After much research and getting advice from friends and helpline travelers I have revised my itinerary, and method of transportation for my solo trip to UK (Channel Islands, Wales, Isle of Man). Now I'm looking for some feedback from those who have been to these places as to whether I'm allowing enough time in each place and am using the best (most logical) methods of transport between places. Day 1&2 – flight Portland to London, then flight to Jersey Island Day 3&4 – explore Jersey Day 5 – ferry to Guernsey Day 6-8 – explore Guernsey, ferry daytrip to Alderney, possible daytrip to Sark Day 9 – flight Guernsey to Cardiff, pick up rental car Day 10&11 – explore from Cardiff (Chepstow, Tintern, Wye Valley) Day 12 – drive to Pembroke Dock, explore Gower Peninsula on way (couple of lighthouses, etc) Day 13-15 – explore from Pembroke Dock (Pembrokeshire Coast NP, St. David's, Tenby, etc.) Day 16 – drive to Caernarfon (or another town in area), see Harlech on way Day 17-19 – explore from Caernarfon area (Anglesey, Snowdonia, etc) Day 20 – drive to Liverpool, drop off rental car, ferry to Isle of Man Day 21&22 – explore Isle of Man Day 23 – ferry to Liverpool, may decide to spend a night here, depends on possible flight times.
Day 23 or 24 – train to Manchester, flight to Portland This trip is a work in progress so it may change many times before finalized. Right now best flights were into London and out of Manchester but that could change also, I'll keep watching flights to and from several different citites. If you have other suggestions or opinions, feel free to share them. Any suggestions for places to stay in any of these areas, on the budget end but clean, safe and with ensuite bathrooms is also appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read my lengthy post.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Wow!! This is a damn mastepiece. Bronze it and frame it. Don't let anybody hornswagle you into anything, even adjusting the Channels by a bit. You'll find places you'll like better than others, but you've got exactly enough time to figure it out for yourself and not feel trapped if it's not perfect. Three observations: 1 - You're going to have to stay right at St Peter Port to make the Guernsey ferries work. 2 - Sark wouldn't be much of a loss except for a couple of cliff walks. I'd keep that at the low end of the stick in case you need more time on Guernsey itself. 3 - The Irish Sea can get lumpy, making it a long slog to Man. If you tend to get the acute pukes, you might want to have a substitute idea in your back pocket.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Apparantly I am in the minority again. We really enjoyed our ferry and day spent on Sark. You can easily stroll through the small village and across the causeway to Little Sark. I would go back in a heart beat. Jersey can be done in two days, it is very scenic. (We chose Sark over Alderney)
Posted by
1 posts
I have a more basic question: can you give me some hints on where you did the research. Trying to put together a more limited touring plan than yours but touring plans and or travel books covering the channel islands seem pretty non-existent.
Posted by
OP
Corvallis OR
7158 posts
krol, I did a lot of my research online on these websites:
I asked a lot of questions on this forum and I also borrowed the Michelin Green Guides for Wales and Channel Islands from my library.
I spent a lot of time researching and then due to some personal issues I was not able to take the trip. I kept all of my research results because I am still going to take this trip some year.