Northern Ireland-Scotland Oct 2012

Michele Erdvig · Host

RE: Northern Ireland-Scotland Oct 2012

murphy · Guru

Booked two nights at Avarest, in Portstewart Oct 27-29. Is there enough to do up in that area to keep us going for that length of time? Plan to see: Bushmills, rope bridge, Dunluce, and Giants Causeway...the must do list. Any other suggestions if time allows? We will be heading toward Dublin airport on the 29th. Want to check in about 5 PM. What do you suggest for the trip from Portstewart to DUB for sightseeing? It looks to be about a 3 hour drive, most of it motorway, so may have 3-4 hours for sight seeing. Dan

tony2phones · Guru

Along with the usual sights along the coast there are a few good spots heading inland.

http://www.northantrim.com/locations.htm

The Springhill bar is good craic and the Harbour Bar for good food.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Don't forget

The Dark Hedges

Mussenden Temple & Downhill Demsene

murphy · Guru

Michele,

Thanks for the suggestions. Will put them on our list.

Tony,
Will check out the northantrim websight. I assume that the Springhill and Harbour Bars are located in Portstewart? What are the chances of finding Trad music in or near Portstewart on a Sat and/or Sunday night in late Oct?

We confirmed and made a 25% deposit on the 3 bedroom Royal Mile Apartments in Edinburgh self catering for 3 nights. It's in a fantastic location, just off the Royal Mile, not too far from the castle, and only a 5 minute walk to Waverly Train Station and the main bus stop located nearby. Edinburgh is a compact city, so shouldn't need to worry about transportation as Betty knows the bus and train systems insideout! Will take a day trip to Glasgow via the 50 minute train ride from Edi.

We are leaning toward a B&B in downtown Donegal. Donegal Manor looks great....but is it in easy walking distance to downtown, Michele? It appears to be on the outskirts. Am also looking at a couple of B&B's on the diamond in the center of Donegal town.

Trying to outguess the timing on booking the one way flight from Edi to Knock. Is Flybe the only option? or am I overlooking something. Have tried several booking engines....and everything else besides Flybe is really pricy. Tony suggested that the best time to book is about 2-21/2 months out for best fares. It seems that high oil prices have really increased airfares worldwide, so am getting nervous about that. Also am not having good luck booking the rail-sail pkg. on stenna....from Belfast-Glasgow. I even downloaded the Stenna ap on my iphone and it is worse....only goes out to Sept 18....doesn't even give the Glasgow option for final destination. Will keep working on it. I had it up on the screen about a month ago, but can't seem to get it back.

Dan

-- Edited by murphy on Thursday 28th of June 2012 11:19:31 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

Donegal Manor is on the outskirts of town. It is in walking distance but it is on a busy road with no sidewalks. I would hesitate to recommend walking especially after a pub crawl. It is an excellent place to stay. The food and hosts are fantastic.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

On the grounds that Avarest is in Portrush I recommended the two bars under the Guesthouse and by the harbour. There could be trad in the Springhill. http://springhillbar.blogspot.ie/ http://www.causewaymusic.co.uk/trianglesess.html

Rail and sail prices are fairly fixed so no need to worry about those just yet, you could call/emai the customer services. http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/contact-us/

Since BmiBaby sold out the Scotland route from Knock, FlyBe are the only option. That said as the flight is a layover in Manchester you could consider Liverpool to Knock with Ryanair. Aberdeen to Liverpool is about 3 1/2 hours by train (change at Preston) 4 1/2 hours drive. Train could be about £20 (book 8weeks out) and we normally pay under £15 (inc the £6 booking fee but excluding hold baggage) winter shedule LPL to Knock so £35 + hold baggage?

murphy · Guru

Tony,

You are so right....it is in Portrush. I have been back and forth, trying to decide between the two towns for weeks now, and guess I am mixed up. But all is good. Portstewart and Portrush are not that far apart....Will probably check them both out! Thanks for the trad music link.

