Tweaking our 3 week itinerary - suggestions?
Jun 23rd, 2013, 07:56 AM
#1
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Tweaking our 3 week itinerary - suggestions?
I received great feedback on this forum a couple of months ago regarding a 3 week itinerary for myself, mom and my 11 year old son. The version that rose to the top was:
5-7 days in London
2 nights York (arrive by train from London)
7 nights by car from N. Yorkshire, through Northumberland (with visits to Hadrian's Wall, Alnwick Castle, coast and more) to Edinburgh
Edinburgh several nights, day trips or multi-night trip with Rabbie's Trail Burners
Great itinerary, right?
But - Mom really wants to see a bit of Wales, too. I've been researching and dreaming about this trip for a long time, and looking back in earlier posts, realized I also received advice on an itinerary including Wales some time back. I'm cognizant of avoiding the "trying to see it all" mentality. However, mom is viewing this as her last big trip before retirement forces her to reign in the spending
, and I really want this to be special, so I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate Wales and still not run us all ragged.
Here are alternatives as I currently see it:
Start in London (with side visit to friend in Winchester), train to Oxford or Chester to pick up a car (if Oxford, drive through Cotswolds), drive to North Wales, then to York, visit aunt near Whitby, then up through Northumberland and ditch car in Edinburgh, take a tour with Rabbie's Trail Burners, depart Edinburgh.
Or: Start in London, base in Cotswolds for a few days and visit South Wales from there, then drive to York, visit aunt in N. Yorkshire, drive through Northumberland and end in Edinburgh.
Any thoughts/suggestions?
5-7 days in London
2 nights York (arrive by train from London)
7 nights by car from N. Yorkshire, through Northumberland (with visits to Hadrian's Wall, Alnwick Castle, coast and more) to Edinburgh
Edinburgh several nights, day trips or multi-night trip with Rabbie's Trail Burners
Great itinerary, right?
But - Mom really wants to see a bit of Wales, too. I've been researching and dreaming about this trip for a long time, and looking back in earlier posts, realized I also received advice on an itinerary including Wales some time back. I'm cognizant of avoiding the "trying to see it all" mentality. However, mom is viewing this as her last big trip before retirement forces her to reign in the spending
, and I really want this to be special, so I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate Wales and still not run us all ragged.Here are alternatives as I currently see it:
Start in London (with side visit to friend in Winchester), train to Oxford or Chester to pick up a car (if Oxford, drive through Cotswolds), drive to North Wales, then to York, visit aunt near Whitby, then up through Northumberland and ditch car in Edinburgh, take a tour with Rabbie's Trail Burners, depart Edinburgh.
Or: Start in London, base in Cotswolds for a few days and visit South Wales from there, then drive to York, visit aunt in N. Yorkshire, drive through Northumberland and end in Edinburgh.
Any thoughts/suggestions?
Jun 23rd, 2013, 09:25 AM
#2
I'd go with the first idea, North Wales is very pretty and you could go out to Anglesey.
Just one word of advice, do not try to drive the M62 between Manchester and Leeds between 4pm and 6 pm you will think all your car driving nightmares have come at once.
Just one word of advice, do not try to drive the M62 between Manchester and Leeds between 4pm and 6 pm you will think all your car driving nightmares have come at once.
Jun 23rd, 2013, 09:37 AM
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Thanks Bilboburgler. I just had a look at ViaMichelin for that route, and obviously we would save time and miles by taking the train to Chester and commencing the driving part of our trip from there. Good tip on avoiding the M62 during rush hour!
We've considered visiting Chatsworth enroute to York from Chester, probably overnighting there, which would eliminate the M62 altogether, I believe.
Question relating to the logistics of these forums - I accidentally posted this to the Europe forum. How do I change it to United Kingdom? I already emailed Fodors, but don't know when I'll hear back.
We've considered visiting Chatsworth enroute to York from Chester, probably overnighting there, which would eliminate the M62 altogether, I believe.
Question relating to the logistics of these forums - I accidentally posted this to the Europe forum. How do I change it to United Kingdom? I already emailed Fodors, but don't know when I'll hear back.
Jun 23rd, 2013, 10:55 AM
#6
Now for your real questions -- Moms can throw a spanner in the works for sure 
I thought your plan was just about perfect. Adding Wales means you'll need to cut something else short or out completely. In this case it would probably be the Cotswolds/Oxford.
You can easily do a day trip to Winchester by train from London.
So I'd take the train either to MAN or to Chester. Collect a car there - do North Wales, Yorkshire, Northumberland/Hadrian's Wall/Alnwick and up into Scotland.
