I am usually one of those posters that shake my head at the posts where people ask where to go on their next trip. This time I am asking a similar question - although I have done my research and do have somewhat of a plan.

Here is my dilemma -

I had a full trip to Holland with am open jaw points ticket. I was going to make my way to Bruge (I have been but would like to go back) and then fly out of the UK. This included a short visit to family in the UK.

Tragedy stuck this winter and I feel the need for sunshine and a slower pace. I thought perhaps Cinque Terra.

The problem with this destination is the following -

1. I would like to use an open jaw ticket- so I would have to fly onto Milan or Rome .

2. From my research, I think 4 days should be enough to enjoy the area so where can I go from there?

3. I travel solo - is there enough to keep a solo traveller busy ?

Any thoughts or suggestion would be most appreciated.

I am a little confused. Are you saying that you want to keep your existing ticket - into Amsterdam and out of London, but put somewhere warm and relaxing in between Amsterdam and London? Or are you thinking of getting a new ticket altogether?

It would help to know when you will be traveling.

Four days sounds a little long for the CT, maybe Amalfi Coast instead? Have you thought about Portugal? The Greek islands - or even the Greek mainland? Sicily - although four days is really short for Sicily which can easily occupy three weeks.

And of course, if it is summer, you could gamble a little with the weather and head for Devon and Cornwall in England.

Sorry about the tragedy. Good luck.

A nice add-on to Cinque Terre is Genoa. Almost no tourists, great piazzas and alleyways to amble through, a cathedral to sightsee, a genuine Italian city in a scenic location with delicious pesto and vino. Easy to get to by train from northern Italy and the delightful Ryanair will fly you to or from London.

Hello - no I don't have a ticket yet so I am free to travel wherever my carrier will take me. August is my time of year. Heat is not an issue - I know it will be hot.

Hmmm, I'm traveling in August this year, but I'm going to northern Germany and Scandinavia to escape the heat!

If you can pick anywhere in Europe for August and you want hot, hottest would be southern Spain, but I think that would be overdoing it. I'd probably head for Greece or Slovenia/Croatia/Montenegro.

I'm also a bit confused -- how long a trip are you planning? It would make a difference to what I would recommend....

8 to 10 days on the ground - meaning I keep two days travelling days (although I take good advantage of early morning arrivals and use that day to get myself oriented. The last day I try to book am afternoon flight so I can have one last coffee at my destination .

With 8 to 10 days, you might consider Milan (just for a day or so to get over jet lag and see the Last Supper and a few other sites), the Cinque Terre (timed so you have 2 full days there), and Rome -- which has MORE than enough to keep you busy for the rest of your time!

Enjoy!

I hate to disagree with kja, but I would not pick Rome for someone wanting "a slower pace". Maybe Umbria, if it has to be Italy? Or how about Sardinia?

thursdaysd makes a good point! I was thinking of pace in terms of what one does, not what the setting affords.

I appreciate your suggestions. I love Rome. I agree I could spend endless hours wandering but I think I need something a bit more tranquil.

Gas anyone been to any nice beach areas in Holland. Abandon Italy and stick to my original plan of flying into Amsterdam but staying ....I keep think that weather might not be the sunshiney vacation I am hoping for...

I suppose there must be beaches in Holland... I believe some of the north German beaches are popular, although if I were going to do northern European beaches I would head for Devon and Cornwall, as suggested above. But I think you would be happier heading south, although not necessarily Italy. I have a fondness for Portugal, although I would go to the west coast as the Algarve is so popular.

I can only comment on the solo travel aspect. I have never been bored *anywhere* traveling on my own!

If it were me, alone, with the above criteria, I would consider flying into Amsterdam, as planned, staying a few days, then heading up to Norway. Such a beautiful time of the year up there . . . lots of sun, lots of daylight, and it is just a warm, relaxing, and beautiful place.

Easy to get to from Amsterdam . . . then the hop over to the UK is quite easy from there as well.

If it were me, I'd go from Ams to Bergen, then do the Norway in a Nutshell backwards to Oslo; hang in Oslo a few days; then take the night train up to Trondheim to see almost the midnight sun and visit one of the most pleasant towns ever.

I've done that on my own before, as well as with family in tow.