As for the Ryanair option...no time savings, so will just book with Flybe....the question is when to book? Now? or Do you think the 2-2/2 month window is worth waiting for?....which would be around early or mid August.

Will try to email Stena.

Dan

murphy · Guru

I finally got the Stena websight to work! Probably computer operator error! smile They priced out at 29GBP per ticket. They sent me electronic tickets for the sail portion, but it looks like the rail tickets will come by post?

Dan

murphy · Guru

An update on planning progress:

Booked on Flybe for Oct 24 one-way Edi to Knock via Manchester. Looks to be a 80 seater Dash-8. Tickets plus 1-20kg checked bag for person was $163.00 US. Oh, and there was a fee to process the cc! Don't you love these added airline fees these days? We had a little trouble booking. My bank's fraud alert company caused some anxiety! There were 5 possible causes listed that wouldn't let our cc transaction go thru, including in the booking process, 2 items that we normally don't see here in the States, and so I wasn't sure what was the cause of the denial. It turns out that our bank is one of 7,000 institutions that use a fraud protection company that did call us about 20 minutes later, and notated on our account that we would be booking on Flybe in the UK. Found out that if it asks for "valid since" and a 2 digit autorization number (not the 3 digit security code on back) just ignore...leave them blank. Guess these are requirements for some European credit cards.

Also booked rooms at the Premier Inn Dublin Airport. Finally found their 39Euro special, so will cancel my booking.com reservation for 73Euros!

We have only one open night not booked, the day we arrive at Knock, and start heading north. Really want to book somewhere, to take in some Trad music on a Wed night in Oct! I am looking at Sligo, Donegal, Ardara. Anyone have suggestions? Have gotten a reply from Pearse Lodge, the #1 rated B&B on TI. Also looking at Tree Tops, #2. I had inquired about Trad music in Pearse's comment section of the booking inquiry. Their reply was that there was a pub withing a 10 minute walk that has trad music every night....I believe it is called: Shoot the Crow?!? Anyone been there? Tree Tops is located in a central part of Sligo, easy walking distance. I am open to other suggestions before I make my final decision.

One of our travel partners, "L" has been having hip problems and mobility issuse because of it. Has just found out that it is a pinched nerve. They are going to try to locate and treat with cortisone shot. We need to get him healed up! "G" has recovered about to the 95% stage from her mini-stroke, and Betty is back in Glasgow and following up with her Drs. We are keeping our fingers crossed!

Still need to book a car for 4 days in Scotland.

Is it too early to start counting the days?

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Dan --

Not PERFECT for your timeline, but CLOSE -- SligoLive, Oct 24 - 28.

http://www.sligolive.ie/

Van Morrison is performing on Sunday, 28 October, at 8 PM!

I already bought MY tickets ... biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

We'll be in Ireland from 4 Oct through 31 October, celebrating our birthdays AND my retirement! biggrin biggrin

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

Things are getting wrapped up for your trip. In Sligo I usually stay at Iorras on the Rosses Point Road. I love the homey atmosphere, superior baking and breakfast and Ita's Irish welcome. But it is definitely not walking distance to Sligo town. Rosses Point maybe. I have links to it and places in Donegal and Ardara on my Lodgings page.

Haven't been to Shoot the Crows but I do remember a post about it. Seems the people that were there on the night a forum member visited the pub were very anti-American. I hope that was just a one-off event. You must visit Hargadon's when there.

Start the count down. Or as Mrs. Doyle on Father Ted would say, "Go on, go on, go on!"

Michele

murphy · Guru

Bob,

Thanks for the info about the Sligo festival. I had been notified earlier by a post on TI about that music fesival, and have been researching it. Sounds like we may opt for Sligo town because of the festival, even though it is not a perfect schedule. Had considered rearranging....going to Derry first, then back tracking to Sligo to hit a better night or 2 of the festival. but....that would be a lot of extra driving....

and since there is trad music in Derry close by, so says our B&B hosts at Amore B&B we will keep our itinerary. That B&B is located near the Free Derry Museum, and close proximity to the walls. Also a great central location for downtown Derry.

