Grand Tour
I am considering taking a month or two out of next summer and going on the Grand Tour before I begin at Oxford. The route would look something like London => Paris => Geneva => Turin => Florence => Rome => Naples => Venice => Vienna => Salzburg => Berlin => Flanders => London, staying a few days in each place. I definitely want to stay in the Luna Baglioni again whilst in Venice, and the high point of the trip is meant to be Vienna, where I'll probably stay in the Hotel Sacher. Such a trip will cost me in the region of £10k-£15k, but I'm absolutely desperate to do it. It's a European tradition, it's a part of a classical education, and it will broaden my experience immeasurably. Plus I'll get to go to concerts and art galleries and other things of interest. My route around Italy might get pruned if I don't find a city interesting enough to go to, and I'm still debating whether or not to add Barcelona, Athens and Pompeii. I'm very tempted with Greece and very unsure about Spain.