Lori Hill

My husband and I are wanting to plan a trip of a lifetime before we have children. We have two places in mind: Ireland or Greece. We have approx. 5-7 days to spend at either place. <BR> <BR>Does anyone have a suggestion which place we should go and why. Also, do you have any travel tips such as places to stay, things to do, good eats, and other useful tips. Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated!!

Lori Hill

I should have supplied a bit more information when I submitted the topic. We are looking at going sometime in September or October. We will probably rent a car for a majority of the trip. I would really like ideas on places to stay, things to do, restaurants, pubs and anything else you care to share. <BR> <BR>Lori

Caryn

The more I think about this, the more I realize your two options are almost opposite. If you really want to drive from place to place, Greece is not for you. You have to take boats (which are very time consuming) or planes to/between the islands, which is what would make Greece a trip of a lifetime. Also, if you take the time-consuming boats (and if they are commercial ferries, believe me, they are NOT pleasure cruises), you will not be able to go that many places in 5-7 days. I think 5-7 days to drive around Ireland would really be a nice amount of time. However, I don't know what the weather would be like in the fall. Probably even rainier than usual. If you want sun, beaches, and to not wear a lot of clothes, Ireland is not the place for you. Also, I don't know where you live in the US, but the flight to Greece is about 3-4 hours longer and two extra hours in time zones and jet lag. Do you want cozy pubs (Ireland) or crazy bars (Greece)? It seems from the sound of this message that my vote is for Ireland. However, Greece is so beautiful and definitely the definition of a vacation of a lifetime. You would definitely love it. Call the national tourists boards and ask for info. They usually send terrifice stuff including maps, calendar of events, hotel/bed and breakfast listings, and more. Greece: 212 421 5777. Ireland: 1 800 223 6470/212 418 0800. Have fun in either place!

Frank

Strange choice. Without question, Greece- although I agree with the earlier posting, not ideally suited for driving. Stay in Athens for a few days, then a 3 or 4 days cruise to the islands. I had one of my most pleasant vacations in Ireland, but it was never more than that, whereas Greece is suitable as a trip of a lifetime. Even better, Eqypt.

WASA THE SWEDE

If you only have 5-7 day's, stay at home in bed and make babies. Wait 5 - 10 years and go with all your children to europe for a month or more and see both Eire and Greece and some more of europe, then you have your trip of the lifetime. <BR> <BR> <BR>Good Luck , Thomas

dimi

Lori - in my opinion you don't have enough time for either place and it's the wrong time of year for both. No sooner you would get there and recover a bit from the jet lag, you'll be returning home. Unless you can extend either country to 10 days, change your destination to the Carribean. However, if it had to be one - I'M ONLY FOR GREECE! Dimi

rose

Lori, I don't think you will have enough time with 5-7 days to really experience the beauty, culture and dynamics of either country properly. I have been to Greece for 15 days, and even that wasn't enough! My husband and I are taking a trip to France for three weeks in September (like you, before we have children) and we are concentrating only on France in order to really discover it (however I wish we had more time!) If you just have to go to either Greece or Ireland, I would suggest Ireland. If you are arriving from Canada or the U.S., it is closer and you can do a 7 day driving trip. Even if it's cold and rainy that time of year, you will have experienced some of the lush green country side. <BR>Good Luck.

Carlos

I'm going to have to go with the gist of the above messages. 5-7 days is not enough time to go on a "trip of a lifetime" in Europe. Especially Greece or traveling around the entire country of Ireland. You probably need to rethink your vacation goals. Try the Caribbean (if you're from the US). It's closer and less jetlag. If you're set on Europe, try one city such as London or Paris. 5-7 days is still nowhere near enough time but these are the closest cities to the US. Also, you may save time in London because there will be no language barrier, although that's half the fun. Save you're "trip of a lifetime" to Greece when you have AT LEAST two full weeks.

DJB

My wife and I spent 19 days in Greece in May 97 and still could have spent another 19 days there travelling around. Greece is the definition of a once in a lifetime trip, especially Crete and Santorini, as well as the sites in Athens. Do yourself a favor if you pick Greece, go for at least two weeks..start in athens for 3 days and then fly to an island or two. If this doesn't work, go to Ireland or better yet, save up for the Greece trip

hamlet

Lori, don't be discouraged! I have been to both places and I spent 5-7 days for each! No, it wasn't enough time. But when do we ever really have enough time? It's not as crazy as doing one of those 8 cities/countries in 12 days! Both places are very different so it all depends on what you want out of your trip. Do you need to hang out on the beach? Do you not want to deal with language barriers? How do you expect/want to get around the country - driving on your own or trains, buses, ferries? Depending on where you live on the US your flight may make a whole days difference so consider that. But as far as when you actually arrive at your destination, getting from place to place is part of the fun and adventure. Ireland is beautiful and peaceful and the pubs can be lively when you're looking for action. In Greece it all depends on where you go - Athens? just an island or two? - where it's peaceful all day and can get wild in town at night? From my experience and from what I've heard from friends I think Ireland is great and fun, the scenery is beautiful but 7 days of green may not be as fun as the sea and landscapes of Greece. But travel wise Greece provides more snafus, which might be frustrating but ultimately more interesting. Two very different places, but you can't make a wrong decision. Toss a coin..

