SPS: As promised, I am recapping our (wife and I) trip to Ireland and Scotland. I initially submitted this OT thread back in February seeking input. We traveled across the pond back in Sept. We spent one week in Ireland and then a week in Scotland. To say the trip was incredible would be an understatement.
Ireland: we began by spending a 1.5 days in Dublin, went to the BrazenHead Pub (had an English guy ask me why our current president was an idiot), toured the Guiness Brewery St. James Gate (a pint of Guiness it lightyears better than what you can find stateside, although they just opened a brewery in Baltimore). We toured Trinity College and saw the Book of Kells, library, etc. Although we didn't attend, Garth Brooks was playing in Dublin that day. Rented a car, drove to Waterford and toured the city, spent time in Cork, and then onto Killarney; we stayed at an incredible resort, The Lake Hotel, with amazing views and on site restaurant. Then, drove the Ring of Kerry. Stayed a night in Limerick, hiked the Cliff of Moher, then spent a day in Sligo. Our final 1.5 days were spent in Belfast and toured Titanic Museum.
Ireland was full of BnB's, beautiful scenery, lots of history and Guiness.....lots of Guiness! My ancestors came from County Wicklow and I hope to go back to the Emerald Isle some day.
Scotland: upon leaving Belfast: we took a short flight into Glasgow, Scotland. I guess it was good we didn't have but a day here b/c this was the day of the Queen's funeral so many places were close. However, we toured the campus of the university (beautiful) and walked around the town. I was't that impressed. It was very dirty, even for a big city. Trash everywhere. But still a place to check a box. We then drove to Glen Coe, Scotland. This is probably the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life. The air smells incredible, rolling hills and mountains confirm creation, and I left part of my soul there. The hiking is incredible and I will definitely be going back here. From Glen Coe, we drove to Isle of Skye. We hiked the Fairy Glen, spent the night in Portree, then hiked Old Man of Storr the next morning. Another stunning location. Google photos of this place if you have never seen it or, better yet, watch a youtube video. Again, this is a place I will definitely revisit. From here, we went to a small fishing village called Plockton. I ate some prawns called Langoustines that were twice size of my hand. We stayed the night in the Duncraig Castle. From there, we went to Inverness, toured the Culloden battle field and bought some nice bottles of Scotch to bring home. Next we drove to St. Andrews and got my photo taken on the bridge of 18, The Old Course. From there we spent the next two days in Edinburg. Walked around the town the first night and hired a Blue-badge tour guy the next day. Well worth the money!!! We toured the town and some of the really old part. There is so much history there and it was fulfilling to learn it from someone so educated. We toured Blackness and Sterling Castles. I also tried Haggis!
Yes, we did a lot of traveling in two weeks. I don't regret this because we saw so many places. It did suck staying in a different place almost every night, but I now know what is there. We will definitely make a return trip, but will spend more time in fewer places. If I had to choose, Scotland was my favorite. There is something about the Highlands.
I appreciate those of you who made recommendations for me when I first posted this thread 8 months ago. I encourage you to visit these countries. As Andy Dufresne said, "Get busy living or get busy dying."
Slàinte Mhath!
Ireland: we began by spending a 1.5 days in Dublin, went to the BrazenHead Pub (had an English guy ask me why our current president was an idiot), toured the Guiness Brewery St. James Gate (a pint of Guiness it lightyears better than what you can find stateside, although they just opened a brewery in Baltimore). We toured Trinity College and saw the Book of Kells, library, etc. Although we didn't attend, Garth Brooks was playing in Dublin that day. Rented a car, drove to Waterford and toured the city, spent time in Cork, and then onto Killarney; we stayed at an incredible resort, The Lake Hotel, with amazing views and on site restaurant. Then, drove the Ring of Kerry. Stayed a night in Limerick, hiked the Cliff of Moher, then spent a day in Sligo. Our final 1.5 days were spent in Belfast and toured Titanic Museum.
Ireland was full of BnB's, beautiful scenery, lots of history and Guiness.....lots of Guiness! My ancestors came from County Wicklow and I hope to go back to the Emerald Isle some day.
Scotland: upon leaving Belfast: we took a short flight into Glasgow, Scotland. I guess it was good we didn't have but a day here b/c this was the day of the Queen's funeral so many places were close. However, we toured the campus of the university (beautiful) and walked around the town. I was't that impressed. It was very dirty, even for a big city. Trash everywhere. But still a place to check a box. We then drove to Glen Coe, Scotland. This is probably the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life. The air smells incredible, rolling hills and mountains confirm creation, and I left part of my soul there. The hiking is incredible and I will definitely be going back here. From Glen Coe, we drove to Isle of Skye. We hiked the Fairy Glen, spent the night in Portree, then hiked Old Man of Storr the next morning. Another stunning location. Google photos of this place if you have never seen it or, better yet, watch a youtube video. Again, this is a place I will definitely revisit. From here, we went to a small fishing village called Plockton. I ate some prawns called Langoustines that were twice size of my hand. We stayed the night in the Duncraig Castle. From there, we went to Inverness, toured the Culloden battle field and bought some nice bottles of Scotch to bring home. Next we drove to St. Andrews and got my photo taken on the bridge of 18, The Old Course. From there we spent the next two days in Edinburg. Walked around the town the first night and hired a Blue-badge tour guy the next day. Well worth the money!!! We toured the town and some of the really old part. There is so much history there and it was fulfilling to learn it from someone so educated. We toured Blackness and Sterling Castles. I also tried Haggis!
Yes, we did a lot of traveling in two weeks. I don't regret this because we saw so many places. It did suck staying in a different place almost every night, but I now know what is there. We will definitely make a return trip, but will spend more time in fewer places. If I had to choose, Scotland was my favorite. There is something about the Highlands.
I appreciate those of you who made recommendations for me when I first posted this thread 8 months ago. I encourage you to visit these countries. As Andy Dufresne said, "Get busy living or get busy dying."
Slàinte Mhath!
