About to book Scotland, Ireland and England trip....

[eb777888]

I'm so excited. I've never been to Ireland or Scotland before (doing Dublin and Edinburgh). We're going through a tour company only because it's definitely the cheapest way to do all three of the cities we want to do (unless anyone has any super cheap travel advice for me). We're also paying for an extended stay in London because we have been before and loved the city so much. 

Anyone have any Dublin/Edinburgh tips for me? We're traveling in July and taking David. 

And any cheap travel tips? I priced it out and the flights are fucking $$$$$. I thought a tour company would be way more but it turns out, it's a pretty good deal. 

[knx9211]

Go to the Brazen Head in Dublin.

I've never done a tour group- will you get a lot of free time?

[eb777888]

Jan 24, 2016 20:09:01 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Go to the Brazen Head in Dublin.

I've never done a tour group- will you get a lot of free time?

It's how we traveled Europe in the 2000's (pre-baby). We mainly did it because it's less expensive and the hotels were nice. We did do some of the excursions and tours but you can absolutely only take advantage of the airfare and hotels. You don't have to do the guided tours. 

I have those three cities in mind and I can't get it nearly below the cost of the tour. 

[eb777888]

And googling Brazen Head!

[knx9211]

Jan 24, 2016 20:14:31 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Jan 24, 2016 20:09:01 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Go to the Brazen Head in Dublin.

I've never done a tour group- will you get a lot of free time?

It's how we traveled Europe in the 2000's (pre-baby). We mainly did it because it's less expensive and the hotels were nice. We did do some of the excursions and tours but you can absolutely only take advantage of the air fair and hotels. You don't have to do the guided tours. 

I have those three cities in mind and I can't get it nearly below the cost of the tour. 

We just did Ireland this year, so of course I'd recommend JUST doing Ireland and doing a lot of driving in the countryside. But that was not the question. Haha. Sounds like a fun trip! My favorite thing we did in Dublin was the Kilmainham Gaol. But Dublin was my least favorite part of our trip (and I have already been flamed about that here!)

[Jalapeñomel]

Jan 24, 2016 20:09:01 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Go to the Brazen Head in Dublin.

I've never done a tour group- will you get a lot of free time?

I second the Brazen Head.

[Jalapeñomel]

Jan 24, 2016 20:16:56 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Jan 24, 2016 20:14:31 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

It's how we traveled Europe in the 2000's (pre-baby). We mainly did it because it's less expensive and the hotels were nice. We did do some of the excursions and tours but you can absolutely only take advantage of the air fair and hotels. You don't have to do the guided tours. 

I have those three cities in mind and I can't get it nearly below the cost of the tour. 

We just did Ireland this year, so of course I'd recommend JUST doing Ireland and doing a lot of driving in the countryside. But that was not the question. Haha. Sounds like a fun trip! My favorite thing we did in Dublin was the Kilmainham Gaol. But Dublin was my least favorite part of our trip (and I have already been flamed about that here!)

Yes, the jail is awesome.

[eb777888]

Jan 24, 2016 20:16:56 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Jan 24, 2016 20:14:31 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

It's how we traveled Europe in the 2000's (pre-baby). We mainly did it because it's less expensive and the hotels were nice. We did do some of the excursions and tours but you can absolutely only take advantage of the air fair and hotels. You don't have to do the guided tours. 

I have those three cities in mind and I can't get it nearly below the cost of the tour. 

We just did Ireland this year, so of course I'd recommend JUST doing Ireland and doing a lot of driving in the countryside. But that was not the question. Haha. Sounds like a fun trip! My favorite thing we did in Dublin was the Kilmainham Gaol. But Dublin was my least favorite part of our trip (and I have already been flamed about that here!)

Reallllllly? Why? I promise I won't flame you, I'm asking for research!

Our plan originally was to only visit Ireland. Then... I started thinking "why not throw Scotland in there??" And now we really want to visit (and take David) to London. We're doing two weeks, we thought it might be a bit long for just Ireland. And, we haven't done any traveling outside of the US since 2008 so we're itching for some new places. 

[knx9211]

Jan 24, 2016 20:20:38 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Jan 24, 2016 20:16:56 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

We just did Ireland this year, so of course I'd recommend JUST doing Ireland and doing a lot of driving in the countryside. But that was not the question. Haha. Sounds like a fun trip! My favorite thing we did in Dublin was the Kilmainham Gaol. But Dublin was my least favorite part of our trip (and I have already been flamed about that here!)

Reallllllly? Why? I promise I won't flame you, I'm asking for research!

Our plan originally was to only visit Ireland. Then... I started thinking "why not throw Scotland in there??" And now we really want to visit (and take David) to London. We're doing two weeks, we thought it might be a bit long for just Ireland. And, we haven't done any traveling outside of the US since 2008 so we're itching for some new places. 

