Spain is a great country ive been there a few times, i strongly suggest going.
I heard that Italy was a great place for pick up apparently they love guys with red hair so i should have no problems

.Others i would like to go to include a tour of scandanavia,america,australia and Germany for a start anyways lol so maybe a tour of Europe could be a good first pilgrimage idea,something similar to your 3week holiday

I can understand doing small chucks as it would still allow you to hold down a job in the UK also.Although i can also see the plus in the whole travel/work as you go experience also.Ive still got plenty of time to decide which option im going to choose.