Ireland and UK quandries for those who know more than I...

[tamela_j]

...so, that's basically, like EVERYONE!

In a little less then a month, my niece, ajavajunky and I will be heading over to Ireland for about a week and then to Scotland/England for another 4 or 5 days. Besides a cruise we took about 8 years ago, a few trips to Canada and one horrific trip to Mexico, I've never really been out of the country.

I HAVE QUESTIONS! MANY, MANY QUESTIONS. Opinions, advice, tips all would be muchly appreciated. If you've been there, live there, thought of going there and have some "Must Dos," all are welcome!



So, we land in Dublin and are staying the first day there, then the next day we are getting in a rental car and touring around for six days. Here's a map I was thinking of using. Take a look and tell me what you think:


View My Saved Places in a larger map

So, I was thinking, two nights in the Cork area, two nights in the Cliffs of Moher area and then two nights in the Northern Ireland/Belfast area.

My questions for this leg of the trip are:

1. What are the MUST SEES here? (ajavajunky wants to see lots of castles, I want to see as many literary landmarks as possible...and the ones that are in pubs are double WIN!)

2. Any opinions in what is over-rated, not worth the tourist time? I mean I want to see all those things, but we are going in the summery, touristy time and I'd like to know what's not worth it.

3. Any advice and tips on driving on the wrong left side of the road for the first time ever? I was thinking of practicing, but besides being terribly dangerous, it really isn't the same as I'm on the wrong side of the car anyway.

4. We're going to be on a budget and also aren't going to want to be lugging lots of luggage with us, so any advice on any of that? Deals we could find? Cheap funs? Things we won't need to bring?

5. Money: would it be better to change it here or there? I'm going to try and avoid using credit cards because of the fees they charge for using it in foreign countries. :(

6. Phone vs. finding WiFi: I think the phone will have to stay home as we don't have the right carrier and I don't feel like dealing with the rental and the different chips for the different countries, and the expensive per minute, per text fees. So, my question is, how easy/hard is it to find places with access to the internet? I can't imagine not having any access to family/friends back home or here in the webz.



After the week in Ireland, we get to the part of our vacation that I don't really have planned at all with the exception that we have like 5 days to get to London where we fly out of to come home.

I was thinking of taking the ferry from Belfast to Stranraer and then the train from there to Glasgow, staying there a day, then to Edinburgh for a day before taking the train to London and trying to find a relatively cheap place there for a night or two.

So, my questions for this leg:

1. I will be car-less in this part, so any fun things in these areas, or tips on transportation would be helpful.

2. Are these selected places the best places to get a snapshot of this country? I only have this small window and would like to see as much as I can. Also, the same question as above about things to skip...is Stonehenge really super cool?

3. Also, any literary landmarks here that NEED to be seen--other then Platform 9 3/4 natch! :)

4. How hard is it to find a reasonably priced place to stay in London? Would it be easier/better to stay outside of London, or would transportation in and out of the city make it not worth it?

5. Any tips on places to stay in Glasgow/Edinburgh? We have vouchers for the Ireland leg, but this part is totally on us. I've looked at some hostels and they look okay, but don't know if they need to be booked ahead of time?

6. Finally, any of you living in the area want to get together for a drink or something?

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING AND HOPEFULLY FOR GIVING ME SOME AWESOME IDEAS! Any thing I forgot, assume I don't know and tell me anyway! ♥

Comments

[loxian.livejournal.com]

Obviously i'm going to say that you should come to oxford - drink in the pub where narnia lewis and lord of the rings tolkien used to hang out together, go where alice in wonderland went - and did i tell you about how philip pullman used to be my neighbour? He was nothing then, though. But it's not cheap. Unless you stay with me, I suppose. Up for a drink in London if you don't come to Oxford.

[tamela-j.livejournal.com]

Ohhhh...Tolkien and Lewis! The niece was/is a HUGE LotR fan, so maybe this will entice her!

Is it easy to get to Oxford from London? It looks like a straight shot.

But no matter what, yes! Drinks!

[loxian.livejournal.com]

very easy - direct trains and buses several times an hour. The bus is cheaper and stops at more convenient places (eg a few yards from my house), but I get horribly coach sick, so I'm a train fan.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Change money here, AND NOT AT THE AIRPORT. Travelex often has a deal that waives fees if you change over a certain amount. If you can do this, even if it's more than you want to spend, do this if they have the policy where theyw ill change back extra without fee within 30 days. That'sw what I do.

