I wrote in my last post that I hope to go to England next summer. Since this plan was hatched three weeks ago, I’ve been devouring books on the subject. The first was Susan Allen Toth’s My Love Affair with England. Unfortunately the book dealt too much with her difficult marriage, problem students and her daughter’s very bad foreign exchange experience. Happily, her second book, England as You Like It, had more information about how to actually plan a trip to England.
I appreciate Toth’s habit of heading off the beaten track, as well as her practice of balancing comfort with frugality. Her suggestions are, “always seasoned by experience and caution, with a substantial dash of adventure and a huge dollop of curiosity.” (p. 4)
Her best traveling tip is to spend a week in one area (no bigger than a thumbprint on the map) while exploring its museums, beaches, gardens, churches, shops, etc. This relaxed type of trip has more appeal to me than one where you try to hit as many cities as possible within a short stay.
The final book I read was Philip Crowl’s The Intelligent Traveller's Guide to Historic Britain. All entries in this book are very brief. It will be useful once we decide on a location since it covers the main places to see in each county.
“From private gardens to quirky museums, woodland walks to seaside resorts, all of Great Britain is a treasure-house for the thoughtful and observant tourist.” (Toth, p. 51)
I’d love any suggestions for other books to read or places to visit.
4 comments:
Oh, Hope! I'm excited! This will be great.
Curt and I went to England/Scotland in 2008. I blogged about it here:
http://magistramater.xanga.com/tags/uktrip/
How the Heather Looks by Joan Bodger was a book I enjoyed.
I'm eager to hear more.
Carol, I think I first discovered your blog around the time you went to England. Of course, that hooked me even before I knew that we liked many of the same kinds of books.
I'll go back and read some of your posts to get some ideas, but I'd appreciate any book suggestions.
I went to Europe back in 1998, and we hit 5 countries in two weeks. Sheesh! I'm glad I saw so many places in case I never get to go back, but I, too, like the slower pace better. We saw all the usual places in our short stay in England--Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, Stratford-upon-Avon. I loved England and would love to go back. Of all the places we went, Westminster Abbey was my favorite.
I came across a title tonight that might interest you as you prepare for your trip to England.
In Search of England by H.V. Morton
I have not read it myself but the Amazon preview made it look interesting.
http://www.amazon.com/Search-England-H-V-Morton/dp/0306811057/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318899800&sr=8-1
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