Honestly, the big cities are always my least favorite part of being in Europe. A lot of them are pretty dirty and just feel like any big city. London and Paris are an exception to that (although a lot of Paris is filthy). I never feel uncomfortable out of the country, but I felt unsafe in Dublin after dark, even in the main stretch. There is a very aggressive homeless population.

We drove to Galway and then went south from there. Honestly, I wish we had more than the week that we were there. It was incredible.

[eddy]

Jealous!

[eb777888]

Jan 24, 2016 20:25:05 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Jan 24, 2016 20:20:38 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Reallllllly? Why? I promise I won't flame you, I'm asking for research!

Our plan originally was to only visit Ireland. Then... I started thinking "why not throw Scotland in there??" And now we really want to visit (and take David) to London. We're doing two weeks, we thought it might be a bit long for just Ireland. And, we haven't done any traveling outside of the US since 2008 so we're itching for some new places. 

Honestly, the big cities are always my least favorite part of being in Europe. A lot of them are pretty dirty and just feel like any big city. London and Paris are an exception to that (although a lot of Paris is filthy). I never feel uncomfortable out of the country, but I felt unsafe in Dublin after dark, even in the main stretch. There is a very aggressive homeless population.

We drove to Galway and then went south from there. Honestly, I wish we had more than the week that we were there. It was incredible.

Hmmmm, I never considered that about Dublin. It honestly never occurred to me. I've always felt so safe in European cities, probably because we were traveling to safe places, lol.

I'm obviously super cautious because we'll have David with us.  

We loved both London and Paris when we went. I'd love to go to Paris again but it's not on the agenda (it was for a second but we changed our minds). I'm definitely more into city vacations, me and H both agree on that. H did mention that he'd love to drive through some beautiful countryside. I'm torn right now. We have so many options!

[knx9211]

Jan 24, 2016 20:34:50 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Jan 24, 2016 20:25:05 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Honestly, the big cities are always my least favorite part of being in Europe. A lot of them are pretty dirty and just feel like any big city. London and Paris are an exception to that (although a lot of Paris is filthy). I never feel uncomfortable out of the country, but I felt unsafe in Dublin after dark, even in the main stretch. There is a very aggressive homeless population.

We drove to Galway and then went south from there. Honestly, I wish we had more than the week that we were there. It was incredible.

Hmmmm, I never considered that about Dublin. It honestly never occurred to me. I've always felt so safe in European cities, probably because we were traveling to safe places, lol.

I'm obviously super cautious because we'll have David with us.  

We loved both London and Paris when we went. I'd love to go to Paris again but it's not on the agenda (it was for a second but we changed our minds). I'm definitely more into city vacations, me and H both agree on that. H did mention that he'd love to drive through some beautiful countryside. I'm torn right now. We have so many options!

m
DH did all the driving because I don't know how to drive a stick. The roads are VERY narrow but we never got lost or anything. It was so beautiful. I would love to take our future children there.

Wait I take it back. Once the GPS took us to a FERRY. except we got there 45 minutes before the next was to arrive so then we were way out of the way and had to backtrack a lot. That wasn't a fun afternoon.

[eb777888]

Jan 24, 2016 20:49:40 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Jan 24, 2016 20:34:50 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Hmmmm, I never considered that about Dublin. It honestly never occurred to me. I've always felt so safe in European cities, probably because we were traveling to safe places, lol.

I'm obviously super cautious because we'll have David with us.  

We loved both London and Paris when we went. I'd love to go to Paris again but it's not on the agenda (it was for a second but we changed our minds). I'm definitely more into city vacations, me and H both agree on that. H did mention that he'd love to drive through some beautiful countryside. I'm torn right now. We have so many options!

m
DH did all the driving because I don't know how to drive a stick. The roads are VERY narrow but we never got lost or anything. It was so beautiful. I would love to take our future children there.

Wait I take it back. Once the GPS took us to a FERRY. except we got there 45 minutes before the next was to arrive so then we were way out of the way and had to backtrack a lot. That wasn't a fun afternoon.

What month did you go? What was the weather like? 

[knx9211]

Jan 24, 2016 21:02:52 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Jan 24, 2016 20:49:40 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

m
DH did all the driving because I don't know how to drive a stick. The roads are VERY narrow but we never got lost or anything. It was so beautiful. I would love to take our future children there.

Wait I take it back. Once the GPS took us to a FERRY. except we got there 45 minutes before the next was to arrive so then we were way out of the way and had to backtrack a lot. That wasn't a fun afternoon.

What month did you go? What was the weather like? 

Early October. It was PERFECT. Wore a light jacket, sweaters and boots the whole time.

[Elsa]

I have a tip! Take me with! I'm fun!