Cost of transportation in and out of London can be expensive especially if not preplanned. Stay in London.

In London, consider checking on Orbitz for hotels. You have to pay in advance, but often one or two night stays can be very cheap because people are taking longer holidays and they just want to fill the damn rooms. I got 5 star hotels there for US$100 on two different nights. Also check Easy Hotel and Travelodge -- if you boko at least a month in advance you can get very cheap rates. Realize your rooms will be tiny. REALLY REALLY TINY. But they will also be safe, clean and have a private bathroom.

A quasi-budget hotel I can recommend is City Hotel in Brick Lane, where Patty and I stayed and liked very much. Also, for the love of god, EAT IN BRICK LANE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. Best food ever.

[tamela-j.livejournal.com]

Awesome info! Thank you!! I don't know why I didn't think of Orbitz and the like! I will check them out!

Tinier then NYC hotel rooms?

Oh, what type food is Brick Lane? I'm thinking I'll be eating lot of curry takeaway in London as I'll be rather full up on English food by then. :))

[rm.livejournal.com]

Much tinier than NYC hotels rooms.

Brick Lane is where all the SE-Asian food is. Ignore every asshole in every hotel review that's all "it's dangerous here because I'm a racist fucktard." I felt the most comfortable, and ate the best food in Brick Lane that I have ever had, ANYWHERE, EVER.

[tamela-j.livejournal.com]

YUM!

And haha, oh England! Dangerous neighborhoods? YOU GUYS AREN'T EVEN ARMED! :))

[cartoon-red.livejournal.com]

Glasgow and Edinburgh are really the only places in Scotland it's practical to spend time without a car. There is a LOT in both cities - Glasgow has fantastic university museums, Edinburgh has (of course) the Castle and The Royal Mile, as well as some more great museums. I would skip Holyrood Palace - not worth the time in my opinion.

Both cities have good buses and rail links. Glasgow has a (small) underground system. Some hostels do need to be booked ahead of time, yes - I would recommend phoning in advance if possible.

To be honest, in answer to 2... No. London is not indicative of England as a whole, not by any stretch of the imagination. But it's still an amazing city (see The British Museum if you have a chance), and definitely worth visiting, especially if you're on a limited timeline.

Finally - can I friend this LJ? Or do you prefer to be a bit more ~exclusive~ (and if so that's fine :) )

Actually one more finally - HAVE AN AWESOME TIME! :)

(Also I see you have a friend in Oxford - if you come through to see them we should totally hang out too! I'm really close by :) )

[tamela-j.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking...I mean, I'd love to hang out in Scotland and really do it right, but I don't know if I can just skip London and all that has either...decisions, decisions.

Any hostels in particular you'd recommend?

Oh, of course you can friend this one. I mostly just put my original fiction here and talk of reading and writing and all that fun stuff and I keep everything public.

I will have an amazing time, I am DETERMINED! And if in Oxford, I will TOTALLY let you know!

[cartoon-red.livejournal.com]

I've actually never stayed in a hostel in Scotland - I mean, I'm from Edinburgh, so whenever I visit these days I stay with friends or family. But I stayed in a hostel in Dublin the one time I went there, and we pre-booked. If you're only there for one night I wouldn't stress too much?

I'm sure you will! And the stuff you miss, well, it's just an excuse to come back ;)

[tamela-j.livejournal.com]

:)) Yeah, I guess that's a duh-given...I mean, I don't really know anything about hostels in NYC either... We already have a place in Dublin, so we're cool for that. YAY!

Yes! I will have to come back ALOT...or at least twice, as I have two nephews too and how unfair would it be not to bring them for their grad/birthday celebration??

[cmere.livejournal.com]

My only tip is that all capital one credit cards have no charge for overseas use, in case you would prefer to use a card! I got one before I left. Cash works too though :)

[tamela-j.livejournal.com]

Really? *checks pre-approved offers mail*

That is good to know. :))

[kerosinkanister.livejournal.com]

My recommendation in London is the Kew Bridge Steam Museum. Unfortunately, it's a ways outside the city and not all that convenient to get to. But you get to see these giant steam engines running! I think it depends on what day of the week so you might want to check that.

