Hi all - I am pre-planning for my first "across the pond trip" with my husband I normally travel solo. I am thinking 17-18 days (2 1/2 weeks) in summer 2011. I wanted to see London before the Olympics. I wish to see London but don't want to spend a lot of time there. Just hit a few touristy spots/shop etc. I really want to see Edinburgh, Scotland and Highlands. If it is possible, my husband want to go to see Blarney Stone near Cork, Dublin.
Before I get the "your crazy to see all that in the time you have." I want to see as much as possible. We have 4 kids and will not get a chance to do this again for a while. And honestly just being in England, Scotland, or Dublin is enough. I see this the first trip of many. I know it is crazy to spend 2 or 3 days in some of these amazing places I need help on where to start. We are young couple and my firman husband would surley love to hit some pubs as much as possible!

I'd skip Ireland this time.

Fly open-jaw -- into London out of Edinburgh. Spend a few days in London. Train to Edinburgh. Rent car and see the Highlands. Fly home from Edinburgh.

The Scotland experts here can help you map out a good itinerary.

Are you taking the kids or leaving them with doting grandparents. This would make a huge difference in recommendations.

If no children, then might I suggest London 4-5 days, train/bus/fly to Edinburgh and spend 5-6 days touring the area, then fly to Shannon and 3 days driving about then drive/fly/bus/train to Dublin and spend last 4 days there,(turn car in in Dublin, you will not need it. Bus system in Dublin works fine for getting about) flying open-jaw home. You might flip the Ireland part and fly home from Shannon if it is cheaper, and it could be.

No kiddo's this time! This is great and it certainly clears up some questions. Thanks! AS I get more tips, I will figure it out and just inform the husband what we are doing because that's how we roll

Have you done much research on these places yet? How did you narrow down your choices to London, Edinburgh and the Highlands? If you are still flexible, here is an itinerary suggestion that I would enjoy:

Fly open jaws to Edinburgh first and out of London.
Fly in to Ed - 1 day
Edinburgh - 2-3 nights
Rent a car and see the some of the Highlands - 5-6 nights
Head south to England (Lake District or Yorkshire Dales) - 2-3 nights
Head south to maybe Bath, Cambridge or Cotswolds - 2 nights
Drop off Car in London, see London - 4-6 nights
Fly home - gain a day if coming back to the USA.

I just did a quick and dirty mileage gauge and it's 648 miles (1,042 km) if you went Edinburgh-Oban-York-Cambridge-London. Not too bad, about like driving from Portland, Oregon to San Francisco - something many people do in a full morning and afternoon.

I second oldmacdonald's suggestion. That's a good itinerary and gives you a good taste of both Scotland and England. Ireland is nice, but really, the Blarney Stone is very much a letdown (in my opinion). Dublin's fun, but given the logistics, I'd save Ireland for another trip (even if it's a long time off). If it were me, I'd rather add Paris than Ireland. But again, the England/Scotland itinerary would make a great trip.

I think I like oldmacdonald's itinerary. Wow, that's awesome. I chose those places for my historical interests (not my husbands). My husbands did not want to leave the states and after I came back from a trip to Paris, Germany... he started to get interested. I figured UK would be a good start for him!

my bad on the plural husbands... just one

Why fly into Edinburgh (unless it's a must see) if you're then going across country to the West coast? Here's my suggestions:

Fly into Glasgow, stay overnight for the jet lag and then rent a car and head for the ferry at Oban. Cross to Mull and stay at Tobermory for two or three nights exploring the island. You could then go a bit further North to Skye and stay at Portree for another couple of nights.

Then head South for the Lake District staying near Windermere for two more nights. Beautiful scenery round the Lakes. Then two nights in Manchester exploring evrything that city has to offer, with lots of history, hotels and restaurants, shopping etc.

South again and stay at Stratford and do a Shakespeare thing (1 night is enough)and then head to Bath for two nights. Finish off in London for your remaining nights and ready for the flight home.

I appreciate that there is a deal of driving invlolved, but it will be worth it. Have a look at my trip reports for Scotland and the South of England.

Have you decided to skip Ireland this time?
If you have then enjoy the UK, and keep Ireland for another time.
If not, then I'd recommend flying from London into Cork, touring the South West for a couple of Days and then making your way to Dublin (about 3 hours). You have more airline options direct to the USA from Dublin than from Shannon.

"<i>Why fly into Edinburgh (unless it's a must see)</i>"

In her OP, firemanfl2010 said >><i>I really want to see Edinburgh, Scotland and Highlands.</i><< That would seem to be a must (and rightfully would be for most first time visits to Scotland)

So flying into Edinburgh makes perfect sense. But if fares are better into GLA, that would be OK too since the two cities are so near each other.

Fly into Glasgow, stay overnight for the jet lag

or even spend some time in Glasgow

Yes, and please don't wholly restrict yourself to the west; here's an ambitious option

This will concentrate on castles, art museums, small villages, moderate walkingon a bit off-the-beaten-paths and good drives. I will mention small hotels I like. I can’t really do B&Bs or guesthouses because I don’t use them myself. I will try to recommend the more unusual.

