Two Weeks in the UK in March - HELP!

When to do train versus rental car: pick the destinations you want to see and are able to see in the time you have, then use this decision rule: if trains go there on any kind of regular schedule, then take the train; if trains don't go there (for example, most of the Cotswold area), rent a car.14 days including your flying in or flying out days actually only gives you 12 or 13 full days on the ground to see things; and unfortunately there are large areas of England, Scotland and Ireland that you won't be able to see in 12 or 13 days. Assume you'll return and delete at least one of the 3 countries you want to see in 13 days.To decide where to go and which of those countries to delete from this trip, you'll need to buy at least two guidebooks, but to make your "which country to delete" decision perhaps you go to the bookstore and browse Rick's Best of Europe 2009, just out.And then when you've done that, Rick has written 3 books that will be good for you to consider buying (maybe your skim them now and wait a few weeks for the 2009 editions to be published): Great Britain (which covers Wales and Scotland, in addition to England), England, and Ireland (which covers the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland).Rick's books are especially helpful in your situation where you need to prioritize and get 100 possible destinations in those three countries winnowed down to the few that you'll be able to see in 13 days--many of the other guidebooks are general surveys that describe all destinations, but not Rick, he gives you his opinion of the best places to see, given the fact that you only have a limited amount of time.

Given that you'll actually have only 12-13 days, As Kent mentioned, I would suggest dropping Ireland. There's more than plenty to see in England and Scotland alone. Including Ireland will just eat up more time in travel that could be better spent on sightseeing. Save Ireland for another trip. There's also Wales, which is easier to get to from England than Ireland.

If you haven't booked flights yet, I suggest (along with the others) that you drop Ireland for this trip. I'd recommend the following: London 3- 5 days. Day trips to any of the following: Cardiff Wales, Dover, Canterbury, Windsor, Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon. Train to York- 1 to 2 nights. Train to Edinburgh- 2 nights. Train to Aviemore- 1 or 2 nights- do some whisky tours, tour the microbrewery, take the gondola up the Caringorm, do the steam train trip. Train to Inverness- 3 to 5 days. Do a cruise up the river Ness and see Urquart and Loch Ness;cruise on the firth; day trip to Isle of Skye and Ellean Donnan; day trip to see Glen Coe or Great Glen; possible (long) day trip to Orkney. Train to London- 1 or 2 more nights.

Unfortunately, we have already booked our flights. So we MUST fly out of Dublin. Toni, your post was great if we were staying just in the UK. Do you have any thoughts on how to pare it down and then include a little Ireland in there? Thanks everyone for your help!

Hi Millisa, when it's time for you to get to Ireland, it's worth remembering that you can fly to Dublin from several airports, not just London. For example, you can fly Ryanair from Bournemouth airport (also called Hurn)or Southampton. And it can be really cheap. So if you had decided to see Stonehenge, Salisbury, Winchester and the Jurassic coast (Dorset) that could be handy for you. Happy travels!

Cut some of the time in Edinburgh, and maybe skip Aviemore. Could cut Inverness by a day. Fly from Inverness to Ireland. Do 1 or 2 days in Dublin. Plan on more time in Ireland later. I wrote an article for AAA Carolinas about day trips from London. PM me if you want a link or if you want other ideas.

I have been to all your places listed many times. I would leave Scotland for another trip. It is wonderful but you do not have sufficient time. Do not miss London, Windsor, 1 university town ie. Cambridge or Oxford,Stratford on Avon, take a bus tour out of London for Bath & Stonehenge. Fly to Dublin via cheap airlines ie. Ryanair or Easyjet see Dublin for 2 days then fly home. You will be surprised how much travel time it takes betw cities. Sometimes a guided tour package really makes sense, your situation is one.

Hello Millisa. If you will be on the ground for a total of 14 days, I recommend go to England and Scotland and Ireland. First 8 days : in England. Days 9 and 10 : ride in train from York to Edinburgh, and be in Edinburgh. Day 11: fly from Edinburgh to Dublin. Days 12, 13, 14: sightseeing in Ireland. Different people are interested in different places in England. If you want to read my recommended itinerary in England (8 days), send a Private Message to me. I travelled to much of England.