So I want to go on a trip to England or Ireland or both. I’m thinking sometime in April or May. Can you guys like, you know, plan it for me? I’ve never been to Europe so I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. Leave general comments here, or if you’re a serious anglophile send me an e-mail with the major scoopage such as places to stay, sites to see, times to go, airlines to take, and things to do! I’m also not opposed to cute Brits showing me around!
Ideal plans include:
1. Stay at a Bed and Breakfast.
2. Stonehenge, obvs.
3. Be inspired.
4. Defend a castle from renegade elves.
5. Stalk Jamie Bamber.
6. Develop fake accent. Which reminds me…
7. Kidnap Madonna and drag her back to the States to fix Britney Spears.
8. Have an epiphany.
9. Add the letteur U to eveurything.
10. Avoid touristy things.
11. Finally try a martini.
12. Become best friends with the patrons of a local pub.
13. Run away and never come back.
Don’t come all the way over here and don’t make a trip to Scotland
x
I wish I were a cute brit then I could show you around. Will average looking do?
If you don’t already have a passport, apply soon! (It may take a while). An English accent automatically makes a guy a minimum of 5 points hotter to Americans…so average looking may do!
That martini better be vodka or gin with a splash of vermouth and NOTHING else. There’s nothing worse than a martini with sugar in it.
Now that I think about it, why do you have to go all the way over there to try a martini? I’m pretty sure they’re the same here. Except, maybe they call them Maurtinis.
If you run away and never come back you will still be over there when I move to France with my hunk o man! And then we could meet in Switzerland and have TEA.
I went to Ireland in November a few years back. It was the greatest trip ever. Stayed in Farmhouse B&Bs. Found a great deal, less than $500 for airfare, accomadations and rental car for a week. There aren’t as many tourists at that time, so you can spend a little less time waiting on line for things. Sure it’s a little chilly, but then you can buy a great Irish sweater and be toasty. Make sure to visit Galway for a few days. And Dingle. Tee hee…Dingle. I didn’t make it to Dublin and I was ok with that. Waterford was lovely, buy some crystal goblets, you’ll regret it years later if you don’t…I do! Fly into Shannon, it’s a wee touch cheaper. And you haven’t had Guiness until you’ve had Guiness in Ireland, I couldn’t drink it before the trip and once I had the real deal, my life was changed.
OK, that’s my two random, who the hell is Scott, cents!
London: Best place to party – wine bar in Covent Gardens called Brahms and Liszt. There’s a great Mexican restaurant a few blocks from there.
Camden Market is touristy but so much fun.
Don’t miss the little known Courtauld Gallery.
Ireland – give yourself a few days to party in Galway. Then take a bus to Doolin in County Clare. Stay at the Craglea Lodge. Walk the 5 or so miles to and through the Cliffs of Moher and listen to the most amazing traditional Irish music at night. Keep your eye out for a one-legged cab driver named McCormack. Hire him for a day.
Come to England! I will show you around! And after you get back we can have a fight about which is better, England or America.
that itinerary sounds pretty solid to me. i mean – it sounds SOULID. touristy isn’t always bad, although i’d recommend getting a good guide book (like Rick Steve’s – LOVE his books!) instead of going on group tours for the stuff you’ll want to do that IS touristy.
Come to Dublin!
We will show you around, and we have a great scene over here
=D
Don’t forget to go to DUBLIN!
I see you have Colin Firth lined up. Can I come with? We can share.
I took a trip to Wales a couple of years ago, and it was FAB! Going in the spring will help you avoid all the tourists and the airfare is a lot cheaper then too.
I went to a site called Stay in the UK and found some groovy B&Bs, which you can contact directly.
Also, as much as I would have LOVED to see Stonehenge, I understand its not really accessible to the public anymore (roped off).
We went to Glastonbury Tor (the Isle of Avalon) and it was really touristy too – you had to take a damn bus up to it.
The sites we went to in Wales had nobody at them, so it was much more spooky and moody to be there. Careg Cennen, near Llandovery, is an old castle with a natural cave in it (very groovy). St. David’s is a really cool old cathedral on the coast of Wales, and St. David’s Head was a wild, moorish place to hike up to an old cromlech, or burial mound (and had WWII ruins as well)
Also? The beer in Wales was outrageously good, and its only sold there, because it has no perservatives.
I bought a blue million maps and guides, so ask away!
Better plan on a stop in Scotland – after all it is the birthplace of argyle! From Wikipedia:
“The argyle pattern is said to have been derived from the tartan of Clan Campbell, of Argyll in western Scotland.
It has seen a resurgence in popularity in the last few years, due to its adoption by Stuart Stockdale in collections produced by luxury clothing manufacturer, Pringle of Scotland.”
How can you not go?
I could show you around Bath (it’s very pretty) and then take you to somewhere with more nightlife (because World Heritage Cities are not Party Capitals); Stonehenge is just down the road. Also, my family live in Cork, Ireland so I would strongly recommend a trip around the county. If you’re going to London you could do a weekend in Paris (budget permitting). It’s only two hours on the train.
Double your budget though: the UK is fantastically expensive.
