I’d venture that the vast majority of Brits stay in New York, Vegas, Miami, where ever they land also.

If you only have one week of vacation, there is plenty to see and do in London. Fact is, that is where most of the cultural attractions which people know about are and it is easier to sightsee in one city than it is to go from city to city, especially given the high costs of transportation in the UK.

LOL I hope I’m not the only American to venture forth out of London.

In all the summers that I’ve come to the UK, I’ve spent a very small percentage of my time in London (maybe 1%).

I usually take a train (or coach) off towards Oxford or Derby or Chippenham, and venture forth from there. Recently I enjoyed a few days in Penally near Tenby, Pembrokeshire, a pretty coastal area to relax in.

I have a friend who left yesterday for a wedding in Wales. She and hubby will spend a few days in London but then are heading for Bath and will drive on into Wales.

A lot of my American friends travel to the UK for an event, singing, dancing, wedding… One went to a twinning town near Manchester… one went to a dance event up on the north east coast of England… one went to a wedding down in Ardingly.

Maybe we’re just not going north?

Although, I took my mom north with me summer 2006 (as far north as York)… and she’s made me promise to take her north to the Lake District and Scotland in the summer 2009.

You are wrong. I just came back from Chester!

I’m not American, but I actually tended to avoid staying in London when I visited the UK because it was too expensive! Headed out to other places like one holiday in Bath and a walking holiday in Cornwall etc, and checked a few key sights of London on my way to the airport after these trips!

I spent time in Norwich and Cambridge, as well as London. I really enjoy London so any trip I take to England will no doubt include a few days there. I do realize there’s more to England than that one city, and will be traveling to other areas. Sadly, I don’t get much time to vacation, especially internationally, but if I had my way I’d spend a month or two just exploring the whole of the isle.

@ Gary

Good point about the cost of transport. If you plan ahead though you can get a train for around £20 $40 return from London to York.

Coaches are cheaper, but obviously take longer. There is also a bus is even cheaper, that takes you from London to Leeds, but it takes forever.

@ Susan, Amanda, Matt, and Steve

I’m glad to hear some of you are getting further afield when visiting the UK. Edinburgh is also a city I recommend.

Being Scottish I have to say to American visitors come to Scotland too and not just Edinburgh and Loch Ness.

Darren, you know that I am always banging on about getting off the beaten track. I think that time is a major factor for Anerican visitors to the UK. I know I’ve had many enquiries from American travellers wanting to “do Europe” in a couple of weeks, which i rather than try to cram in so much tthat all you do is whizz around the well known tourist traps. of several countries.

@ Karen

Okay, I gave Edinburgh as a good destination but I guess it’s the same as England, everyone heads to the capital.

Which other destinations in Scotland would you recommend?

Darren - the reason we go to London is that’s mainly what’s marketed to us.

I like Gary’s point about probably most people from the UK go to the big cities, too.

I lived in London for almost a year and I spent most of my time in the south of England - Brighton , Bournemouth, Bath, the Cotswolds, and Oxford. I do want to get up North sometime.

@ Sheila

I am surprised that travellers visit a destination primarily because it’s marketed towards them. What happened to using the net to inspire you where to travel.

I have to say I have never visited a destination because a tourist board marketing tells me to

Darren, Edinburgh is a beautiful city a I can’t hand on heart say don’t go there I just think if you come to Scotland you should see some less well known cities and areas such as Stirling, Dundee, Scottish Borders and Perthshire.

Darren - you and I are in the minority, really.

I share your pain, North Carolina for example is a beautiful state and well deserving of a visit, but most people from outside of the US only end up going to New York or Orlando or California.

Sometimes people don’t know what they don’t know.

@ Sheila

Actually, I have a group of friends that go to North Carolina every year to play golf. They say its the best place in the US to play.

Interesting article found via Hotel Marketing:

http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/article/us_summer_travelers_snubbing_europe/

U.S. visitors down in countries where the euro is used, up in eastern european countries where it isn’t used.

The pound isn’t exactly weak, so it may be fair to assume visitor numbers from the U.S. will be down here too.

@ Garri

Yes, that’s why I suspect India and other parts of Asia are supposedly going to see the biggest increase in US tourists.

Darren

I agree about North Carolina, we book lots of people there and I been 3 times. Also get people who just do Florida, New York etc. But now more visit other states. We probably sell 3 mass destinations to 1 none mass in the USA.

@ Nick

Interesting. I do think travellers are becoming much more adventureous nowadays, which is good to see.

Come to Newcastle too

Wild nightlife, great for shopping and friendly people. We are much more friendly and welcoming than the Londoners.

Some Londoners are friendly you know. Please do not tarnish us with the same brush.