Day 1 Edinburgh. A list of stuff to do can be provided

Day 2:-So, after seeing Edinburgh, cross over the Forth Road Bridge to Fife on the other side of the river. Dunfermilne is on your left. Robert the Bruce, the hero king who won Bannockburn is buried here in Dunfermilne Abbey (although his heart is buried at Melrose in the borders); go back onto the main road and you will shortly come to Loch Leven, where Mary Queen of Scots was locked up in the castle on the island (v. romantic..the story of the escape- she then fled to her cousin in England for succour. She locked her up for 20 years then beheaded her.) You can take boat trips from Kinross.

Vane Farm Bird Reserve is on the other side of the Loch. There’s a really nice walk up the hill overlooking the Loch

Then go due east to the coast. There are lots of other nice places, like Ceres, the East Neuk villages, Pittenweem, St Monans and Leven - a stretch of picture-postcard little fishing villages, with Anstruther, Crail, etc, leading toward St Andrews. For hiking, there's the Fife Coastal path that runs along the entire coast.

In Anstruther visit the fishing museum, then have the best fish in the world for your lunch (the Cellar restaurant). After that drive along the coast to Largo, home of the 'original' Robinson Crusoe. When Daniel Defoe wrote about Robinson Crusoe, he was writing about a real person. His name was Alexander Selkirk and he came from Largo in Fife. Defoe was an English spy up in Scotland in the 1700' and nicked the story. That area of Fife is well worth a visit

In St Andrews, take a trip underneath the castle in St. Andrews, Fife. It can be a bit of a squeeze so if you are claustrophobic then probably best to pass on this one. John Knox used to live in this castle - also get chance to see the bottle dungeon. St. Andrews has an ancient university, a cathedral and is the home of golf. The Royal and Ancient is seriously worth a visit. It has one of the best beaches in the world- the West Sands, which is where they filmed the opening sequence of Chariots of Fire- shame about the weather- and one of the best ice cream shops in the world (Jannetta's) apart from being a lovely little town.

Other restaurants in the area which are very good would include the Ostler's Close in Cupar, the Cellar in St Monan's and the Peat Inn at Peat Inn.

Somewhere in here, you need to visit Falkland Palace. It’s slap bang in the middle of Fife, and very pretty. It has a real tennis court, which is a bit of a rarity

Day 3, I think we have to take you right across the middle of the country to the West coast because so much of what is spectacular is there.

Cross the Tay Bridge to Dundee, (Dundee does not have a lot going for it, but it IS improving). There is a lovely little visitor centre based on the boat used by Scott of the Antarctic, the Discovery, which is probably worth a stop. Then cut across country to Glamis Castle, reputed to be Scotland’s most haunted castle, and the place where the old Queen mum was born; then go on to Blairgowrie where you pick up the A93 to Glenshee, and down to Braemar and Deeside. Braemar Castle is worth a stop and, if you feel you have time, turn off the main road to the Linn of Dee and Mar Lodge. There are great walks off piste on Mar Lodge Estate. Back on Deeside is where Lizzie Windsor has her summer place, much beloved of American tourists. It's also in a beautiful location and therefore worth the visit. Just at Crathie, which is where you will find Balmoral, there's a sign to Royal Lochnagar distillery. It's not the best whisky in the world but there's no such thing as bad malt and it does a good tour.

Come back onto the A93 and continue east a few miles till you see signs pointing left to Tomintoul. Take that road and go over Gairn Shiel to Corgarff- which has a lovely 18th century garrison castle with a star shaped perimeter wall. Turn left towards Cockbridge and up over the Lecht to Tomintoul.

One of the things you need to understand about Scotland is that the land is free to walk on. So if you fancy the look of a hill, off you jolly well go.

By now, you have crossed two of Scotland's highest roads, and it's not yet tea time. There's a very good whisky shop in Tomintoul (much better than the tourist trap on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh) and, incidentally, there is also a very good wood carver right next door. Depending on how much you have stopped en route, you could stay here, or go down the hill on the other side to Speyside. The Spey is Scotland’s premier salmon river and one of the heartlands of whisky making. It is on the Whisky trail. If you want to see more, almost every second distillery is open to the public. If you have a favourite, ask at one of the tourist offices if they do a tour and just go along. The Macallan is probably the best Speyside whisky, but Aberlour itself is a good second. Follow the river to Grantown then go up to Nethy Bridge on the south bank. Outside Nethy Bridge you will find Abernethy Forest and Loch Garten which is a huge nature reserve and is worth stopping at to see the Ospreys. Slightly further west is Rothiemurchus estate which has the same attributes and private visitor facilities. The Heatherbrae in Nethy Bridge is OK; and the Auchendean Lodge on the other side of the river, positively good. There are really good walks at Abernethy, on Rothiemurchus and round Loch Morlich

Day 4, take the A9 south through Newtonmore and Kingussie. You could have a look at the huge Barracks at Kingussie which is another throwback to Jacobite days, then drive west along Loch Laggan to Spean Bridge and Fort William. Ardverikie, the big estate on Lagganside is where they film Monarch of the Glen. As you come down to the west, the range of mountains on your left, is Scotland’s highest and includes Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain.

