TMCOY

Would like some help with some suggestions on how to spend 1 week in Ireland and the following week visting Scotland and Wales. I'm going with my (senior)parents for 2 weeks in August. We don't like the sounds of an escorted tour. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Thanks!

Budman

With your senior parents in Ireland, you might want to consider a 7-day bus tour. There are a lot of good ones that concentrate on the Southwestern portion of Ireland. If that is no good for you, I would recommend fly in/out of Shannon and spend your time in Dingle, Kerry, Killarney, and back to Shannon. Make sure you take a look at the Cliffs of Moher.

wojazz3

I agree with Budman on flying into and out of Shannon. Be warned that the SW of Ireland will be packed at that time of year and Killarney will be a zoo. You might want to consider the posibility of other less traveled areas. I would also consider the option of flying into Belfast and doing a Northern loop up the Antrim Coast and maybe into Donegal. It will be much less crowded.

Wales and Scotland is a different deal. Both are fantastic, but I must say, it's a long drive between the two though someone will come along and tell me I shouldn't suggest to anyone that traveling at break neck speed isn't the way to go. The other issue is that Scotland, specifically Edinburgh, will be VERY crowded and it would probably be hard to find a room in the city. I personally would choose either Wales or Scotland and if you wanted to do a fair amount of driving, you could sneak into SW Englad also, which is quite beautiful.

Hope this helps.

Bill

Trevor

There is a big distance of probably about 4-500miles between Scotland and Wales. However, there are regular flights between Cardiff Airport and Newcastle or l believe Edinburgh. It would be better to fly in my honest opinion.

The best place to visit if you haven't got time in Wales is Cardiff. This is the capital city of Wales and you can also travel to the countryside which is only a couple of miles outside the city. There are many castles around Cardiff, and the Museam of Welsh Life is popular amongst foreign visitors. All museams in Wales are free. There is pleanty of good quality accomodation in Cardiff, both inside the city and on the outskirts. Many of the main hotels such as the Marriott, Hilton etc have large popular hotels all at good locations. There is alot to do in Cardiff, although l believe that 3-4 days would be adequate.

Hope that helps!

39Steps

TMcoy - you've got a challenge on your hands escorting your parents to Ireland, Scotland and Wales in only 2 weeks. I would drop either Scotland or Wales, but if you must, combine the wisdom of the previous posters. Fly into Shannon and spend a week along the west coast in favorites such as Dingle and Kerry. Then fly to Cardiff in Wales, if you rent a car visit Tinturn Abbey and the Wye Valley. You could even visit Bath and Stonehenge if you stayed the full week. Otherwise, fly to Edinburgh in Scotland for the remainder of your week. I would recommend against driving from Wales to Scotland. We did, but we also had a month. It's a long haul and your schedule is very tight. Also note that with senior parents, most hotels or B & B's do not have elevators, instead opting for some steep and narrow stairs. Watch your step.

janis

If you count that bit of England between Wales and Scotland, you are talking about visiting 4 countries in 2 weeks with elderly parents. That is a pretty frantic itinerary. A LOT depends on how active they are - there are "seniors" and then there are "SENIORS". If it were me I would choose EITHER Ireland or Scotland -- or possibly Scotland w/ a few days in Wales.

Any of the three could easily fill your 2 weeks and running all over the country with two older folks can be a real trial.

What is most important to you and your parents? Why did you choose Ireland, Wales and Scotland - if we knew that, folks could give you better advice.