London & Scotland Last Minute
Jul 16th, 2006 | 05:59 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
London & Scotland Last Minute
Having used Fodor message boards as my main source of information for my honeymoon in 2004, I'm back again for some help. My husband and I recently decided to plan a trip to England (London, mainly) and Scotland during the beginning/middle of August. Below are the minimal details that we have thus far, and some questions I'd like to throw out there for some help.
About us: We are a 20-something married couple that like to see and experience different cultures. On our trips we like to see the sites, explore the towns, and experience the food. We don't like to overplan things and take it one day at a time.
<b>Our Trip Thoughts Thus Far: </b>
Dates: 8/7/06-8/21/06(approximately)
Departing Flight: NYC to London Heathrow
Returning Flight: Scotland (Edinburgh?) to NYC
<b>Questions for you all-knowing Fodorites:</b>
<u>Itinerary Questions</u>
1. With 2 weeks to spend, what would be the best way for us to break up our holiday between England(mainly London, I think) and Scotland?
<u>In London:</u>
1. What area of London would you recommend staying in? We prefer B&B's and look for places to stay that are within walking distance to sights, restaurants, etc., and that won't break the bank account.
2. What are the top 5 'can't miss' items that should be on our agenda?
3. If we get out of the London area, which areas would be recommended?
4. Anyone have any restaurant recommendations?
<u>Travel between London & Scotland:</u>
1. What is the best way to travel between London and Scotland? Train? Plane? Rental Car? Prices?
<u>In Scotland:</u>
We're newbies to Scotland, but are looking to do some exploring....
1. What town/towns should we look to stay in?
2. B&B/Hotel Recommendations?
3. What are the top 5 'can't miss' sites/areas?
4. Restaurant recommendations?
5. What is the best way to travel within Scotland?
I realize that this is a lot of questions to throw out there and I'm going to continue to search through the previous posts as well!
About us: We are a 20-something married couple that like to see and experience different cultures. On our trips we like to see the sites, explore the towns, and experience the food. We don't like to overplan things and take it one day at a time.
<b>Our Trip Thoughts Thus Far: </b>
Dates: 8/7/06-8/21/06(approximately)
Departing Flight: NYC to London Heathrow
Returning Flight: Scotland (Edinburgh?) to NYC
<b>Questions for you all-knowing Fodorites:</b>
<u>Itinerary Questions</u>
1. With 2 weeks to spend, what would be the best way for us to break up our holiday between England(mainly London, I think) and Scotland?
<u>In London:</u>
1. What area of London would you recommend staying in? We prefer B&B's and look for places to stay that are within walking distance to sights, restaurants, etc., and that won't break the bank account.
2. What are the top 5 'can't miss' items that should be on our agenda?
3. If we get out of the London area, which areas would be recommended?
4. Anyone have any restaurant recommendations?
<u>Travel between London & Scotland:</u>
1. What is the best way to travel between London and Scotland? Train? Plane? Rental Car? Prices?
<u>In Scotland:</u>
We're newbies to Scotland, but are looking to do some exploring....
1. What town/towns should we look to stay in?
2. B&B/Hotel Recommendations?
3. What are the top 5 'can't miss' sites/areas?
4. Restaurant recommendations?
5. What is the best way to travel within Scotland?
I realize that this is a lot of questions to throw out there and I'm going to continue to search through the previous posts as well!
Jul 16th, 2006 | 06:41 PM
#2
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,039
Likes: 50
The answers to even 50% of your questions would warrant a HUGE thread.
Just a few comments to get you started:
It is very, VERY late to begin planning any visit to or near to Edinburgh. There are several world famous festivals and the International Tattoo all running the full mount of August. Places book up months ahead of time. Some people plan an August Edinburgh visit a year or more ahead.
As for how to travel between London and Scotland - it mostly depends on where in Scotland you end up choosing. Flying into Edinburgh (though seats may be hard to come by if your dates end up being set in stone), or Glasgow is cheap. The train is great - city center London to city centre Glasgow/Edinburgh/Inverness or any number of other places.
