Hello All,
My goal is to find a quaint cabin to sit in read, hike and go for long walks, hang out at the local pub,immerse into the local culture...and feel safe as a lone female traveler.

Can anyone recommend a place that I could easily get to for a 3-4 day holiday,reasonably priced. Or am I dreaming? Anyone know of a beautiful place to soak up the local ambiance? Ireland, Wales,Scotland?

Thank you! I plan to go mid-march

You're not dreaming to think you could re-energize in Ireland, and feel comfortable as a solo female traveler.
To find a cottage, go to the Irish Tourist Board site at www.ireland.travel.ie. Their accommodations section lists hundreds of self-catering properties all over the country, everything from seaside cottages to apartments above pubs. Although most rent for a week at a time, you'll probably find owners who will rent for just 3-4 days in mid-March.

There are thousands of cottages in all three countries that would rent for short breaks in the off season.

The site MaryZ mentions is good for Ireland. Try www.mackays-scotland.co.uk or www.uniquescotland.com for Scotland

a good site for Wales is www.wales-holidays.co.uk

Scotland would be wonderful for just that. Depending on the time of year,(oh, I see, March) the cost could be very reasonable. This place is as safe as it comes. That is, not 100%- where is?- but I certainly wouldn't think twice about doing what you are suggesting.

Where are you coming from? and having got here, how would you travel?

I'm going to Ireland shortly and have been on the web a lot lately. Talk about a great looking place--check out delphilodge.ie. The picture on the first page makes me want to go there and just park myself. I realize it's a fishing lodge, but that doesn't mean you have to fish. I certainly can't vouch for the place, but it looks pretty peaceful and beautiful on their website--and lots of people on this website will vouch for the beauty of Connemara (it's not far from Westport which is supposed to be a wonderful little town too).

Hi Andreazbc,
Check out the website for wales from Janis, and try to find a little place called Solva. Its a gorgeous tranquil place and one of my favourite places here in Wales. I am sure there must be places to hire of the type you want.
Or go direct to this site.

www.solva.net

Have fun searching

Muck

..just a quick caveat..when renting .Look at how the cottage is heated and whether this is included in the price..years ago visited a friend who was staying in a cottage in Co. Kerry...just a great place for thinking, reading and recharging..it was in February. The cottage was heated with electricity that she had to pay for when she turned it on. It added considerably to the rental cost..It didnt spoil the trip but she wished she had adequately budgeted for this expense.

The Donegal Thatched Cottages, though purpose built, see to be a great place to get away from it all. Prices are pretty reasonable if you have a few people with you. donegalthatchedcottages.com

I wish someone would stay there so I could find out if they are nice. The location makes my mouth water.

Bill

Hi andreazbc.

If you end up going to Ireland please let me know where you go.

I'm looking for a similar spot. Though I'll be going in the middle of May.

Thanks.

We drove by Delphi Lodge last September- it is much cuter in person than on their website. DH wanted to go back there and fish. I swear the place looks like something out of the Shire. It was darling!

Diane

This thatched cottage on the edge of Spiddal, Co. Galway could be just what you are looking for. The recently added conservatory has a panoramic view of Galway Bay and theAran Islands, within walking distanceof this village which has all the amenities, good restaurants, pubs, walks.
www. thatchedcottage, com

Thanks everyone ...great advice. By chance does anyone know what airport would be best to fly into from Heathrow (from Canada). I was thinking flying into Dublin , stay one night , then high tail it to the country.either bue or rent a car. cheers!

I'd fly into Shannon on the west coast, rather than Dublin on the east coast. If you arrive at Shannon, you won't have to travel to 'the country' ...you'll be there already.

Check out www.sandycovebeach.com It is a quiet location with the beach across the road. Ideal for long walks and relaxing.

The Delphi I am thinking of is a spa and hotel. It is meant to be great and was written up in the Times travel a few months ago. It can be pricey but nice for 2-3 nights. All sorts of treatments are offered.

Another alternative would be to stay in Westport or just outside if you don't want to be iin the village. As a lone female traveller you have the security of the village but can be outside of it in minutes. The Atlantic coast Hotel is on the outskirts of Westport on the bay and has a lovely pub across the road and 2 cafes/shops below. It is a a walk to the centre of Westport and there is a bunch of houses for rent in a nearby estate. Have a look on the web. It would be good for company but you can have your privacy. We go a few times a year to get away from Dublin.

The Delphi I am thinking of is a spa and hotel. It is meant to be great and was written up in the Times travel a few months ago. It can be pricey but nice for 2-3 nights. All sorts of treatments are offered. www.delphiescape.com/mountainlodge/

Another alternative would be to stay in Westport or just outside if you don't want to be in the village. As a lone female traveller you have the security of the village but can be outside of it in minutes. The Atlantic coast Hotel is on the outskirts of Westport on the bay and has a lovely pub across the road and 2 cafes/shops below. It is a a walk to the centre of Westport and there is a bunch of houses for rent in a nearby estate. Have a look on the web. It would be good for company but you can have your privacy. We go a few times a year to get away from Dublin.

Oh my favourity place is the seaweedbaths as well. Its a small spa called Rossmoney Seaweed baths. www.rosmoney.ie. You can swim in the salt water pool for €10 or have a treatment or seaweed bath for €30. Its such a strage place but I love it. ALl seaweed is local!

We're spending a week in a cottage in Doolin in August. Just be aware, as you've probably already discovered, that virtually all self-catering accommodations rent Saturday-Saturday. That way, they don't end up with little bits and pieces of weeks to try to rent out.

Try the Isle of Arran off the west coast of Scotland. It's a great spot. Beautiful scenery, you're surrounded by water, and they have their own distillery and brewery on the island. Just do a search on google and you'll come up with a lot of info.

Ann:

The have a distillery AND a brewery? If the have a golf course, I could live there.

Bill

Bill, wait for it....

They have 7 golf courses.

I know. That's why we went there. We only tried 3 of the courses. One was gorgeous (red stags roaming the fairways, too), but a crap course (Lochranza), one was a par 3, and the third wasn't bad at all (Lamlash).

To top it off, there's also a cheese maker, and a shop that produces it own chocolates.