First time traveller!
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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First time traveller!
Hi. I'm travelling for the first time by myself in a few months. It is a scheduled trip with a tour group to England and Scotland. What kind of weather am I looking at? Temps? This also might sound really crazy however, what kind shoes should I bring, its only a two week trip. Any tips or tricks anyone might have for me would be greatly appreciated.
#2
Join Date: Aug 2004
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You can figure out the historical averages for weather on any of a number of websites and then decide for yourself what to bring to wear.
www.weather.com
www.wunderground.com
www.weather.com
www.wunderground.com
#3
when exactly is your trip, cfraser?
where exactly is your trip taking you? what sorts of hotels/accommodation are you staying in?
are you going to be doing any serious walking? or standard sight-seeing?
the main tip i would have is that you should attempt to travel light as all that packing and unpacking can be a pain, and if you have to carry your own bags, you'll be glad you didn't buy too much!
where exactly is your trip taking you? what sorts of hotels/accommodation are you staying in?
are you going to be doing any serious walking? or standard sight-seeing?
the main tip i would have is that you should attempt to travel light as all that packing and unpacking can be a pain, and if you have to carry your own bags, you'll be glad you didn't buy too much!
#5
Join Date: Apr 2003
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There is absolutely no point at all checking average temperature or precipitation for even an insight into future weather in Britain.
Checking the day afterwards is a good way of finding out what weather was like: but forecasts more than two days beforehand are close to useless. We just don't have average weather.
Come back here with some details and you MIGHT get some guidelines about the ranges likely (and, what's more important: the few kinds of weather you can rule out with near-certainty) for your period.
I don't understand why you think strangers can help you about shoes. Only you know what you're planning to do, and without knowing that any advice on footwear is even more useless than advice on average temperatures.
Checking the day afterwards is a good way of finding out what weather was like: but forecasts more than two days beforehand are close to useless. We just don't have average weather.
Come back here with some details and you MIGHT get some guidelines about the ranges likely (and, what's more important: the few kinds of weather you can rule out with near-certainty) for your period.
I don't understand why you think strangers can help you about shoes. Only you know what you're planning to do, and without knowing that any advice on footwear is even more useless than advice on average temperatures.
#8
Join Date: May 2003
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If this were my trip, I would bring a plastic raincoat and a small umbrella. I would also plan to layer, with some kind of light jacket to top off. This would depend on what time of year I would be going.
I would bring a carry-on size suitcase, wear walking shoes and pack a pair of more dressy sandals. I always bring black pants and coordinating tops, including that light jacket or sweater.
You might check Rick Steves packing list. Whatever you do, pack light if you are going to be carrying your own luggage.
I would bring a carry-on size suitcase, wear walking shoes and pack a pair of more dressy sandals. I always bring black pants and coordinating tops, including that light jacket or sweater.
You might check Rick Steves packing list. Whatever you do, pack light if you are going to be carrying your own luggage.
#9
Join Date: Jun 2006
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I'll take "in a few months" to mean sometime this summer.
Weather in Scotland can be drastically different from weather in, say, London at the same time of year. (One year I was in a short-sleeved shirt, long-sleeved shirt and jacket in Edinburgh; two days later I was in short sleeves in London.) In summer, it probably won't get above 80 or 85 Fahrenheit... but it might. It almost certainly won't snow. Anywhere in between is possible, with sun or rain or a mix.
If you're taking a tour, you're probably doing general sightseeing more than hiking. Bring shoes that are comfortable and have good support for walking/standing all day, even a couple of different pairs to give your feet a break. I'd start with looking at some Merrells, maybe (do you have an REI or similar store near you? They tend to have good options). And buy soon so you have time to get used to them.
As Peg says, plan to layer. You'll need a rain jacket.
Weather in Scotland can be drastically different from weather in, say, London at the same time of year. (One year I was in a short-sleeved shirt, long-sleeved shirt and jacket in Edinburgh; two days later I was in short sleeves in London.) In summer, it probably won't get above 80 or 85 Fahrenheit... but it might. It almost certainly won't snow. Anywhere in between is possible, with sun or rain or a mix.
If you're taking a tour, you're probably doing general sightseeing more than hiking. Bring shoes that are comfortable and have good support for walking/standing all day, even a couple of different pairs to give your feet a break. I'd start with looking at some Merrells, maybe (do you have an REI or similar store near you? They tend to have good options). And buy soon so you have time to get used to them.
As Peg says, plan to layer. You'll need a rain jacket.
#10
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While I know weather can't be accurately predicted ahead of time, you can check averages for your travel dates to get an idea of the possibilities.
Check a day or two before your departure to get enough information to help you pack. And bring layers and a raincoat or jacket. As for shoes, take what you normally wear for walking at home - you are likely to do a lot of walking while sightseeing. Don't take new shoes.
Check a day or two before your departure to get enough information to help you pack. And bring layers and a raincoat or jacket. As for shoes, take what you normally wear for walking at home - you are likely to do a lot of walking while sightseeing. Don't take new shoes.
#11
>>Weather in Scotland can be drastically different from weather in, say, London at the same time of year.<<
Heck, weather in one part of London can be different than other parts of London.
>>One year I was in a short-sleeved shirt, long-sleeved shirt and jacket in Edinburgh; two days later I was in short sleeves in London.<<
It could just as easily been the opposite - cold/miserable/rainy in London and warm, shirtsleeve weather in Scotland.
Heck, weather in one part of London can be different than other parts of London.
>>One year I was in a short-sleeved shirt, long-sleeved shirt and jacket in Edinburgh; two days later I was in short sleeves in London.<<
It could just as easily been the opposite - cold/miserable/rainy in London and warm, shirtsleeve weather in Scotland.
#12
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Good tips above about layering, comfy shoes, etc. I would add one more: take one pair of waterproof walking shoes -- not water-resistant, but waterproof. Several companies make this type of shoe. I have a pair of New Balance low-top, light weight hiking shoes that have proven to be truly waterproof. Granted, they're not cute but if you're caught in a downpour you'll be happy to have dry feet and dry shoes.
#13
Granted, they're not cute but if you're caught in a downpour you'll be happy to have dry feet and dry shoes.>>
only if you've been perspicacious enough to predict the downpour or happen to be wearing those shoes!
only if you've been perspicacious enough to predict the downpour or happen to be wearing those shoes!
#14
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Thanks everyone! I know it sounds a bit silly but I wanted to try to stay comfy and somewhat fashionable which is a bit difficult to say the least lol. I will definitely check out Merrell and New Balance. I have a great Arc'teryx rain jacket that is a god send. Its two weeks with a range of everything. Its hotels with bus transportation for almost all of it I believe.
#16
Oh and I should add that it is from the middle of May to the first week of June>>
well the best i can say is that it probably won't snow.
it could also be very hot, very cold, or somewhere in between.
not helpful I know.
well the best i can say is that it probably won't snow.
it could also be very hot, very cold, or somewhere in between.
not helpful I know.
#18
Would you say that it could be hot, very cold or somewhere in between?>>
possibly all three, Steve!
it's a bugger, isn't it, our weather?
If hopes could make the sun shine, I'd hope like hell for 8th June.
possibly all three, Steve!
it's a bugger, isn't it, our weather?
If hopes could make the sun shine, I'd hope like hell for 8th June.