Northern Ireland-Scotland Oct 2012

murphy · Guru

Northern Ireland-Scotland Oct 2012

tony2phones · Guru

Looks like a plan to me, Last October was better weather wise than last September just be aware that the days will be drawing in, more in Scotland than Ireland once you head to the Spey but still plenty of daylight to make a non rushed trip.

murphy · Guru

Thought I would start on the most difficult job first, and get it out of the way. Started sorting the rental car options. Quite a range of prices. Journey Through Ireland/Hertz has once again come up with the best rate...so far. They beat AutoEurope on a 5 day rental Knock--Dub by $50.00 however, that was a prepaid rate of $232.00, and AutoEurope involved just a booking deposit.

Dooley was more than double ($598.00--not sure if that includes both CDW and SCDW) on a websight quote. May have to try callling Dooley US for details and to see if they can do better. All quotes are WITH CDW.

I wonder if superCDW price has gone up. It seems like it was around $12-14/day last year, and now they are quoting $18.50/day. Since insuranc4carhire is no longer available to US residents, I may end up purchasing the SCDW, which is usually only available at the rental counter.

Still have my Citi World Mastercard. Will also check on the status of it in case I decide to waive all CDW.

Rental car rates in Scotland are looking comparable/day price. Plan to pickup in Edinburgh, either at the train station or the Airport, and drop at GLA airport. A 4 day rental with deductable is looking like $186-245, and a 4 day rental with 0 deductable is $224-275 depending on the size and category of midsize 4 door car. These were AutoEurope quotes.

Will keep you posted on the planning process on both NI and Scotland, if Michele will allow me to clutter an Ireland websight with some Scotland tidbits smile

Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

Phone Dooley. I have a client who just saved over $400 on the online quote by phoning and talking with them. Mention the code "dochara" for a 5% discount and feel free to mention IrelandYes too.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

Insurance4carhire IS still available on the weekly policies it is just their Annual policy which is restricted to EU residents. Their website just doesn't make this fact clear and they must have lost a whole lot of custom on the back of it.

murphy · Guru

Tony, I did find the weekly rate for insurance4carhire. Thanks

Michele, I phoned and I found out Dooley doesn't have cars for pickup at Knock Airport. So am back to Hertz/Journey. Dooley could have rented thru a 3rd party, I believe King Cars, but it was still more expensive....and I am a little reluctant to go thru a third party, given the rental car situation in Ireland.

We have all 4 purchased our trip cancel/interup insurance from insuremytrip.com. Since we are a party of 4 traveling together, if anything happens to any 1 of us/families that would cause a trip cancelation, we would all 4 be covered. We have bound coverage for "x" amount of dollars per person, to include any out of pocket prepaid expenses. If we find out that "x" will be more $'s than expected, we can up the coverage at any time, and just pay the additional premium. We are trying to work out a deal with Journey to be able to split the prepaid rental car amount, between the 2 couples, so that if we need to use the trip cancel insurance, we both get reimbursed....but in order to do that....we may be forced to take the superCDW, because they were not sure if they would split the 1600 euro deduct. between us, or if we both had to do a 1600 euro deduct. She will contact Hertz Ireland to see what our options are. If not, we could divide it up so one couple will pay the rental car in Ireland, and the other couple in Scotland.

In looking at hotels, which we will be using more, due to the extra transportation involved in this trip, it appears that the best hotel deals involve pre-paid non cancelable rooms....which I guess we should take advantage of since we purchased the cancelation insurance. The price difference often runs around $20/night/room if you prepay, which would then lock in the exchange rate, at whatever it is on that booking day, right???? Which would be ok if the dollar would happen to go down in value. We are looking at booking a hotel in Belfast 1 night, Glasgow citycenter 1 night, Edinburgh citycenter 2 nights, B&B's in the Highlands for 2 nights, Glasgow Airport Hotel the night before flying out to Knock. Will do B&B in Derry, and B&B's around Portrush 2 nights each, followed by the final night at DUB airport. It looks like 6 nights in Hotels so may go for the prepaid specials.