I thought your plan was just about perfect. Adding Wales means you'll need to cut something else short or out completely. In this case it would probably be the Cotswolds/Oxford.
You can easily do a day trip to Winchester by train from London.
So I'd take the train either to MAN or to Chester. Collect a car there - do North Wales, Yorkshire, Northumberland/Hadrian's Wall/Alnwick and up into Scotland.
Jun 23rd, 2013, 10:57 AM
#7
Meant to add - the reason I suggested maybe taking the train to MAN is being an airport there are more choices for rental agencies and the opening hours are longer - especially important if on a weekend.
Jun 23rd, 2013, 11:39 AM
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Ah - so I didn't post in the wrong forum, I just didn't tag it for UK - had my terminology mixed up! Geez, you'd think I'd never posted before....
Anyway - Janis, to your comment about Mom's throwing spanners in the works - here's the reply I usually get when I ask Mom what she REALLY wants to see: "Everything!" (Imagine a flourish of the hands as she says this, as though to literally encompass all of the UK.) But, she does realize that this is impossible, and is very open to suggestions - which means I have to come up with the suggestions that won't result in my going crazy ;-).
I think your idea of taking the train to Chester and driving the rest of the route is probably our best option if we're to include Wales. It's more driving than I really wanted to do, but I can't see a better option. Mind you, this is all subject to change... but I'd sure like to get an idea of what we're doing so I can work on the budget end of things.
I do have the rough idea that self-catering would be the least expensive option for three people, but that it wouldn't work well with the ground we're looking at covering. Family-friendly B&B's and hotels would appear to be the better option for 2-3 night stays - am I correct?
I do plan to set my mom with the task of doing some real research and determining if there is anything she really can't live without seeing. It could be that Wales is a nice thought, but won't fit into this trip.
The good news is that she has the attitude that anything we do will be wonderful, so I've no doubt that good sense and prudence will prevail. Thanks so much to all who've responded to my ongoing queries for your patience - there will be plenty more!
Anyway - Janis, to your comment about Mom's throwing spanners in the works - here's the reply I usually get when I ask Mom what she REALLY wants to see: "Everything!" (Imagine a flourish of the hands as she says this, as though to literally encompass all of the UK.) But, she does realize that this is impossible, and is very open to suggestions - which means I have to come up with the suggestions that won't result in my going crazy ;-).
I think your idea of taking the train to Chester and driving the rest of the route is probably our best option if we're to include Wales. It's more driving than I really wanted to do, but I can't see a better option. Mind you, this is all subject to change... but I'd sure like to get an idea of what we're doing so I can work on the budget end of things.
I do have the rough idea that self-catering would be the least expensive option for three people, but that it wouldn't work well with the ground we're looking at covering. Family-friendly B&B's and hotels would appear to be the better option for 2-3 night stays - am I correct?
I do plan to set my mom with the task of doing some real research and determining if there is anything she really can't live without seeing. It could be that Wales is a nice thought, but won't fit into this trip.
The good news is that she has the attitude that anything we do will be wonderful, so I've no doubt that good sense and prudence will prevail. Thanks so much to all who've responded to my ongoing queries for your patience - there will be plenty more!
Jun 23rd, 2013, 12:01 PM
#9
http://www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/home-1.aspx
Prince William is still flying out of Anglesey so you could bump into him
Prince William is still flying out of Anglesey so you could bump into him
Jun 23rd, 2013, 12:27 PM
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Hmmm - now that's intriguing, Bilbo! But honestly, it's the prospect of puffins and porpoises that sets my heart a-fluttering...and which has me wondering if we should spend more time in North Wales!
Thanks Bilboburger - I think ;-)
Thanks Bilboburger - I think ;-)
)
Jun 23rd, 2013, 01:59 PM
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Aw, geez! Where's the best place to see them in Scotland? I wonder if any of the Rabbie's trips would get us to a good puffin-viewing spot (or any other sea birds, porpoises, whales, etc.) We'd all love a good wildlife spotting opportunity, so that would be a major selling point for any specific location!
Jun 23rd, 2013, 03:47 PM
#13
The closest place to Edinburgh to see puffins in great number is on the Isle of May. You take a boat out from Anstruther and get to walk on the island for a couple of hours. Tons of other sea birds, seals, old light houses etc.
They are seen all over - especially along the west coast - but the Isle of May is terrific and convenient to Edinburgh and is near St Andrews and the fishing villages
For dolphins - lots of places around the north coast - especially in the Moray and Cromarty firths north of Inverness. You can stand on the walls of Ft George and see lots of then w/i a few yards of the beach. But that is a long way from Edinburgh.
