Travel Tips & Adventures

Scotland: Fall 2009

As promised from yesterday, we’re continuing our journey down to Edinburgh.

Day 12

Aviemore to Edinburgh

Distance: 126.0 miles
Time: 2 hr 48 min

We are going to make a few stops and hopefully we’ll have time for all of them.

1st Stop

Blair Atholl

The village of Blair Atholl is approximately a 90-minute drive north from Edinburgh or Glasgow just off of the A9, 35 miles north of Perth.

Blair Castle

The seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl is touted as Scotland’s most visited historic house and is also the home of the Atholl Highlanders, Europe’s only remaining private army. (I think I’ll see if I can rent them out for a few jobs that I have pending around the house.) (more…)

Scotland: Fall 2009

DAY 11
AVIEMORE

Okay, we’re staying put for the day … sort of …

We’re looking at a train ride, a little clan homecoming, and lots of scenery.

As I mentioned in a previous installment, my reasoning for staying in Aviemore (yes, it’s really on a map) for several days was due to its centralized location in the highlands. It is also the middle of recreation country.

The Cairngorm mountains and Cairngorm National Park host a plethora of sporting activities: fishing, canoeing, mountain biking, rock-climbing, hiking, golf, horse riding … even skiing in the winter (if there is enough snow). (more…)

Part 6

Scotland: Fall 2009

Well, I’m back.
The emergency kilt fitting went reasonably well, although the bagpipe lesson was more problematic.

For some reason there were lots of neighborhood dogs howling … or was that the neighbors screaming at me to stop strangling that cat?

BACK TO THE PLAN …

Last time we were coming back from the island of Arran. We plan to arrive back at Glasgow Central train station at around 9:27 P.M. Hopefully, we’ll have enough time to pick up a car for an early morning departure but that might not be possible due to the really odd hours of rental car desks at the train station. (more…)

Scotland: Fall 2009

Well, it’s time to firm up the itinerary. This is undoubtedly the most subjective part of the entire trip planning process.
I want to see Bagpipe Bands – you want to see the symphony…
I want to see where Ben Franklin lived in London – you want to see where Bono has breakfast!
(Actually, you’ll be waiting a long time because Bono lives in Ireland!) (more…)

There always seems to be a reason to worry about traveling. If we listened to everything we heard, it would mean that we never leave our homes. That’s claustrophobic!

So, for the intrepid traveler, here are some considerations: (more…)

Scotland: Fall 2009

Last week,  I came across a Web site that focuses on multi-stop itineraries for independent travelers. European Destinations www.europeandestinations.com lets you create your own trip or customize their suggested itineraries. As you add in hotels, car rentals, train passes, etc., the price of your trip upgrades so you know immediately what your costs are.

I tweaked my itinerary and then compared it to the hotel Web sites of those properties I selected as well as with www.hotels.com to see if the prices were in line, or even better.

What I found was the following ($1.46 = £1): (more…)

Scotland: Fall 2009

Since last week, I have decided to cut back our trip from three to two weeks due to some timing issues that have come up.  So, there needed to be some consolidation.

It was then that I began to wonder if it was any cheaper to find a company that could consolidate all of my independent travel needs. (more…)

What I have in mind – Scotland in Fall 2009

Am I out of my mind?

Yes, it’s 2009…the stock market is in roller coaster mode…businesses are shutting down faster than a speeding bullet…every news show says the world is in a financial collapse… airlines are on the verge of the “B” word…the dollar is worth diddly…

So, why am I planning a trip to Scotland in the fall? Haven’t I heard the news…it’s the 1930s all over again!!!! I should be scared, I should be in panic mode, I should be petrified to travel out of my driveway!

I have my reasons:

(more…)