Hi, doll -

have you let your fiance read this thread? - we're only trying to help you have a good time!

Yet another vote for flying back from Scotland, but if he really won't do that, [and you'll have seen a lot of Scotland by the time it comes to leave] how about the train- it takes longer but it should be scenic. As with the planes, the earlier you book, the cheaper it is.

I like your idea of going to Salisbury, though it is a bit out of your way if you're not going to Bath. Another book you might like is William Golding's "the Spire" which is set in Salisbury cathedral at the time of the building of the cathedral.

Good luck!

regards, ann

haydeedoll: I wasn't aiming my "required reading" comments at you. You are new to Fodors and you really are trying to work out the kinks in your plans (even if your fiance won't cooperate ).

I meant we should copy what vernon said and answer all the <b>many</b> threads we get on here w/ itineraries that would make your head spin.

Like 6 days to drive 1500 miles around Scotland hitting all the &quot;must see's&quot; and not <u>seeing</u> anything. We've had some real doozies - some you wouldn't believe.

Hello All. I suppose I've been a little stressed about the upcoming trip. I'm relaxing about it now, taking the approach; We're going to see great scenery. Yes, we're going to miss things. And it's going to feel far too short. But, it will be fabulous just the same

This is out Scotland itinerary. I guess it's very typical. But hey, it gives us ideas for next time. I've been doing lots of back reading on the forums, and ours looks a lot like steviegene's itin. (steviegene - if your out there, I'd love to find your trip report)

Day 1/Mon: Early train London to Edinburgh. Old Town Walking tour/ Mary's King Close.
Day 2/Tues: Edinburgh - Castle. Walk Arthur's Seat
Day3/Wed: Pick up Car. Drive toward Stirling. Stirling Castle (Maybe Wallace Monument). Drive toward Glen Coe. Overnight near Glen Coe area
Day4/Thurs: Drive from Fort William (Road to the Isles) to Mallaig. Stop in Glenfinnan to see the viaduct (I love my Potter!) Take Ferry over to Skye.
Day5/Fri: Skye - Take a Hike. Try to be on our feet more than in the car this day.
Day 6/Sat: Leave Skye via Bridge - Eilean Donan Castle. Head towards Loch Ness. We want to see Urquhart castle, and then start going south. Overnighting...somewhere, haha
Day7/Sun: Head back into Edinburgh
Day8/Mon: Early Train. Edinburgh to Cambridge.

I have more questions on the England portion of our trip. But, I think I'm going to start new topics for that. Thanks guys!

Hello, anyone still interested ....My Itinerary has gone through many different phases. But, I think I am happy with what I have now. There were a few things we had to cut out. The biggest challenge for us was figuring out how to make this trip as linear as possible/since we were flying in and out of London.

Day1: Land at Heathrow. Train up to Peterburough - Overnight at Friends Home in town
Day2: Cambridge day with Friends - Overnight at Friends
Day3: Early Train Peterburough to Edinburgh - Walking Tour &amp; Royal Mile
Day4: Edinburgh - Walk Arthur's Seat &amp; Castle
Day5: Get Car - Drive to Spean Bridge vie Glencoe - Overnight Spean Bridge
Day6: Drive up Loch Ness - Urquhart Castle. Want to fit in Eilean Donan Castle this day, if not we'll do it the next day. - Overnight Spean Bridge
Day7: Drive through Glenfinnan and back - Overnight Spean Bridge
Day8: Drive back to Edinburgh. Return Car - Overnight Edinburgh
Day9: Train down to Cambridge - Pick up car. Overnight at Friends in Newmarket.
Day10: Drive to Cotswolds - Overnight Cotswolds
Day11: Cotswolds morning...Drive to Salisbury - Overnight Salisbury
Day12: Salisbury - Overnight Salisbury
Day13: Return Car - Early train to London - Overnight London
Day14: London all day
We leave at noon the next day from Heathrow.

We've cut some items to allow for a more relaxed traveling base. And our days in the Highlands are still loosely planned, as we don't want to underestimate driving time.
Ah - Hopefully this Itinerary will stick!

i, haydeedoll,

well done for paring it down - i'm sure you'll have a great time, - and don't forget the trip report!

regards, ann

Hello heydeedoll...

You have gotten such wonderful and useful advice for your trip. Isn't this the BEST site?!

Just a suggestion: If you are in Bury ST Edmunds try to take an hour for Lavenham if you can. It is a gem and England's best preserved medieval village with all its colorful crooked timber-framed houses. It is a small village and has a few wonderful restaurants (The Flame Lily was fantastic). Apparently, it inspired the nursery rhyme &quot;There was a crooked man, who walked a crooked mile, etc&quot; And &quot;Twinkle Twinkle Little Star&quot; was written here by a young girl. It is so worth a drive through if you can. I loved East Anglia in general.

Don't stress about seeing it all just enjoy what you do see. p.s. I loved Salisbury, too. Good luck and happy travels!

I'll agree about Lavenham. Also worth doing is afternoon tea at the Swan Hotel. While there, look in the bar, which was a hangout for WWII airmen. Their signatures on the wall and insignia tacked to the wooden beams have been lovingly preserved.

Bury St Edmunds itself has many worthwhile things to see, but with a major development in the town centre, parking is a nightmare at the moment.

This site has been soooo helpful to me!! I look at my first itinerary, and it was so crazy.
I am really excited about going to Bury. My fiance was at Mildenhall for 2 years, and really liked the little town. Thanks for all the recommendations!