We have to be frugal where we stay in the UK. Some places you get good value and some places not. It is cheaper than some US cities. I hear all the Canadian snowbirds talk about the difference in their dollar to ours. They still come to Fl but just eat cheaper and buy less. Many have winter homes here.
I hope it comes back up for you.
We have been looking at Edinburgh and we can get a nice accommodation at a reasonable price even with the exchange difference. Apartments are the way to go for that and eating in a few meals. I have to watch my bar bill more than anything.
We have been looking at Spain, White Towns of Andalusia for winter.

Elizabeth--

When you come back to look at all of the responses you got, will you also give out some advice? Can you tell me which of the places you mentioned in your original post you have actually visited in the winter and then comment on how they were as winter destinations? We too feel that quite a lot of the world's weather, even if it is not very warm, is better than the cold, snowy, icy and crummy climate we are from.

And, if you are open to a place other than Europe, I have a thought. We've spent time in Merida, Mexico, an old colonial city in the Yucatan. It is absolutely flat. You can drive quite a few interesting places within your 90 minute parameters. It is one of the safest cities in Mexico and doesn't have the crime issues that scare so many people away. Cost of living is cheap. Rentals are very reasonable, and you could find one where you can park outside your door. But, since winter is peak season, you'd probably need to start looking for a rental right now.

Hi Elizabeth

So glad to hear you are still planning your winter escape. Sorry to hear Richard's recovery wasn't at the "hoped for" rate, but I am glad that he is seeing regular progress.

I'm not sure about your comfort with Spanish, but I've talked recently with some friends who are excited about Colombia. Accommodations are reasonable and the weather much more agreeable than by the blustery lake.

Wherever you choose, I know we can all look forward to some wonderful stories upon your return.

tC

so many math majors . . .

Yes -- London can be expensive -- or not. But in the rest of the UK, not so much. Especially in smaller towns and villages. My point was not that the UK is cheaper. It was that the <u>Exchange Rates</u> are very comparable. The OP isn't the only one to make this miscalculation - because the € is 'cheaper" vs the $ does NOT mean it is a better <u>exchange rate</u>.

Apples and oranges. The OP said >>The Canadian dollar is so weak versus the Pound. << . . . It is no weaker against the £ than it is against the €.

Going somewhere else is TOTALLY understandable and TOTALLY fine . . . but NOT because of the exchange rates . . .

Elizabeth. I can probably help. One is not allowed to advertise here (I tried to post a link, but they thought that was what I was doing, and they took down the post- fair dos). Email me if you want. Addy on my profile.

You won't find it hard to be cheap in Europe n winter. The world's your oyster, babe

There are days I'm too stupid to be allowed. It wasn't here I posted. It was the other place you asked

Wow - thanks for all the help! I've tried to comment/answer questions below

- Salerno is an interesting idea which we could twin with something further south. Thx

- Christina - yes your "guess" is right. Re Malaga - I should have said near Malaga to be clearer that I was looking for a rural drive in/drive out place to stay but have day trip access elsewhere. As I mentioned I am leery about the South of Spain given our canceled travel plans from earlier this year and my knowledge that we would want to visit all the fabulous sites/cathedrals, etc. As things are now he couldn't do that kind of standing/walking around museums, etc.

- re the Pound - I shouldn't have used the exchange rate as my reason (lazy writing!) it's the relative value of goods in the UK versus some of the other areas we're considering. And I think most agree the UK is more expensive than the other areas we're considering. However that's by no means a deal breaker

- Villefranche sur Mer is lovely - will look at it as a base. And yes a small town with parking at hand would fit the bill as well. Probably my first preference but am remaining open to ideas.

- And we remember Vence fondly from other trips - will have a look at it too but not that house! LOL - we are such klutzes we'd fall from the kitchen into the living room twice a day!

- Haven't considered Ireland as a winter destination -- same for Scotland

- thanks for the trip report Gardyloo -- Gibraltar was on and off our itinerary many times (the one we didn't do)

- We've spent quite a bit of time in South America and loved it. Parts of it can fit the driving holiday scenario. Europe is so easy for us to get to at the last minute flightwise given it's off season and we don't want to book until we're more certain (which is ruling out Asia and NZ/OZ for me). But I should reconsider SA (and take into account AA's suggestion of Columbia as well)

- I'm going to have a closer look at Le Marche thank you - that area has interested us for a long time

- julies - I have noted where we stayed in winter below:

- two months in Rome
- Tuscany (Lucca for a month) and Venice and area (month)
- two weeks in Sardinia
- one week in Corsica
- Croatia - month of March in Istria and Dubrovnik
- Amalfi coast/Puglia
- Nice area (but not for very long)
- Paris for 6 weeks mid December to end January
- Barcelona for two months (it was Springlike actually)
- a few nights in Amsterdam

We would go back to any of the places above in a heartbeat, despite pretty crummy weather in some of them (it snowed for a week in Lucca!). But we're happy if it's above freezing and we dress well for the rain (and I'm from Vancouver originally so maybe I'm more tolerant of rain). As I mentioned we even like the deserted beach towns in February!