Lol

[eb777888]

Jan 24, 2016 22:10:49 GMT -5 Elsa said:

I have a tip! Take me with! I'm fun!

Lol

Haha!!! OMG, You'll have a newborn by then! When we get back, I'll rub your feet and fan you while David feeds you grapes. 

[nahoku]

I'm jealous, too! Sounds amazing. I can't wait to take the kids to Europe.

[liverandonions]

meggers should be able to help with Edinburgh!

[mrsukyankee]

I prefer Edinburgh over Dublin any day, but never felt uncomfortable in Dublin tbh. Both cities are very walkable and lovely in their own ways but Ediburgh is more attractive to me.

What enjoyed in Edinburgh:
1. Climbing Arthur's Seat - gorgeous views
2. Walking on Victoria Street (major shopping stuff so fun to window shop)
3. Walking in the Meadows of Edinburgh Uni (really pretty in the late spring-early autumn)
4. Edinburgh Castle is a must see
5. The Scottish National Gallery is interesting if you like museums
6. And drink good beer (if you like it) at the many small pubs, or one of my favourites - Brew Dog.
7. Just wandering around the gardens and town

[happyholiday]

Ooh, this sounds fabulous! Bookmarking for ideas.

[meggers5]

Oh I can help. What types of things are you looking to do/eat in Edinburgh?

eta: and when is it you're coming?

etaa: I can read. I see you're coming in July. Let me know what you're interested in and I'll have suggestions for you

[weelass24]

The best advice I can give you about Dublin is to spend as little time there as possible. The Goal is the highlight. If you have a free day, take the train to either Galway or Belfast. Belfast has so much more charm and character than Dublin and the people there aren't assholes like the Dubs are. If you don't have a whole day, but maybe just an afternoon, look up the bus schedule and go to Malahide. It's a beautiful, quaint little sea town with a lots of little boutiques and tons a pubs. It should take about 30-ish minutes from city center on the bus, maybe more if its a weekday, but not much.

Make sure you are really clear all of the change with the Euro when dealing with taxis. The smallest bill is €5. They'll try to scam you if you say you just got there or whatever. Never tell them you just arrived from the US or make it seem like you are super familiar with the currency and always count your change before you leave the cab.

I know people are big on Temple Bar but I think it is a zoo. If you are there late, the drink prices will go up as the night goes on. I think they increase after 10pm and after midnight. The good thing is that pubs are required to post the prices of drinks at the door and around the pub, so you'll know the prices ahead of time.

Here's a link for Malahide.

www.enjoymalahide.com/home/all-about-malahide/directions-to-malahide/

[weelass24]

Oh, even though you'll be here in July, do not pack all summer clothes. I'd plan to pack light, early spring clothes and at least one medium weight sweater plus a hooded, lightweight jacket. It could be gorgeous here, but more likely it will be not that warm. Think May weather, but with the potential for early March. Last summer was miserably cold and some nights I had the heat on and the fire lit. In July.

You just don't want to get stuck buying warmer clothes when you can spend your money on other stuff.

[qcinoct]

following this as we're going to Scotland in July for 2 weeks as a family! We booked our flights so far, but that's about it. I will be in Edinburgh for the first week for a conference, and then we're getting a car and driving around, so we still need to figure out the best places to stay with a 4 and 6 year old

[kaybee85]

We traveled to Dublin and did a day trip to Kilkenny, which was awesome. I never felt unsafe in Dublin at all.

[pantsparty]

So jealous! I have no advice, except when I was researching my own Ireland trip (which we have not gone on), the book said Leo Burdock had great fish and chips. I also noted Meath Country would be a good day trip, it has Newgrange, Ireland's best known prehistoric monument and also a place called Newgrange Farm where on Sunday THERE IS A WEEKLY DERBY WITH SHEEP WEARING TEDDY BEARS OMG.

[abbandkaa]

Edinburgh is one of my favorite places, of all the places I've been so far. Definitely climb Arthur's seat, visit the Princes Street Gardens (they have a working flower clock!), walk the Royal Mile, tour the Edinburgh Castle, and then Palace of Holyroodplace on the other end of the Mile. It gave me chills to walk the floors there, so much history.

Have a wonderful time!

[qcinoct]

thanks jamaicam! I think we may look into renting through airbnb! I haven't done much reading about the trip quite yet but I will check out Mull and Iona! We've been talking up castles with the boys, so I think we'll be checking out a bunch on our trip. We'll probably avoid museums and art centres unless they have specific kid areas though.

[okla]

Just checking in so I can find this post easily when I get to the nitty gritty of planning my trip over there in November.

What tour group are you going through?

[pandora89]

This thread has me now trying to convince H we need to go to Ireland and Scotland this summer. I am so jealous!