Our friend "B" from Glasgow arrived here in town this week, and we are in luck! She has agreed to be our Scotland tourguide...at least for Glasgow and Edinburgh....and maybe for the rest of Scotland too if our friends are in favor of it. I think that will be awesome...she knows the mass transit systems, all the best hotels, restaurants, pubs, and sight-seeing attractions, so am relieved that at least for half of the trip, I won't have to be the primary "tour guide"! However, she does not drive, so I will again be responsible for driving 4 days in Scotland and 5 days in Northern Ireland. I really don't mind, acutally I look forward to the challenge!

Oh, and yes, FYI the superCDW did go up since March of 2011. It was 14 Euro a day on midsize "D" car, and is now 18.50 Euro.

Will keep you posted as the itinerary develops...with "B"'s help! Dan

-- Edited by murphy on Tuesday 8th of May 2012 06:23:46 PM

-- Edited by murphy on Tuesday 8th of May 2012 06:26:30 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

It looks like everything is coming together. If you have the chance while in Scotland I can highly recommend the Isle of Skye. It is gorgeous. BTW, Premier Inns are in England too. Some Irish friends of mine stayed at one in Edinburgh and said it was good.

Yes, if you pre-pay for the hotel the rate should be on the day you purchase. I've noticed that hotel prices in Ireland have come way down during the recession.

Not far from Portrush in Bushmills I highly recommend Causeway Lodge. It is wonderful.

Michele

murphy · Guru

Michele,

Our friend from Scotland has suggested Skye. I will be looking into the Premier in Belfast as well as Edi. I just did some research, and there seem to be a ton of B&B's between Gla and Edi. Hopefully, with B's help, we can take a look at some B&B options...if they are not too far from restaurants/pubs or at least on the bus route, in case we decide to do that instead of Hotels. I will also check into Causeway Lodge.

Dan

Green Dragon · Guru

Skye is fantastic, the best part of Scotland, IMHO. I wrote up a trip report on our three weeks in the Highlands and Islands... please feel free to fall asleep to it! http://www.greendragonartist.com/BI/BItripreportScotland2008.htm We stayed at the lodge at Edinbane on our stay, and I highly recommended it! It's about 20 minutes from downtown Portree. http://www.the-lodge-at-edinbane.co.uk/

Green Dragon · Guru

One thing to be careful with car rental in Scotland - most credit cards DO cover the insurance there, but only for cars up to $50,000 in value. Because of the exchange rate, you could very well get a rental worth more than that, and therefore no insurance coverage. That happened to us in 2008 (granted, the Pound was high then). Just something to keep in mind.

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

We stayed 4 nights at Southside Guesthouse in Edinburgh last May - it was very nice with a good breakfast. Edinburgh is fairly compact and the bus system is good if you don't feel like walking. We did a tour of the Highlands and Skye and it was lovely, I was glad someone else was driving - some of the roads are narrow and intimidating.

murphy · Guru

Thanks Gabbaroo,

We have had a major set-back on our Scotland planning. "B" suddenly took ill while here in town, visiting her son Stu who has a business next to ours. She has some major health issues that have come up....so her status as tour guide for Oct is uncertain. She is recuperating in BC Canada with her daughter, and hopes to return here June 1. I spoke briefly on the phone with her today, and she sounds weak. We hope and pray for the best.

We were suppose to have gotten together with her a few times by now, to iron out itinerary, lodging etc, but don't know how it will all unfold.

As for the car rental situation, I am finding 2 prices...one with insurance and one without. Will probably play it safe, and get the insurance. With Scotland's great mass transit system, it is tempting to go the bus/train route. But, I think we are too independant for that type of travel...I like to have more flexibility...if we see something we like...we stop.

Stu thinks we should go the entire B&B route in Scotland, and book NOTHING ahead...he says there are a zillion B&B's all over, and should have no trouble finding B&B accom. at a much lower rate than hotels. That hasn't been my style either...I like to know that I have SOMETHING booked ahead, and not waste time looking! And...lodging close to restaurants and pubs.....so that when we quit touring for the day, we park the car and can walk. Of course there are always buses and taxi......I've rambled on long enough on an IRELAND forum, no less!

