Not sure how we did this, but we did set up a way to do Text messaging over the hotel wi-fi. That was helpful catching up with the kids at home, since they don’t do much email.
Fringe! I’m so overwhelmed!
The international plan sounds like the way to go for you all, but when we ere in Scotland in 2019, I was surprised at how good the WiFi was around. Older S was studying at St Andrews that semester, so he had a european simcard, but the rest of us just relied on Wifi. All of the trains had it, and it was available most everywhere we went.
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This is outside the city central, but was worth the trek.
https://kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie
We also enjoyed this tour.
https://historicaltours.ie
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Just sayin’ skip the Leprachaun tour in Dublin!
I would totally get a local SIM, it’s been a few years, but it seems like it was 20-30/mo, at least for one phone, but, of course, it must be unlocked
Fringe is a wonderful, wonderful festival. But yes, it can be pretty overwhelming with several stages and several different shows going on everywhere! S was in a show that played at the fringe a few years ago and so H and I went to see him and catch a few of the other shows too.
If you want only one must-do show in Edinburgh, do the Royal Tattoo - you get to go to the Castle for this show and it is incredible! Amazing, just breathtaking performances. Tickets might book out early so check to see if this is on while you are there and available.
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The most beautiful site in Scotland is Glencoe and the Rannoch moor.
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The Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo is happening until the 27th. I would expect Edinburgh to be extraordinarily busy. Make sure you have reservations for everything.
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Give us a trip report when you return! I’m thinking about a trip to Ireland in October. We have friends who will be on sabbatical there then.
We did a big 3 week trip to the UK in 2016 and did get the sims. It was pretty easy and much less expensive than the international plans, but for just 1 week I don’t know if we’d do it or not.
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I need to take notes because I’d love my next trip to be Ireland and Scotland!
Phones-- our plan already has unlimited pretty much everything and it was the same international. Seamless. Surprised me because the last time we traveled a few years ago there were many more restrictions and much more expensive.
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If I had one day in Dublin, I’d see Kilmainham Gaol to get a real sense of the history, walk around O’connell St to Stephen’s Green, and spend the evening in The Celt–great pub for music and atmosphere. I hope you have a blast!
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The Military Tattoo is going on in Edinburgh. It happens right outside the castle. It looks like some tickets may be available.
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@TatinG - my husband spent 7 years at boarding school near Kinloch Rannoch from age 11 1/2 to 18. At the time the school was an all boys school, but then it became a mixed school. The school has been closed and sold. We took our girls to Scotland when they were younger and they loved visiting the school. They thought Dad was just like Harry Potter!
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Just got tickets!
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We’re going to Glencoe!
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Austentacious- the single best improv performance I’ve seen in my entire life.
I thought Tattoo was overpriced and there were some cringey “we used to be an Empire, here are some natives to dance for you” moments, but if you are a Jane Austen lover, these folks are top notch!
There’s also a Scottish disco walking tour of Edinburgh which is fun, hilarious, and great exercise (those hills!). But just walking the streets and seeing a musical troupe play Elvis on instruments they’ve made out of street trash and old tupperware containers-- just so much fun. Around every corner is a sword swallower, a magician, a dance group-- the street life is fantastic!!! Wish I were joining you… (my Fringe trip in 2020 got cancelled of course and I didn’t have the heart to rebook in case Covid roared back…)
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We enjoyed Dublin Castle, as it served as both the head of British rule and oppression, and the seat of government of the new republic as of 1922. The history of Ireland is just heartbreaking.
One thing we learned: NEVER refer to the “The Famine”–there was plenty of food, it’s just that the Brits were shipping it out of country for sale. Since our 2017 visit we refer to “The Hunger”. The British starved their own citizens—think about that for a second. Many converted from Catholicism to Anglicanism, just to get food, which was not available to Catholics.
The Scots have the misfortune of living on the same island as the English, which made their fight for independence more difficult.
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When I think of the Irish, I’m happy we had the Minutemen.
Enjoy the Tattoo! We saw it many, many years ago, on a night the Queen and Prince Philip were there. It’s an iconic event and the setting is spectacular and the bagpipes quite stirring!
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Piggybacking on this thread; hope it’s OK.
Hubby turns 65 next year and we are planning a somewhat large family reunion in Ireland (10 people & a couple of babies.)
I’m thinking we need, like, one airbnb or something, centrally located (not Dublin), and then just fan out from there as needed. Does anyone have any thoughts on where would be best? Specific recommendations would be even better!