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Just starting to think about an England/Ireland trip...suggestions welcome

Posted by (Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA) on

We're (3 adults) just starting to think about a trip for 2010, to England and Ireland, and would welcome any thoughts any of you may have on a potential itinerary.

I might mention that we're taking my 87-year-old mother, so of course we're looking at keeping things easy and handicapped-accessible. She doesn't mind riding, but doesn't like walking a lot (kind of like the rest of us). She does a lot better riding in a rental car than catching and climbing onto trains.

We want to start with a transatlantic voyage, perhaps on Queen Mary 2, which offers 7-night crossing from New York to Southampton in May and June. I'm not sure which month would offer better weather for seeing southern England and Ireland. My mom doesn't like to get cold, and the rest of us don't like to get hot!

We'd then rent a car in Southampton and head to some place in the Cotswolds, which looks like a 2-hour drive.

We'd like to spend a few days in the Cotswolds, in a village, taking daily drives to nice places.

My mom's a "Last of the Summer Wine" fan, and she wants to spend a night in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, where the show if set and filmed.

Next, we want to get to Ireland. Not sure how. I see some ferries from Liverpool to Dublin but don't know if we can take a car from Southampton and leave it in Shannon, Ireland, at the end of the trip. Or we could take the ferry afoot then rent a car in Dublin and leave it at the airport in Shannon. I'm unsure about this part of the trip.

I'm not interested in visiting Dublin this trip. Been there. Too "busy". We're looking at southern Ireland. I've been to Kenmare before and loved the area, so we'll probably get the car in Dublin and just head west right away.

Then finally, fly home from Shannon.

I'd sure welcome ideas, recommendations, cautions, whatever pops into your mind. Thanks!

Posted by
8293 posts

The QM2 crossing is 6 days, not 7,and having done it twice, I really recommend it. Since your mother has reached that age and stage where walking is no longer a joy, be sure to book her a stateroom near one of the three sets of elevators. The QM2 is a very large ship and I am afraid a lot of walking is involved getting to and from the dining room, or the theatre or whatever, so if she will permit it, maybe you could rent a wheelchair for the trip.

Either May or June would be pleasant, but in May the bluebells are in bloom in England and a picnic in a bluebell wood is a beautiful experience !

I wish you joy in this vacation with your mother.

Posted by
606 posts

Yeah, I had seen it listed as six days, so I was surprised when I saw this 7-day/night itinerary at their website. Maybe they plan to circle Iceland once or something ;-)

I'll definitely get the duration correct from them before I book things.

We have a collapsible "travel wheelchair" we always take when we travel with her. She walks fairly well, but it's quicker and easier to just push her. Of course, then she kind of forgets she can walk, and when we come to a place that's hard to cross with the chair, she just keeps sitting there like we're gonna pick her up and carry her! We did a Princess Alaska cruise last year and she loved it. Taking the QMII rather than flying to England was her idea!

Posted by
1806 posts

1) Rent a car in each country you will visit.

2) June gives you more daylight hours to sightsee. In Ireland, it can stay light out until as late as 10PM in June and July.

3) You will not get "too hot" in Ireland or England in May or June. Bring layers - including some long sleeve shirts and a light fleece jacket or windbreaker. A raincoat and some waterproof shoes are useful. It can still get quite cold in May and June, especially when it is raining and/or windy.

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