Where to go after London?
Jun 16th, 2011, 09:54 AM
#21
I'd rent a car just for two days Thurs to Sat AM and drive maybe one of the loops I mentioned above. Then Early Sat morning drive back to Edinburgh, drop the car and spend most of Sat and Sun in the city car-less. Fly back to London in the evening - after dinner if there is a flight that fits time-wise. This will give you the best part of 2 days for the countryside and almost 2 days in Edinburgh.
As for what to see/do one easy loop would be Stirling the Trossachs, and Loch Lomond. I'd stay somewhere w/i about 5 miles of Callander both nights. It would be a good base to see lovely scenery and be w/i about 1hour of EDI if you wanted to drop the car there.
Or -- you could drive into Fife and stay in Crail or Anstruther your 2 nights.This would be a base for St Andrews, the fishing villages, Falkland Palace, maybe a boat ride out to the Isle of May. And still just a little over an hour from EDI.
Where to stay -- what is your budget?
As for what to see/do one easy loop would be Stirling the Trossachs, and Loch Lomond. I'd stay somewhere w/i about 5 miles of Callander both nights. It would be a good base to see lovely scenery and be w/i about 1hour of EDI if you wanted to drop the car there.
Or -- you could drive into Fife and stay in Crail or Anstruther your 2 nights.This would be a base for St Andrews, the fishing villages, Falkland Palace, maybe a boat ride out to the Isle of May. And still just a little over an hour from EDI.
Where to stay -- what is your budget?
Jun 16th, 2011, 10:56 AM
#23
there's 'flexible' -- and then there is FLEXIBLE 
Honestly, you must have some sort of budget to give us an idea.
Sure hotels are cheaper in most of Scotland -- But Edinburgh gets nearly London rates (and sometimes more). But B&Bs and country hotels are usually much cheaper -- unless you want a posh castle hotel.
So - budget??
Honestly, you must have some sort of budget to give us an idea.
Sure hotels are cheaper in most of Scotland -- But Edinburgh gets nearly London rates (and sometimes more). But B&Bs and country hotels are usually much cheaper -- unless you want a posh castle hotel.
So - budget??
Jun 16th, 2011, 07:12 PM
#25
Probably the single best located B&B in Edinburgh http://www.castleviewgh.co.uk/index.html
Right off Princes street and Rose street w/ some views of the castle, good breakfasts, walking distance to everything.
Only downside --it is on the 3rd and 4th floors (4th and 5th floors in 'American') w/ no lift. But they will carry the bags up for you. I also see from the website they've added accommodations on the 1st floor (2nd floor)
As for where to stay on the nights away from Edinburgh -- Fife, the Trossachs, Callander, Aberfoyle, etc are full of B&Bs. Once you decide which direction you are heading we can help w/ suggestions.
At this late date you may have to contact several places to find availability.
Right off Princes street and Rose street w/ some views of the castle, good breakfasts, walking distance to everything.
Only downside --it is on the 3rd and 4th floors (4th and 5th floors in 'American') w/ no lift. But they will carry the bags up for you. I also see from the website they've added accommodations on the 1st floor (2nd floor)
As for where to stay on the nights away from Edinburgh -- Fife, the Trossachs, Callander, Aberfoyle, etc are full of B&Bs. Once you decide which direction you are heading we can help w/ suggestions.
At this late date you may have to contact several places to find availability.
Jun 19th, 2011, 09:58 AM
#26
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What's the closest (and easiest to get to) airport to the Charing Cross Hotel?
In looking at fares for Ireland (Easyjet)and Scotland (Aer Lingus), I saw that that there are different prices based on the airport. However, I know that I'll need to pay to get to the airports as well (which varies considerably as well!).
Right now I'm considering Gatwick, Luton and Stansted airports. One of the flights I'm looking at leaves at 6:20am so I'll need to make sure I can get there in time.
In looking at fares for Ireland (Easyjet)and Scotland (Aer Lingus), I saw that that there are different prices based on the airport. However, I know that I'll need to pay to get to the airports as well (which varies considerably as well!).
Right now I'm considering Gatwick, Luton and Stansted airports. One of the flights I'm looking at leaves at 6:20am so I'll need to make sure I can get there in time.
Jun 19th, 2011, 10:03 AM
#27
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I think Gatwick is the easiest as it is simple on the train from Victoria or London Bridge (Southern Trains, not Gatwick Express which is more costly). Stansted isnt too bad - train from Liverpool St.
Luton requires a train and bus trip.
When considering cheap airlines like Easyjet or Ryanair be sure you understand the extra charges and luggage allowances. They are SUPER strict and you could be charged a tonne if you go over.
Luton requires a train and bus trip.
When considering cheap airlines like Easyjet or Ryanair be sure you understand the extra charges and luggage allowances. They are SUPER strict and you could be charged a tonne if you go over.
