JolietJake

Mrs. Jake wants to go somewhere different this May/June. We went to Ireland last year at the same time and loved it. We didn't have any reservations except for the rental car. We just winged it with hotels and B&Bs the whole time. A different town each night for 8 nights. It was great and we found quite a few towns and places that I'd like to return to.

Now she would like to try another location. Another country in the UK seems logical. Scotland comes to mind. Has anybody been there? Has anybody been to both Ireland and Scotland? Is one better than the other?

We're not much for big cities while on vacation. We live so close to Chicago that nothing else would come close to being as good anyway. Don't mean to get anyone's panties in a bunch, but we really like Chicago.

I'm thinking a couple of days in the southern section, a couple in the middle lowlands, and the rest (3-4 days) exploring the Highlands. Small pubs and local eateries are what we like. I can only get about 8-9 days off in one stretch in the warmer months (I'm the plant chemist at a peaking power plant). Is this enough time to see a few interesting sites?

Sorry about the long post. I have more questions and observations but this one is long enough.

Safe Trips...Norm

maleficent

Ispent a bunchof weeks in the UK - and got sickof London after about 3 weeks so every weekend I'd head somewhere else... Hopped on atrain and just went...


Canterbury was lovely for a weekend -- canterbury cathedral is beautiful and a nice day to spend exploring - the town of canterbury also had a cool -- very touristy but fun attraction for the canterbury tales... there were a few inns (when making reservatins - en suite is the way to go) and nice restaurants.

THe Lakes Region is also beautiful... not much to do except for total relaxation..

Brussels is also beautiful - and is a quick train ride from London... very old world -- and home of the smurfs (the cartoon museum was neat) and the statue o the little boy peeing is ariot.. the architecture is amazing... and again lots of quaint little inns (be warned-- if you are put ont he 6th floor on an inn - don't assume it's got an elevator or a bathrroom on the floor you are on... )

Scotland is also beautiful country -- if you are a scotch drinker- you can hit all the sctoch producing regions..

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highthief

We were there in September of last year. We had done a week in England and then went to finish uup with a few days in Scotland. We based ourselves out of Edinburgh (Airport Hilton, because its easy driving from there) and did a day in Edinburgh (could done several, what a great city), and did day trips to St. Andrews, Stirling, Bannockburn, and on the way to Scotland from England stopped at Caelaverock Castle in the SW area. Finished up with a day in Glasgow.

We loved Scotland. The people are fantastic, the history is enormous - wish we had time to get deeper into the country. Wanted to get North and also go to Loch Lomond - the only thing with Scotland is the roads aren't what we'd call straight! If it looks on the map like it would take an hour to get somewhere, it'll probably take two! But the scenery along the way is fantastic.

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Daoust

I did a guided tour of Scotland when I was 17. Stayed all over the place. Edinburgh was a highlight. Drove through the highlands. A bunch of places that I forget. I kept a travel journal and took lots of pics. I loved it. Best trip of my life.

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tspikes51

Sure, I was there once. Visit some of the castles and go to Edinbourogh. The sun goes down pretty late, like midnight.

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aswo

Was there a few months ago, Edinbourogh is incredible, history + bars and great food, but dont forget glasgow, also super fun and definetly worth the hour train ride.

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JolietJake

Thanks for all the replies. I still haven't decided is this is where I want to go. England is too large an area to cover for the short time I can get off. I realize that I wouldn't have to see the whole country on the first trip.
One of the reasons that I would like to return to Ireland is that I'm somewhat familiar, so to speak, with the driving, conversion rates, car rental, et al. I also like the fact that non-stops from ORD are (relatively) cheap. The flights directly to Scotland are about 1.5 times the cost from what I can find. When you throw in the monetary conversion to pounds it get's a bit lopsided in favor of Ireland!

The driving in Scotland must be similiar though. If it looks close on the map you can figure twice as long to get there! For a country that only as big as West Virginia (square miles wise), the lower speed limits combined with the narrow curved roads conspire to make you take in the breathtaking scenery!

Thanks Again...I'm sure I'll have more questions!

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Safe Trips...Norm