As a southerner I’d definitely say take a trip to Camden Market in London – I went for the first time just before Christmas and it was very fun. As a few people have said it is a bit touristy, and god knows what state it’s in after the fire, but hopefully by the time you’re there all will be well.
Other highlights of the South of England would probably include a trip to Brighton if the weather is good. A trip to do some shopping down the Lanes is quite novel, and the beach is very nice. The nightlife is a plus too. And then while you’re in Sussex, you can come down to Portsmouth, and watch a game of real football at the most ol’ fashioned ground in the Premiership – Fratton Park . Even if you aren’t a fan of football, the atmosphere’s quite something but tickets are hard to acquire. Don’t forget a trip to the Spinnaker Tower for beautiful views of the english coastline, and loads of historic warships. And the because you’re in the area, come visit the idilic Cathedral city of Chichester, my lovely home town, with its historic canal, stunning gothic cathedral and the completely un-traditional pub in which I work! The locals are pretty nice so you could do at least thing on your list.
In the Chichester area you’ve also got a castle (no elves unfortunately), beautiful beaches and you arent far from the Isle of Wight, which again has loads of sight-seeing, and great beaches and depending on your timing the Isle of Wight Festival may be on.
Oh and Reading is a pretty nice/expensive place to base yourself if your want to experience a much younger big town, where the majority of the population are 20-35 so everything aimed at that age group. And its close to Oxford and what not, if thats you’re cup of tea.
South Wales is another superb place to visit, specifically Swansea and The Gower, with maybe a few days in Cardiff. Its all very good if you enjoy doing outdoor-sy stuff and whatnot.
Can’t really say many good things about the North of England, cos being a Southerner we don’t travel further north than the Thames unless we really have to – it’s just the way it is.
Ireland I dont really know very well anymore. I was born in Northern Ireland but moved to England pretty young. Visit family around Belfast a couple of times a year still, but can’t say that much about stuff to see. The Giant’s Causeway is pretty different, and in Downpatrick (where my family all are) you’ve got the grave of St Patrick and another cathedral that’s quite nice.
Hope some of this is helpful in your plotting to conquer the British Isles
“fix Britney Spears”…you mean, like, sew her knees together?
I haven’t been to England in a while.
My favorite thing to do there is stalk old rock stars from the 70s. They’re always so grateful.
Oh…and I’d go visit Moobs and his lovely bride.
I’d imagine they’d be good for two hoots and an entire holler.
Just remember to neve use the letter “H” if it’s at the beginning of a word. House = Ouse… Halloween = Alloween…i think you get it.
If I could live anywhere besides New York it would be London. I’ve been 6 times and would still love to go back. You’ll have a fabulous time!
Tips:
1. Definitely stay at a B&B at least once.
2. If you do plan an excursion outside the city make sure you know how you are going to get back (unlike what Mom, Nicolle & I did when we went to see Michael Ball’s concert in Barnstaple)
3. Make sure to have a bus schedule for the city coz the Subway closes at Midnight.
4. Avoid at all costs the London Dungeon!
I’m surprised about the number of recommendations of Camden, didn’t it burn down last week?
never had a martini?! and you call yourself a gay man…
London, stay at the Globetrotters Inn in Hammersmith. It’s cheap, has good breakfast and is a short walk from the Tube which are the greatest thing in the world.
Yes, Scotland is a must: Edinburgh Castle, Loch Ness, the Great Glen Way.
Take Sven up on his offer to tour Bath: it’s beautiful there.
Stonehenge is cool: take the tour where you arrive at dawn. They close it off for just your group and you get to walk among the stones.
I’m planning my own trip back to the UK but it’ll be in August to coincide with the Edinburgh Book Festival.
Keep Jamie Bamber, but bring me back Daniel Radcliff.
I think London is a destination in itself and in very many ways, quite different to the rest of the UK. It’s also the second most expensive city in the world – an awful accolade that anyone living here can attest to.
To see the ‘real’ country though – get out of London. Somerset is lovely. I was born in Wales so am biased and would say – visit it. It’s an ancient land – raw and beautiful. Scotland is too.
Personally, I prefer Paris to London, so if you have a spare couple of days do that. There are often cheap offers for London-Paris on Eurostar.
I totally agree with Scotte about Ireland. Fly into Shannon and stay in Galway for a few days. I went in September and the weather was cool, but not too cold (though a little rainy). We went as far east as Waterford, which was very pretty, but stayed mostly in the south west. We spent the most time in a town called Macroom, which was about 45 minutes from Cork and not too far from Kinsale. Marcroom was very nice and relaxing as was Kinsale. We only spent about 4 hours in Cork, so I can’t really say much about it.
The Ring of Kerry was a little overrated as was Blarney Castle, but the rest of the trip was absolutely fantastic. Oh and before I forget, Scotte was the most correct about Guinness there. It was amazing and nothing like it is here.
Wasn’t it already determined that Madonna is the one that ruined dear Britney?!
Go to SCOTLAND! Go to EDINBURGH!!!
It is a great city…gorgeous and full of fun, whiskey, clubs, pubs, culture, museums, art…you name it.