No single neighborhood in London is walking distance to more than a handful of major sites - but you can get anywhere from anywhere by bus/tube/taxi.
"WHat are the top 5 sites in Scotland" - is basically unanswerable since it is a large country. There will be maybe a top five in a specific region - but you first have to pick which area(s) you are visiting.
Just a few comments to get you started:
It is very, VERY late to begin planning any visit to or near to Edinburgh. There are several world famous festivals and the International Tattoo all running the full mount of August. Places book up months ahead of time. Some people plan an August Edinburgh visit a year or more ahead.
As for how to travel between London and Scotland - it mostly depends on where in Scotland you end up choosing. Flying into Edinburgh (though seats may be hard to come by if your dates end up being set in stone), or Glasgow is cheap. The train is great - city center London to city centre Glasgow/Edinburgh/Inverness or any number of other places.
No single neighborhood in London is walking distance to more than a handful of major sites - but you can get anywhere from anywhere by bus/tube/taxi.
"WHat are the top 5 sites in Scotland" - is basically unanswerable since it is a large country. There will be maybe a top five in a specific region - but you first have to pick which area(s) you are visiting.
Jul 16th, 2006 | 07:13 PM
#4
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
thanks janisj!
Before anyone else responds, after discussing the stress involved with planning this trip last minute with my husband, we've decided to be responsible and save this type of trip until next summer where we hope to travel all throughout Europe.
Before anyone else responds, after discussing the stress involved with planning this trip last minute with my husband, we've decided to be responsible and save this type of trip until next summer where we hope to travel all throughout Europe.
Jul 17th, 2006 | 03:18 AM
#5
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 0
A good itinerary would be 1 week in London (including 1 or 2 day trips), 2 nights in Lake District then the remainder in Edinburgh.
For lodging, South Kensington or Nottinghill Gate are convenient and charming neighbourhood. Bloombury is also convenient for British Museum etc.
I would strongly recommend Proms concerts at Royal Albert Hall, Rose Garden and open-air theatre at Regent's Park. Also on my recommendation lists are various walking tours (the guides are always very knowledgeable, the costs minimal), good meals and a pint or so at a pub, late night viewing at museums, and various markets (portbello market, borough market).
Outside of London proper, I would recommend Windsor and Heaver Castle. They're in opposite directions but you can make two separate day-trips. Kew Gardens and Richmond is nice--you can take boat back to London along Thames (albeit this is a slower way to travel than trains).
Outside of Greater London, you may want to see the Cotswald (though slightly overrated in my humble opinion). Lake district is really nice and there are some B&Bs.
Agree with janisj that you'll find Edinburgh crowded in August. You might want to find accomodation slightly out of city.
I've posted the link to london restaurant database in another message.
For lodging, South Kensington or Nottinghill Gate are convenient and charming neighbourhood. Bloombury is also convenient for British Museum etc.
I would strongly recommend Proms concerts at Royal Albert Hall, Rose Garden and open-air theatre at Regent's Park. Also on my recommendation lists are various walking tours (the guides are always very knowledgeable, the costs minimal), good meals and a pint or so at a pub, late night viewing at museums, and various markets (portbello market, borough market).
Outside of London proper, I would recommend Windsor and Heaver Castle. They're in opposite directions but you can make two separate day-trips. Kew Gardens and Richmond is nice--you can take boat back to London along Thames (albeit this is a slower way to travel than trains).
Outside of Greater London, you may want to see the Cotswald (though slightly overrated in my humble opinion). Lake district is really nice and there are some B&Bs.
Agree with janisj that you'll find Edinburgh crowded in August. You might want to find accomodation slightly out of city.
I've posted the link to london restaurant database in another message.
Jul 17th, 2006 | 06:05 AM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,159
Likes: 0
Seeing you're putting it off, can I suggest you come back with some more details for the planning?
Why England?London/Scotland? What's important to you? Historic stuff? scenerey? geneology? culture?
(Skipping London questions).
If you're going north of the central belt, fly and hire a car. Up to Edinburgh and Glasgow take the train.
