Ireland/Scotland Tour
 

Planning 14 Day Globus Celtic Highlights Tour in May 2005. Anybody taken? Any suggestions? Should we do independently? Is there a tour agency to help with hotels,etc.?

Hi sidepockets. If it were me, I would do it independently but that is a personal preference. On a tour, there is lots of stuff jammed into a short period of time, usually with early rising and running out to the bus. That is perfect for some people, not so for me.

My other comment (personal preference again) is that I would choose one country or the other. There is plenty to see in either country to fill two weeks and then some. Granted, you could check two countries of your list in one trip, but again, that would not be my way to travel.

When traveling in Ireland and Scotland I have always chosen B&Bs as they are more personal. There are websites that list lots of them. For Ireland, try www.townandcountry.ie. It's been a while since I have been to Scotland (need to go back) but try www.theaa.co.uk or www.visitscotland.com for B&B options there. You can have a travel agency do the work for you, but it will cost more and reduce your options.

In the end, there are pros and cons for whatever method you choose to travel, tour or independent. It largely depends on your travel style.

Bill

Bill

I also agree with Bill. Do the trip with a rental car, stay in B&B's, and concentrate on one country, you really get to know a country better by doing this.
As for escorted coach holidays versus independant car rental holidaying - well this is what happened to us in Bath on one trip to Britain.
We were spending a whole day in Bath, and whilst looking at a building, a number of people got off an escorted coach, and 2 ladies heard my wife & I talking, and one lady said, "Your Australian" to which I replied Yes. These 2 Australian ladies then told us in no uncertain terms, how they were disappointed with the amount of time given to them to view or visit major attractions on their tour. I felt so sorry for them.

I read on the Frommer's site about someone who just returned from Ireland and did a Globus Tour. Not sure who she bought it through.

She and her friend really enjoyed it though she did mention it was important to "go with the flow", eg. ignore whiney people on bus who like to complain.

You may want to do a 'Search with Globus', 'Vacations To Go', etc and see if other's have posted their experineces.

Cheers,

Wendy

PS I know this is really in answer to your other posted question but I figured this had more hits already. Plus includes where you want to go in the title so, in theory, you should get more replies. Here's hoping! :D

You should also consider cietours.com, they are run by the Irish government and provide excellent value for the money. It you do a text search on CIE you will find lots of good comments. Have done CIE 3 times with no complaints. It is a classier company than Globus, imo and you get much more in the included price. Since you are planning to cover a lot of territory I would stick with a guided tour. Have a great trip.

In late August/early Sept we did the Globus "From the Shannon to the Thames" tour. There were only 14 people on the tour - all very congenial. We had a great time.

hi sidepockets - with respect to the other posters here, you could easily do the two countries if you narrow your area of visits in each down. you could do northern ireland, donegal, sligo, and even galway in ireland if you wish. fly then to glasgow and do loch lomond, lough ness, etc. flights from belfast to glasgow (or the other way round) are very inexpensive with easyjet www.easyjet.com

donegal to galway is only about three hours by car and there are various stop offs you might like on the way. while in galway for a night or two you can easily take in the cliffs of moher and the burren on a day trip out of galway.

donegal is the second biggest county in ireland and well worth exploring. AND you are off the usual 'hamster wheel' of the south west of ireland (beautiful and all as they may be).

be adventurous - visit the northwest of ireland. you will not be disappointed. you can check pics on my site: www.welovedonegal.com together with lots of info on ireland.

good travelling! :)