Pagan Journeys
General Topics => General Chat => Topic started by: dragonspring on November 26, 2010, 01:07:52 PM
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I am thinking of traveling to Ireland or Scotland next year and was wondering if anyone here has had any experience with escorted tours. I'm an independent sort and not sure if I would like it to have such a set schedule. On the other hand, it might be nice to see all the different places those tours take you to...
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I think escorted tours definitely have their advantages. I've never done a completely escorted tour, but I've been on trips where I've signed up for tours once I'm there and they were wonderful. I've done both day trips and overnights in France and Italy. The meals, housing and transportation is all worked out for you. You hear interesting things you would never know on your own. There is a lovely sense of comaraderie with the others on the tour. For me, planning my own trip but then enhancing it with the short escorts are the perfect balance.
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As far as Ireland goes, there are very nice double-decker tour buses that you can get on and off as you please. In fact most big cities in Europe have them. What we would do is ride all the way round the city first thing in the morning, making notes as to what we wanted to see in detail, then use the all-day bus ticket as our personal transportation to and from each attraction. If it goes anywhere near your hotel, you can even drop off purchases, then get back on the next one. And I agree with Bluefire that you often hear interesting things that aren't in the book.
peace,
ES
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Hmm, I really like the idea of a combination of planning my own trip (maybe a rail pass would be cool!) and doing some short escorted tours along the way. I think if I were traveling alone, a full escorted trip would be awesome but this will be something I share with my daughter if I decide to do it.
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Just keep in mind, Scotland, like England, drives on the opposite side of the road from the US. It takes some getting used to.
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Be sure to see Rosslyn Chapel.