The Sligo festival has zippo listed for the Wed night schedule as of now, but the web sight says it is a work in progress...to be finalized by August. So hopefully between that and Shoot the Crows...we will have some Trad.

Michele,

Ditto on the Sligo B&B, but appreciate your suggestions. Looked at Hargadons websight, and sounds like good food/pub and a place we need to check out....it says they have trad music from time to time too!

The only major task remaining on this trip, is the full size rental van in Scotland for 5 days....and wow! sticker shock!! Guess it is due to the full size (MVP) van....there will be 5 of us plus luggage....so I guess a mini van may be marginal for size. I am beginning to wonder about a full size van on the wee roads of Scotland!?!

Ok...so it is 90 days and counting! With all the help and preparation, we hope to "max out the fun meter!"

Dan

-- Edited by murphy on Thursday 19th of July 2012 12:40:44 AM

murphy · Guru

Update:

We have reserved "treetops b&b" in sligo for 35 Euros double ensuite for Oct 24. They are a short distance from "Shoot the Crows". Still nothing on the schedule for Wed 24 or Thursday 25 for the music festival. Looks like it will be a weekend event....it is a bank holiday weekend in R of Ireland, but not Northern Ireland.

We will be getting into Knock about half past noon on the 24. I was wondering if we have to clear customs at Knock, coming from Scotland? I suppose it will be close to 1:30 by the time we get our rental car. Am thinking about our sight seeing schedule between then and check in time at Treetops. We missed Belleek Pottery factory in 08, so may try to see that. Also we visited "Carrowmore Megalithic Tombs" in 08, but thought about seeing "Creevykeel" this time. I realize that both of these are north of Sligo, so would have to backtrack. Since we are booked into Derry the next night, on the 25th, during our drive from Sligo to Derry, we want to see Sleive League, Glencolumbkille, Ardara, and a swing up around the north loop thru Glenveagh National Park on the way to Derry....probably a big day! So that means we would need to do Belleek/Creevykeel the day before. I'm open to suggestions here.

So here is our plans for the entire itinerary: If anything looks crazy let me know!

16 Oct arrive DUB 8:30AM Clear custorms, catch the first available bus to Belfast. Arrive Belfast about noon. Drop luggage at Premier Inn Belfast, and do a 2 hour "Black Taxi Tour" being dropped at the "Titanic Experience" about 3PM. It takes 2-3 hours, then will taxi back to the Hotel, eat dinner at the Crown Bar....hopefully be awake enough for an hour of trad music...then crash!

17 Oct Taxi out to the ferry terminal for the 7:30AM Stenna Line rail/sail Belfast to Glasgow. arrive about noon, meet Betty, and the rental car shuttle which will take our group to Arnold Clark Car rental for our Vauxhall Zafira....a 7 seater diesel mini van. (looks like it will be 400GBP for 5 days) If we feel up to it, may do some sightseeing in Glasgow, and if not will head to Fort William. Booked into Glenlochy apartments for 4 nights in Fort William. Have reserved a self cater efficiency apt for L&G, and a 2 bedroom apt for Betty, DW and myself. At this point, our schedule is up to tour-guide-local-Scotland-resident Betty!!!! So excited...I don't have to be tour guide, just a driver! Betty has mentioned Day trips to some of the following places: Skye, Oban, Mallig (may do the steam train from Ft Wm to Mallig) Speyside including either Dufftown or Inverness.

18, 19, 20, day trips from Ft. William (Whisky Distilerys will be high on L and my List! but.....I am the designated driver....

21 Oct. Check out of Glenlochy and head toward Edinburgh. Will try to see Stirling Castle enroute, as well as Wallace monumet or other suggestions from Betty. We will drop the rental van, then either bus or taxi to downtown Edinburgh We will check into the "3 Bedroom Royal Mile Apartment" for the next 3 nights, which is just a stone's throw from the Castle, train/bus station and all walkable sights on the Royal Mile. I would like to climb to the top of Arthurs Seat, but not sure if the other will be up to it.