Jun 19th, 2011, 10:20 AM
#28
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Ryanair.com
Easyjet.com
Venice
Paris
Cheap booked in advance
Have done Venice(Treviso) for 1 pound plus fees like 15 pounds in the past
Edinburgh Highlands by train wonderful amazing
Carrentals.com to Bath Cotswolds Wales closer beautiful also
Happy Planning,
Easyjet.com
Venice
Paris
Cheap booked in advance
Have done Venice(Treviso) for 1 pound plus fees like 15 pounds in the past
Edinburgh Highlands by train wonderful amazing
Carrentals.com to Bath Cotswolds Wales closer beautiful also
Happy Planning,
Jun 19th, 2011, 12:18 PM
#29
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Just booked my hotel in London and my flight to Edinburgh. Here's my itinerary so far.
6/24: Fly to London
6/24-6/25: Holiday Inn Kings Cross
6/26 - 6/29: Charing Cross Hotel
6/30: Fly to Edinburgh early morning
6/30 - 7/1: Travel around Scotland by car. Itinerary TBD.
7/2: Return to Edinburgh. Hotel TBD
7/3: Late evening - fly back to London
7/4: Fly back home
Any suggestions on what do do and where to stay in Scotland for the first 2 days would be wonderful. I'll also need to find a place in Edinburg the night of 7/2. Our stay in Scotland is very short so I know we won't be able to see much. However, I'd like to maximize our time as much as possible.
Thank you!
6/24: Fly to London
6/24-6/25: Holiday Inn Kings Cross
6/26 - 6/29: Charing Cross Hotel
6/30: Fly to Edinburgh early morning
6/30 - 7/1: Travel around Scotland by car. Itinerary TBD.
7/2: Return to Edinburgh. Hotel TBD
7/3: Late evening - fly back to London
7/4: Fly back home
Any suggestions on what do do and where to stay in Scotland for the first 2 days would be wonderful. I'll also need to find a place in Edinburg the night of 7/2. Our stay in Scotland is very short so I know we won't be able to see much. However, I'd like to maximize our time as much as possible.
Thank you!
Jun 19th, 2011, 12:36 PM
#30
Just time for a quick comment right now . . .
This hotel is located on the Lake of Menteith and just about 1 hour from EDI. It is lovely, fits in your budget (at least some of the rooms do) and is in a <u>terrific</u> location to tour from Killin/Falls of Dochart to Loch Lomond to the Trossachs to Doune/Stirling Castle. Plus is is a short walk to the pier for the boats out to Inchmahome Priory.
http://www.lake-hotel.com/
This hotel is located on the Lake of Menteith and just about 1 hour from EDI. It is lovely, fits in your budget (at least some of the rooms do) and is in a <u>terrific</u> location to tour from Killin/Falls of Dochart to Loch Lomond to the Trossachs to Doune/Stirling Castle. Plus is is a short walk to the pier for the boats out to Inchmahome Priory.
http://www.lake-hotel.com/
Jun 20th, 2011, 11:34 AM
#32
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Honestly I would do whatever janisj or shelia told me to do.
I went to scotland in 2008 and they were immensely and immeasurably helpful in planning my itinerary.
I do second the suggestion of taking the boat out to Inchmahome Priory. It was magical.
I went to scotland in 2008 and they were immensely and immeasurably helpful in planning my itinerary.
I do second the suggestion of taking the boat out to Inchmahome Priory. It was magical.
Jun 20th, 2011, 05:29 PM
#33
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The Lake Hotel looks really nice and they do have availability for my dates. Sounds like this could be a good base for our driving tours.
As we'll only have Thursday and Friday, what are the must see sights? My husband's getting used to the idea of having to drive in Scotland We'll be heading back to Edinburgh on Saturday.
As we'll only have Thursday and Friday, what are the must see sights? My husband's getting used to the idea of having to drive in Scotland
We'll be heading back to Edinburgh on Saturday.
Jun 20th, 2011, 05:36 PM
#34
I pretty much laid out the main sites in my previous post.
Killin/Falls of Dochart, Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, Doune Castle, Stirling Castle - and definitely Inchmahome Priory.
There are other places you'll see along your Trossachs drives - Loch Katrine, Loch Earn, Loch Voil/Balquhidder (where Rob Roy is buried), Loch Tay (next to the Falls of Dochart) etc.
There won't be traffic at any of these places.
Killin/Falls of Dochart, Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, Doune Castle, Stirling Castle - and definitely Inchmahome Priory.
There are other places you'll see along your Trossachs drives - Loch Katrine, Loch Earn, Loch Voil/Balquhidder (where Rob Roy is buried), Loch Tay (next to the Falls of Dochart) etc.
There won't be traffic at any of these places.
