The initial
fortnight involved traversing Scandinavia and Russia using a blend of aeroplanes
and a ship (from Finland to Russia) for transitioning between countries. Public
transportation was our choice in Oslo, Helsinki, and Stockholm. During our time
in St. Petersburg, we participated in a bus excursion from the ship. We discovered
that the costs of hiring cars and fuel were exorbitant.
The subsequent
two weeks were aboard the MV Explorer cruise, sailing through Denmark, Scotland,
Iceland, Ireland, and England. Our voyage commenced in Stockholm, Sweden, and encompassed
city strolls in Copenhagen, Denmark, Lerwich, Scotland, Isofjordur, Iceland, and
Belfast, Northern Ireland. Additionally, we utilized bus excursions for
Rekjavik and Akureyri, Iceland.
The concluding
fortnight were spent in the United Kingdom. Disembarking in Southampton, England,
we encountered closure of car rental agencies on Sundays due to the weekend’s fleet
being fully rented until the upcoming Monday. Thus, alongside car hires, we employed
trains (and other options) for traversing the UK.
Initially,
accompanied only by my spouse, we explored cities by foot and travelled via trains
from Southampton to Brighton, Brighton to Canterbury, and Canterbury to Gatwick,
where we retrieved my daughter and her two children.
Subsequently,
the five of us procured a spacious Renault Captur, capable of accommodating us
and our luggage. Over a span of two days, we visited Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Bath
from our lodging in Warminster. This was followed by a two-day exploration of
the Cotswolds and southwestern Wales from our Airbnb in Cheltenham. Lastly, our
itinerary included a visit to Windsor Castle from Heathrow Lodge.
Post my daughter’s
nuptials, we joined our close friends and partners, employing trains, buses, a
private vehicle, cabs, and the subway, adapting to what was suitable and accessible
while touring London, Liverpool, and Edinburgh.
Here’s what
we ascertained. Cruises can often be the most budget-friendly mode, especially
if you secure a heavily discounted deal, much like our experience through Groupon.
However, organized excursions can substantially inflate the expenses. They should
be utilized when necessary, while self-guided exploration should be the preference
when feasible. The drawback lies in experiencing only a brief time at port,
limiting understanding of the locale and its inhabitants. Nevertheless, cruise
ships offer an array of food choices and quantities, ideal for food enthusiasts.
Moreover, they offer a readymade community of like-minded individuals to travel with.
Lastly, the hassle of packing and unpacking is eliminated!
Planes,
trains, taxis, and coaches may lack the convenience of hauling luggage through
different transfers, particularly on inclement and chilly days. Nonetheless, these
adventures provide an authentic insight into the destination and its people since
you can prolong your stay as desired, leading to more affordable accommodation options.
In the event
that you must drive, a road trip by automobile may prove to be more economically
viable (since car rentals become cheaper for longer durations), provided parking
fees and fuel costs remain reasonable. However, this might not hold true in the
UK due to driving on the opposite side, narrow backroads, and higher speed limits
than those in the US, which can be quite daunting at times!
Our
verdict was that a road trip offers the most genuine experience of the destination
and its people. While we generally prefer travelling by car, if fuel and parking
expenses are unreasonable, or driving conditions unknown, then trains, buses, and
planes are the subsequent choices. Cruises will be reserved for exceptional circumstances,
such as brief ferry crossings between nations. When exploring a city, opt for walking
and public transportation!
