Marlborough &environs: close enough to fun places to visit, but dozing villages &footpaths, gentle scenery.

But, go further north: Outer Hebrides: scenery, hiking, beaches, standing stones, music, history. Western Isles (Mull &Iona especially): less wild than the Outer islands, lively hiking &community life (Iona). St Columba's haunt. Lindisfarne: Venerable Bede's island home &last bastion of learning against the Viking invaders. Rosslyn Chapel, near Edinburgh: On many levels, a fascinating spot. A jewel of a chapel with a mysterious past.

Favorite month? March, hands down. No midges, no crowds, no lines, good buys on air tickets, transport &accoms. I like the weather then too. Besides, Sep is always Italy, Oct Cape Breton, Nov &May, Australia, summer in Eugene. Sigh. So many places, so little time...

Gail In Eugene for the moment anyway