Travel Accommodations

[eaglei]

Does anyone have recommendations for a reliable agency who will make overseas travel accommodations for you - motel, bed and breakfast, or some such?

Thank you!

[eaglei]

Any suggestions, anyone?  I've googled and asked around, to no avail, so I came here where I was certain someone would have an idea or two!!!

[*LC]

Mainly bumping, but also wanted to better understand what you are looking for.

Would an old-fashioned travel agent work for your needs?

[eaglei]

Yes, LC, an old-fashioned travel agent would work if we could locate one!  We are looking to book a private room with private bath in Scotland and surrounding, for several nights, for a reasonable rate.

[J-rap]

I do most of our travel planning myself (and can recommend an airbnb/pension in Edinburgh!), but a few times I've hired a good old fashioned travel agent and have had wonderful experiences.   

Sometimes you can go on a website such as Rick Steves and they'll recommend travel agencies for travel to certain parts of the world.  Nowadays, it's pretty much all done by phone and online, so you don't even need to meet with the agent in person, and they can be anywhere.

 

[eaglei]

Thank you, J-rap!  We'll look into Rick Steves' website.  What is the place you can recommend?  

[Miss Tick]

I use Rick Steves for European travel also. I highly recommend checking his Scotland book out of the library and perusing it. There are all sorts of recommendations in there, you may feel confident enough to put things together in your own.

[eaglei]

Miss Tick, That is exactly what we're doing!  Call us crazy or call us courageous or adventurous!!!  🙂  I will definitely get my hands on Rick Steves' book even if I have to purchase it!  Thank you!

[PeterPan]

21 hours ago, eaglei said:

Scotland

https://www.best-scottish-tours.co.uk/  This company comes well recommended for tours.

Are you trying to stay in a major city? You want to save some money or have it be a special occasion? If you want budget, there are some Premier Hub type lines that will give you a room and breakfast for maybe $100 a night, just really trim and tidy. If you want to spend more, you can search the Rick Steves forums and see what hotels those tours tend to stay at. They'll be quite comfortable, centrally located, but a bit more $$ to go with the experience.

I suppose you could book with a travel agent but I don't see why. Unless they've been there, they know nothing more than you do with google. Look at the hotel on google maps to see where it's located (close to transportation hubs, etc.) and look at Tripadvisor to see the reviews for the hotel. If it comes recommended in a Rick Steves forum, it's probably a pretty good bet. 

If you want something more exotic, you can see if they have castles doing stays. I know in Ireland there are a bunch. I just haven't researched Scotland as much. Yup, I just googled and there are tons. You should get ideas that way. 

The main thing is think through your transportation. 🙂

[PeterPan]

Usually castles have some kind of added feature like tea, falconry, hosting weddings, etc. Just me, but I'd lean toward one that has the experiences you want and avoid something that is trying to draw big crowds for weddings. They can range from very rustic to quite modern inside, so again just look at them. Might be just the charm you're looking for. You could book one for maybe 2 nights then do a small group tour for some nice balance. That would save you hassle planning. 🙂

[PeterPan]

We've been doing land touring (plus cruising) on our own for a couple years now, lots of crazy adventures, but we're trying the small group tour thing for next year. Different country but some idea as what I'm suggesting to you. Scotland seemed a little pricy, but it could still be a good way to go. And sometimes these tours will stay in charming places to get you the cultural exposure. 

If your budget is much higher and you want a wider range of options, GateOne tours is another reputable company that does tours. I even found a company that does tours for people on the autism spectrum, going to Japan, Morocco, etc. 

[Laura Corin]

If you are looking for a reliable brand of hotel, I would recommend the Premier Inn chain. They will not have any personality, but each will be identically clean and well-organised and - compared to competitors in that location  - affordable.  You can only book through their own site, I seem to remember. 

We have probably stayed in their hotels 20 times. I am using them again next month.

Eta  - for your searches, the word 'motel ' is rarely used in the UK.

Edited June 27 by Laura Corin

[Miss Tick]

8 hours ago, eaglei said:

Miss Tick, That is exactly what we're doing!  Call us crazy or call us courageous or adventurous!!!  🙂  I will definitely get my hands on Rick Steves' book even if I have to purchase it!  Thank you!

If you do purchase it, he suggests using a bread knife to cut through the spine and only take the parts of the book with you that you need. I've done this! I made plain covers for each city we visited in Italy and it made me feel a little less touristy when I pulled it my plain-covered reading material.

