Scotland/Ireland

[Rogers72]

I have nailed down an approximate date for a trip to Scotland and Ireland this summer. I have to be just north of Galway (Western IRL) on Sept. the 5th but the rest of the trip is up in the air. I will be visiting Ireland/Scotland either two weeks before or one week before and one after. Another "must visit" is Skye. A few questions for anyone knowledgeable on the area:

What is the best airport to fly into from the states if I want to go to these two locations, and any points of interest in between? My thought is to fly into Dublin, go to Scotland first, then finish up my trip two weeks later on that Saturday near Galway, and drive back to Dublin on the Sunday following to fly out...

What is the best way to get from Scotland to Ireland/Ireland to Scotland? Cheapest?

Trip can take no more than 2 weeks so I know that there will be much that I will miss but I am thinking approx. a week in Scotland and a week in Ireland. Any advice on itinerary given these two locations as musts?

What is the way to get around Scotland? Ireland?

Not that I can reschedule much but is that a good time of year for travel to the area?

Any other suggestions that I may need to know???

[rckymtn22]

Most of the international flight into Scotland are into the Glasgow airport. From there it is a short drive into Glasgow. Prestwick is quite away's out of Glasgow so mostly charters and low cost airlines flying into there. If in Scotland you have to spend sometime in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Lots to see at both places. If you go to Edinburgh in August the Tattoo (www.edintattoo.co.uk/) is happening and is a lot of fun. Internet is your friend for things to do there. Rent a car if you are okay with driving on the wrong side. The country side is fantastic. Bring a big wallet as it is not cheap.

Don't know anything about Ireland, haven't been yet.

[harryleech]

I have nailed down an approximate date for a trip to Scotland and Ireland this summer. I have to be just north of Galway (Western IRL) on Sept. the 5th but the rest of the trip is up in the air. I will be visiting Ireland/Scotland either two weeks before or one week before and one after. Another "must visit" is Skye. A few questions for anyone knowledgeable on the area:

What is the best airport to fly into from the states if I want to go to these two locations, and any points of interest in between? My thought is to fly into Dublin, go to Scotland first, then finish up my trip two weeks later on that Saturday near Galway, and drive back to Dublin on the Sunday following to fly out...

What is the best way to get from Scotland to Ireland/Ireland to Scotland? Cheapest?

Trip can take no more than 2 weeks so I know that there will be much that I will miss but I am thinking approx. a week in Scotland and a week in Ireland. Any advice on itinerary given these two locations as musts?

What is the way to get around Scotland? Ireland?

Not that I can reschedule much but is that a good time of year for travel to the area?

Any other suggestions that I may need to know???

I can't help with Scotland, but I can give a few suggestions for Ireland.

In and around Dublin there's a lot to see. The biggest attraction in Ireland is the tour of the Guinness brewery, which is celebrating it's 250th anniversary this year: http://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/Index.aspx . A million people who visited it last year can't be wrong! Whenever I have friends over from the US I do the tour myself, it's very interesting and you get to sample a few pints of Guinness as part of the tour.

The Book of Kells, written in approximately the year 800AD and the Long Library in Trinity College Dublin are well worth a visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells as is Christ Church Cathedral: http://www.cccdub.ie/

All of the above stuff in Dublin can be done in a day comfortably and if you want to travel around, Dublin can be a good base. One place worth a visit is the Glendalough, both for the history of the monastic settlement and the landscape http://www.glendalough.ie/

Also good is the Passage Tomb in Newgrange, also an hours drive from Dublin http://www.newgrange.com/

Galway town is a bit of a let down: Shop street is nice, but I've never really 'got' people who like the town itself.

The countryside in the west, Connemara in particular (http://www.connemara.ie/) is beautiful and well worth a look. Ballynahinch Castle, Kylemore Abbey, Roundstone, Clifden are all fantastic.

Getting from Scotland to Ireland and vice versa is probably cheapest and fastest with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) and if you book well in advance you can get great deals. Getting around Ireland is easiest by car; I generally find Enterprise.ie is the cheapest of the companies.

If you're around for a smoke when you get to Dublin let me know; Smoking ban is everywhere, but there are still a few places with good smoking areas outdoors.

[cigargirl85]

What is the best way to get from Scotland to Ireland/Ireland to Scotland? Cheapest?

Trip can take no more than 2 weeks so I know that there will be much that I will miss but I am thinking approx. a week in Scotland and a week in Ireland. Any advice on itinerary given these two locations as musts?

What is the way to get around Scotland? Ireland?

Not that I can reschedule much but is that a good time of year for travel to the area?

Any other suggestions that I may need to know???

I don't know much about Ireland (apart from a couple of weekend trips) but I'm quite familiar with Scotland so I can maybe help you a bit:

For flights, as someone else suggested, look into the 'no frills' airlines such as EasyJet and RyanAir:. these are by far the quickest way (no more than an hour from Ireland to Glasgow from memory) and good value.

I'd consider renting a car for getting around, especially if you want to get to some of the more remote areas in Scotland (and the most stunning landscapes are a bit out of the way).

Both Glasgow and Edinburgh are worth a visit, and St Andrews if you're into golf.

In terms of weather, plan for it to be quite mild but WET in both countries!

[Rogers72]

Thanks so much for all of the help! Right now, it appears I will be flying into Dublin on 9/3 or 9/4, renting a car a driving straight across to a wedding at a castle near Galway, then spend the next few days bumming around southern Ireland. I will look into the flights from Dublin to Edinburgh for the second leg of the trip but it sounds like it is best to fly in, rent a car and drive around Scotland. Keep any suggestions coming and, of course, I would love to meet up with any of you in the area for a pint and cigar somewhere along the way!

[brian1]

Hi Rogers

I am Irish now livin in the U.S..Harry gave some good advice so I think your covered on the what to see/where to go. You might want to think about flying into Shannon Airport which is on the west coast alot closer to Galway than Dublin Airport on the East Coast and save your self 2 hours plus driving time. Thats 2 more hours in the Pub that you gain right there I would plan on bringing your own cigars...they are very expensive in Ireland and the U.K. Enjoy it sounds like a great trip and if your a golfer definately bring the clubs too.

Thanks so much for all of the help! Right now, it appears I will be flying into Dublin on 9/3 or 9/4, renting a car a driving straight across to a wedding at a castle near Galway, then spend the next few days bumming around southern Ireland. I will look into the flights from Dublin to Edinburgh for the second leg of the trip but it sounds like it is best to fly in, rent a car and drive around Scotland. Keep any suggestions coming and, of course, I would love to meet up with any of you in the area for a pint and cigar somewhere along the way!

[Morientes50]

Walk the old town in Edinburgh. Its beautiful. Like stepping back in time. And if you like scotch, go to a few tastings. I'm still kicking myself for not going to more tastings while there.