We have open jaw tickets for our trip. We would like to cover London, Scotland and perhaps some of Ireland. We have 15 days, not counting the cross-Atlantic flight days. Right now we are thinking about 5-6 days in London and area. Does that leave enough time to cover some of Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow) and Ireland? We're planning to fly to the different points. Obviously we can't do an in-depth trip, we are looking more for the experience.

Who are "we"? Couple with no kids, family with small kids, teenagers, going with elderly parents - it makes a difference in recommendations. Also, you say you have open-jaw tickets, but do not say where you are flying out of (I assume you fly into London). It's difficult to make recommendations without that information.

One option would be to land in London day one, spend days 2-6 in London. Day 7: train to Edinburgh. Days 8-9: Edinburgh. Day 10: EITHER fly to somewhere in Ireland and explore for 3-4 full days (or go to at most two places in Ireland), then go to Dublin or Shannon your last night; OR stay in Scotland and visit Glasgow or the Highlands for a few days before flying home.

Thank you. "We" are a retired couple who travel quite a bit. our tickets are still flexible. We were thinking of beginning in Glasgow/Edinburgh, then going to London, either flying or on the train. After London we were planning to go to Ireland before flying home from Dublin. We enjoy a few museums, but not several on an daily basis. The same goes for castles, historic houses and cathedrals. A few are amazing, and many at once are overwhelming. We are not looking to take a "theme" tour (castles, churches, etc). We enjoy seeing a variety of things. Also, we are not night club people.

Your suggestions are excellent. Which country do you like better to visit?

We don't want to over-plan, but we do like to be on the go. We use our hotel rooms for sleeping, not because of the amenities.

Personally, of these choices - London is one of my very favorite cities in the world, and I always enjoy my time in England. But they all have different "personalities" and things to offer. Scotland feels wilder than England, and Ireland is laid-back and beautiful. I've really just been to Edinburgh in Scotland, so can't comment on the Highlands or other places, but I'd love to get there sometime.

If I were planning your trip (since you asked ), I think I'd do several days in London, then a couple of days in Edinburgh (either order would work, but in my searches in recent years, tickets to London are usually cheaper and more likely to be direct). Then I'd either go to the Highlands somewhere and skip Ireland, <i>or</i> I'd fly to southwest Ireland - look for flights to Cork, Kerry or Shannon. Spend a few days in County Kerry (Kenmare or Dingle) and maybe County Clare, depending on time. Then fly home from Shannon. But that doesn't give you any time in Dublin, so it may not work for you.

Also, what time of year are you going? If your trip is in the winter I'd stick to the cities more.

London has plenty of great museums, and I really enjoyed the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. You'll have your pick of cathedrals/churches in either as well. Southwest Ireland has some historic houses (like Ross Castle and Muckross House near Killarney; Dromoland Castle is near Shannon. But the biggest draw of that area is the scenery - the coastline and mountains are just gorgeous. However, it is much easier to see that area with a car, so if you're not interested in driving yourselves, you may want to stick to cities.

you essentially have 2 weeks -- pick two. London and a bit of Scotland OR London and a bit of Ireland. You really don't have enough time to do all three unless you just want to say "been there, done that"

Travel in the scenic parts of Ireland is very slow. And Scotland has even more to see do IMO. You can't go wrong which you choose, but you really do need to bite the bullet and choose.

So London/Scotland or London/Ireland and open jaw for sure . . .