Have you ever wanted to go to Ireland and Scotland and not have to deal with the tourists? Well, I have a season for you. My husband Jim and I got to do just that! We left for Ireland on October 30, 2023. We flew from Tampa to Dublin. We had a wonderful flight with United. The price was reasonable, and everything was on time.
What did we do in Ireland? We stayed on Fleet Street in the Temple Bar area, and of course, we went to Temple Bar and got a seat right away. No waiting for the tourist to leave.
We were able to get tours to the Cliffs of Moher and Blarney Castle. No waiting at either, and we had time to walk around and not be crowded. Dublin was busy but not overly crowded— mostly a lot of locals.
Leaving Dublin and flying to Edinburgh was great. The regional airlines there are no frills but efficient. We had no issues since we booked everything online and before we arrived. Staying in Edinburgh was great. We stayed just off the Royal Mile. In Edinburgh, we did a whiskey tasting and toured Edinburgh Castle. That was a wonderful experience.
We have always wanted to rent a car and drive through the highlands. To do this, we rented a car in Edinburgh and drove to Inverness. This was our hub for the next two days while driving the Highlands. What a treat! Nothing can compare it to in my mind, and we have toured all over the USA and Europe. One must experience this wonder for themselves to understand.
One of the other places we went was Culloden Battlefield. If you are an Outlander fan, this is a must. It really gives you a feel of what the warriors were dealing with.
Driving was a highlight since locals drive on the left-hand side of the road. Many of the roads in the Highlands were one-lane. You have places where you can pull over to let cars, tractors, etc.. pass. It was very interesting but one that Jim could accomplish with no issues.
If you choose to go to Ireland and Scotland in the fall, I think you will appreciate the area and the foliage. It is truly a green place all year round. The trees were vibrant with the fall leaves. The sheep are abundant, and the people are so nice and willing to talk.
The fall is less expensive than the summer to travel to this area. Just be prepared for the weather in the 50’s and some rain. Go prepared, and you should have a great adventure.
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