Britain/Ireland for the holidays

**Beertigger** · 20th October 07, 12:17 AM

The missus and I have gotten the bug to travel, and some unexpected vacation time is available, so....

We're off to London for the holidays.

Anyone got any brilliant ideas on things to do and see around the British Isles in mid-winter?

We'd like to head up to Scotland for a day or two - perhaps stay at a certain B&B that you might have heard of hereabouts.

Every hotel and refrigerator box within a shout of Edinburgh already seems to be booked up for New Year, so it seems that's not very likely. Too bad, as it seems this may be the last year for the street party. Unless somebody out there's got a couch to crash on? ; )

We'd also like to pop over to Dublin for a couple of nights. I'd really like to get to western Ireland (Galway, Connemara) but I don't know if we'll have enough time/money (especially money, what with the sinking dollar) to make that possible.

Part of our time will be spent with my wife's family, in Reading, but that won't be until after New Year's. I understand that London entirely shuts down for Christmas and Boxing Day - no underground, no buses, nothing open. Sounds a bit grim, but we might just spend those days wandering around, looking at some great architecture without the usual crowds.

We won't be renting a car. Between the prospect of driving on the wrong side of the road and likely doing it on narrow, icy roads (not much snow here in Tucson, it's been ages since I've driven on something slippery) and the crowded conditions in London, I think that's out. That makes the train for us, I guess.

So, if you've got any thoughts on interesting things to do we might not have thought of, please let me know....

**Pour1Malt** · 20th October 07, 02:37 AM

weel....

start here...

Kilted Scottish Holiday Thried

ai made the mistake o' being in London o'er xmas & Boxing Day yince... ya arr richt! Dinnae dae it!

Edinburgh has had to cancel their fireworks, live music concerts, and almaist e'ery thin' the last few years due tae bad weather.... thoosan's of disapointed folk and lost money.... ai wuidnae bother...

ai prefer a smaller toon wi' hunners of folk instead o' 100,000's o' folk... gaein' pub tae pub... it is a brill time...

here is my pics frae oor Hogmanay last year-

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=23421

**Pleater** · 20th October 07, 03:57 AM

You are unlikely to find snow in England at Christmas - possibly ice on untreated roads, but there is a small army of gritting lorries which deal with freezing conditions - if you stick to main roads as much as possible, they get the treatment first.

Central London does 'do' New Year, but it is a bit of a scrum and hoiking drunks out of the fountains in Trafalgar Square is what London bobbies are usually doing to bring in the New Year. However - there are usually parties going on in every city centre, but local knowledge helps so you know the best part of town to be in on the night. Sometimes only a few hundred yards divides civilised night life from the dangers of drunken barbarian hordes.

Pubs often have a shut off time, and if you are not in there by then, you don't get in. Some sell tickets as well.

If money is likely to be a bit tight you could try booking the trains in advance over the internet. You might need to get your relatives to order and pay for the tickets and post them on to you, or some other faffing about, but it can reduce costs considerably. You can also get return tickets which cost less than the fare one way and other oddities, but you might have to book on a specific train for that, and travel on it - the tickets are not transferable, but if you can get your travel timetable sorted out then you can save yourself some money.

**Beertigger** · 20th October 07, 04:18 AM

Train-wise, we're looking at getting a Britrail flexible pass. The winter rate offers four days of travel for the price of one trip to Scotland on a regular ticket.

One thing I can't quite suss out is, the passes are "valid for four days of travel within two months." I'm wondering if that means consecutive or any four days.

Don't suppose anyone out there's got any experience with this.

For New Year's, I think we're gonna be in Dumfries. Pour1Malt's made his pub crawl sound mighty attractive.

Originally Posted by Pleater

Sometimes only a few hundred yards divides civilised night life from the dangers of drunken barbarian hordes.

Things're the same the world over, aren't they? ; )

**Beertigger** · 23rd October 07, 10:19 AM

Another question - one of many.

Any suggestions for a central, affordable lodging in Glasgow? I'd prefer clean and cozy over posh, but I'm really trying to avoid over-priced dumps. Of course, we need a place just before New Year's, so a lot of places crank up the tariff....

I know there are a few Glaswegians hereabouts. I'd appreciate any advice on good pubs, etc.

We'll also be spending the afternoon and evening of Jan. 2 in Glasgow, awaiting the sleeper train to London. If there's anyplace that's "can't miss" that'll be open, please let me know.

Thanks to all for the advice - I've gotten a few very informative PM's.