Your answer to the first question will help us answer the "which towns/sites" question. What sort of accommodation /food do you like? and what is your budget?
Why England?London/Scotland? What's important to you? Historic stuff? scenerey? geneology? culture?
(Skipping London questions).
If you're going north of the central belt, fly and hire a car. Up to Edinburgh and Glasgow take the train.
Your answer to the first question will help us answer the "which towns/sites" question. What sort of accommodation /food do you like? and what is your budget?
Aug 3rd, 2006 | 01:35 PM
#7
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
After a spur of the moment decision, our travels are actually going to end up finding us in Great Britain.
<b><u>Our trip details thus far:</u></b>
<b>Flights:</b>
Arrive Heathrow: 7:45am Thursday, Aug. 10th, 2006
Depart Heathrow: 6pm Saturday Aug. 19th, 2006
<b>Accomodations:</b>
8/10 to 8/13: Guesthouse West in Notting Hill
8/13-8/19: ???
Our plan is to spend time exploring London, and we wanted to visit Edinburgh as well while we are there. Unfortunately, it appears that nearly every hotel/inn in Edinburgh is either booked, too expensive (would love to find a place around $150), or has <b>very</b> limited availability.
<b>Options for our itinerary:</b>
<b>Option 1:</b> If (and this is a big IF!) we are to get up to Edinburgh, I was looking at doing a Timberbush Tour, anyone ever done one of these? If so, which and would you recommend them? We are interested in seeing the castles, and exploring the town. (We're fairly mellow and take it one day at at time.)
<b>Option 2:</b> London to Paris where it appears there is much more availability for hotels, and the conversion rates are better from USD to EURO rather than GBP. If we did this, we would either fly or take the chunnel - whichever is cheaper.
<b>Option 3:</b> Stay in London the majority of our time, but head out to Bath for a couple of days or another town. Husband seems up for exploring the countryside - suggestions?
Any suggestions for which option? Thanks for all the advice!
(Note: I've been to both London and Paris, though it has been many years, but I feel comfortable enough maneuvering through each city.)
<b><u>Our trip details thus far:</u></b>
<b>Flights:</b>
Arrive Heathrow: 7:45am Thursday, Aug. 10th, 2006
Depart Heathrow: 6pm Saturday Aug. 19th, 2006
<b>Accomodations:</b>
8/10 to 8/13: Guesthouse West in Notting Hill
8/13-8/19: ???
Our plan is to spend time exploring London, and we wanted to visit Edinburgh as well while we are there. Unfortunately, it appears that nearly every hotel/inn in Edinburgh is either booked, too expensive (would love to find a place around $150), or has <b>very</b> limited availability.
<b>Options for our itinerary:</b>
<b>Option 1:</b> If (and this is a big IF!) we are to get up to Edinburgh, I was looking at doing a Timberbush Tour, anyone ever done one of these? If so, which and would you recommend them? We are interested in seeing the castles, and exploring the town. (We're fairly mellow and take it one day at at time.)
<b>Option 2:</b> London to Paris where it appears there is much more availability for hotels, and the conversion rates are better from USD to EURO rather than GBP. If we did this, we would either fly or take the chunnel - whichever is cheaper.
<b>Option 3:</b> Stay in London the majority of our time, but head out to Bath for a couple of days or another town. Husband seems up for exploring the countryside - suggestions?
Any suggestions for which option? Thanks for all the advice!
(Note: I've been to both London and Paris, though it has been many years, but I feel comfortable enough maneuvering through each city.)
Trending Topics
Aug 4th, 2006 | 03:27 AM
#8
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,282
Likes: 0
As Janis said before,you should have booked accommodation in Edinburgh months ago if not a year ago. However - have you tried phoning the tourist office & just asking what they've got ? Details at www.edinburgh.org.
In Edinburgh, if you are talking about taking a tour out of town (e.g. daytrip to lochs & mountains)... don't know about Timberbush tours but a lot of people here recommend Rabbie's ?Trailburners/Trailblazers.