You then follow the road to Mallaig, through stunning and changing scenery. First you will come to Glenfinnan where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised the clans for the ’45. There is a small visitor centre and a memorial. The viaduct on your right here, is the one used in the Harry Potter films. Further on you pass Arisaig and the silver beaches with the Small Isles visible in the sea to your left.. between Arisaig and Morar is where they filmed the beach parts of Local Hero.

At Mallaig, take the ferry to cross to Skye. Skye is mostly scenery and cultural heritage, rather than history. Stunning mountains, lovely bays and sea lochs. I love the Hotel Eilean Iarmain, but if it’s above your budget for this bit of the trip, there are good places on Skye all over. As you are driving up the Sleat peninsula, take a left and cross the ridge, just to get the terrific panorama of the Cullins at this point.

Day 5 have a look at some of the rest of Skye- Dunvegan castle and the Fairy Flag or Flora Macdonald’s Grave and the Museum of Island Life. You can stop at the Aros centre and see the closed circuit TV of the eagles. The harbour in Portree is very picturesque. Catch the late ferry to Lochmaddy on North Uist, and settle in for the evening.

Day 6, drive up to Berneray, where Prince Charles went potato picking years ago, then just wander down through all the islands on the causeways. You have the big bird reserve at Balranald, Flora Macdonald’s birthplace, Eriskay with the Whisky Galore story. To make this bit work you have to be doing this on a day when there is a late boat back to Oban. I think that’s Thursday or Friday, but we/you would have to check this. Long windswept walks on some of the best beaches you will see in your life.

Day 7, having slept on the boat, you wake refreshed in Oban. Then go south through Kilmartin Glen which is famous for an array of Neolithic constructions- stone circles, standing stones and henge monuments amongst others. It’s well interpreted and well worth a visit. At the south end is Dunadd, the seat of the Kings of Dalriada. Again, it’s worth climbing to the top to see if you fit the footprint in the stone. Just south of that is the Great Moor wihich is a national Nature Reserve with Crinan and its canal at the bottom of the road (actually the last time we were there the Vital Spark (Para Handy’s boat? )was in the basin at Crinan) Have lunch either at the stunningly located Crinan Hotel or go down Loch Craignish and have lunch at the Tayvallich Inn.

Then come back up to Lochgilphead and on to Inverary, which is a planned village with a great castle. Not to mention the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, which is where you should have supper.

Day 8, you head for Glasgow and you spend a day there.

I'm an enormous Glasgow fan. But if you've got two weeks and want to see lots of the British Isles, Glasgow really isn't high on the priority list (actually Liverpool's higher - but saying that upsets Glaswegians)

Here's most non-Europeans' top priorities, in no particular order:

London (a lifetime's not long enough)
Edinburgh
The Scottish Highlands and a few islands
Irish maritime countryside (= West Cork, Galway, the Antrim coast)
York
Oxford or Cambridge (really no point in both)
Stratford: but if and only if you see a play there
A rural honeypot (one or two of: Cotswolds, Lake District, Peak District, North York Moors, Suffolk)
Bath
The Avebury-centred prehistoric landscape in Wiltshire (in fact most visitors put Stonehenge higher, then feel short-changed when they go there)

Now there IS an argument for including one of these islands' three great Irish-dominated cities. But of the three, Glasgow's not got Liverpool's monumental architecture, Dublin's craic or the musical heritage of either of the other two. It does, however, have Britain's second best provincial museum (the best outside London being, by several million lightyears, Oxford's Ashmolean), and the Burrell Collection IS worth a detour en route from Edinburgh to the western Highlands.

All of which said: the case for avoiding Glasgow isn't a gazillionth as strong as that for avoiding the Blarney Stone. Nothing wrong with it: just nothing right enough to justify the absurd time investment for something so utterly pointless

But of the three, Glasgow's not got Liverpool's monumental architecture, Dublin's craic or the musical heritage of either of the other two.

I so disagree, on all points, but you'll have a great time wherever you go....

As I research and keep my husbands interestes in mind... I'm thinking we may skip London all together (save for a solo trip) and just concentrate on Scotland and Ireland. I took him to the book the bool store last night to take a look at all three and he feel in love with Ireland. I did too I feel nad missing London but not my husbands style

Sheila - My other would love that! Now, how can i begin Days 9-18 trek to Ireland? Is that possible from Glasgow?

If you want to go on to Ireland -- Fly from Glasgow to Cork or Shannon and pickup a rental car. Spend most of your time in the SW/W and then maybe a couple of days in Dublin if that appeals.

You can do an open jaw home into either Glasgow or Edinburgh, and then fly home from Dublin or Shannon. You'd book the Glasgow > Ireland leg separately.

(If you end up flying home from Shannon - fly GLA > DUB and after a couple of days pick up a car and head west.)