So I may be going to London or Dublin in March...suggestions?

[BreweryYardRat]

Depends on whether or not I can get a travel scholarship, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

In London, I'll be visiting the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Tower of London, the Wallace Collection, the London Museum, Windsor Castle, London Zoo, and London Aquarium. If I can rent a car (and if the British traffic system isn't too horribly confusing for me) I'll go over to Stonehenge, and the Royal Armory in Leeds.

I might also hit the National Portrait Galley and Westminister Abbey.

That takes care of most of my scenic-attraction desires...anyone got any recommendations for nightclubs (indie, metal, or goth), youth hostels, bars (I'm legal drinking age in the UK! Woo!), other social things? Some advice on proper behavior would be nice as well.

In Dublin, the only places I'm planning to visit so far are the Dublin (National) Museum, Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Drimnagh Castle, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. As a result, I'd like the names of some other museums and scenic places. Museums with good arms and armor collections, or nearby castles, are preferred.

Ditto the above request for advice on fun places and behavior.

And last but not least, meeting up with any DUers in London or Dublin-I know we have a couple! :)

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

1. I've been to both, I definitely preferred Dublin.

Most of the bars & clubs I went to were gay, so you're probably not looking for that.

However, in Dublin, I really enjoyed the literary pub crawl, which left from Duke's Pub. They have a website as well. The actors that lead it are really fun and you'll get to see a few different pubs while learning something. Also, from Dublin, I recommend a day trip to St. Kevin's Monastery in Glendalough. There's lots of hiking and cool ruins there. There's also a hostel right there (which also provides a good breakfast), so you don't have to worry about making it back to Dublin in the same day. While in Dublin, stay in the Temple Bar district, because that's where you'll find the craic. I bought the Hostels book for Ireland and that's what I used to figure out where I'd be staying. I traveled around solo for 10 days as a woman without any problems (aside from weird looks in the the rural places), so it's a pretty safe place to explore.

[BreweryYardRat]

2. Thanks, that sounds interesting!

Although you're right that I'm not interested in gay clubs...not unless I can find a lookalike for David Hewlett.

[ZombieNixon]

3. Take me with you.

:P

[BreweryYardRat]

4. If you can pony up the money...

...I'd be happy to have someone to go along with.