FACS

For 5 of the past 6 years we have visited small villages in the Alps in Germany, Austria, Switzerland (BO and Engadine) and Chamonix, France. I could easily return but DH would like to try some place new. We have also enjoyed Norway, Canadian Rockies, and Ireland (but NOT the narrow Irish back roads)
I viewed Songdocs photos of North Wales and thought they were very nice!
I love mountains, lakes, coastal scenery, castles and cute villages.
If we have 2 weeks should we visit both Scotland and Wales? Will it be mainly narrow roads ? (I'm not the driver-I navigate) Bettyk and others who enjoy the Alps region, did you like Scotland and Wales just as much? Will the roads be crowded in June?

zeppole

"I love mountains, lakes, coastal scenery, castles and cute villages."

I loved the Isle of Skye for that -- but you have to be willing to drive on the other side of the road, although I found the roads almost empty.

"I love mountains, lakes, coastal scenery, castles and cute villages."

You didn't ask but: I love Italy even more for that. The Dolomiti has spectacular scenery, but perhaps the driving would be too much for you. Maybe you would enjoy Lago di Como and then another part of Italy filled with castles and coastline. Parts of Tuscany and Liguria fit that description very well.

Magliano in Toscana:

http://www.canino.info/inserti/monog...o/magliano.jpg

Porto Ercole

http://foto.tuttomaremma.com/images/...ercole%203.jpg

San Gimignano and Volterra:

http://omgcelebritynews.com/wp-conte...-volterra1.jpg

Lerici

http://www.starclippersblog.com/word.../10/lerici.jpg

Hiking near Lerici

http://image14.webshots.com/14/4/1/5...9dvCQzf_ph.jpg

Hikes in Lago di Como

http://www.europasorico.com/Images/L...mo_english.jpg

Towns in Lago di Como

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/med...erful-town.jpg

historytraveler

Wales offers mountains, coastal scenery,lakes, castles and cute villages. Scotland ( and, there is considerably more to Scotland than Skye) also provides an abundance of the type of things you are looking for. I've never known Scotland to be particularily crowded and certainly neither Wales nor Scotland will be any more crowded than similar places in Europe. I would imagine that Lake Como, as lovely as it is, will have the most visitors.

alihutch

Scotland, at its best, is one of the most beautiful countries in the world

janisj

W/ just 2 weeks (14 days including travel time?) I'd spend the whole time in Scotland.

If it is more like 16-17 days -- then spending 4 or 5 days in Wales and the rest in Scotland would be doable.

If you do end up doing both -- then I'd fly open jaw in to Manchester and out of Glasgow or Edinburgh (or the reverse) to save on the needless backtracking.

The roads are narrow -- but entirely different than what you experienced in rural Ireland. They are narrow but there are many fewer stonewalls/hedgerows. More just narrow pavement but lots of wide open spaces so you don't as often get that 'squeezed in' feeling

FACS

Zeppole, The Dolomites are a good idea and we did like Lake Como. I'll check out your links, thanks.
Historytraveler and alihutch thanks for the positive words.
Janisj, you made me happy to hear there would be fewer stonewalls. Also, if we did fly into Manchester and depart from Scotland would there be a big drop off fee for the rental car?

sheila

I don't think you'd have any extra to pay at all.

When you get where the mountains are, it will be mainly narrow roads; and you should note that, generally, we don't send our cars high up. So if you want to get up high, you will be walking. On a good day it's the best experience in the world

historytraveler

Although I no longer enjoy driving through out most of Great Britain, I still have no problem driving in Scotland. Shelia's right, there are few ( still trying to think of just one) of those high mountain passes you see in the Alps. The Scots prefer their mountain viewing via walks/hikes.

janisj

"<i>would there be a big drop off fee for the rental car?</i>"

I have never had a drop off fee in the UK. I suppose for some companies and between some locations, there <i>might</i> be an extra fee, but I've been renting in the UK for nearly 30 years and it hasn't happened.

Start w/ broker autoeurope to get your first quote, and then compare w/ the various individual rental firms.

hausfrau

I love the Berner Oberland (have been to the area 3 times) and I love Scotland and Wales. I think you would enjoy either, or both. You won't see the same jagged snow-capped peaks, but they are just as scenic and memorable in their own way (and you'll see way more castles, especially in Wales). One option might be Snowdonia and the castles of northern Wales for a week combined with the Scottish Highlands for a week. We visited these two regions on our great UK driving trip in June '07. (Note: be prepared for rain, even in June!)

Some pictures here:
Northern Wales:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hausfra...7601998072827/
Northern Welsh Castles:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hausfra...7602010362753/
Glen Coe:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hausfra...7602132706176/
Coast & Glen Coe:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hausfra...7602141748071/

sheila

Mountain passes- the Bealach nam Bo, (also knowns as the Bealach na ba) and the Bealach Ratagan. I suppose the road over the Lecht. But that's about it.