England

The country most Americans already half know from books, TV and history class, which is exactly why it works. You can read every sign, follow every conversation and still be surprised daily, by stone-roofed Cotswold villages, thousand-year-old churches and a pub culture unlike anything at home. The trains make it easy to base yourself in London and add a day in Bath or Oxford without renting a car. There is one piece of paperwork to sort before you go: Americans usually need an Electronic Travel Authorisation to enter the UK, which costs £20 and is applied for online before you fly. Expect the jet lag to bite on the first day after an overnight flight, so plan something gentle for that afternoon rather than a packed itinerary.