes, it does exhilarating to me, which is why I'm interested in the Galway festival.

Thanks so much for the links! I would love to see more of Scotland.

chgogal- I have enough experience hiking that I know my limits, basically. I think I may check my luggage for those poles. When my "bad" foot is tired, the ankle is weaker and that is what causes most of my injuries. So I'm leery of hiking off season on trails that are fairly solitary.

And, yes, Thursday, thanks for he dorm link, that's great and exactly the price range I was looking for.