Honeymoon--Ireland?

We are considerring a honeymoon in Ireland, travelling about the country, maybe a day-trip to Scottland and England, etc...

We have some time, so hope to plan alot of the trip ourselves as opposed to using a travel agent, although we are not sure yet of that.

Does anyone that has been there have any advice or info??

Thanks ladies!!!

Thanks Meghan! (thats my name too !)
I will check out the site, I appreciate the tip.

Ireland is beautiful. My last serious boyfriend before my DH was from there. We went home to visit his parents one July. There is a lot to see. Just be sure this is the kind of honeymoon you want to take. It will be a lot of treveling. And don't know if this is a factor but the weather is not the greatest. It rained everyday while I was there and I wore pants and a jacket. Chilly for July.

Here is a website with all kinds of travel info

http://www.ireland.travel.ie/home/

I've been to Ireland recently (this summer). One thing to keep in mind is transportation. You will need to rent a car - more than likely a manual car (stick shift) and don't forget you drive on the other side of the road.

Trains are not as convenient in Ireland as they are in the US and the rest of Europe.

Also dont forget about the weather, I see you are getting married in Feb. It is cold and rainy there...not as cold as here but very damp.

Not trying to turn you off from going. Ireland is absolutely beautiful. But I went last JULY (90 degrees in NY) and rainy and 50s in Ireland (County Kerry to be exact). You also may want to factor in weather or atleast bring your raincoat!!

I can tell you for a fact that it has been cold and damp this winter - my FMIL lives in Ireland.

Hope this is helpful. FM me if you have any questions. If I can't help, I can ask my FI about it. Just to let you know he grew up around the Ring of Kerry which is southern Ireland so may not be able to answer questions about the Northern half.

There is also a bride on this site named the Dubliner and I believe she is from Ireland though she is now living in NY. Maybe she could be of mre help.

We are definitely not looking for a sit on the beach for 10 days vacation. We are more of the do stuff type of couple! Both of us have been dying to go!

My wedding is October, and I am aware that Ireland is not a sunny beach LOL. James (FH) is ok with the standard and driving on the other side of the road thing, although I will not.

I bet Dubliner would have a lot of advice, maybe she will chime in here.

Thanks for the advice ladies!!!

Wasn't trying to turn you off!

Ireland was absolutely gorgeous. If you could get to the Ring of Kerry it is a must see. The drive takes about 5 hours and you drive around the peninsula of Kerry - going through little beach towns and lovely, scenic views.

Just a suggestion!

Went to Ireland approximately 4 years ago with FH, I had the best time there, I loved it.

It helped that Michael had been there before and knew his way around but its not a though place to get around, not like NYC. There is a road straight to Dublin.

I suggest you stay in B&Bs and do your own touring, buy some books, especially the B&B one, so you dont have to have a set plan on where you will be when you can do it when you are there. There is lots to do and see.

We only stayed in 2 b&b and the rest with family and friends, but the B&B were great.

everyone is so friendly.

we had great weather, we really lucked out, we were there for about 2 weeks, and had only a couple rainy days, One bad one when we were in Galway. the rest of the days were sunshine.

I didnt do any of the driving since the roads are so tiny, I think I just tryed it out for like 3 miles and then into a parking lot, but since we got a standard it was weird being on wrong side of road, wrong side of car and shifted with different hand. But I guess I could have gotten used to it if I tryed.

Good Luck
if I can be of any other help let me know
Where do you want to go, What counties?

happy planning
kimberly

I think that sounds like an awesome honeymoon adventure, especially if you like to be on the go! I haven't been to Ireland but I have been to Scotland and London. I visited both in the same trip (10 days). I saw A LOT but it was definitely 'whirlwind'. My recommendation to you would be to pick one place on this trip, either Ireland, Scotland, or London. There is SO MUCH to see in any of those places, you will not be bored. Just think about the time you'll save NOT having to make another trip to the airport, etc., you could be seeing something else exciting.

I agree in Ireland or Scotland you would have to rent a car. I did that in Scotland and it was really fun! Happy planning!!!!

Ireland is a great place to be no matter what time of the year!! All of my Fi family & alot of my family live there. It'll be warmer then it is today!!! Yes, the weather is a little on the unpredictable side. But the scenery is SOOOO worth it!! I've been there pretty much for every season! Christmas Eve 2001 we were out w/out coats on.
One thing I can suggest is fly into Shannon & fly out of Dublin. That way you can drive around & see the sites. (The whole country is the size of Maine)
B & B's are GREAT!! And they all have books & will (for the most part) call ahead to your next destination & book your rooms. The people are fantastic.
You CAN get a car that is not a stick shift. It's just more money!

We're going for Christmas & we're going to Scotland for New Years. You can book the tickets yourself! And Scotland is like $10-15 for the plane ticket!!

I hope this helps!

If you are thinking of flying to Scotland or England use Ryan Air...dirt cheap flights. They have a website.

We flew from London to Cork and it cost us less than $50 for the both of us.