Thanks to a merger at work I'll actually be getting a few more vacation days next year in 2007 (yes, it is fairly unheard of but who am I to refuse). Anway my wife and I are looking that as a good reason to cash in some airline miles and fly someplace for two weeks next summer.
Looking at the UK. Probably pick two areas and concentrate around them for several days each. Tops on the list is the northwest coast of Scotland-the western Highlands, maybe Isle of Skye. More open for the other area, but thought about the Lake District, Wales, or SW England (Stonehenge and Cornwall area).
I have read through many posts here and have seen many an issues of the various UK mags like Outdoor Photography, Photography Monthly, and Practical Photography that have given me some great ideas on basic locations.
We would be looking for quieter places to stay. Places with easy access for a good hike. I would also like to be able to get out early and late for some landscapes. Figure morning photography, hikes, see historical places, evening photography. Here is the states we normally frequent National Parks, but I do not think you will encounter anything with the lodges, hiking, etc of the US park system.
Ideally we would also like to avoid the worst of the tourists and midges. So we are looking at late April or mid-late September. As long as we do not have clear bluebird blue skys, the weather does not bother me. So I am not worried so much about cool weather, or some rain, even snow etc. Now 10 straight days of rain would put a damper on it, but cold mornings and a little fog or mist sound like good photography to me.
Would September 10-25 be too early for any fall colors in Scotland? When would there be fall colors? Would the midges still drive us crazy? When to be in NW Scotland to miss the midge season, but still get some fall color?
Would late April 15-30 beat the midges? Would there be any flowers out? Has spring arrived in the Highlands yet? What would be the best time in spring to get flowers and "warmer" temps but no midges?
Thanks.
One last question. When you are in the UK is it possible to find any inns/B+B's/motels or for that matter places to eat that are non-smoking? I take non-smoking for granted here the states, but has that concept caught on in Europe? Or are going to always smell like a Marlboro?
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