I feel compelled to say that anyone planning a trip to England could find MUCH more interesting places to visit than a "Harry Potter" experience

Our country may only be small but it makes up for that with its extremely rich history and there are interesting "real" places to explore in every little corner

I also agree with soot. I think I would love to see the beauty of New Zealand as well as the great pyramids of Egypt as I said before. Certainly each is spectacular one by nature and one by man!

Mad,I was speaking specifically to Potter fans and obviously not everyone one is. England has so much to offer for all tastes and all ages and is an excellent jumping off place for the rest of Europe, two hours from London by fast train and you are in France.

There are pros and cons in most places, so by getting good info before booking is a sensible thing to do. For example even small things can take the edge of a holiday. The hotel looks to have everything you can ask for but what is not shown in the glossy brochures that its located half way up a very steep hill and you have walking difficulties.

I'm glad you concur that everyone isn't a "Potter" fan, Cari, because I, for one, am not. But I certainly AM an England fan

I try to look at my country through the visitors eyes because, like any other country, England has its pros and cons, for example: if I could escape from our long dreary winters I would grab at the chance but language is not a problem for English speakers and most people you will meet will be polite and helpful, even our police, well, most of them.
But if you are looking for days of endless sunshine, sandy beaches and palm trees then England is not for you. Also the city of London will be expensive for American visitors on limited funds and London is not England no more than New York is America. Visit London by all means, it has so much to offer but I would think twice of staying in a London hotel for a couple of weeks and I am London born and brought up.

I wouldn’t call myself a ‘fan’ of England, just content to live here, though the green English countryside in the early summer comes pretty near to paradise.

We all have different tastes and what we consider paradise. Some love the hustle and bustle of the city and others a cabin in the middle of nowhere. The purpose of my question was to see where folks would choose as their perfect destination not to sway them in one way or the other.

There is no right and wrong answer.

Ana

Of course it is my idea of paradise and others will have their’s, it’s an individual thing. But I do have Shakespeare on my side.


This royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle,

This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,

This other Eden, demi-paradise,

Richared 11-

If you're not a fan of England, despite living here, I don't see what quoting Shakespeare is supposed to do - for you or anyone else !!

Anyway, getting back on topic ....

Another destination for me would be Africa but again temperatures rule it out

Africa has been my dream since I was little Mad. I wish many parts of the world would be without conflict. It really scares me to travel to some places if I did have the funds to do so.

Ana

Mad, I am not a fan of England because it’s not the word I would choose to describe the appreciation I have for the country of my birth. The definition of word fan is a shorten version of the word fanatic and I’m not a fanatic of any country, including my own.
Hope this clears this up.

I spent 2 years way back in Africa as a weapons instructor and no, I wouldn’t advise anyone of fifty or over spending a holiday near the equator. But Africa is a continent and a large one and in the south temperatures cool down considerably. The best months are June and July which you will find more comfortable.

But you are right Ana, Africa is a turbulent place on the whole and you have to be very careful on where you go. Such a pity as it’s a fantastic place to visit. The lesson is to do your research before you go and you should be Ok.


Cari.

I would love to go to Australia or South Africa. My Sister-in-law went to South Africa many years ago and loved it.