Dan

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

Dan - I was told the same thing about Ireland but arranged everything in advance. Portrush is probably the best place to stay on Skye. The place we stayed in Edinburgh had tons of pubs and restaurants nearby - and was a 10-15 minute walk (2 minute bus ride) up to the Royal Mile.

murphy · Guru

Would that be Portrush, or Portree smile ? I know there is a Portrush in NI, but have not noticed that town on Skye! Dan

murphy · Guru

Recently found out that BMI has canceled a lot of routes in the UK cry . That pretty much leaves Flybe as the airline of choice. Also found out that there is no direct flight from Scotland to Knock in the shoulder season on Flybe....instead would need to go thru Manchester, with a layover which will kill a big half a day...instead of 2-3 hours furious ....so tried to get our Hertz car rental changed (with a $35 change fee) to Donegal....which still has a 1 hour direct flight....one per day GLA-Donegal. However, Hertz has closed it's offices in Sligo and Donegal....so Knock, Shannon, or Dublin are our only airport options for a Hertz rental disbelief car.

I want to share this information in case anyone else needs to know for planning purposes. We are now rethinking our whole Ireland-Scotland-Ireland transportation situation. Aer Lingus looks like an option (they link with Aer Arran). Lucky we have cancelable hotel reservations...24-48 hours ahead without penalty!

Word of advice: Book your air transportation BEFORE making prepaid rental car arrangements!

Who said that planning was half the fun of a trip? biggrin

Dan

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

Oops, I meant Portree - sorry. Pretty town with houses painted different colorful colors (I have a picture of it on my wall).

Good luck with your flying arrangements. We flew Flybe from Belfast City to Edinburgh. It was fine except my suitcase showed up with a broken handle, which I didn't notice right away. In our case, we had taken the train from Dublin to Belfast, spent a night there, and then picked up a rental from the Avis in the city center (we stayed the rest of the time at Ballycastle) and dropped it at the airport. No advance pay, no CDW issues, it worked great.

DarrenA · Member

Would Prestwick to Derry be an option for your flight? There's one direct flight a day with Ryanair. It's obviously not exactly what you wanted, but probably close enough, and reasonably cheap. (Prestwick's only about an hour's drive maximum from Glasgow)

murphy · Guru

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't think Derry is an option for Hertz with Journey Through Ireland. It boils down to Dub, Shannon, or Knock for our prepaid car!
Dan

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Dan -- How about the Rail & Sail from Scotland to Dublin, via Belfast? My wife LOVED it in 2007. No serious luggage issues, either ... It would 'eat' a whole day, though.

Another option would be to consider an alternate originating airport -- Glasgow Paisley or Prestwick, Aberdeen, Edinborough ... confuse confuse

Bob

tony2phones · Guru

I would not rent from Hertz in Derry either!!

Pop over here to Shannon and drive up nice and steady. Best wishes to "B" for a speedy recovery.

murphy · Guru

Bob,

Our initial plan was to bus from Dublin to Belfast, do the rail-sail from Belfast to Glasgow on day 2, having spent jet-lag day in Belfast. Yes, the prospect of a ferry ride, and a train ride would be exciting, since we have never experienced passenger train travel in the States or Europe. (We did enjoy the ferry ride from Port Angeles Wa to Victoria BC a few years back) Passenger train travel has been on our "bucket list". But...I don't know about doing this, both going to and returning from Scotland...you are right it would eat up the big part of the day. Will check on the other cities you mentioned for flight options out of Scotland also.

Tony,

I am considering the SNN option, but have driven that road twice in 2008. It would be real hard to bypass Enis and Galway...and not stop! So, am looking at flying into Dub from Scotland, driving Dublin to Derry, for a change of driving scenery....Will check the map soon, to see if there is a cut across route, then head back east from Derry, hugging the north and east coast. What do you think about that plan?

Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

It is quite a haul from Dublin to Derry. Are you planning on doing in in one day or break it up? The Enniskillen area is lovely with the lakes, Marble Arch Caves, Florence Court and Castle Coole. Near Omagh is the Ulster American Folk Park, which is worth half a day. Now I'm giving you more ideas!

Michele

DarrenA · Member

Regarding the Rail & Sail option, to quote from Stena Line's website:

"trains stop just a short walk away from the ferry check-in desks"

That's not exactly true. The train from Dublin stops at Belfast Central, and you'd have to get a taxi from there to the Stena Line terminal in Belfast (the bus option isn't practical).

Likewise on the Scottish side; Stena have moved from Stranraer to Cairnryan, which is in the middle of nowhere, so they have to provide a coach between there and Ayr where you would join the train.

Not exactly as seamless as they make it sound.

tony2phones · Guru

Really Hard to Bypass Ennis and Galway! fine I suppose bypassing me in between doesn't count wink

If I were going from Dublin I would be taking my time going up and over and save the cut through dash for the way back.

The rail and sail option is no problem at all. OK taxi from central to the terminal rather than shuttle but the bus to Ayr is fine, get on the right hand side for the coastal views.

murphy · Guru

Letting all the Ielandyes regulars know that we have firmed up some plans for the Scotland portion. In the mean time, 2 of our traveling companions have had medical problems. Betty from Scotland who was visiting here ended up in the hospital for 6 day and 5 nights. She thought she was having asthma symtoms, and it turns out to be emphasema(sp) and congestive heart problems. She ended up going from the hospital to her daughter in Canada to recouperate. She got back here just about a week ago, and is scheduled to head back to Glasgow Scotland on the 26th of June.

About the same time, "G" had a tia....mini stroke due to erratic high blood pressure. She called me and said: I am going to Scotland and Ireland if you guys have to push me around in a wheel chair!! She is getting her blood pressure under control, and is feeling better all the time. Then "L" went to the Dr with hip pain, and then to a specialist for an MRI and found out it was "arthur" (one of the Itis boys)! His hip bothered him quite a bit a year ago when we were in Ireland. Got pain pills, and will get a follow-up with his Dr. when the Dr. gets back from vacation. So far, DW and I are still ok!

In the meantime, the 5 of us got together over dinner at our home about a week ago and finalized some plans. We will bus from Dub to Belfast, drop our luggage at the hotel, arrange for a black cab tour and then be dropped at the Titanic Expo. We'll cab back downtown, and try to get a pub meal and maybe some Trad before we collapse! DW and I made it to a little past 9PM last year in Dublin! Hope to get a good sleep on the plane, and even a nap on the bus from Dub to Bel.

We are then going to do the rail sail to Glasgow. Betty will meet us at the Glasgow train station around 11AM as we will take the earliest sail. We plan to gather our diesel rental van from Enterprise, and head to Fort William where we will self cater for 4 nights, and do day trips from there around the area. We ended up booking at Glenlochy Apartments, got the smaller apartment for L and G, and the 2 bedroom version for Betty, DW and me. Both apartments have laundry facilities. We really enjoyed the self cater last year! We plan to see Mull, Oban, Skye, and spend a day in the Speyside....Inverness-Dufftown area to do the "whisky trail" I don't know who is going to drive back to Fort William??!!! Guess I am the only one willing to be assigned to the rental car!

From Fort William, we will head toward Edinburgh, catching the Stirling castle on the way, IF we didn't get to see it enroute from Glasgow to Fort Wm. We are in the process of booking a 2 bedroom with a sofa sleeper in the sitting room or a 3 bedroom apartment hopefully on or very near the Royal Mile. We are getting close to doing that, and it is looking like 219 GBP (about $350 for 3 nights, or about $23/person/night) Looked at hotels, but were not that economical, and this will give us lots more room and another shot at laundry facilities. We plan to fly out of EDI instead of GLa, so will do a day trip out of Edinburgh to Glasgow one of the 2 days. Betty says it is only about a 50 minute train trip between the 2 cities. It will sure be nice to have her there to be a tour guide, and to help with bus and train transit. We plan to drop the car on the way back from Fort Wm., as we won't need it in Edinburgh. Hopefully we can pickup at GLA and drop in Edi, or we may get to do a train trip from Glasgow to Edi. If we do, we will buy a return intead of 2 one-ways.

