BBC Travel reader Lena Petrenko is seeking recommendations for a trip to Dublin and Edinburgh. Our Facebook followers gave her some suggestions.
Last week, we asked our Facebook community to help Lena Petrenko plan her travels to Scotland and Ireland. She asked: “Could you please share any recommendations on visiting Dublin and Edinburgh?”
Our Facebook fans came up with these ideas:
From John Fox: “Dublin: Make sure [to] pencil in a trip to Kilmainham Gaol.”
From Karen McQuade: “Edinburgh Castle, Mary King’s Close, Linlithgow Palace, Stirling Castle, Falkirk Wheel are very close to Edinburgh, so much more to see but these I’ve seen and highly recommend.”
From Tony Griggs: “Suggest checking out airbnb.com, you deal directly with the owners and cut out the middle people. We used them for staying in Vienna, friends have used them for Paris and their website is user-friendly with decent testimonials so you soon get a feel for a property. Besides, the layout gives you a quick feel for location, price and what is available. I just reckon it’s a good system and worth telling others.”
From Siobhan Healy: “The Chester Beatty Library right near Dublin Castle is a gem and there is delicious Lebanese food at the restaurant. Stephen’s Green and the Phoenix Park are great for a ramble.”
From Nikki Broady: “My grandson and I stayed in Pilrig House [in Edinburgh] and loved the peaceful park-like setting. We found Edina taxis to be courteous and timely. Our tour guide, Bill Hill, was a gem! Highly recommend his services. Lunch in The Elephant House where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter makes a nice memory.”
From Vic Roy Herbert: “In Edinburgh, climb Arthur’s Seat and enjoy the stunning views before heading to the Sheep Heid restaurant in Duddingston for a bite to eat.”
From Nikki Johnston: “I’ve been living in Dublin for the past eight months. I definitely recommend taking a trip up or down the Dublin Bay coastline on the DART commuter train. It’s hard to beat the glorious scenery out on the bracing cliff walk around Howth Head (follow up with some tasty seafood on the pier) or the beautiful views heading the other way between Dalkey and Killiney. Stunning.”
From Jennifer Connors: “In Dublin go see the Book of Kells and Christ Church Cathedral. Guinness is a huge tourist trap especially since you don’t actually see the beer being made, but you should go there. I went and I don’t drink but beer drinkers light up when you give them Guinness paraphernalia from Dublin. We had lunch at The Brazen Head (Ireland’s oldest pub) and the food was excellent. In Edinburgh we did a three-hour trike tour of the Highlands of Scotland and it was awesome! It was beautiful and so much fun. I would also say to go see Rosslyn Chapel and Mary King’s Close. Eat haggis so you can say that you did and it’s actually pretty good.”
From Rebecca Bosma: “I love Edinburgh! Definitely be sure to do a ghost tour of the underground vaults.”
From Nazar Rathore: “Do visit Firth of Forth area outside Edinburgh to see beautiful bridge structures. [Visit] the Royal Mile area in the city and Edinburgh castle.”
From Joanne Taylor: “Try a little place called Kinsale near Cork, hire a car and you have some lovely places to visit.”
From Patty Moss: “Don’t miss Glasgow. I liked it way better than Edinburgh.”
From Cathy Rogers: “As far as Dublin [goes], we did visit Trinity College for the illuminated manuscripts, there is a great additional one right around the corner with many more available to see.”
From Bethamy Bridgecam: “Besides the obvious destinations like the castle in Edinburgh and Trinity Church (and the Book of Kells etc) in Dublin, drop into pubs and relax. Talk to people. Enjoy.”
From Maya Rioux: “The Hop on-Hop off Bus Tour is the best way to easily knock out the must-see tourist destinations in Dublin. I agree with Bethamy though – just make a point to talk to as many Irish people as possible. Those conversations are hands down my best memories from Ireland.”
To join the next discussion or have your travel question answered by fellow readers, stay tuned to our BBC Travel Facebook page and Twitter.
More inspiration from BBC Travel:
Haunted DublinA toast to Dublin’s sightsMini guide to Edinburgh, Scotland
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