ajwc3179

I'm looking for feedback on my preliminary itinerary for June 2016. My husband and I will be landing in Scotland first and then heading over to Ireland. I would love to hear thoughts on various points:

1. Are any of the days too jam packed? I have a tendency to do that and I am really trying to limit myself this trip and not drive my husband crazy.

2. Are there sites not on my list that are a must see in areas we are driving through. We will be getting a car in both countries.

3. Specifically looking for some ideas for something for myself to do on days my husband is golfing. Listed below in the itinerary.

4. Any recs on lodging is appreciated a well. Probably leaning towards B&Bs or inns.

Day 1- land in Edinburgh and take a cab into city. Sight see remainder if day. Sleep in Edinburgh.

Day 2 (plan A)- spend day and night in Edinburgh

(Plan B) - sped day in Edinburgh then get rental car in later afternoon and head to St. Andrews. Sleep there.

Day 3- (plan A)- get rental car and drive to St. Andrews. Husband golfs at St. A and I will do something else. Thoughts are either Falkland or Crail..... Then spend the rest of sayin St. A and sleep there.

(Plan B)- already at St. A from previous night so can start the day earlier.

Day 4- drive to Carnoustie, husband plays golf. I'm looking for ideas of what I could do. I'm ok with driving a bit. After golf either drive back to St. Andrews if we've only been there for a night (plan A) or drive down to Edinburgh if following (plan B). If following plan B we'd drop off rental car and spend night in city.

Day 5- either driving to airport from St. Andrews or heading to airport by cab from city center. Fly to Shannon.

On to Ireland itinerary: I tried to get a mix of sights/attractions in my itinerary. I understand they are all tourist sights but are any not worth the time?

Day 1- arrive in Shannon, get rental car, and drive to rock of cashel, on to cahir castle, and then drive to Kenmare to stay the night.

Day 2- go to Bantry House and drive Beara drive. Stay in Kenmare.

Day3- drive to torc waterfall and muckrosshouse, lunch jn Killarney. Drive to dingle for the night .

Day 4- drive around the single peninsula. Stay in dingle for the night.

Day 5- drive to Ballybunion, husband golfs. I need something to do while he golfs, suggestions??? After golf drive up to Doolin via the Shannon car ferry. Is the ferry a good idea or drive inland?? Stay in Doolin

Day 6- cliffs of Moher in the morning, them possibly drop I g husband at Lahnich for a round. I was thinking I could drive up to The Burren for a bit while he golfs. Does that sound feasible? Then sleep in Doolin.

Day 7- drive to Shannon airport, return car, depart for the States.

Thanks in advance for your help.

ajwc3179

Sorry for some of the typos. I was using my cellphone and didn't look close enough

flpab

The Ladies Beach at Ballybunion is very pretty, cliff walks etc.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...nty_Kerry.html

Lahinch also has a great beach, it will be a bit cold for surfing or swimming but there will be people doing both. Nice little town to shop and have lunch. Driving in the burren would be good or have him drop you off at the ferry and visit Inis Oirr
http://www.doolinferries.com/index.p...ling-schedule/

I have taken the Shannon car ferry and would do again.

ajwc3179

Thanks flpab I didn't realize you could catch a ferry from Doolin to the Aran Islands. I had briefly researched that and came up with Galway departures.

cathies

Wherever you are on the golf days, there will be a castle not far away! Good for exploring on your own.

cathies

Sorry, I forgot to say that St. Andrews is a really pretty, decent size town and you could easily explore the town and university while your husband golfs.

Also, I know you didn't ask for restaurant recommendations but I thought I'd mention Rocca Restaurant which overlooks the 18th. We had a lovely meal there.

flpab

You can do just the crossing to Inis Oirr or do that and the cliff cruise. They take the ferry up to the cliffs. Very nice view. Inis Oirr has bikes you can rent or you can just walk around the island. A couple of pubs and shops.

ajwc3179

Thanks Cathies for the restaurant rec, always welcomed!

