aldodds

We'd like to fly to London in late Feb or early March, then go Wales and Ireland. About 12 nights all together. I'd like 3 nights in London for plays and what-not. Any iteneraries to suggest? How would you split the rest? We love rail travel so that is our first preference. Other than London, there are no musts on our list. Any advice appreciated!

IrishEyes

If you only have 12 days and like rail travel stick to London and Wales. Skip Ireland.

historytraveler

I doubt I'll be the only one to suggest that splitting 12 days/nights between London,Wales and Ireland makes for itinerary overload. I'd stick with Wales and London.

aldodds

A bit more info I should have included: We are not on a budget. In our late 40's. We can fly in o London and then depart from Ireland if need be (or vice versa). Thanks again.

historytraveler

Budget or no budget,advice remains the same.

janisj

Your budget and flight possibilities have little to do w/ it. The problem is you want to visit 3 countries in 12 days.

Either spend the whole time in Ireland, OR spend a couple of days in London and then fly to Cork or Shannon and spend the rest in Ireland, OR do London, a bit of west central England (the Cotswolds or Hereford or Bath/Bristol) enroute, and then Wales.

Don't try to do London/Wales/Ireland in 1.5+ weeks.

historytraveler

I suppose if you're intent on stopping in Ireland,you could fly to Dublin either on your way there or on the way home and spend a few days. I certainly wouldn't plan on doing any serious traveling while there.

IrishEyes

Choose either the UK or Ireland. Have you ever seen the movie "If This is Tuesday it Must be Belgium"? Itinerary overload indeed!

nytraveler

Money can;t buy time. There are only so many hours per day and getting from one place to another takes as long as it takes (unless you're delayed of course).

Everyone is telling you that 3 countries in 12 days (and is that a total of 12 days on the ground or 12 days of vacation - you can't count the day you leave, the day you arrive or the day you return?) is too much.

Three countries simply doesn;t make sense. If you want to do 2 cities (London and Dublin) that is certainly doable. Or you could do London and some day trips into the countryside. Otherwise too much of your time is spend in transit - rather than seeing or doing anything.

travelbunny

..if you wish to do this, get on a tour bus!

aldodds

I have to say I am surprised at how many consioder

aldodds

I am surprised at how many posters find 3 countries in 14 days to be so daunting, especially since England and Wales are both in the UK. For those who haven't travelled recently, the main logistical challenge is how far, not how many borders crossed. We did Paris-Normandy-Amsterdam in 10 days in November and had a wonderful time. It's hardly an "If it's Tuesday Must be Belgium" scenario to spend 3-5 nights in a city and then move on...

janisj

&quot;<i>For those who haven't travelled recently, the main logistical challenge is how far, not how many borders crossed</i>&quot;

To give you some persepctive, those who responded to your questions travel a LOT, and have good reason for saying what we did. If you already know exactly what you want and how long it takes - then follow your own counsel . . . .

just a few things to consider:

1) you originally said 12 nights and now you say 14 days. Makes a tiny bit of difference - but basic adive would not change.

2) &quot;<i>It's hardly an &quot;If it's Tuesday Must be Belgium&quot; scenario to spend 3-5 nights in a city and then move on...</i>&quot; True - but sticking to cities is not seeing either Wales OR Ireland. If all you want is London, Cardiff and Dublin - go for it. 12 days is plenty for that. But do not for a minute think that will be seeing much of Ireland or Wales.

3) rail travel is not an efficient way to gewt around the best bits of Ireland - it really takes a car unless you have a LOT more time and take local buses.

janisj

sorry about the typos - really should use preview . . . .oh well - you get the idea

trsmom

I'm fairly new to all this information from so many sources (many I find very well informed).
I have traveled quite a bit in the UK and Ireland. Move as fast as you want if that's what you want...but keep in mind the following:
1. Railtravel in the UK is very good.
2. There is a great distance between things in Wales, thus more travel time, less trains to make it.
3. The Railtravel in Ireland is NOT good so you need a care to travel on windy narrow roads (which I love, but most people hate) so the distance between cities may seem short, but the time it takes to drive it is much much longer.
4. There is alot of small towns and sites thru-out England to see.
5. There is ALOT of countryside with not much else in Wales, and small roads, and a whole lot of beauty that takes time to really see. You experience Wales, you don't just see it.
6. The same holds true for Ireland. It is the experience, the countryside, the people, the way of life that is that charm of Ireland.

Can you see it all in 12 nights? Yes.
Can you experience any of it? No.
If traveling is to you about seeing as many sites and bldgs as possible, then that's fine. But if it's about seeing life through the eyes of another culture, then slow down.
Good luck.

crazychick

You can do this. It depends on what you really want to see in each of the 3 places. Fly into London spend a couple of days in London. Catch the Paddington to Cardiff train takes about 2hours. Spend a couple of days in Cardiff. Plenty to see in and around Cardiff. Then catch a flight to Ireland.
Aer Arann's now fly from Cardiff to Ireland they fly to 3 airports in Ireland. Dublin, Cork and Galway. Then fly home out of Ireland . You could do the reverse and fly into Ireland , then do Cardiff and then London. If it were me I would leave Ireland to last as London is a faster pace of life and Ireland is more layed back. After all the travelling you will be doing you might want a slower pace at the end.
Have you been to London before? If so I would be inclined to say skip it and just do Wales and Ireland. The new state of the art Wales Millennium Centre which is home to 5 arts organisations one of which is the Welsh National Opera, has lots going on Ballet opera, music shows, and there are also a couple of other theatres in Cardiff.
www.wmc.org.uk
That would give you more time to spend in Wales and Ireland.

sulewskim

aldodds,
My husband and I are doing about the same trip in the middle of March. Visiting with a friend in London for 4-5 days (with a potential side trip) and going to Dublin (with a side trip!) for 4/5 days.
We plan on &quot;experiencing&quot; the trip fully!