ireland and scotland with a 5 year old
 

hi..we are thinking of visiting ireland and scotland with our 5 yr old daughter in july this year. we were thinking of maybe 4-5 days in each country.

any itinerary suggestions? will need some kid friendly activities as well. do we need to change our towns or is one base ok for each counrty?

keen to hear any advice.

thanks

>>we were thinking of maybe 4-5 days in each country.<<

I wouldn't -- you have so little time I'd spend it ALL in Scotland or ALL in Ireland. Both countries are terrific for children (especially Scotland IMO) - but you don't have time to see much if you are flitting from one to the other.

hi, another vote for just one country.

driving in both is a bit wiggly and slow and you will not need a car in Dublin, Edinburgh or Glasgow if you decide to go there but outside of these big cities you'll need one.

9 or 10 days is enough for both if all you want is a city break each end with a bit of a run in the middle.

Land Dublin, 3 days. Road trip to Cork 4 days well 3 1/2 with a flight to Scotland for 3 or 2 1/2 days provided you are openjaw and can fly home from Scotland. Sound ok for a young couple. as to how it sounds for a young couple with a 5yr old in tow, that might be something else.

thank you! can you suggest an itinerary for scotland or ireland for 6 days with our daughter.

<< can you suggest an itinerary for scotland or ireland for 6 days with our daughter.>>

No.

(1) You don't state your interests.

(2) You don't state your budget.

(3) You can't bounce around a whole country in six days - Scotland's coastline is more than 6,000 miles long because its coastal areas are shot through with land masses that stick out like fingers from the mainland of the country - so small country, lots of areas to potentially see. Ireland is a larger country and has an equally screwy road-system - neither is equivalent to hauling from one end to the other down a something like the MassPike or NYS Thruway.

(4) You cannot bounce around from place to place with a 5-year old as if you were traveling just you and spouse. Trying to do so will SUCK.

Or w/ a <i>slightly</i> better bedside manner ;) . . . Get yourselves a guidebook or two and decide which places look most interesting, work out a basic itinerary of your own . . . and <i>THEN</i> we can help you refine/improve it.

I'm perfectly fine being Dr. House - ultimately, the patient's health is the one thing I'm trying to get right.

:)