They are seen all over - especially along the west coast - but the Isle of May is terrific and convenient to Edinburgh and is near St Andrews and the fishing villages
For dolphins - lots of places around the north coast - especially in the Moray and Cromarty firths north of Inverness. You can stand on the walls of Ft George and see lots of then w/i a few yards of the beach. But that is a long way from Edinburgh.
Jun 23rd, 2013, 09:21 PM
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BBgt
I was going to give you a bunch of links to my reports, but I see I did that on your previous thread. I can give you some more though.
One that wasn't on there was our trip to Scotland last month. Just so happens we went to the Isle of May:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-and-more.cfm
Puffins galore. Let's hope you have a smoother ride than we did! (ours was unusually choppy, but still worth it)
Another recent excursion was to Snowdon for the day. Perhaps the hike isn't your thing, but you could also do the combo train/walk like we did. Going down was hard work too though (perhaps more so):
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ng-snowdon.cfm
We really enjoy North Wales. Our second base was in Conwy and that worked out well. Conwy, Caernarfon and Beaumaris castles are all fantastic. There's also the Welsh Slate Museum (free) in Llanberis. Be sure to semi-splurge for a meal at Watson's Bistro in Conwy -- we've eaten there 3 times!
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...orth-wales.cfm
http://www.watsonsbistroconwy.co.uk/
http://www.caernarfon.com/
http://www.beaumaris.com/
http://www.conwy.com/
I was going to give you a bunch of links to my reports, but I see I did that on your previous thread. I can give you some more though.
One that wasn't on there was our trip to Scotland last month. Just so happens we went to the Isle of May:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-and-more.cfm
Puffins galore. Let's hope you have a smoother ride than we did! (ours was unusually choppy, but still worth it)
Another recent excursion was to Snowdon for the day. Perhaps the hike isn't your thing, but you could also do the combo train/walk like we did. Going down was hard work too though (perhaps more so):
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ng-snowdon.cfm
We really enjoy North Wales. Our second base was in Conwy and that worked out well. Conwy, Caernarfon and Beaumaris castles are all fantastic. There's also the Welsh Slate Museum (free) in Llanberis. Be sure to semi-splurge for a meal at Watson's Bistro in Conwy -- we've eaten there 3 times!
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...orth-wales.cfm
http://www.watsonsbistroconwy.co.uk/
http://www.caernarfon.com/
http://www.beaumaris.com/
http://www.conwy.com/
Jun 24th, 2013, 12:08 PM
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Hi Indy_Dad - you did indeed provide links on my last thread, and I enjoyed them immensely. I've just started having a look at these and will continue to peruse them later.
I love your blogs - reading them gives one the sense of being along for a family adventure. I am deeply envious of the fact that you get to live in the UK for a good chunk of time and are seeing so much. The fact that you so eloquently and thoroughly share your family's experiences is a gift to those of us who plan to travel, or who only wish they could. Thank you!
I spent 2 1/2 months in England some years ago, but my time was concentrated in the south, where my friend lived. Since that time I've become a true Anglophile, and if I had the means, I would spend several months a year in Great Britain. I suspect I would feel very much at home in Scotland, as that's where my dad's ancestors hail from.
Anyway - the trip I'm planning now is really about giving my mom a wonderful experience, and about introducing my son to Britain. I plan on sharing all of this information with Mom and letting her decide which parts appeal most to her, but as I mentioned earlier, she has a great attitude in that she assumes she will love whatever we do. My job is simply (!) to research and suggest the most practical trip that will suit the three of us. Not a bad task, really!
Enough rambling - I'll be back later if I have more specific questions.
I love your blogs - reading them gives one the sense of being along for a family adventure. I am deeply envious of the fact that you get to live in the UK for a good chunk of time and are seeing so much. The fact that you so eloquently and thoroughly share your family's experiences is a gift to those of us who plan to travel, or who only wish they could. Thank you!
I spent 2 1/2 months in England some years ago, but my time was concentrated in the south, where my friend lived. Since that time I've become a true Anglophile, and if I had the means, I would spend several months a year in Great Britain. I suspect I would feel very much at home in Scotland, as that's where my dad's ancestors hail from.
Anyway - the trip I'm planning now is really about giving my mom a wonderful experience, and about introducing my son to Britain. I plan on sharing all of this information with Mom and letting her decide which parts appeal most to her, but as I mentioned earlier, she has a great attitude in that she assumes she will love whatever we do. My job is simply (!) to research and suggest the most practical trip that will suit the three of us. Not a bad task, really!
Enough rambling - I'll be back later if I have more specific questions.
