summer08bride

My husband and I are looking to take one last cool trip before becoming parents. I am 13 weeks pregnant and we will want to go in March, April or May 2011 while I am in my second trimester. We live in NYC and are used to walking quite a bit, but don't want anything that will be too physically taxing (mountain climbing, hiking) or that I'll really miss out on getting a full experience by not being able to drink. (we went to Spain last fall and we bar-hopped and did tapas for most meals). We're thinking it would be best to go somewhere that speaks English so I can better understand what I'm eating and have easier communication due to my pregnancy. Also, hoping for a moderate length flight from NY.

That said, we are really open to anywhere! We have been to Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice, with day trips to Siena and San Gimignano), France (Paris), Spain (Malaga, Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Toledo, Madrid).

We likely be going for ~9 days, maybe slightly more but not more than 12. Any thoughts and itinerary suggestions are greatly welcomed and appreciated.

I look forward to your comments!

janisj

Well - the only real criteria you've mentioned is convenient flight. Not drinking really is a non issue. Nine to ten days is a nice taste of Scotland or England or Ireland. Do you want countryside or cities. London a must or not? Give us more to work w/ since any of the 3 would make a lovely pre-baby trip.

summer08bride

Countryside would be nice, although I'd prefer not to rent a car if possible and be able to rely on public transportation. London was our initial plan, then we were thinking we should wait on London because we could go down the road as an extended weekend trip from NY (5 days or so), but I put it back on the list because it looks like some flights connect through London. Wouldn't want to take a connecting flight, so in that case might prefer to add in 2 days in London. We are flexible though.

What we would prefer is something that will be different from NYC, beautiful, maybe some castles, good food is a plus...

Should we try to do Ireland AND Scotland in one trip, or better to spend all of our time in one country? We probably won't be taking any long (full week off + weekends) trips without the baby for a few years, so this is one temporary last hoorah.

janisj

"<i>Should we try to do Ireland AND Scotland in one trip,</i>"

Not really.

If you want to stick to public transport -- I'd probably drop Ireland from consideration. Not that it is impossible, but just much more difficult. You'd be pretty much limited to buses w/ a few train connections.

You could do London and Edinburgh -- say half of your time in each one. Fly into London, spend a few days. Then fly or take the train to Edinburgh. Edinburgh has a magnificent castle, medieval old town, elegant Georgian new town, and is accessible to lots of places for day trips by train -- Stirling (another great castle), St Andrews (old Course, castle/cathedral ruins, beaches, etc), Glasgow for a different city vibe. Edinburgh is totally different than London and <i>TOTALLY</i> different than NY

You could look for open jaw in to London and home from Edinburgh (though it would likely connect through London) or into London and home from Glasgow. If you do fly ouy of GLA, you could take the short train ride from Edinburgh to central Glasgow and spend the night there and then public transport or a cab to the airport,

Or you could spend most of your time in London and then take the train to York for a couple of days. Yorkminster, medieval city walls etc.

Or London and Bath -- or several other options . . .

alihutch

If you do fly ouy of GLA, you could take the short train ride from Edinburgh to central Glasgow and spend the night there and then public transport or a cab to the airport,


Or you could even stay a couple of nights, spend a little time in Glasgow and explore a fine city

summer08bride

thanks for the suggestions! it is helping us get a start. we don't have much time to plan and don't know as much about these areas so appreciate your help