You don't need to book any sort of tour *in* Edinburgh. Just get the open top bus tour - there are several brands but Guide Friday is the best as it has a live guide. Take a full circuit to get a good overview of the Old & New Towns; then go round again, get off at the stop nearest the castle, walk up & do the castle, then walk down the length of the Royal Mile & do the palace, then get back on the bus if you want.
But if you aren't actually interested in doing the festivals, I'd strongly advise saving Edinburgh for another trip at a different time of year. None of the festivals has even officially started yet (although some places have had previews this week), & the place is already heaving with vistors.
If you want to know more about the festivals, see www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk
In Edinburgh, if you are talking about taking a tour out of town (e.g. daytrip to lochs & mountains)... don't know about Timberbush tours but a lot of people here recommend Rabbie's ?Trailburners/Trailblazers.
You don't need to book any sort of tour *in* Edinburgh. Just get the open top bus tour - there are several brands but Guide Friday is the best as it has a live guide. Take a full circuit to get a good overview of the Old & New Towns; then go round again, get off at the stop nearest the castle, walk up & do the castle, then walk down the length of the Royal Mile & do the palace, then get back on the bus if you want.
But if you aren't actually interested in doing the festivals, I'd strongly advise saving Edinburgh for another trip at a different time of year. None of the festivals has even officially started yet (although some places have had previews this week), & the place is already heaving with vistors.
If you want to know more about the festivals, see www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk
Aug 4th, 2006 | 06:05 AM
#10
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Thanks so much for all the great info Caroline! My husband's lineage is Scottish and he would really like to visit while we are 'in the area', so I think I have decided that we will head up to Edinburgh and look into the tours out of Edinburgh. The hotels are more than we would like to spend but it will be feasible and you only live once, right??
I have been looking at the following hotels, does anyone have any opinions on them?
Marriott Dalmahoy (I understand this is about 6 miles from the city center - is transportation fairly easy to reach the city center?)
Melville Castle
Jurys Inn
Old Waverly
Dalhousie Castle
It appears that these all have some availability when we are there - I'd appreciate any advice you could share on these hotels, the location, and transportation
Much thanks!
I have been looking at the following hotels, does anyone have any opinions on them?
Marriott Dalmahoy (I understand this is about 6 miles from the city center - is transportation fairly easy to reach the city center?)
Melville Castle
Jurys Inn
Old Waverly
Dalhousie Castle
It appears that these all have some availability when we are there - I'd appreciate any advice you could share on these hotels, the location, and transportation
Much thanks!
Aug 4th, 2006 | 06:27 AM
#11
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,282
Likes: 0
Jury's & Old Waverley v. central - I think Old Waverley is better. Others are all miles out. Especially during the festivals, you want to be in the thick of things !
Off for the weekend now but I'll check in with you again on Monday.
Have a nice weekend.
Off for the weekend now but I'll check in with you again on Monday.
Have a nice weekend.
Aug 4th, 2006 | 10:00 AM
#16
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
My husband is very much looking forward to exploring the festivals. Since I have booked 1 night at Dalhousie Castle, and the previous 2 nights we will be staying at Jurys Inn, does anyone have any suggestions for how to travel to Dalhousie? Should we consider renting a car? Taxi?
Any help would be much apprecitiated!
Any help would be much apprecitiated!
Aug 4th, 2006 | 11:04 AM
#18
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Tony (aka: stellarossa) - I realize that my first post was quite a TALL order...however, the purpose of these boards is to share stories and help people , NOT belittle them for asking questions.
Please, if you don't have any information or comments to help, then just keep your negative tone to yourself.
Please, if you don't have any information or comments to help, then just keep your negative tone to yourself.
Aug 4th, 2006 | 03:36 PM
#19
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Other travel message boards monitor what is going on more closely than this site it appears. Some of the really mean, condosending posts on this site would have warranted those posters being booted off the other sites. One shouldn't have to be afraid of asking the question - it is like being in a college class with a smart-A** professor who makes fun of your honest questions. Thank goodness for those experts on this site who offer so much great advise! It makes it easier to IGNORE those who just want to make fun or pick a fight.