Everybody I've ever suggested this to has not done it!

You might want to check with your bank but mine gives me good rates at ATMs when international. That's how I've tended to get cash. But it probably depends on your bank and what kind of fees they have.

[tamela-j.livejournal.com]

Bummer, their website is not working for me. I guess I won't be able to make it this time. :((

Next time for sure!!

Also, that's a good point. And the ATM just converted it? That's cool.

[rickey-a.livejournal.com]

I spent a fair amount of time in Ireland (East side mostly) for work, but that was (meep) about 15 years ago or so. But at the time I enjoyed Dublin and one of the day trips that I remember most was down to Waterford and going to the crystal factory.

[tamela-j.livejournal.com]

Oh! What was your favorite part of Dublin? Waterford is right on the coast isn't it? I actually looked at that to stay one night. I'll have to investigate further.

Thanks!

[rickey-a.livejournal.com]

Waterford is south east not too far from the coast, I think (but then Ireland's not particularly big). Dublin - I used to stay at the Conrad (a Hilton) which was quite lovely. Not far from St. Stephen's green - that whole area is filled with stuff. Now this 15 years ago so I can barely remember, but we would go to dinner at this psuedo Italian bistro that was owned by Bono's (as in U2) brother. For the life of me I can't remember the name, but 15 years ago, it was great. :) Have an awesome trip.

[rickey-a.livejournal.com]

ok, I googled and found it
Tosca
apparantly Bono's brother owns a few restaurants in Dublin now :)

[tamela-j.livejournal.com]

Cool. Everyone who hears I'm going to Dublin says the same thing--Temple Bar and St. Patricks...but if EVERYONE is doing it, do I really want to? I'd rather not be shoved into a tourist trap just to say I have if its not 100 percent worth it, ya know?

Haha, Italian in Ireland seems almost sacrilegious, but srsly, how much Irish food can you eat? :)) Besides, can't get more Irish than Bono's brother. hahaha

[kljoyce.livejournal.com]

OK:
here's some ideas:
Charles Dickens's home at 48 Doughty Street (London)
• Sherlock Holmes's home at 221b Baker Street (London) not very amazing but there is a statue of him outside the relevant subway stop and there is a room set up like his; i wouldn't go back tbh. also there's a tacky lunch room there as well. There was also a man dressed up like him at the subway stop handing out SH Victorian visiting cards LOL
• Duke of York's Theatre (London)
• Poets' Corner at Westminster Abbey (London) I like it, Westminster is beautiful and you see the holy Scottish chair the monarch sits in etc http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poets'_Corner
• Blackwells Books (Oxford)
• William Shakespeare's birthplace (Stratford-upon-Avon)
• William Shakespeare's burial site (Stratford-upon-Avon)
• Oscar Wilde's house (Dublin)
• Davy Byrne's Pub (Dublin) from Ulysses by Joyce
• Abbey Theatre (Dublin)

http://www.zimbio.com/Westminster+Abbey/articles/16/Literary+Landmarks+Visited+England+Ireland

If you love Shakespeare see a play at the Globe theater.
In Ireland see the Book of Kells if you like, but recall it's only one page open per day. The Cliffs of Moher are distant from Dublin but beautiful if you want to drive there. There will be sheep on the country roads you'll have to honk at. Make sure to drive in the country a little and see the beautiful green gem color rolling hills.

Also the Aran Islands are where I REALLY want to go in Ireland, so do it if you like. Esp. if you love the ocean, Irish Gaelic or rural areas. If you like Joyce, this list is gonna get wayyyyyy longer LOL Cause you can see all the places in Ulysses and all the Joyce-centric places.

Also in England you could go and see the House of Lords if it's in session, or the Commons. I would def see the crown jewels despite the wait etc. They are super beautiful and I lovvvvvvvve them.

Make sure to get soda bread at diff places : D!!! And one Guinness :D
Also for breakfast make sure to have oatmeal at some point and a traditional fry up too. Mmmmm

If you like history make sure to see key places in the 1916 Easter Rebellion like the Post Office (one of the places where it all went down etc.)

