Our itinerary from 8/1 to 8/11 is set - We are seeing southern Ireland and London (4 days at the Olympics) and Paris. We are checking out of our Paris hotel on 8/11 and need to be back in Dublin for a plane that leaves Dublin for Chicago at noon on 8/15. I can't decide whether to just fly back to Dublin from Paris and spend the last 3 days in Dublin or try to hit a few key spots taking trains/buses back. My thoughts are to go to Normandy (Rouen, DDay sites) then on to England (don't know what the ferry options are?) I would love to hit Bath and Stratford-upon-Avon but I don't know if it's feasible. Help me finalize my plans - THANKS!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
You won't have enough time to go to even half of the places on your list. Here's one possible itinerary. 11 August: Take the train from Paris to Bayeux. See the WWII museum and the Tapestry in Bayeux. If you have time, see the WWII museum in Caen. Spend the night in Bayeux. 12 August: Take a full-day tour of the D-Day beaches, departing from Bayeux. Book a tour ASAP or you won't get a place. Take the overnight Brittany Ferries ferry from Ouistreham (the ferry port for Caen) to Portsmouth, departing at 23:00 and arriving at 06:30. 13 August: Take a National Express bus from Portsmouth to Heathrow, departing at 08:15 and arriving at 11:40. Fly Aer Lingus from Heathrow to Dublin, departing at 14:15 and arriving at 15:35. 14 August: Explore a bit of Dublin. 15 August: Fly home.
Posted by
OP
Hilliard, Ohio, USA
9 posts
Thanks for the suggestion Tim - and for the link to the Brittany Ferries - very helpful
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
16 posts
Amy, Tim makes a good suggestion. I would also suggest that you look at the Irish Ferries website, which has overnight ferries from France to Ireland, thereby avoiding having to go to London, then fly to Dublin. You could leave Cherbourg at 1800 and arrive in Rosslare at 1130. http://www.irishferries.com/ie/timetable-ie-fr.asp Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
OP
Hilliard, Ohio, USA
9 posts
SUCCESS! - I was able to book on the Celtic Ferry from Cherbourg to Rosslare on 8/12 with no cabin - reclined reserved seating! - YES!!! thank you Shelby and Tim for all your help!!!
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
16 posts
Glad that your persistence paid off Amy, and you get to have your first choice. i love taking ferries - in fact I am on one right now! Have a great trip! Shelby
Posted by
OP
Hilliard, Ohio, USA
9 posts
Shelby, that was my first choice, unfortunately those ferries run only once a week and the dates are 8/10 and 8/17.
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
16 posts
Amy, I just checked again; Irish Ferries run on 12 August 2012, and have room available for car and foot passengers overnight, as well as cabins. Cheers!
Posted by
OP
Hilliard, Ohio, USA
9 posts
Darn - I guess i just missed it - I checked just now (1:56 pm EST) and they will not book anything but cabins on the 8/12 sailing
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Now that you've booked a ferry from Cherbourg to Rosslare, I'll give you a new itinerary to consider. 11 August: Take a morning train from Paris to Rouen, explore the city, and take either a late afternoon or early evening train to Bayeux. Spend the ngiht in Bayeux. 12 August: Take a morning tour of the D-Day beaches. Overlordtour, which is often recommended on this board, offers half-day tours. Take the train from Bayeux to Cherbourg, departing at 14:24 and arriving at 15:19. 13 August: Take the train from Rosslare Europort to Dublin Connolly, departing at 12:45 and arriving at 15:45. 14 August: Explore a bit of Dublin. 15 August: Fly home.
Posted by
Germantown, MD
111 posts
checkout The Bakehouse in Dublin- just across the Ha'Penny Bridge...yummy. good spot for lunch.