What time of year would you take the trip? What is your climate like where you live?

I would choose Scotland. From what I know, Hawaii is to commercial for my liking.

On the other hand.... I have always wanted to see the Big Wall of China, and the floating opera house in Sidney Australia.

Moni

Scotland because it's rich in history and points of interest. And if that's what you have talked about, then go! (I'm so envious!)

I've spent some time in Hawaii, and it's nice--beautiful weather and beaches, very friendly people. It's a great place to relax, but in my opinion limited on things to do unless you are interested in learning about Pacific islanders' culture or you love, love to go to the beach and snorkeling or diving. If you are staying in the country, Alaska would be more interesting than Hawaii.

Many people on my side of the country like to go to Costa Rica to see the rain forests. But I still like the Scotland idea.

If you want a lot to do, I would go to Paris. It is the most amazing city. You can walk everywhere. There are a lot of great museums, the restaurants are wonderful.

I don't think I would choose Scotland for this particular trip since you've been to England twice. I would save Scotland for another time.

Italy. I think it's the most beautiful place in the world, lots to see and the food is also wonderful. I've been several times but would go again in a heartbeat.

We just returned from Spain. We would go again...gimme 15 minutes to pack!

Jim

Och! Scotland would be fine if you go during 'the good weather', about a month in late summer -- which is when the queen goes to Balmoral. I haven't been since I was 14. I'd like to go again now I know one of my ancestors built what became the John Knox House in Edinburgh. (Knox was awarded the property after my ancestor was hung for his support of Mary, Queen of Scots.)

We've been spending part of winter in Hawaii for decades -- two to four weeks on all four of the major islands. We're in South Maui now.

We enjoyed a Baltic cruise that gave us two full days in St. Petersburg (was still USSR at the time).

Venice? Rome? Lake Como? Paris? Vienna?

There are some places I'll probably never go because they are SO far away -- like Sydney, unless we put Hawaii in the middle both ways!

Consider the south part of New Zeeland. There is varied scenery and hiking opportunities. "The Lord of the Rings" was shot there.

Costa Rica is a nice get-away in cold weather. English is widely spoken.

If you stay in the United States, a western sightseeing tour is nice. I recommend Arches, Canyon Lands, Bryce, Zion, Momument Valley, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellow Stone.

Bali, Crete, Tuscany, some of the Mayan areas to see the structures. BVI, Australia and New Zealand. Maybe Ireland since my mother's father's family was from there. Almost any of the places they filmed Survivor all such beautiful places.

The South Island of New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places I've seen. Hawaii-we love Kauai, Paris -my all time favorite, Tuscany, Florence - it would be hard to make a final choice.

If you both have always wanted to go to Scotland, go to Scotland. You'll regret it one day if you don't. Life is short. Do it.

I would vote for France and or Italy. They are both beautiful, romantic, have great food and wine, lots to see and do. Wherever you decide, have a lovely time.

I've traveled extensively and, of all the places I've been, the one I always return to is Venice. It's the most magical city of all. I loved Scotland but Venice takes my breath away.

I have always wanted to go to Australia and Italy. I don't have a reason why, just sounds interesting.

If you were married young and only have 20 years under your belts ...

... stick your necks out - go to the orient, so much different from what we've been used to.

Maybe China - see what the world to be inhabited by your grandkids may look like.

ole joyful

from what I saw during the Olympics in china on tv, while they have great sites, the smog would have me down the entire time...Scotland sounds good to me!

My favorite of all trips was the time I took an African photo safari with the local zoo director.

NOW if I had a choice, I'd love to go to Switzerland. Too old to ski but would just love the scenery.

Or another druther would be a river cruise!

If you want an active city experience at just one place (rather than several), there are only a few cities I've been to where there's so much to do that the visit takes one week or longer:

New York, London, Paris, Rome.

Scotland is dull to my taste but some like it. There's not all that much worth seeing and doing. And it's often pretty damp and cold.

If you want to relax, hike, swim, poke around, nothing beats Hawaii any time of the year. Avoid Oahu and go to one of the other islands if you'd prefer avoiding an urban setting. The more developed areas of West Maui, for example, aren't all that built up. You can be in a 19th century town (Lahaina), on a beach by yourself or on an empty trail after no more than a 5-10 minute drive.

I would go to Italy again. Rome, Florence and Venice. The Amalfi Coast is absolutely beautiful. I have done a lot of traveling and Italy captured my heart. I would also like to do a river cruise in Europe.
I have been to Hawaii 3 times but I probably would not go back. I am going to Costa Rica in August.

We went to Edinburgh, Scotland a few years back for a conference my wife was attending. However the conference was in mid-November, which is not a great time to see Scotland. It was getting dark by about 4 P.M. and many things either weren't open at all or closed at around dark. We saw the castle and the palace, and I hiked through Holyrood Park to Arthur's Seat, and took a guided "ghost" tour of the city. However after just a few day's I felt we had seen all there was to see in Edinburgh including a day trip to sea bird center a short way outside the city.

A view from Holyrood Park near Arthur's Seat back toward the city with the castle visible in the distance.

I did Scotland/Ireland 4 years ago.

Including The Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle!

T'was nice, but I have been other places I'd rather go again. Once was enough for me.

But that's my opinion.

To answer some questions & give additional info:

We live in a pretty warm (most of the time climate) - coastal NC, near Wilmington.
We're not sure about when we'll take the trip. Although it will be for our anniversary, which is in Oct, the trip can be any time.
DH may be having elective surgery in mid-late summer. We are trying to decide if will take the trip before or after.

We've talked about Scotland a lot because both our families are from there. We do want to go, but there are SO MANY other places both of us want to go. We'll never be able to travel to all the places we'd like to see.

We'd love to go to Egypt (that is probably at the top of my list), but won't go because of the unrest there. I'm a little unsure about the political problems in Greece, but would love to go there.

Italy and New Zealand have been serious considerations as well. We might enjoy some of the other islands (besides Hawaii) but want some place where there is at least some sightseeing.

I prefer a very active vacation where I try to see as many sights as possible. DH is more relaxed and prefers to be on "vacation" time. We've learned to strike a happy medium on that.

Thanks for the suggestions - you're giving us lots to think about!