GB and Ireland itinerary help

Shelley, My biggest concern is from Edinburgh to Ireland - I'm afraid you won't have much time in Dublin. Do you know when your ferry gets in?
Kristie

Skip Cardiff, not high on the sightseeing scale (My Welsh blood is screaming at me). Spend the extra time in the Cotswolds. I personally would skip Bath, and instead suggest Salisbury Cathedral and Stonehenge and then to Cotswolds. Despite all the naysayers, Stonehenge is a magical place I would suggest train from Cotswolds (Moreton in Marsh or Oxford) to London (Paddington), train London (Kings Cross) to Edinburgh. London to Edinburgh is the one train trip I would do at night, but otherwise the daylight ride is not very long. A few more days and I would have suggested stopping for one day at York on your way up to Edinburgh, but thats really pushing it. London-Edinburgh. Not much choice either way. Do the East Coast line, the last hour or so you have some pretty ocean views

I'd say skip Cardiff, too, but instead of more time in the Cotswolds, I'd go right across the border and go to Chepstow castle/Tintern Abbey. Scenic and beautiful.

The package deals for B&Bs and rental cars can be a good value. With your package you will receive a directory of B&Bs that accept the B&B vouchers. In my experience, it's easy to book ahead from the US via email. I haven't used MyguideIreland, though. We used Sceptre Tours.

Agree with above, skip Cardiff, see Tintern abbey in Wales. I personally liked Bath but you can do it in a day. If you do go to Bath, take the free walking tour which leaves from Cathedral, about an hour I think. Also loved little town of Wells just outside of Bath, I think on way to Stonehenge; visit the Cathedral there. First saw it on Rick's England video. We have also used Sceptre Tours several times and it was great. The free book of B&B's is most helpful, gives you many, many choices. I think each one is approved by the tourist bureau. Enjoy.

I don't understand Cardiff on a first trip. Regarding the suggestion to go to York from Moreton-in-Marsh (drove through there today and noticed with happiness that the Marshmallow restaurant is still there but we prefer to eat in Stow) that is the best way, but I respectfully suggest taking the train avoiding London. It can be quicker and easier to go Moreton-in-Marsh to Worcester Shrub Hill to Birmingham New Street to York. Or M-i-M to Oxford to Birmingham to York. Gets you there maybe half an hour or an hour faster and no Underground/Bus/Taxi from Paddington to KX.

Wow! Thanks for the advice everyone! This was exactly what I was hoping for in asking. Everybody agrees to skip Cardiff. Good to know! Kristie, In response to the ferry situation, I actually haven't checked yet. We were thinking of flying from Edinburgh to Dublin(flight search from the other night was about $100). We thought it would be easier to get to the airport than to a ferry port. Would a ferry be better? Or cheaper? Nancy and Gail, Were there any "hidden" fees with the Sceptre Tours? When it comes to the car rental especiallywe want to make sure we have all the insurance taken care of incase of the worst happening. Reguarding the train options to Edinburgh:
Would it be cheaper to buy point to point in this situation or look into a pass of some sort. Or if we already have the carhow would the drive be from the Cotswolds to Edinburgh? Thanks again for all your help!! Shelley

how would the drive be from the Cotswolds to Edinburgh? 6 and a half ish hours from Chipping Campden or 350 miles ish on the M6 if the traffic doesn't stop. A long haul.

I seem to remember several of the b&b's asked for a supplement fee because we had vouchers, about 5 euro's but not sure. We were novices when we went and one of the places we stayed in although "approved" was pretty bad. Our next times, we learned to ask to see the rooms and if we didn't like them, we politely said no thank you and just went on to another b&b. There are so many of them you will have no problem finding one that is great. When in Edinburgh, don't miss Mary King's Close just by the Castle. We thought it was highlight of Edinburgh. Also see the Royal Yacht which is short bus trip from center of town. It was great. Enjoy.

Shelley, the London-Bath train take about 90 minutes. Don't quite understand a side trip from the Cotswolds to Cardiff. Save Cardiff for a Wales trip. Don't drive to Edinburgh. Take the train into London in the early morning, and take the Edinburgh train out of Kings Cross. I think you should travel in the day. The trip is only about 4-1/2 hours. If you sit on the right, you can get some nice looks at the North Sea coast in the last hour before arriving. The train comes into Waverly Station, which is convenient to many hotels. But, unless you know exactly where you are going, take a cab. You can see a lot of Edinburgh in two full days. It's a great city. Check the weather and dress appropriately.

The supplement that we had to pay occasionally was not because we had vouchers but because the vouchers didn't cover en suite rooms (when there was an option). In B&Bs where all of the rooms were en suite, there was no supplement.

This is great! Thanks for the tips everybody. I'm sure I'll be back :)