Where to go for 3 weeks in August
 

My husband and I are planning a trip for the first three weeks of August. We are considering France and Northern Italy but I'm concerned about crowds and heat. I can handle heat better than crowds. Are there beautiful, historic locations which aren't absolutely overrun in August? We can't change the dates.

We're students trying to travel cheaply and comfortably. We'd also like to split our times between cities and bucolic little towns. We're not looking for beach time for this trip--last year we spent two weeks exploring the beaches of Vieques.

I would love to go to Scotland in August...I'll bet combining that with Ireland and/or England would make a comfortable three week trip.

Beautiful historic locations not overrun in August? C'mon, you have to be reasonable with your expectations!

Like J suggested, Ireland and Scotland are two places with great summer climate (mid 70s). Add to that Scandanavia and Switzerland.

Every European country has an interesting history and a collection of bucolic villages. Browse a guidebook or a pictoral essay at the book store to get some ideas. It should definitely be possible to find such places with a moderate August climate, but be prepared to go off the beaten path.

Northwestern Spain is lovely, green and not terribly hot in August. Try walking part of the pilgrim's trail to Santiago de Compostela.