This is our first trip to UK

My suggestion would be Ireland, hands down. You're more likely to find good airfare deals to Dublin than to Scotland, for one thing. There is just so much to see in Ireland that you could easily spend the whole eleven days there, but that's also enough time to get an introductory taste of both if you're selective about what you want to see in each.

Also, keep in mind how many actual days you have once you are there. Traveling there and back is going to eat up at least two of your days away. What time of year do you plan to go?

Scotland!!! 11 days would give you a really nice paced trip! I'd suggest spending the largest part of your trip in Inverness. It is a lovely area and you can do LOTS of day trips- whiskey trail, Isle of Skye and Elean Donan castle, Loch Ness and the quaint village of Drumnadrochit, even Orkney! Aviemore is a nice place for a couple of days, especially if you like hiking, etc. We've spent a great deal of time in Scotland over the past 20 years. Let me know if you want specific ideas.

Did an England, Scotland and Ireland trip this Spring in just under three weeks. You're going to have to fly into London (probably Heathrow). Get a cheap room via the web London first night (you'll be tired). Take the train up to Edinburgh next day (take in the scenery, restful), two nights Edinburgh (one full day in the city), rent a car at the airport and drive around for three or four more nights. You'll be driving on the other side of the road but traffic is light and you'll get used to it. Caution! One person drives, one looks for road signs etc. and BOTH look each way when turning! Remember Driver, keep your right shoulder to the center of the road. (Sounds stupid but it's easy to remember.) Repeat in Ireland (you can fly direct on Ryan Air). Fly Ryan Air back to London (you'll end up at Gatwick). (Be aware 2nd driver in Ireland is pricy - get a firm number from the car rental agency).
I recommended the train from London to Edinburgh vs. flying because it's about the same cost wise by the time you get out to Gatwick from London and you don't save tons of time flying, plus it's scenic. (Avoid weekends - train track repairs etc.)

You won't have to fly into London if you go to Ireland, even if you just go there first. :) You can fly from Ireland to Scotland without going through England at all.

You can fly to Ireland directly from San Diego but it's grueling and direct isn't exactly the right word. You have at least one layover (and you'd better make it for at least 3 hours to allow for delayed flights and baggage transfer - if necessary). When I tried to book tickets from San Diego to Shannon Ireland my selected planes still went via something like L.A. or Chicago and then Heathrow (both going and coming back home)then Shannon. You have now been traveling a zillion hours. (Cost was factored in here) This was in the Spring of 07 so routes may have improved. We'd wanted to fly San Diego to Shannon, Shannon to Edinburgh, Edinburgh to London, London to Shannon and home. We ended up flying American to Heathrow, and British Air to Edinburgh and then to Shannon. Ryan air was cheaper but the luggage allowance was worse. CAUTION! You may fly into the U.K. or Ireland on a U.S. airline which allows 2 check in bags but you'll find the local carriers allow only one with stiff tarrifs on a second bag (you do want to buy something there don't you?). Also you get ONE carry on be it your purse or a small backpack but not both. We'd heard you can actually clear U.S. customs at Shannon on a return U.S. flight but never saw any evidence of it. Please post what you discover as I'd like to repeat our trip.

Aer Lingus flies from Dublin or Shannon into L.A., via Chicago. I've taken the Chicago-Shannon flight several times. It actually lands in Dublin, and then makes a very short hop to Shannon, and does the reverse on the way back. And yes, you do clear US Customs in the Shannon airport.

Clearing U.S. customs at Shannon! This is great. How much better to do it at the beginning of the trip when you'r not jet lagged! Thanks for the in-put.

Physically you could probably see 11 or more countries in 11 days. I guess it depends on what you want to experience. Do you just want to arrive somewhere, snap a picture and move on? Or would you rather arrive somewhere, have some tea, guiness or haggis and enjoy your surroundings a little? Maybe hit a museum or somewhere where the locals go. My facination with travelling in Europe is to live a little like the locals do and experience a little of their customs.

You could easily spend 11 days in each of the countries and barely scratch the surface. I'd suggest picking England (mostly London) and 1 other country. Take the time to stop and relax at each destination.

I do rather agree with Ian. Enjoyed Ireland but if I were taking someone who'd never been to the U.K. I'd take them to London and then to Scotland. Try the Haggis - I was skeptical (and I've eaten some odd stuff in the Orient). It was actually quite tasty. Any culture that puts a small tot of whiskey in their morning oatmeal can't be that far off base! By training back and forth you'll also get to see the countryside and not waste precious time at the dreaded airport.

I went to all 3 in October. I wish I could have spent more time in Scotland. Here is the way I went, but by all means change to suit your needs. I flew into Dublin (it was cheaper this way), then caught a puddle jump connection to London. Spent 3 days in London, then took the night train to Inverness. Saved money for lodging by sleeping on the train. Arrived in Inverness ready to go in the morning. Left Inverness after a couple of days taking the train during the day to Edinburgh. Edinburgh has so much to see just in town. The country sites are amazing. Spent 3 more days in Edinburgh. Plenty to see so far and not enough time. Caught a flight back to Dublin and went on a bus tour of southern ireland. Then back home. If I had to do all over, I would have spent less time in Ireland and more time in London/Scotland.

I have never been to either. I will visit Scotland some day though. Sister went and her pictures were great, so many CASTLES ( and ruins) love it.
I love castles and there are more in Scotland, so that ends it.

There are castles all over Ireland, too, Pat. I'd find it hard to believe that there are more in Scotland.

Hi Ted, Are you confused yet? When are you planning to go? Your 11 days, is that 11 days in country or is one of them for the trip to get there? You need to list the places you want to see in each country and determine how far apart these places are, If you plan to rent a car expect to use twice the amount of travel time you would in the U.S. Now decide if you can see all that in 5 days or 11 days and still be able to stop in a pub for a swift half once in awhile. Remember what Rick says about going back. Buy yourself a couple of good maps and guide books and plot your course. After you decide what you want to see and do, we will all still be here to help you get there. Laurel

Pick one. They are both great. My favorite is Scotland. You can have a wonderful vacation in 11 days. Spend a couple of days in Edinburgh, or add a day for a day trip to the Borders. then head north. I'd stop off at Stirling Castle and then wander about Perthshire for day before getting to Inverness. From Inverness you can head east to Speyside or the castle trail. Or, you can head west to Skye, Glencoe, and then further south to Oban when you can catch a ferry to Mull. You can swing past Loch Lomond or head further south to Argyle. If you like Whisky--that's Scotch--look for Iain Bank's book Raw Spirit. It may help you plan your trip.

Pam