22 Oct Spent in Edinburgh

23 Oct Take the 55 minute train ride to Glasgow, and spend the day there...museums, art gallerys, what ever Betty suggests!

24 Oct Take taxi out to EDI airport for the 8:30 AM flight tof Knock Ireland via Manchester (1hour layover) Arrive Knock 12:30 and get car (see above schedule) Stay Sligo Town "Treetops B&B"

25 Oct Drive to Derry via Donegal town, Slieve League. Check into Amore B&B in Derry town, near the historic walls, walking distance to downtown.

26 Oct Take the Martin McCrossan walking tour and the free Derry Museum. May do this in the AM, and then a 1/2 day driving trip out in the country side surrrounding Derry....maybe north toward the coast? open to suggestions here! Stay 2nd night at Amore

27 Oct check out, head east to Portrush...destination Averest B&B for 2 nights. Sight seeing along the way...open to suggestions. Our must see list for the next 2-3 days include: Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Bushmills, Dunluce Castle, the Mussenden temple etc.

28 Oct Stay 2nd night at Averest

29 Oct Check out....long day drive to Dublin??? Would like to drop car and be checked into Dublin Airport Premier Inn by 5-6 PM Not sure how much time it will take to get from Portrush to DUB, and if there will be any time for sight seeing stops along the way, besides the normal bathroom/lunch breaks. Will repack our luggage, then I would like to take Taxi downtown Dublin for dinner and music at the Cobblestone.

30 Oct Depart DUB 10:45 AM

-- Edited by murphy on Wednesday 22nd of August 2012 11:17:41 AM

-- Edited by murphy on Wednesday 22nd of August 2012 11:20:22 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

Coming from Scotland you should not have to go through customs. Since you missed Belleek, go directly there for the tour. Don't miss the corner of the shop where they have sale items. I call it Sale Corner. There is a good cafe there. Creevykeel is open all the time so save that for last. It is north of Sligo just off the main road. Also in that area is the Gleniff Horseshoe Drive. Lovely.

Oct 25: A very long day! Just Glenveagh could easily eat up 3 hours or more. Keep in mind that the end of Oct means days are getting short. I would be inclined to delete Glenveagh.

Last time I was in Scotland I really enjoyed the Isle of Skye. The highlight was the toilets near the ferry. I don't know if it is being "managed" by the same guy but it was a kick and worth the price of admission (pay toilets). I had a tour of the Men's too when no gents were in there. The man that managed it said his goal was to have the franchise on the toilets at Disney. Well, his toilets were better than Disney! biggrin

Derry is near the Inishowen Peninsula. Ideas for a drive.

When in Portrush you may want to add the Dark Hedges to your list.

You could go directly south from Portrush on the west side of Lough Neagh. But you must watch the signs carefully because Belfast will suck you in. Armagh might make a good stop. Navan Fort might be closed but St. Patrick's Trian should be open. Or you could visit the Tayto Factory!

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Dan -- Some thoughts ---

Trust you are aware that the Zafira is NOMINALLY a 7 Passenger -- The entire luggage area pretty much disappears, though, if you fold up those two rear seats. They seem pretty awkward to get in and out of, too! Met three Italian couples who were touring Ireland in a rented Zaphira and they were NOT amused by the lack of space ... biggrin furious biggrin

While in Edinburgh -- particularly if the weather turns unpleasant -- consider a bus trip to Rosslyn Chapel in nearby Roslin (about 20 minutes away). Even if you aren't a fan of the Dan Brown books, it is an amazing piece of architecture.

It's a pity that we'll be in Sligo afore ( and after) ye !! biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

Drop into Drumclif for tea, snackee cakes and the Round Tower, High Crosses and Yeat's Grave -- It's RIGHT ON the N15.