Google maps does a good job with transit options, too. So you can Google how to get from airport to hotel and it will give you options.

[J-rap]

15 hours ago, eaglei said:

Thank you, J-rap!  We'll look into Rick Steves' website.  What is the place you can recommend?  

We stayed at the Dorstan House (or Dorstan Guesthouse)... about 15 years ago.  It's a nice, quite charming airbnb type place just a few minutes walk from a bus stop, which is only about a 5-minute ride from the city center.   Back in the day, it felt affordable for three of us.  Not sure what their prices are like now.   It's in a very convenient and nice neighborhood so if that one is full you can check others in that area.

[J-rap]

4 hours ago, Miss Tick said:

If you do purchase it, he suggests using a bread knife to cut through the spine and only take the parts of the book with you that you need. I've done this! 

 

Yes, that's what we've done too!  Or I'll cut out sections and throw them away as we're done with them, so the book gets smaller as we go.  When traveling lightly, every little bit of extra space and less weight makes a difference.  🙂  

[eaglei]

Thank you so much!  These are wonderful ideas.  We have started looking at the sites you recommended.  Never thought of paring down the travel guide but you're right - every bit of extra space and less weight helps.  Am definitely open to any more travel advice! 

I appreciate each one of you who has taken time to respond - you've encouraged us with your help and bolstered our confidence that we'll find something suitable.  🙂

[eaglei]

Couple questions dh and I were just pondering; maybe you will know???  Are rental vehicles available at the Edinburgh airport?  And, are you permitted to carry a smaller sheathed knife in your luggage?  On the airline ticket instructions, I noted it said no aerosols and I wondered if that precluded hairspray (not essential but sometimes wanted)?  Thank you in advance for your help!  Am dashing off to work now so will check back later (if storms don't take the system down again)!

[Laura Corin]

11 minutes ago, eaglei said:

Couple questions dh and I were just pondering; maybe you will know???  Are rental vehicles available at the Edinburgh airport?  And, are you permitted to carry a smaller sheathed knife in your luggage?  On the airline ticket instructions, I noted it said no aerosols and I wondered if that precluded hairspray (not essential but sometimes wanted)?  Thank you in advance for your help!  Am dashing off to work now so will check back later (if storms don't take the system down again)!

Rental cars definitely available at Edinburgh Airport.  Knife would need to be in checked luggage.  Not sure about hairspray, but you could always buy when you arrive. 

Please ask me if you are planning to drive in Scotland.  I can help with car choice, driving behaviour,  signs etc., to make the experience more comfortable. 

Edited June 27 by Laura Corin

[PeterPan]

35 minutes ago, eaglei said:

And, are you permitted to carry a smaller sheathed knife in your luggage? 

In a checked bag or carryon? Checked bag, sure. Carryon, nope. Definitely would not even try. Only plastic or round blade butter knives. I try to stay on the good side of TSA. 

You might see if your route can be done with trains. You could also consider short tours (booked with that company I linked above or something you find on Viator) so you don't have to drive. If there's a route you're considering, probably someone already does it as a 1-3 day tour. Viator is a great place to find day trips like that and it can be less stressful or fatiguing to let someone else do the driving. 

The breakfasts at the regular Premier Inn hotels are quite good btw. At the Premier Hub (their efficiency version) they're still good, just trimmer. And yeah, I'm like this, only thinking about the food. 🤣

[Miss Tick]

I keep a compact grocery bag in my purse when I travel. It always comes in handy.  I also carry a couple of date bars and some instant coffee in my suitcase because food and coffee are the things I get unreasonably stressed about. Carrying these minimal accommodations helps me let those concerns go. Some trips I never use them.

When I'm planning a trip I read the guidebook and pick my top sights. Then I sketch out a rough schedule to get a feel for traveling days and which days things are closed or open late or free (I usually avoid those days). Then I make the airline reservation - biggest commitment. Next I make sleeping accommodations and any tickets or tires I can buy in advance. Then it is just the waiting!

[eaglei]

1 hour ago, Laura Corin said:

Please ask me if you are planning to drive in Scotland.  I can help with car choice, driving behaviour,  signs etc., to make the experience more comfortable. 

Yes, please advise.  We have talked a good bit about doing at least some of the driving.  Thank you!

[wintermom]

RE: Knives in carry-on. I have had no trouble going through security with a small Swiss Army jacknife. Our security staff have a card with knife sizes on it, and if the knife is small enough it's all good. My Swiss Army knive only has a blade and a cork screw, and the knife blade is really small.  This is for domestic flights within Canada, so rules may differ for international flights.

