hi, trying to plan a trip to scotland, england ireland, please help

[nicurn]

hi, my family (dh and dd age 9 and I) are trying to plan a vacation for next summer to scotland, ireland, and england. I think dh can take off for 14-16 days... anyhow, would you recomend a tour group or winging it? Kate has loch ness on her must see list, scott has castles, scottish highlands, stonehenge on his and I'm pretty much open to anything. Can anyone recommend a good tour group if you think that's the way to go? thanks, maggie

 

[Hilary]

Scotland, England and Ireland? What has Wales done to get missed out?

I don't have any recommendations for a tour operator, but I think this might be a good way of doing it if the rest of the family agree - my only reservation on this would be that tours tend towards the older customers and your DD might feel out on a limb.

How do you and your DH feel about driving over here? If you're not keen, then it could be a stressful trip with such distances to cover on unfamiliar roads (our country lanes can be tricky for anyone), but it would allow you to see exactly what you want to see, rather than a trip organised by the tour guide.

 

[vernon]

There's a post on the US community board that will have a number of ideas for you to look over.

If your DH is big into castles there are a number that have been turned into hotels around the country, probably the nicest one is Amberly Castle in Sussex. It's about 60-90 minutes train ride from London. Here's a link to it's website. Granted it's a little pricey, but for a one night stay you might decide the photo opportunities and bragging rights are worth it LOL http://www.amberleycastle.co.uk/ . Not sure they accept kids so you may have to check that.

 

[nicurn]

nothing against wales... what can you recommend seeing there? maggie

 

[Daniel&family]

Originally posted by nicurn
nothing against wales... what can you recommend seeing there? maggie

The Severn Bridge going East.

Yours

Daniel

 

[MrsDee]

Hi,
I have lived in a number of places in Scotland , and although I cannot recommend a Tour Company I could suggest that the North East of Scotland is fabulous for castles. There are loads of them in this area including Balmoral.
http://www.rampantscotland.com/visit/blvisitaberdeen.htm
From the Aberdeen area it is only a couple of hours to Inverness and Loch Ness and then from there down through (The Great Glen) Glen Coe is another couple of hours.
The Trossachs are another area not to be missed.
I agree with what was mentioned earlier about the tours catering for older travellers so personally I would opt to drive.
Hope this is of some help

Dee

 

[poet123]

I would suggest driving also as tours in the UK do tend to be dominated by the older age group.
From your point of entry into the UK get a good map and pick out overnight stops en route up to Scotland. Most places outside the big cities have scenic areas and you can research places on the internet and find good hotels and sites of historic interest.
Planning upfront is really the key.
If you have any areas in mind someone on here will surely help just ask!!

 

[silverka2002]

WALES!!!

We've got

and

and some lovely

And of course the people are FANTASTIC!!!!

 

[Snoopymom]

For Ireland, check out

http://www.ireland-withpatpreston.com

We've been twice and I would not take a tour. If you take your time and have an outline of an itinerary, I don't think driving is a problem. Ireland is the same size as West Virginia so that may give you an idea of what you think you can cover. Let me know if you have any questions. I started to list our favorite places, but then I realized I was covering the whole country, LOL! We knew we'd love the scenery and the castles, etc., but the pubs, the B&B's, and the people made the trips lifetime experiences!

Wish I knew more about traveling in Scotland, England and Wales...maybe someday!!!

 

[DisneyDiver]

You definately need to come to Scotland for at least part of your trip - but not with a tour group, they're all very cheesy and usually full of really old people (nothing against old people, but knowing my gran goes on these sorts of trips, I would advise that they tend to see a little bit of the place they are intending to go, and then head for high tea, and go home... hardly the most in depth exploration of the country).

Best idea, in my opinion, would be to hire a car, get a good gidebook, or alternatively, a good Scottish person as a passenger, and cruise around the country for a few days, stopping wherever takes your fancy to stay and eat along the way.

This way, you can see what you want, but not be tied to a tour group...

Places I'd recommend....

Edinburgh
St Andrews
Glen Coe (on the way up to Fort William from Edinburgh)
Glasgow (maybe, it's more of a city with things to do, as opposed to the rich historic nature of Edinburgh)
Aberdeen/Inverness (if you have time)
Linlithgow (near Edinburgh, nice big palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born)
Stirling (Fairly large town with a very impressive castle)

Any more info you'd like, just give me a shout...

 

[SEVANS2208]

I would recommend doing it by yourself - BUT book your accomodation first, especially if you're travelling to the more tourist-y spots during our school holidays (approx. last 10 days of July & the whole of August)

 

[DisneyDiver]

Can I also point out that Scottish summer vacation is at a different time from England, running from the end of June to during August.