On your way to Derry/ Londonderry, in the town of Burt, is Grianán of Aileach . It was rainy when we visited it, but I suspect the views are to die for on a clear day! There is a ferry from Greencastle, in Donegal across Lough Foyle, at Magilligan Point, if you want to see SOME of Inishowen.

Near the Dark Hedges -- in Armoy -- is another Round Tower, just East of A44, on the B15.

Does the Premier Inn HAVE an airport shuttle??

We're PLANNING to be in Dublin the nights of the 29th and 30th, but due to OUR flights, it looks like I'll need to pay DOUBLE, in order to stay at the SAS Radison Blu, since we could LITERALLY walk to the terminal, if need be ...

Lucky YOU, to have a 10:45 AM flight! Ours is a 7:40 AM!!! furious furious furious furious furious

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Thursday 23rd of August 2012 07:56:15 PM

murphy · Guru

Thanks Michele and Bob for great suggestions.

After going to the links, it once again looks like there won't be enough time to do everything we want to do furious ....Oh well next time biggrin !

As for the Van in Scotland....there will be 5 of us, and are hoping to fold down just 1 of the rear seats in order to accomodate the luggage. Do you think that will work, Bob confuse ? We have till Sept 9 to yay or nay this van.

Now you have me worried about the shuttle at Premier....have you stayed there Michele and used an airport shuttle?

Dan

-- Edited by murphy on Friday 24th of August 2012 10:12:01 AM

-- Edited by murphy on Friday 24th of August 2012 10:13:15 AM

JeanneV · Member

Dan, just a query and a "tip," if you will: First the query: Did you get Journey Through Ireland to "half" the rental fee for you? The tip is: Easy Tour Ireland does not collect payment until the END of the rental, at which time you could give them two credit cards for payment.

It sounds like a great trip and I hope all goes well for you. Safe travels!!

murphy · Guru

Thanks JeanneV

Yes, Journey Through Ireland did split our car rental amount between 2 credit cards...no problem. However we will pay the SCDW at the Hertz desk in Knock, I believe it is 14 Euros/day.

I did speak to a gentleman at Easy Tours, and their rate was just a little higher. I went with Journey since we had already used them last year with "0" problems! biggrin Also we were able to pay with "0" cc conversion fee, since it was run in the US....granted it was a prepay....so they got to use our money for a while. However, "0" problems......that's worth a lot in this murkey business!

We are looking forward to the trip....52 days and counting....... smile
Dan

-- Edited by murphy on Friday 24th of August 2012 08:02:51 PM

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Thanks to Tony for the Shuttle Info -- I had not seen that on the General Premier web-site -- but it DOES show up on the local site! Saved me better than 70 Euro ... biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

Dan -- Sorry to have disconcerted you about the shuttle. As to the Zaphira -- unless you're hauling lots of BIG luggage, it should be OK with only ONE rear seat in use -- though I dunno how comfortable that passenger will be ... confuse confuse The six Italians were traveling lite -- 1 small suitcase each, but with all seats in use, the bags were resting on laps!

FYI -- I had a VERY irate Zaphira owner deride me, when I mentioned this a few years back on another board -- He said it was PLENTY big enough for his wife and kids .... confuse confuse confuse confuse

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Saturday 25th of August 2012 08:37:05 AM

tony2phones · Guru

Looks like all sorted and ready to go....

The P.I. Airport Shuttle details are Quote......

"The shuttle bus to the Airport operates daily from 4.10am every 30mins with the last departure from the airport at 12.30am." so basically every 1/2 hour between 10 past 4 in the morning to 1/2 past midnight.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I have used the Premier Inn shuttle. I generally drop off the car the afternoon before departure, take the car rental shuttle to the airport and then pick up the PI shuttle to the hotel. Then in the morning it is quick and easy getting back to the airport on the PI shuttle. I think they are now charging 1 euro per ride. It was free when I used it.

murphy · Guru

We were pleased with the rates we got at both Premier Inn Belfast (29GBP-double room) and Dublin Airport Premier Inn (39 Euro-double room) biggrin ! We cancelled our booking.com reservations in Belfast and Dublin, which were both just exactly double those amounts. But............you had to choose the right web sight for making the booking, maybe because of cookies, it kept coming up at 49GBP and 59Euro for those two properties, on my home computer. I had to go down to the business and use that computer to get the good rate to come up and to make the booking....go figure!

