Hi,

I am trying to figure out where to go in Europe. I have 3 weeks between Aug 15 and Sept 5th available.

I have been to Paris and London before, but would like to explore more of the UK I think. Scotland, Ireland etc.

I hear that Greece/Spain/Italy is extremely hot at this time of year and crowded? Would you recommend? Thoughts on Croatia?

Any advice on not to miss locations, or routes would be greatly appreciated. Also, info on cheap flights at this time from Canada to Europe.

I have recently returned from 3 months backpacking in South America, so I know I should probably choose only a couple countries due to my short time frame.

Thanks in advance!

Greece/Spain/Italy IS hot at this time of year. I suppose you'd enjoy it.

Many tourists seem to enjoy Europe at this time, and you will too, just as long as you like heat. At least in Greece and Spain there's plenty of beach.

Or you could skip it all, and head straight for cooler Eastern Europe. I'd spend all the time in Bosnia, myself. Mostar is very nice, so is Sarajevo. Thats a full week right there.

Also, theres the Vienna, Hungary, and Romania trip.

Further on, theres Germany, Berlin, Czech republic. Maybe Slovakia to complete the picture.

I figure that 3 weeks is good for one country. Which one depends on what you want to see. The Mediterranean will be hot...if that's what you like, then great, otherwise try elsewhere. The big destination countries will be overrun by tourists if you stick to popular destinations. Croatia likely a little less so, at least outside of the biggest tourist centres.

Personally, for a mid-summer trip, I think I'd rather stick to more northern countries, anyway. If your budget can handle it, Norway would probably be my first choice, with Poland or Estonia being more budget-friendly options that get good reviews.

If the UK and Ireland is what you want, then go for it, though I still suggest picking one country. They're fantastic countries with more than enough to keep a person busy for a year. Beware that for the month of August, there will be no reasonably priced accommodation available in Edinburgh (and precious little that's unreasonably priced), so if you haven't already booked, don't count on going there until the last few days of your trip. If you want to check out the Edinburgh Festival, you'll probably have to stay in Glasgow or elsewhere and make day trips.

As for cheap flights, check out Air Transat and Canadian Affair. They have flights from most parts of the country to London, and from select cities to Glasgow, Manchester and Dublin...even more UK selection from Toronto. If you're heading for the UK or Ireland, the northern airports will probably be cheapest, but if you're connecting to the rest of Europe, London will be undoubtedly be best. Air Canada does have some decent seat sales this year, but if you live within a few hours of a major US airport, it's often cheaper, though significantly more hassle, to drive down and fly from there.

Yes, Italy is hot & crowded in late August. Not only that, August 15th is one of the biggest national holidays in this country, when just about everything shuts down. So while it can be fun to be here on that day (if you're able to join in on a local celebration), it can be a HUGE pain to arrive here on that day.

August is when Italians go on vacation, so in addition to the usual tourist track being crowded with, well, tourists - the beaches (where it's cooler & one could escape the summer heat) are crowded with Italians. Being an Italophile, I'd still say there are worse places one could go in August... But it's also probably not the time to see the country at her best... Especially if you don't like heat or crowds.

I agree with 2wanderers - 3 weeks is probably good for 1 or 2 countries, maybe 3 max. Since you're only going for a short span of time, you'll want to make your time in Europe count - and not waste days by traveling (even if you pull the whole 'travel by night, explore by day' thing, from personal experience you're always exhausted after getting little to no sleep and don't really appreciate the city/country as much)

Greece is hot this time of year, but i wouldn't write it off - Mainland Greece is ridiculous (I was in Athens this time last year, it was 55 for a week) but i spent 3 weeks island hopping and it was one of the best times in my life. I'd really recommend the islands, they're cool as breezes blow through them, but hot enough that by the time you're back you'll be brown as a berry.

A great trip I'd definitely recommend could be Greece/Bulgaria/Romania, or Croatia/Slovenia/Hungary. The Dalmatian coast is only just getting discovered, so it's 'relatively' less busy than other Mediterranean destinations. I did Greece/Bulgaria/Romania last year and met really laid back people and had a fantastic time. Train travel is a little onerous through the mountains, but it's definitely worth it (Bulgaria is dirt cheap, but really awesome).

Thanks for all your advice!
I am now thinking of flying to Amsterdam, then somehow get to Germany (my boyfriend wants to visit as his relatives are from there originally) then head either to Greece or Croatia. Would love to do both, but my timeline (and prob budget) just wont allow it. Maybe the first week Amsterdam/Germany combo (haven't chosen where to go in Germany yet...) and the last two weeks in Greece or Croatia? Does anyone know of a route from Germany through Prague to Greece or Croatia, or would I need to fly? I read that the train system isn't very good through that area.
Has anyone been to both countries and would recommend one over the other?
Kewa, how many islands did you visit in Greece, how long did you spend on each one and what kind of budget did you use? I heard that Greece is expensive now with the Euro.
Thanks again

Greece and Croatia are different kinds of trips.

In Greece, its very hot, and you have many choices:

Historical Greece- Athens, Delphi, etc.. void of beaches,
Resort Greece- the Islands.

Each is at least a week to do it right, and I've heard great things about the islands. The summer is a great way to see the less touristed version of them, especially life on a small greek Island. I don't know of any cheap way to do this.

I loved Delphi. It is one of the most innately spiritual places I have ever been to, or rather the most captivating locations I have ever seen, with a history going back 2000 years before the Greeks.

If you're looking to explore the UK in greater depth Edinburgh and Scotland is the place to visit.

Edinburgh is easily my favorite capital city in the world and early September is a great time of year to see it.

I'd suggestion Edinburgh with a 3 day Isle of Skye trip through Wild in Scotland (http://www.wildinscotland.com). Did it last September and absolutely loved it. Skye is AMAZING and the trip gives you a great taste of the highlands.