Scotland, here we come with two new knees!

We just got back from Scotland. Loved it! Enjoy your new mobility!

We did the Scotland tour in July and it is really a great experience. Your going to love the Border Collie experience, also when you get to Inverness ask the trip guide to make a reservation for the Turkish Restaurant on the first night your there (the food is awesome). If you get to Edinburgh a few days early consider going to the Royal Botanical gardens, their excellent if your into plants and trees.

I have a a 3 week trip to Egypt and Jordan scheduled 5 months after my surgery and had been debating the wisdom of planning a trip so soon after. But your posts have been so encouraging and positive that I know I will be fine.

You will love Scotland. It is a beautiful country.

Keep on traveling!

Be vigilant about your physical therapy, keep your weight under control and your spirits up. And, just in case, get that travel insurance with a pre-existing condition waiver. Wishing you a speedy recovery and a great trip!

Alan: I had been likely planning to add trip insurance this time. Thanks for the tip on the pre-existing condition waiver. Hadn't thought about that, but I haven't really started looking yet. I was figuring to search the forum for previous threads on travel insurance.

You need to purchase the travel insurance within 15 days of your initial deposit for the waiver to apply.

Go to insuremytrip.com. The time to purchase a policy from the time of initial payment to get a pre-existing condition waiver varies from company to company. It’s usually 10-15 days. Some policies don’t offer it (usually cheaper, but you need this). If you call insuremytrip.com you will reach a licensed insurance agent. Let them know your situation and they will guide you. I have found them to be superb.

Wishing you a speedy recovery! I just got back from the RSE Scotland trip. I have a bad right knee, not ready for replacement but one that makes descending or ascending stairs or steep slopes or uneven steep pavement/cobblestones tricky, especially with luggage or where there are no hand rails. I had physical therapy before the trip and am thankful, but I also brought collapsible trekking poles/walking sticks that came in handy, especially in Edinburgh. They folded up nicely in my suitcase and were convenient to carry in my day bag. They really increased my mobility. You may wish to think about bringing some, particularly in Edinburgh and at castles, where the cobblestones are uneven and rain makes them treacherously slippery. They really came in handy when hiking the Salisbury Crags along Arthur's Seat. Hope you have a great time!

Quick update: Thanks to those who pointed out my need to act quickly on the travel insurance to get the pre-existing condition waiver.

I elected to go with the Travel Guard Gold policy. RSE includes information on this with the tour confirmation documents. I looked at insuremytrip.com (thanks, Alan), but after spending a little time on the phone with a Travel Guard rep, I decided to make it simple and get something in place today. I might have saved a bit by shopping around more, but now I know that it's done and I won't procrastinate myself past the waiver window.

I have been on five RS tour, 6-7 will be in May 2019. Scotland and holland/Belgium were my favorite, close behind was 14 Day ireland. I think all of his Scotland guides are probably excellent. We had James Macletchie as ours and he was fantastic!

I am working hard to conquer London and France next year. A funny..... I asked DH why you aren’t excited about our trips when I booked them and started organizing. He relied “no need to get excited when you have to get those better pointing at my left knee.” . So I am going to make him eat his Words! Lol