Go kiss the Blarney stone if you want, it's high up in an old ruined castle, but realize you have to lay down on the ground and grab a rail over thin air (you're really high up from the ground) and it is a bit scary!!!! Just FYI here

Newgrange is an ancient tomb mound building, so see it if you like. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newgrange

If you like holy wells, for real, you can go see some: http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/alandmks/holywells.html

I wouldn't see Stonehenge again --you have to stay really far away from the rocks on a path. It is not worth it imho. I wouldn't see Buckingham either again. If you like museums of ancient cultures go see the Elgin marbles and the Bablyonian I think stuff at the British Museum.
http://www.authenticireland.com/7+irish+landmarks --- for more ideas

I am sooo jealous of you :D !!!! Have fun with your niece!!!!!

[kljoyce.livejournal.com]

Also I love Queen Victoria so if you do, that's another thing to do. And I love imperial England, so that's more history stuff to do.

Also I would think about going to visit an estate in Britain. I did as a kid it was awesome. There were mysterious old tiny buildings and peacocks, like in the modern Pride and Prejudice movie LOLLL

[kljoyce.livejournal.com]

SORRY just one more note:
For estates I would see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilton_House =The house is often described as England's most beautiful country house; The house is renowned for its gardens -used in Pride and Prejudice as Pemberly

ie. http://www.grouptravelorganiser.com/assets/5/22/wilton_fullsize.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/d2c2005/fd2c2005/fd2cpnp06/Int_Pemberley_450-01.jpg

[tamela-j.livejournal.com]

haha! Thank you soooo much for all that information! There are just so many things to do! And also, I really like to just chill to...like find a pub and just soak in the environment. Hopefully there will be time for all of it!

Sadly, the only Joyce I've actually read (even though I own all of them) is Dubliners...*hides*

[kljoyce.livejournal.com]

hahaha despite my crazy list here i actually am the same way, i love to just chillax, as they say :D!!!

and Joyce is pretty wild and wacko :D ! LOL i am like one of his crazy fans

if you have any ideas for virginia places to visit let me know LOL~~

[gingeraled.livejournal.com]

Hi!

I've never been to these places, but as a frequent traveler, I just had to speak up! :)

1) On the subject of money: ATMs are the best way to go, especially if you are banking with a big bank, like Citi or HSBC. Even if you're not, the conversion rates are pretty decent, much better than credit cards and definitely better than most money lenders. The trick would be to know how much you plan to spend in one place, so you only have to draw the money once or twice. If you keep drawing money you'll be hit with fees, and that would be really defeating the purpose.

2) On accommodation: I don't know what you're budget is, but I would check out backpacker hostels that offer private rooms that are a step up from shared rooms. Shared accom is all good, but when you're tired and grimy at the end of the day, you would wish that you had paid for that extra privacy.

I would also pay a premium for location because when I'm touring and have limited time, I don't want to have to commute back and forth from a hotel in BFE.

3) On luggage: Bring a lightweight backpack for anything, and something like a fanny pack or a small sling pouch for your documents and money. Be really, really tough on yourself when packing. You don't need lotion, hair conditioner, hair dryers, bath towels, baby powder, four pairs of shoes and several books "to read when I'm bored." THESE WILL WEIGH YOU DOWN. There's no argument at all. You are traveling with your niece you will not be bored and will not need those dress shoes and that hair gel in the event there is a nice fancy party to go to. You will not be bored because in the plane you will be tired and zonked out, and the rest of the time you will be touring.

Bring: one or two sets of lightweight pants with LOTS OF POCKETS, a couple of shirts, underwear, and some socks. If you have a sari/sarong or a similar sized piece of cloth, bring it. These are immensely useful and multipurpose (some uses: sling, sling shot, blanket, divider, net for catching fish, hammock, blindfold, trap for enemies, skirt, towel, religious headgear, makeshift parachute, etc.)

And don't ever bring a duffel bag as your luggage. You will ruin your shoulders and get mad at yourself for not listening to me. I can't be more emphatic about this and will tell you I told you so if you don't listen!!!!

4) On food and drink. Ask if the country you are going to has potable tap water. You should ask this way: "do you drink water from the tap?" and not in some vague random way like "is water here safe?" If they drink from the tap, then buy/bring a bottle and drink from the tap as well. Take this advice with a grain of salt because I am now living in Singapore where stuff are super clean or the really long arm of the law will do something about it.

Strive to eat as local as you can. Ask the cab/bus drivers where they have their lunch, and eat there. Cabbies have the best inside info on the city, trufax.

5) I can't think of a number 5. Sorry.