Edited June 27 by wintermom

[Soror]

You are in good hands with @Laura Corin's information as she lives in Scotland.

We just stayed 2 weeks in Scotland in May and 6 days there 2 years ago. 

2 years ago we flew into Glasgow and then took a train to Stirling and rented a car there. Dh didn't want to drive in the bigger city and it was a day off of our rental.

This year we flew straight into Inverness and rented a car from the airport there.

I didn't drive any as I don't like driving here. I sure don't want to do it overseas. There is a fair amount of public transportation in Scotland, especially if you are in the more major areas. We used the trains a few times while there so dh wouldn't have to drive. When we go back we are planning on working it out so if we use a rental car it will only be for a very short time. For him, the driving wasn't too bad except for Isle of Skye as the roads are a lot of one-lane roads with passing areas with 2-lane traffic. We don't have that here and it made him anxious. Both times he got the smallest vehicle he could to make it easier for narrow roads, parking etc. 

We booked all AirBnB's as cook most of our meals on vacation and only pack carry-ons so we need laundry facilities. We just did searches for the areas we wanted to visit and then bookings close to there that met our desires (cost, space needed, washer, kitchen, and proximity) and then looked very thoroughly at the information and reviews. 

We stayed at Stirling for our first trip and on our second trip we stayed at Inverness the night we arrived and before we left, then a week or so in Aviemore (in the Highlands) and a few days in Isle of Skye.  We love Stirling and Aviemore. Dh and I would both like to go back to either one.

[eaglei]

Thank you so much, Soror!  This is so helpful!  With each person's post, I feel my excitement building - and it's been building for a long while - this vacation will be a long-held dream-come-true!  

[PaxEtLux]

I would double check with someone if the knife is legal to carry in the UK.

[Laura Corin]

2 hours ago, PaxEtLux said:

I would double check with someone if the knife is legal to carry in the UK.

Here are the laws

https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives

[Laura Corin]

2 hours ago, eaglei said:

Yes, please advise.  We have talked a good bit about doing at least some of the driving.  Thank you!

- consider using public transport instead.  Driving in Scotland is quite different from driving on highways in the US (I've done both).  Single track roads with walls on both sides and intermittent passing spaces are common.

- if you want to rent a car, rent the smallest one that you are comfortable with.  Have a look at some UK TV to see what cars look like here.  Pick up trucks are vanishingly rare and SUVs are small in comparison to US models.  Not only are roads narrow (sometimes ancient lanes built for carts and medieval streets designed for horses) but standard car parking spaces are much narrower than the US version

- get comfortable with parallel parking if you are not - much town parking is on the street

- the UK has standard speed limits represented by a white circle with a diagonal black bar.  This means limits of 70mph on a divided highway, 60mph on other out-of-town roads, 30mph in towns/villages.  You will sometimes see supplementary signs that must be followed, but those are the basic speeds

- speed cameras are very common

- however.  Very important.  These are limits, not expectations.  If you are going down a narrow lane out of town, the nominal speed limit is 60mph, but no one will expect you to go at that speed, and the police require you to moderate your speed to the road conditions

 

I'll think if there is anything else, but this is your starter

[eaglei]

Thank you, Laura.  This is most helpful and definitely need-to-know information in making a decision whether to drive at all.  🙂

Any other advice on any aspect of visiting Scotland that you might wish to give (or have the time!) would be most welcome!

[Laura Corin]

3 hours ago, eaglei said:

Thank you, Laura.  This is most helpful and definitely need-to-know information in making a decision whether to drive at all.  🙂

Any other advice on any aspect of visiting Scotland that you might wish to give (or have the time!) would be most welcome!

Waterproof shoes.  I wear Merrell Gore-Tex walking shoes. You will walk a lot and rain is unpredictable year round. Take clothing in layers including waterproof jacket. Umbrellas are often useless due to wind.

Don't refer to Britain or Scotland as 'England'. Scots find that really offensive. They are Scottish or British., not English. Map here

 

Edited June 27 by Laura Corin

[Laura Corin]

And to counter-balance all these warnings, here are my photos from last weekend in the Highlands. 

