<BR> <BR> Message: A friend and I (both 60+) would like to "do" the <BR> British Isles, probably this summer, on a rather stringent budget. Any suggestions <BR> about where to stay--hostels?--would be appreciated. <BR> What is the best "order" in which to do this--fly into <BR> London, then on to Ireland/Scotland? Or the other way <BR> around? We're especially interested in seeing Waterford & <BR> Edinburgh, and will likely have between 10 days and 2 <BR> weeks to stay. Thanks!!!

Well, everyone does London and/or Scotland and/or Ireland. Why not try something different and try Wales? The North is especially nice countryside, on a par with Scotland but in a smaller area, and beats Ireland any day (in my humble opinion!). I'm thinking of, for example, Snowdonia, in the NW of Wales. Lots of nice mountains etc. and most of the people are Welsh-speaking (they speak English too, though). Also, Wales has more castles per unit are than any other part of the British Isles (e.g. Caernarfon where Prince Charles was invested in 1969). You can easily get to N Wales by either train or bus, and Dublin is only 1.5 hrs away from N. Wales by ferry... www.tourism.wales.gov.uk has loads of info on Wales, and http://www.ogwen-rescue.org.uk/commo...thumbnails.htm has lots of photos of the Ogwen Valley area of NW Wales. Have a good trip!

In 1993, I flew into London, spent three days there, took the train to Wales (which I HIGHLY recommend, lots of castles, henges, and cathedrals) and took the ferry from Fishguard Wales to Waterford Ireland. I don't know how you are going to do all you wish in 10 days, Edinburgh is an overnight trip from London. However, it can be done. The ferry to Ireland is an overnight thing too. If you do less, you will enjoy it more. I am doing Britain again this year, and I am skipping Ireland this time. <BR>

<BR>Hello <BR> <BR>Although the U K is small, I would first of all suggest that you try to take the 14 day option over the 10 day option. <BR>Secondly, if you do want to see all four parts of the British Isles {England, Wales, Scotland, N. Ireland/Ireland} then think about a rail pass which would be valid for all trains. Your travel agent can tell you about this, though I think Britrail has a website. Then you could see London for a few days, take the train to Edinburgh, calling at York and/or Durham on the way, across to Glasgow and then down to Wales. Perhaps you will have time to get to Ireland, but even 14 days wouldn't be enough time in my opinion. If you were to do all the rail trips individually, prices could add up quickly. If you do decide to do that, make sure you book ahead once you get here. Apex rail tickets are cheaper by a good deal, but require advance booking. If you need more info. email me direct on this subject. <BR>Wales is beautiful and when you hear Welsh being spoken in a town only a few miles from Liverpool or Manchester, you will freak! It is NOTHING like English and its use typifies the indepent spirit of the Welsh. Lots of castles etc. there too. <BR>Visit the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide sites for more info, as well as the many previous postings on the U K here at Fodor's. <BR>Lastly, many sites of interest will give discounts for senior citizens, so carry your I D.

I remember taking a boat train to Liverpool then a boat to Belfast(?) It took forever and I woke up thinking we were there, but it was just the Isle of Man. We came back via Dublin, and the train from Belfast to Dublin was really pretty cool. This was about 25 years ago, and I've since thought I was lucky to see it before the troubles blew up. Politics are so depressing in Ireland! I spent some time with family in a lovely seaside town, Bangor. But then, maybe it was the dear people who made it so lovely.

Let me second all the posts on Wales! We spent two weeks there last September and loved every minute. The public footpaths are a delight, especially with the reward of a swifty (pint) at the end. There's a wonderful footpath along the coast from Aberaeron to New Quay. The castles are also great- try to see some built by the native Welsh princes, in addition to Edward I's series. You can buy a rover pass in North Wales for 3 or 7 days that allows you to hop on and off trains and buses as much as you please. Have a great time! <BR>

If you go to Edinburgh, there's a great youth hostel there called High Street Hostl, and its right in the middle of everything. I stayed there about six years ago, and I believe it only cost about 12 pounds a nght - a wonderful bargain. <BR> <BR>One addendum to someone else's post - there is an express train from London to Edinburgh that takes about 4 1/2 hours - it may be called the Scot's Flyer, or something like that. <BR> <BR>SInce you only have a limited amount of time, I'd limit what you do - and I'd recommend skipping Glasgow entirely. Ireland is pretty, but I'd concentrate on England or Scotland itself - you can spend a good 10 days seeing London, and then heading west to Stonehenge, Bath, Oxford, Stratford, and Wales. If you do head out to Wales, try and stop at Tintern Abbney, made famous by Wordsworth's poem. Its absolutely beautiful, and in the middle of a breathtaking valley.

Oh dear. I don't agree with annalynn's recommendation to skip Glasgow. <BR> <BR>Not long since that city was European City of Culture and in 1999 is the European City of Architecture and Design. <BR> <BR>Some of the best museums in the UK can be found there too. I much preferred it to Edinburgh and found the people a LOT friendlier than Edinburgh too. <BR> <BR>The city looks great, at night especially and has a fantastic travel network to all parts of Scotland and the South on it's doorstep. If your time is limited, as it looks it may be, then Glasgow is small enough to get round in a few days. <BR> <BR>OK, I'm hooked but we've spent our last two vacations there and will be back for more. <BR> <BR>Jane <BR> <BR>

I AM ALSO PLANNING A TRIP TO BRITAIN THIS SUMMER AND I FIND A BOOK CALLED "THE IDIOTS GUIDE TO TRAVEL IN EUROPE" VERY HELPFUL. I FOUND THE BOOK IN STAPLES OFFICE SUPPLY. IT COVERS ALL THOSE COUNTRIES YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT, WHERE TO STAY, HOW MUCH,PHONE NUMBERS AND EVERY DETAIL AND TIPS FOR EACH COUNTRY. GOOD LUCK! p.S. THE AUTHOR ADVISES TO GO TO LONDON FIRST BECAUSE THE AIRFARE IS MOST REASONABLE THAT WAY AND YOU CAN ALWAYS GET AN "OPEN JAW" TICKET AND FLY HOME FROM ANOTHER CITY.