Move to England?

Question

I'm from the US and wanted to move to England for a few months to try something new. I know summer would be a better time but the only opportunity I have is from Jan - March. How cold will it get and will I still have fun travelling around Europe? The last thing I want is to get stuck in a hotel and get bored.

Answer 1

Start your European sojourn in southern Spain in January [it's like a good Spring in the UK and work your way along the Mediterranean Coast to Italy where you can visit Venice [a good time to visit, low tourist numbers and you can get in to see everything without queueing and it's not a smelly time of year there] Then you can nip down to Florence that's wonderful [it won't be hot but again you get everything to yourself without queueing. Then Rome whilst your on that side of Italy. Nip across to Bari and get a ferry to Athens - it may still be chilly because of the mainland mountains which get lots of snow, but a couple of days in Greece in Athens would be great in January. Stay at Ava Hotel and Suites - excellent value and lovely people, it's in the street between Hadrians Gate and the Plaka [Likabeticus St I think] - brilliant location for museums and Acropolis. Now you can get a high speed ferry from Pireaus down to the beautiful Greek Island of Paros 2 1/2 hours where you can have some excellent company at www.paroshome.com - stayed there, fabulous apartments, stunning views, brilliant hosts and at that time of year probably about 200 € for a week [room only] Now get the ferry back to Athens [or the local plane from Paros Airport takes 35 minutes to Athens] Here you can pick up a Ryanair or Easyjet flight to the UK very cheap [by now it should be March and yes, it's cold in most places in Europe then.] You can book on line and the earlier you book the cheaper it is [possibly as little as £50 with taxes to London from Athens. Now go to the English Tourist Board site and see where to go and what to see on a cold winter's day. Stratford on Avon has lots to see and theatres, London is a must, so much going on, wouldn't know where to get you started so get to www.wikipedia and work your way through their links. Now, you can easily flip over to Paris on a cheap Ryanair or Easyjet flight if you want a break for a couple of days. By now you will be getting to the end of your tour, so take yourself back to England and up to Chester a Roman Walled City and beautiful two tiered shops and the only Amphitheatre still being excavated in the UK. You will find lots of B&B accommodation in the City and a fantastic North of England Award Winning Zoo at Upton-By-Chester. From Chester you can visit the mountains of the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales - magnificent, your hosts will tell you about one day coach trips in January, so you will have some company and no stress driving. I hope that helps. Now you can fly home to the USA from Manchester International Airport - Virgin are good value. Have a nice trip and don't let the time of year put you off - it's what you do and how you plan that will make your journey, not the weather. Just take the right clothes and enjoy!

Answer 2

I know that England seems really really small compared to the States but different parts of it are completely different. Also some Americans have a habit of saying "England" when what they actually mean is the United Kingdom. In Scotland in January it will be so cold that it will probably snow and there are only a few cities with it mainly being mountains and sheep. In England there are a lot of small villages and countryside but also some large cities. Unless you say where you're going I can't tell you if you'd get bored. It gets warmer the further south you are in the UK.

You also say you want to travel around Europe. Europe extends from the heat of the Spanish and Portugese beaches to the freezing cold of Finland, Sweden and Norway so I can't tell you how cold until you tell me where you are going.

Answer 3

You obviously have plenty of cash if you can afford to stay in English hotels for several months - you won't get bored. There is lots to see - rubbish on the streets & muggings to name but two!
Seriously though - travel to Fuerteventura or Cyprus during these 3 months if you get too cold in England, they'll be cheap packages available & there's fun to be had & places to see.
By the way what is your new project?

Answer 4

The Weather Like the People are Unpredictable!
The UK has experienced the hottest Summer and fall on Record-thus anticipating a Cold winter and Spring time!
Snow is Known to have fallen in May before in the UK!

It will be a gamble,as the weather on any Island can suddenly change!

Answer 5

How thoughtful and nice of you to think that you might be bored when visiting Europe. When you visit Europe, remember to speak in a loud voice so that everyone can hear you properly. And don't forget to discuss Iraq, Bush, Afghanistan and Kyoto Protocol frequently.

You won't get bored, I promise you!

Answer 6

A lot less cold than New York, temperatures lower than -10° are rare, but be warned, it's an addictive place, you may end up staying!

Answer 7

I think you've picked the coldest months in our calendar. Bring a thick scarf and an extra woolly hat so you don't catch a cold and ruin your trip. Gloves are a must.

Answer 8

it will be very cold in jan-mar but the english are always warm and welcoming so have a nice visit

Answer 9

of course, you will have fun depends on what you are interested in. most of them will probably be sightseeing and going to museum which is also interesting if you like old , ancient and royalicious stuff. i would suggest that you go to the amusement park there and get yourself heat up from the cold.

Answer 10

The weather is very unpredictable here - but our winters have been getting milder. You'll always find a warm welcome though (How cheesy does that sound!!?).

Preferably from Jan - March - I'd much rather be in Cyprus.