8893
Curiouser
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Messages
- 29,851
- Reaction Score
- 96,512
Putting the final plans in place for a family trip to Wales and Ireland (London area, too, but I've got that covered) next week and hoping to get some input from any somewhat recent travelers to the area:
- Most pressing issue is car rental. I will be renting a car for two days to visit my wife's relations in the Cardiff, Wales area; and then for another three days to drive from Galway to Kerry to Limerick to Shannon. I drive manual very well and had no problems doing that for a few weeks all over Italy a few summers ago; and I drove stick in Ireland without issue when I was in college, albeit almost 30 years ago now. I'm apprehensive about diving back into the whole driving on the other side of the road, on the other side of the car, and shifting with the other hand thing with the family in tow, including at least one teenage daughter who is known to complain of car sickness with very little prompting. Needless to say, my wife is pushing hard for the automatic, and I will never hear the end of it if they feel sick. But the damn automatics are more than twice the price, meaning literally $500+ more over those rental days. So...the question is whether anyone with similar background/experience can either confirm my fears or give me a boost of confidence about getting a manual vs. automatic, given that itinerary.
- We fly into Dublin Airport at 8:00 am from Cardiff and are going directly to Galway. Debating coach bus, which sounds very nice, with reclining seats, wi-fi, A/C, bathroom, etc.; or train, which is a little shorter (~3 hrs by bus; ~ 2.6 hrs. by train). Both reasonably priced. Wife thinks bus will be more comfy and scenic, and I don't really have a preference, except to hear from someone who may have direct experience with either.
- Lastly, any recommendations for must-sees, food, drink, family stuff or anything else in these areas.