When I took my dh we flew into Glasgow on air transaat (charter hell) and took a train up to Inverness where we stayed at a lovely B&B. We stayed up there…saw all this history and then trained down to Edinburgh to party and meet the family.
The Whiskey tour is like a boozie version of a Disney ride…really weird.
London is a riot but really expensive.
York is really cool. The roman and Viking stuff is fun.
Ireland in May is awesome. Not too overrun with tourists, but some niceish weather.
Do fly into Shannon, though Dublin is nice to hang out in. I prefer Galway to Dublin, though. Stay in B&B’s wherever you can; they are everywhere, cheap, and furnish the most wonderful breakfasts. You needn’t even make advance reservations; I never did through 3 trips there.
My fave cities were Killarney and Bantry. You can miss Limerick entirely. Blarney castle is touristy but who can resist being hung from your ankles by a surly local for 2 euro and kissing a stone that has been touched by the lips of countless unwashed tourists?
Also The Burren is quite cool and the Connemara region, if you like hills and ponies.
Do have a Guinness. Or several. You won’t regret them.
Mmmm…Colin Firth…
There is very little whiskey in Edinburgh, but there is plenty of whisky
Seriously, making a social faux pas like that won’t go down well hehe.. In any country!
I’ll third or fourth or whatever Edinburgh though, I could even give you a free tour of my work if you really want
x
someone called ireland ‘the british isles’
NO NO NO NO NO
Silly Craig, there can be no victory against Elves, renegade or not.
dublin=yes
think about dingle (that’s right) in ireland
london: you can skip covent garden. check out the tate. go on the ferris weheel — kitchy but fun.
stonehenge is a day trip as is bath (but totally go to both)
oh and speaking of kitsch — go on the jack the ripper tour. . .
Take some tissues with you when you’re on the Tube…trust me…your nose will be full of black dust.
Some people are talking about the Camden Market…it recently caught fire didn’t it?
The London Zoo is a MUST! Go take a picture of the gorilla WITH your flash on…then turn your video option on and watch him bang on the window at you! hahaha
The parks…omg…go to every park you can go too!
I would recommend staying at the Hotel Russell…it’s expensive, but lovely.
Someone else mentioned the Courtald Gallery…a definite MUST! And even though the National Gallery is kind of touristy…you have to go there.
Indeed, never call them the “British Isles” if you’re in Ireland; there’s just so many political mistakes just waiting to trip you up! Especially since there’s no real agreed name for them – erm, the North-West European Archipelago? Formal diplomatic relations between the UK and Eire just refer to “these islands” heh, which I think is a cop out!
If you ever need someone to explain the finer intricacies of word choice and political hot potatoes, I’m more than willing to help though hehe! For example, call her the “Queen of England” while you’re outside of England and you’ll be slapped! Even in Scotland, calling her Elizabeth the Second is controversial..
xxx
Craig, I went to England in 2000..you simply have to do London, check out Abbey Road…IF you like the Beatles!..I had my picture taken there lol.
then there is of course Madame Tussad’s Wax Museum …I really loved that! and the Millenium Dome!..There is just so much there! and it’s stupid simple to get around London!
Trafalgar Square too.
Now as to a castle?? You HAVE to go to
Warwick Castle,
http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/warwickshire/castles/Warwick-Castle.htm
and get tickets to go after hours to a dinner there! Again, I loved it! and of course Sherwood Forest!..
And screw the Martini’s! Try some Pimm’s Punch! just be careful, it sneaks up on you.(we were served this at Warwick Castle before dinner! lol)
I think I’m going to have to do a blog about it now and dig out all my photos! lol
I stayed 3 weeks and went to the country and rode a horse through the hills! (hint: they do NOT have Western Tack! lol you have to know how to ride with an English saddle!) sheep everywhere! oh it was beautiful! It really pays to stay with someone over there..they know all the fun stuff to do! I so didn’t want to come back here..OH YEAH one tip..if you were sneakers, they call them Tennies, and DON”T wear white ones! my GF over there said it marks you as a tourist..seems most over there wear colored tennies!..at least in 2000!..(ummm I wore white ones! lol) anyways, hope you get to go and that you have a wonderful time there!
Erm, good luck going to the Millenium Dome, what with it being a temporary thing for the year 2000 hee.. It’s now a music venue mostly, and some other things, called “The o2″ ’cause the mobile phone operator bought it over. I think it’s going to be used for the olympics though.
If you want REAL castles, you need to visit Scotland. We’ve surely got the most per head of the population than anywhere else on the planet hehee x
Well that’s too bad about the Mllenium Dome ..I saw a show on it here in the states, and they said it was still going, it’s the only reason I mentioned it
It was pretty neet..Warwick is real! lol but Scotland would be fun I’m sure. My Boyfriend’s family decends from the Fraser’s (Castle Fraser)..are you familiar with it?..His mother was Irene Fraser.She always wanted to go there, but sadly passed last August from pancreatic cancer..
So Craig IF you happen to go to Scotland..and CAN, PLEASE get me some pics of Castle Fraser! lol