Flab would you recommend seeing the cliffs on foot and water or is that overkill?

sheila

I'm not good on B&Bs. If I were looking for an Inn in Edinburgh, I'd stay in South Queensferry at the Hawes Inn. Read "Kidnapped". But it's not handy for anywhere but South Queensferry.

In town I like the Hotel du Vin and FWIW the Hotel du Vin in St Andrews is lovely too. For an absolute splash out meal try Rocco, in the Rusacks Marine there- but don't stay there.

You don't say what you like to do, but if I were putting in time in St Andrews, apart from the town itself, which is worth a good 3-4 hours browse of history and shops, I'd think of Falkland Palace, or Loch Leven RSPB reserve.

If your husband means to play the Old Course, I hope he already has it booked.

From Carnoutie go to see Arbroath Abbey, and walk along the cliff top walk north of Auchmithie

If you're in Edinburgh the night before you fly, I'd drop the car the night before and take the tram or a taxi out.

Hope this helps.

Tony2phones

Consider flying into Cork for Cahir rather than Shannon and stay there or Cahir for the night.

Then 2 nights in Kenmare for your options in that area. The night for Cahir/Cashel can easily be taken from Dingle for which 1 night is enough.

I would rather spend the night in Lahinch than Doolin but then I know both fairly well only being an hour from either.
I generally recommend Ennis for a last night before an early flight from Shannon if folk want a night out with several options for food drink and entertainment.

Some options for west Clare on https://goo.gl/UtW24m

ESW

I was distinctly underwhelmed by the Cliffs of Moher seen from the top. The crowds didn't help either as all the worls and his wife was there. I think they would be much more impressive seen from a boat.

Tony2phones

"I was distinctly underwhelmed by the Cliffs of Moher seen from the top"

Next time avoid the crowds and have a look from Hags Head at the southern side of the Cliffs. But yes viewing from below gives a whole new perspective.

flpab

I have done both and if the sea is smooth that day then do the cliffs by the boat. The puffins were everywhere.

ajwc3179

Tony2phones thanks for your advice. I checked into flying into Cork but the flights gets in later in the afternoon which would kill the day.

I was choosing to stay in Dingle for two nights because I was trying to avoid checking in and out of places each day. Is there somewhere else you'd rec staying for two nights that would work with the itinerary? I didn't want to have to back track too much.

It looks like my husband will not be able to play Lahnich due to it being blocked off for the day (I guess an outing). Would you still recommend staying there vs Doolin? Why do you prefer Lahnich?

Thanks for the pointer on Hags head.

ajwc3179

Thanks Sheila, I look into that Abbey. I'm not sure yet where we will be spending time in the city besides the castle.

Tony2phones

Not sure on the schedule for the reinstated flights from Scotland to SNN but from there to Cahir and back to Kenmare is a fair old drive. You have a couple of hours minimum to Cashel including getting your car. 2 hours for Cashel the same for Cahir which you would pass either way on the 2 1/2 hour drive from Cashel to Kenmare.

If not wanting to spend the night around Cashel/Cahir then the 2 night stays, Kenmare and Dingle fit.

Doolin is on my nice to visit wouldn't stay list along with places like Dingle town and Kinsale that have been hyped up and turned over to tourism. If Doolin had more than 3 pubs I suppose I might find one I liked?

Has your husband considered Doonbeg (Trumptown)or Galway ?

flpab

Has your husband considered Doonbeg (Trumptown)or Galway

Probably great rates there right now.
Was the Castle Course closed also at Lahinch?
I like all three pubs in Doolin.

ajwc3179

He has not checked out those other courses. I'll mention them to him, thanks.

Flpab, your thoughts on staying in Lahnich vs Doolin?

jaja

Cliffs of Moher from the Atlantic only if the weather is calm. I have done three of the boat trips and only one was really enjoyable, people throwing up into paper bags the other two and almost no viewing of the cliffs.

flpab

jaja, that is why I like the bigger ferry that goes from Rossaveal to Inis Mor.

I like Lahinch but have never spent the night where I have twice in Doolin. We liked the music in the three pubs in the evening. Easy to get to the cliffs and ferry from there if you wanted to go to the Aran Islands. Two of the pubs were close to our accommodation with great food and music. Easy to walk to everything.