Independent Travellers Britain and Ireland 2004

Independent Travellers Britain and Ireland 2004 is a real favorite with both regular and first-time backpackers, wanting to tour Great Britain and Ireland by rail. Updated annually by commissioned researchers and with the help of our readers, this guide offers budget options for accommodations, transportations, eating out, and sightseeing, as well as suggested routes for exploring different regions. The guide now includes a FREE weblinks CD ROM offering additional information for use when planning a trip and finding out more about the destination.

Great Britain and Ireland surprise many visitors for their sheer variety, brought about by a combination of complex history and an amazing diversity of landscapes. With careful selection there is enough to fill a lifetime of travelling. ENGLAND--Journey across the country and you will be struck by the change in scenery from one moment to the next. This is true whether you are travelling through the mountainous Lake District, beneath the wide skies of low-lying East Anglia, along Cornwall's rugged sea cliffs or through the manicured countryside of the Cotswolds. IRELAND--The many cliches about Ireland are mostly true. Famously green because of the almost daily falls of rain, it is also very friendly. Visitors do get talking to locals over a pint of Guinness and you get the feeling that everyone has plenty of time to chat. In Ireland, it doesn't pay to be in a hurry.

Eric and Ruth Bailey are a husband and wife travel writing team with a score of guidebook titles to their credit. They live in North Norfolk and have visited each of Ireland's 32 counties.