As for the Zaphira, we will probably go with it unless something better comes up....still have till Sept 9 so if anyone has any suggestions, let me know. As for luggage, we will have 4 personal size bags, and 5-22" roller bags (carry-on legal....we thought, but.... Aer Lingus has just changed their sizes this past week, I believe on Aug 13. So we will see. We start out on Aer Lingus provided by United out of Phoenix and planned to stow the 22'' in overhead bin, and the personal bag under the seat in front. Then we have only a 90 minute layover in Chicago, which worries me because we have to change terminals, and go thru security again....then on to Aer Lingus....hope we don't have to check them....Murphy's law says that checked luggage will get lost furious furious furious !!!! So now we are trying to decide if we should invest in smaller roller bags that meet Aer Lingus requirements....or chance it with what we have confuse . We have already pre-paid the checked luggage charge on flybe from Glasgow to Knock.

If anybody has flown Aer Lingus since the new luggage sizes went into effect, please let us know how it is going so far.

We like wise will stop at the hotel late the afternoon before, check in, and L and I will take the car back to the rental lot, and then take the PI shuttle back to the hotel. I do recall seeing that the airport shuttle costs 1 Euro, but we got such a good deal....it's worth it. I figure the money we save on hotel will get us a wonderful last evening of trad music (and Guiness) down at the Cobblestone!

51 days and counting! biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

Dan

-- Edited by murphy on Saturday 25th of August 2012 11:06:47 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

It is all coming together Dan!

murphy · Guru

Good news! I have been concerned about a 90 minute layover in Chicago. My personal minimum has always been 2 hours....3 hours if possible. I found out that we were going to have to change terminals AND go thru security again. Well, the good news is that there'd has been a flight schedule change; giving us an extra 40 minutes layover time. The United/AerLingus code share flight is now scheduled to depart Phoenix at 11:10 instead of 11:56! I had thought about contacting United to try to get on a earlier flight on a "stand-by" basis....but not even sure they do that any more. This gives us some much needed cushion. One other bit of news...since we had booked thru OneTravel, (something I vowed I'd never do, but did do to a great price!) we were unable to lock in our seat assignments on the international flights, and called Aer Lingus a few days ago, and they wanted an additional $35.00/seat to get window seats! We opted to take 4 adjacent seats in the center of the plane, since there are 4 of us traveling together. So all is well....even our stroke, heart, and hip patients.....everybody is on the mend so we'll keep our fingers crossed! Only 37 days....and counting! Dan

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Dan -- Thought you might enjoy this 'Belfast in One Day' blog:

http://blog.discoverireland.com/2012/09/belfast-in-a-day/

Is the excitement building???

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Things are working out. Have you ordered wheelchairs for the "patients"? It will cut out the long walks through terminals for them. Let the countdown begin!

murphy · Guru

Bob...yes the excitement is building! We intend to "max-out-the-fun-meter"!!

Michele...No wheel chairs have been, or will be ordered...our heart patient will meet us in Glasgow, and the hip patient got a cortizone (sp?) shot, and is feeling less pain every day, and the stroke patient is about 98% back to normal....so we will just "hoof-it" and hope for the best. Yes, the countdown goes on!

Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

Glad to hear the "patients" are doing so well. We will have to remove them from the patient list! It's nice that you get a whole row to yourselves. The middle seats are not so bad if you know everyone there.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Dan -- Make sure that you are aware of Daylight Savings Changeover, on 28 October ... hmm hmm hmm

See: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/clockchange.html?n=78

Wouldn't want you to miss your flight home .... biggrin biggrin

Bob