Re Merida - we were near there last year and loved it. Rented a car and drove around the ruins but didn't spend time in the city. (Westjet just launched a direct flight from Toronto with airfares under $500!). I'm not sure if 6 weeks would be too long though?

- and Sheila - thank you so much for the info - I saw it on the other link and will drop you a note. Very interesting idea!

Thanks again for everyone's help.

Have you considered Malta? I think it's one of those love-it-or-hate-it places, but I was one who loved it.

And if you are re-considering South America, I have to say that I had a very lovely time in Colombia: http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...r-colombia.cfm
Cartagena could make you forget winter exists!

Thanks Amy! We spent a week in Malta (I forgot!)in March 2008 sussing it out as a winter destination for us. We loved it but weren't sure we'd spend 6-8 weeks there. But now you mention it I should definitely reconsider.

And obviously Columbia needs to be on my list of places to visit!

I commented elsewhere on Colombia. Haven't been yet, but from my research I'm not sure it would work given the restraints you have listed.

Hot Artichoke Dip - people love this!!

Ingredients

1 – 14 oz. can artichoke hearts 398ml
drained & chopped
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
cheese 125ml
1 cup mayonnaise 250ml
1 garlic clove, minced
dash lemon juice

Instructions

Mix all ingredients. Bake at 350F (180C) for 10 minutes. Serve with crackers

LOL - wrong thread! But a great recipe!

Elizabeth--

You say you spent Tuscany two weeks in Sardinia and one week in Corsica. And, I believe you also said you spent a month in Sicily at some point (maybe not winter though). I believe you said you really liked Corsica. Why did you prefer it to Sardinia? And, how did both of these places compare to Sicily? We just spent three weeks there in October and really liked it. Also, were you on both of these islands in January, and what was the weather like then?

We've often talked about a month in Venice after Carnival is over. What month were you there, and were there any problems? We were there for 5 days over New Year's once and had fine weather. Another year we spent a week in May and had aqua alta.

Thanks.

julies:

We were in Corsica in January and Sardinia in early February (different years). Don't have a strong preference either way - enjoyed them both very much.

Sardinia is similar to Sicily - Greek ruins (not as many or as well preserved)and beach resorts. We stayed one week in Cagliari and one week outside of Alghero. We enjoyed day trips from the latter.

Sardinia may have a slight edge for food although the Corsican cuisine is really good!

We had great weather in both places - bright and sunny with daytime highs of 7C-10C. Sat outside for lunch or drinks several times.

Re Venice - we were there in February overlapping with Carnival for one week. Weather was a mixed bag - some rain/lovely sun/cool - but we always had good weather when we needed it.

We had acqua alta one night - amazing! Pic below outside our apartment

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/....61e4bf3970d-pi

And here's a link to our blog - you can see the nice weather we had

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/p...beyond/venice/

Sardinia blog

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/2...ly/b-sardinia/

Some Corsica here

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/p...way-to-venice/

The canary Islands and Morocco

bilboburgler - Canary Islands are interesting. Which then reminded me of the Azores which is a possibility too.

LiZ--

Thanks for the links. I've started to take a look at them but will spend more time on them later.

I had a couple other thoughts for you: Cyprus and Crete. Haven't been to either one, but they are on our list.

I'm not going to get into the cost issues of the UK. But the UK could be an issue for your husband's knee. Generally speaking, it will be damper there than in many of the other places you're considering. Does dampness/humidity bother your husband? If yes, in any way, then pick someplace that's drier overall.

Some people aren't affected at all by humidity or a chilly dampness. Others, even with replacement joints are. I have mild to moderate osteoarthritis in one knee and oddly enough, I find that it actually feels better in a warm, humid climate (Singapore, for example). Mine reacts more to the weather as it changes (from dry to damp or vice versa) but then is fine once the change has taken place (the worst, for me, are the hours before the rain arrives).

Anyway, just something to mull over. Good luck with your trip planning and with your husband's recovery!

(If it were me, I'd go to Mallorca, probably Palma or Soller -- I'd like to see the almond blossoms, there are good deals to be had on rentals, the sun will be shining -- clouds and rain too, admittedly, and chilly at night -- and while there will still be people around, it won't be crowded)

Lots of great ideas for now and future trips!

Before the knee replacement weather wasn't a huge factor for him but we don't know how it will respond. Since we would like to visit Ireland and Scotland I think it will likely be a different time of year.

Regarding 2 suggestions above, spent a March in Marrakech, cold & rainy, no heating in the hotel, thought I'd freeze to death.

And Mallorca, read George Sand, 'Winter in Mallorca'.

Although either place may be sunny and warm, but not reliably so.