Debbie Prastel

<BR>You definitely need more than 5-7 days for either of these 2 countries. But Greece is the "trip of a lifetime". You need at least 15 days. Everything is great about it and I can go on forever. I have been there 10 times. Since you only have 5-7 days concentrate on a European city (Paris, London) or stay in North America (Mexico, Carribbean).

kam

Dear folks with lots of time to travel and Lori, We rarely have more than 5-7 days on any given trip because it always begins or ends with business! I have been in Ireland in October--yes, it rained part of almost every day--we saw more beautiful rainbows than you can imagine. When it rained hard, we went to the local pub and carried on great conversations with the locals. Also, drank a lot of beer and tea and ate too much! Bought a beautiful Irish sweater in Connemara at the beginning of the trip--do you know they are waterproof?? They are knitted for the fishermen on the west coast and they're constantly in the rain. I would vote for Ireland---you can drive and come and go as you wish---and you speak the langauge (well, almost!) and will find the people fascinating. Many of the resort hotels on the south coast in Kerry will be closed by then, but many a little inland are open all year---try to stay in the West and don't bother with Dublin--too time consuming and not terribly cheerful. Galway is a great little city and the most wonderful hotel in Ireland is Ballymalloe House in Shanagarry, Co. Cork. They are open in October and will take very good care of you! Some great B&Bs with gracious hosts who will have super suggestions for you even if the weather is not terrific. Keep Greece for when you have more time and need to get away from the kids! Enjoy. P.S. It's oyster season, I think! <BR>

Nicole

I would definately pick Ireland!!! It has less complications and you CAN see it in 5-7 days - I have no idea how people find the time or money to spend 3 weeks or more on a vacation and there is only so much culture you can absorb before you want to go back to your own! Greece is very overrated in my opinion and very touristie - for Europeans and others! Don't let anybody here convince you to go to the Carribean - those trips are a dime a dozen!

Seamus

Lori, we spent the second week of October in Ireland last year and it was nothing less than marvelous. Just after the tourist season, we didn't have to hassle with crowds. Despite what everyone said, there was only one day of rain, and that was a relatively quick shower. Spend no more than a day or two in Dublin, then get in your car and drive north to Drogheda (prehistoric burial site, older than the pyramids, and pretty incredible!) which is an easy hour or so north of Dublin. From there make your westerly way across Ireland, taking in the pastoral sights as you traverse the historic Borne valley. A night in Galway could be fun, then head south along the western coast. Dingle penninsula, the Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Killarney, Blarney, Cork, - there's so much to see and do, and it's perfect for just ambling around in your car! I agree that Ballymaloe House is fabulous - a night or two there would really make this a trip of a lifetime for you. The hotel is a manor house, and they also operate an international cooking school (i.e., the food is incredible!). Another great place is the Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge (so romantic that you just may wind up making babies there!)

Robbyn

Dear Lori, <BR>We have been to Greece, but not Ireland. <BR>I would pick Ireland in a minute. We have <BR>been to England and Wales and love that <BR>part of the country. Last year we went to <BR>London for our 25th wedding anniversary. <BR>We only spent 5 days there and it was <BR>one of our best trips ever. Sure you can't <BR>see everything in 5 days, but you can't <BR>in 3 weeks either. We did manage to <BR>rent a car and travel to some small towns <BR>after visiting London. <BR>My mom is going to Ireland in a couple of <BR>weeks and I have been doing some research <BR>on it. Sounds like a wonderful place. I <BR>think it will be our next trip. <BR>Have a great time. <BR>Robbyn <BR>P.S. If you decide to go to Ireland you should <BR>read Angela's Ashes by John Mc Court. Not <BR>a tour book, but interesting history about <BR>Ireland. I listened to it on tape.

Martha

Lori-- You certainly can drive in Greece. A trip from Athens around the Gulf of Corinth, taking in the Corinth canal; ancient Corinth; "the little Dardanelles"; Nafpaktos; Galaxidi; Delphi; the monastery of Ossias Lucas; back to Athens (or, the car ferry to Egio, and back to Athens on the Corinth highway) is do-able in a week; but, as a number of people have suggested, it's a long way to come from America for such a short trip. If I only had that much time, and really wanted to go to Greece, I'd stay in Nafplio for the entire time, and do day trips to Mycenae, Epidauros, ancient Corinth, and the island of Spetse. (If I weren't set on Greece, I'd look for a destination which didn't require much flying time.)Anyway, don't despair-- there is life after children!

Roger

Ireland if you like a clean country with clean honest people. <BR>

Sheila Tiernan

Come to Ireland-Fly to Shannon-Take the N18 for Limerick and stope at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Drivedown the little country road and stay at Ashgrove House where you will be well looked after. The weather is gorgeous and we have had more than our national rainfall for this year so no more rain in Ireland until January. Ashgrove House is my B/B and will cost you £17.50 perperson sharing for a lovely room with ensuite facilities, tea and coffee making facilities, haridryers, TV. The rooms are spacious andwarm when its cold outside. It is very quiet here and just one mile from Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Killarney is a 2hour dirve and the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren just 35 miles. Galway is 50 miles and Limerick City just 10 miles. It is much easier to fly to Shannon for driving as the roads are quieter than Dublin. The banquet in the Castle is a wonderful night entertainment. <BR>