Hi - I'm planning a month long solo trip from US to Northern Ireland. I couldn't turn down a great multiple city airfare if I stopped in Glasgow. So trip now includes Scotland I didn't know much about Scotland (other than what I've seen on Outlander!) so I just watched Rick Steves' Scotland tape; am now in love with it and thinking of making my first leg of trip into a car trip vs staying just a few nights in Glasgow.
Current "fluid" thoughts are:
August 16 - 25 Scotland:
Spend 3-4 days in Glasgow, rent car and do 4-5 day road trip up coast. See Highlands, Oban, Isle of Syke (just saw tape and not sure of order!)
Question: What else? Should I allow myself more time?
Question: What is best way to got over to NI? I'm leaning on doing Ferry but need to confirm how I can drop off rental car and get another one in NI.
August 25, September 15 - Northern Ireland:
If I do Ferry, then rent car and do coast. I understand there is a festival late August in Ballycastle and I think I'd like that. Do rest of coast, make way down to Belfast by Sept 10 and do sightseeing in town.
Question: What other spots should I be sure not to miss? I want to do Derry
September 16 - Dublin
Spend 4-5 days sightseeing
Any suggestions on what I can do to space this out better? I'm in the early stages of planning this and it looks like I might have more time that I originally thought though I'm sure I won't have trouble filling in the time. I've been to Republic of Ireland quite a few times and could easily drive down to Mayo if I need. But, purpose of trip was to see NI.
Any thoughts for me? I'm a retired senior doing "my thing" and always looking for good advice.
Beth