I'd like to go to Europe this year, UK, or France, or maybe a combo of countries.

[raccoon]

I'd go with Elderhostel but most of their overseas trips are longer than I really want. I'm thinking of a week-10 days.

Any suggestions, experiences here? I'll be going alone.

[yy4me]

1. Hi Raccoon, I follow your posts all the time, you sure have a

desire to travel. I admire the fact that you are willing to see the world, it is so fantastic. We have been fortunate enough to have gone to Europe a few times. I'd like to go again but $$$ is tight. Who knows, maybe there will be some good buys in May and we could put it together. Wi are Seniors who are constantly on the go. Castle hoping, city walking, museums and the like. It is all good. Where do you think you'd like to go and when? You can easily go alone and still have a great time. Check www.fodors.com for ideas. Also, many hints on www.ricksteves.com.

We never use a single source for our travel info but make notes and compile our own literary.

[raccoon]

2. UK, France, or Italy, or maybe a combo. As to when, from late spring to early fall.

Thanks for the links.

[Eurobabe]

3. Dont' go from July 1st to end of August. It sucks.

I live in Europe and the tourists swarm during the summer, despite the high euro. Actually, I would love to rent out my house and flee during the summer!

May and September/October are the best months to come. If you have 7-10 days, do two countries max.

Just my suggestions.

[Darth_Kitten]

4. September/October sounds good to me!

:D

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. And airfares are lower in the fall

If you go during the summer, you'll pay the highest airfares. Even the bargain airfares are higher between June and August.

I also agree with the idea of limiting the number of countries. I made two trips to the UK, totaling 21 days for the two trips, and I still feel as if I have another month or two just of the UK to visit, not to mention the other countries.

[comrade snarky]

6. Shoulder Season

You cant beat it. The time after the summer rush and before winter sets in. Not only do you find better prices but there is a noticeable lack of tourists.

For example, late October in Florence. My wife and I were going to the Ufizi gallery and weren't sure where the entrance was because there was NO line. None. It took longer to go through the bag check than to buy tickets. We waited 10 minutes to get into the museum with David and once we were in there was none of that 15 minutes to look before you get shuffled out.

You do take a chance on weather but that made for some great memories. Sitting at the central square in Sienna under an umbrella eating hot Tuscan bean soup while a thunderstorm raged above the square. The next day stumbling into a romanesque cathedral in a little hill town to find ourselves completely alone with the only lights being a few candles and lightning flashes through the stained glass. Yeah, it was terrible. :-)

The one suggestion I'd have is to limit your itinerary. Two countries in 10 days is a lot unless you are only hitting big 2 cities. I think it's better to slow down and get to know a place a little.

Be sure to post where you decide to go! There's tons of great info out there.