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

[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