Ireland... And maybe United Kingdom. - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Gewher · 10-22-2009, 03:55 PM

Okay, first off, I'm new here... So hi!

And now to the heart of the matter. I have just started planning a trip to the United Kingdom and Ireland. The trip is for 3-5 people. We're not sure if a few of us can go yet. And around the dates of 12-21 of March, with possible extension to that if budget and school constraints allow, depending. Also, destinations are kind of flexible as well, we don't know if money and time will allow us to go everywhere. It may end up being just Ireland. Tell me what you think, would we be able to make it to Wales, England, and Scotland? I don't want to rush through places as Europe seems best experienced at a meandering pace, but we would love to see everything.

I personally am a slightly experienced traveler, mostly through Italy, though every time before I have been accompanied by my mother. This would be my first time both planning and traveling unaccompanied. My cousins aren't as experienced as me, with only one trip to Italy under their belts and not overly savvy with international ways (not saying I'm a pro at all, just a tad better than them). We are all between the ages of 17-19, so fairly young as far as traveling alone goes. And we are all girls of a slight build, though I've been taking self-defense courses this year, for what it's worth.

The other thing is transportation and accommodation. I was thinking rail, as trains are both enjoyable and easier than anything else it seems. But I would also consider other ways of travel (cheaper, better). And what I'm looking at (BritRail + Ireland pass) is fairly expensive. We're coming from Atlantic Canada, so flights are also to be considered. As for accommodation, well, my mother doesn't like the idea of us being alone to begin with, couch surfing is definitely out, and hosteling is a viable option though not popular with my mother. Ideally we would love to stay at convents, as we are all practicing Catholic Christians and would feel safe (as well as please our mothers). I don't know if there are any convents to stay at in other places in Europe, but I've had very good experiences in Rome. Would also consider small B&Bs if the price was right.

Yeah, did I mention budget is really limited? Some of us don't have regular jobs, and we are all students, either in high school, or entering university next fall. But that's what this site is for right?

Oh and what should we see while we are there? Anything that is a must-see?

**simply_angelic** · 10-22-2009, 09:02 PM

Welcome to the boards!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gewher

And we are all girls of a slight build, though I've been taking self-defense courses this year, for what it's worth.

Haha this is probably the best little quote ever. Made me smile. You'll be fine! Just keep your wits about you, stick together and there's no reason you should need to use your self defense lessons, although they definitely can't hurt. I just liked the way you phrased it...

Anyways, I'd say stick to either Ireland OR the UK. You're on a relatively tight time schedule as it is, I think you'll be majorly disappointed if you feel you've rushed your time in either of the countries. Good luck!

astro25e · 10-23-2009, 06:48 AM

I've never stayed in a monastery, and i have a feeling they are hard to come by, except in places where pilgrimages occur (therefore Rome was probably full of them). Lots of hostels are fine and if you are worried, stay in a room with just your travel buddies. Also, B & B's are sometimes cheap, sometimes expensive, so take a look. I know that there are also hostels recommended by the Girl Scouts/Guides and Boy Scouts that are usually really nice. I stayed in a boy scout one in london once (they of course allow anyone in, they just must cater to the scouts as well) and it was one of the nicest hostels I've ever stayed in. Full cooked breakfast, en suite facilities for next to nothing price-wise, and a T.V. in the room. It was kind of amazing, but for my friends who werent much for grungy, hostel travel, they now think all hostels are like this :D

Oh, and stick to one country or the other. I would actually suggest going to Britain instead because there will be slightly less rain than in Ireland (during a rainy time in general) and there is more public transport available to more places of interest that are often situated close to one another. These days you can get from london to Edinburgh in 4 hours.

**travelpunk** · 10-23-2009, 07:25 AM

Hahaha..I was rolling at that too!

Quote:

we are all girls of a slight build

That is priceless and so proper sounding. I love it

!

That is so great, Gewher! I think every female should take self defense classes at some point or another. It will help build your confidence and keep you alert at all times. Street thugs don't mess with confident people as much as they're a harder target most of the time.

Seriously, your whole trip is planned around english speaking countries. It's not like you're going to the jungle in Vietnam where no one would speak english.

Look, at the end of the day, you have God on your side so fear nothing but the Lord (Romans 4:20 "Strong Faith")! And remind your mother of that too!

Meandering pace...absolutely! Take it all in...

Welcome to the boards

!

Gewher · 10-23-2009, 01:14 PM

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. And for your appreciation of my particular articulation.

I'm a little known for the verbosity and effervescence I put into my writing.

I'm thinking that we'd have to end up in Ireland for this trip. It wouldn't be right to go to UK, considering that we'll be on this trip during St. Patrick's Day... and considering that I am of legal age there... Well, it would be a party.

Oh and my cousins and I all have very strong Irish roots. As well as the fact that my province's former Premier is the current Canadian Ambassador to Ireland.

What things should we not miss?

**travelpunk** · 10-24-2009, 09:45 AM

Well, well, well... practicing Catholic Christians, being of legal age in Ireland during St. Patricks Day, and it would be a party..... I know the type!

This was me back in the day when we used to make runs up to Vancouver from Seattle

!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gewher

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. And for your appreciation of my particular articulation.

I'm a little known for the verbosity and effervescence I put into my writing.

I'm thinking that we'd have to end up in Ireland for this trip. It wouldn't be right to go to UK, considering that we'll be on this trip during St. Patrick's Day... and considering that I am of legal age there... Well, it would be a party.

Oh and my cousins and I all have very strong Irish roots. As well as the fact that my province's former Premier is the current Canadian Ambassador to Ireland.

What things should we not miss?

Oooo...I'm lovin your lingo already

!

Some things that I'd probably be visiting in the UK, along with all the main attractions in each city, would be Rosslyn Chapel in Edinburgh (shown in the Davinci Code), Stonehenge (also another smaller stonehenge was found not too far from there, kiss the Blarney Stone at the Blarney Castle in Ireland, search for the Lochness monster, visit all kinds of castles, and find me lucky charms

.

One of our members went to Scotland a few months ago and put some pics here. I'd like to see a lot of those places myself.