Edited June 27 by Laura Corin

[eaglei]

Laura - Good walking shoes was on my list - and now I know why I haven't purchased them yet - they need to be waterproof!  This is most welcome advice and I'm glad you gave the name brand.  The photos are lovely!  I have wanted to visit Scotland most all my life and am SO looking forward to this trip!  We are hoping to see some surrounding areas too but as you can tell, we aren't making hard-and-fast plans!  🙂  Scotland is tops and foremost!  🙂

[MEmama]

7 hours ago, eaglei said:

are you permitted to carry a smaller sheathed knife in your luggage?

But be very, very certain you can carry it on your person in each country you plan to visit, if that's your intention? In Ireland, for example, carrying one is illegal, as is pepper spray and the like. Even most of the garda aren't armed.

[eaglei]

I'm going off topic but still related to traveling!  We are packing light and casual which includes capris for me (no skirts or dresses) and nice slacks and jeans (no holes in them) for both of us.  This may sound like a dumb question, but - - - is it permissible for women to wear slacks to church on Sunday?  Are nice jeans acceptable for both men and women?  We plan to attend services while visiting and we are currently googling Pentecostal, Bible-believing churches.  I really don't want to message the individual churches, so of course, I came here!  Thank you!

[PeterPan]

14 minutes ago, eaglei said:

wear slacks to church on Sunday? 

No one will be confused that you're a foreigner and a traveler. I would just wear what works.

Fwiw, I don't take denim when traveling. It's heavy, cold when wet, and takes a long time to dry. Now there is really thin denim that some people who travel a lot use, but in general lean toward fabrics that will air dry overnight easily. For our trips (carryon only), and what I pack is pretty similar to what you're saying, with capris, convertible pants that roll up into capris, and a pair of dressy pants. Everything mixes/matches, so I can create lots of outfits to be appropriate. I usually take 4 blouses, 4 tshirts, a pair of yoga/lounge pants, and sneakers to work out. I wear my keen sandals most of the time irrespective of the weather (Alaska, Norway, Mediterranean, Caribbean, haha). When you're traveling, most people cut you a lot of slack. I guess take cute little flats if it bothers you. I wear my keen sandals to formal nights on cruises with my bling tops and dress pants. Nobody cares when you travel. Just do you. 🙂

Rick Steves takes denim when he travels. I just don't for me or my ds because I want things that are less bulky and dry more easily. See what you own and pick from that. If you're buying, you can look for things that say dry-flex, etc. I especially like my dryflex capris and convertible pants from Duluth. With my ds sometimes I'll shop the golf clothes at Target. They're not too expensive and they're light, look nice everywhere, and dry nicely. We plan 4 days worth of clothes, no matter the length of the trip. So wear one, pack three. Carryon is easy when you do that. 🙂

Edited July 2 by PeterPan

[Laura Corin]

43 minutes ago, eaglei said:

I'm going off topic but still related to traveling!  We are packing light and casual which includes capris for me (no skirts or dresses) and nice slacks and jeans (no holes in them) for both of us.  This may sound like a dumb question, but - - - is it permissible for women to wear slacks to church on Sunday?  Are nice jeans acceptable for both men and women?  We plan to attend services while visiting and we are currently googling Pentecostal, Bible-believing churches.  I really don't want to message the individual churches, so of course, I came here!  Thank you!

I don't know about services in that denomination. 

What month are you visiting?  For reference,  I wear sandals and capris about four times a year. It can get over 20 degrees C here but summer is usually not that warm.

[Soror]

6 hours ago, eaglei said:

I'm going off topic but still related to traveling!  We are packing light and casual which includes capris for me (no skirts or dresses) and nice slacks and jeans (no holes in them) for both of us.  This may sound like a dumb question, but - - - is it permissible for women to wear slacks to church on Sunday?  Are nice jeans acceptable for both men and women?  We plan to attend services while visiting and we are currently googling Pentecostal, Bible-believing churches.  I really don't want to message the individual churches, so of course, I came here!  Thank you!

Ive worn pants to Mass in Scotland but people do that in the states too. I think your best bet is to find some churches and see if they've posted any pictures of women. I know those types of denominations locally don't allow pants. I also know they are primarily a us denomination so you might find exactly the same thing over there. 

I ended up buying shorts while in Scotland this year but it was unseasonably warm while we were visiting. We don't bring jeans because we pack lightly and most places don't have dryers. Jeans take too long to dry to be practical for us.

[eaglei]

Thank you!  I didn't think about the weight of jeans, just their comfort!  I appreciate the clothing suggestions which bolstered confidence in my planning!  Rick Steve's book hasn't arrived yet - we are eagerly awaiting it!