Still have to book our flight from Scotland to Ireland. Had thought about changing our rental car pickup from Knock to Dub ($35 Change fee) but we are pretty will set on going Flybe from Edi-Manchester, 1 hour layover, then Manchester to Knock. Will still get into Knock about noon, and so wouldn't gain any time factor by doing the other option of flying in to Dublin and driving to Derry. It looks like it will cost about $160/person for that flight with one checked bag.

For lodging, we are thinking about winging it after leaving Knock, as we will be heading north, probably staying at Sligo or Donegal Town in a B&B. We want to see Sleive League Cliffs, and swing up toward Ardara before heading over to Derry. That leaves 2 open nights for the north coast, somewhere around Portrush, Portstewart, or Bushmills. Then the last night is booked for Dublin Airport. Will get the exact hotels/B&B's when I edit this long winded post! Dan

-- Edited by murphy on Saturday 23rd of June 2012 06:26:45 PM

-- Edited by murphy on Saturday 23rd of June 2012 06:27:47 PM

-- Edited by murphy on Saturday 23rd of June 2012 06:29:18 PM

-- Edited by murphy on Saturday 23rd of June 2012 06:31:04 PM

-- Edited by murphy on Saturday 23rd of June 2012 06:34:20 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

Wow! A lot of ongoing medical problems for your group. I hope it's not catching. As they say, getting older is not for sissies. But it sure beats the alternative. wink

Will you visit the Titanic Experience on a weekday or weekend? The reason I ask is that it is so popular some people were finding they couldn't get in without reserving tickets in advance. Check on that for your group.

If you stay in Sligo it is hard to beat Iorras on Rosses Point Road. Ita makes one of the best breakfasts in the NW.

Hope nothing else messes with your plans.

Michele

murphy · Guru

Rather than edit, I will give the details of bookings in new post. I tried: Bookings.com for the first time. They had 2 prices, a lower price for a pre-paid reservation, and then another option to book the reservation at a little higher price...with a option to cancel for any reason with no cost from the booking day up to a 2-3 day grace period prior to the arrival day. I found a price we could live with and locked it in. Then if you find something with a better location or price, you can book a new one and cancel the existing one!

So far I have booked:

Park Inn by Radisson in Belfast, no breakfast included, for 65GBP/ room double, for Oct 16

Amore B&B in Derry for Oct 25 & 26 for 55GBP/room double (bfast included)

Holiday Inn Express Dublin Airport Oct 29 79 Euros/room double. (includes hot breakfast)

Needing lodging for Oct 24--Sligo/Donegal, and Oct 27-28 for north causeway coast.

Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

In Donegal I like Donegal Manor (such friendly hosts). Bushmills: Causeway Lodge (really posh). Sligo: Iorras.

If you want to be out past Killybegs on the coast road try Inishduff House. It is on the way to Slieve League.

I think Tony might have a rec for Portrush or nearby. I'm sure he will tell you about it when he reads this.

Premier Inn near Dublin Airport is either 39 or 63 per room. Have a look.

Michele

murphy · Guru

Thanks Michele,

Had a look at all the properties, and have inquiries off to the 2 B&B's.

I looked for the deal on the Premier Inn, and on their direct websight, they were quoting 49 Euros ($63) Not too bad! That leaves about $40 to purchase breakfast for 2. So it may be comparable to the 79Euro WITH breakfast that we already have booked, depending on how hungry you happen to be smile ! We usually eat a more substantial breakfast on flight days,....you know how airline food is these days disbelief

Have you stayed at Premier? Holiday Inn Express? Premier has good reviews on TI

Dan

tony2phones · Guru

Avarest Guesthouse is our usual overnight in Portrush up above the quay on a quite road. (1st floor rooms at the front are great)

http://avarest.com/

We used to have regular weekends away at Premier Inn (used to be Premier Lodge and Travel Inn) so have stayed in probably 30 UK and Ireland problem free.