See Bags Go

Today, I’m grabbing a nice long flight across the pond to explore the land of thistles, Scotch and those kilted men doing yoga (you’re welcome, ladies). I only have a week to pack in as much Scottish fun as I possibly can which includes a ceilidh, a road trip around the Isle of Skye and attending a Scottish fiddling concert. So, feel free to check out my Instagram this week for posts about all my adventures!

The Flight

Finding a cheap ticket abroad is a little difficult when you can’t be flexible with your travel dates. As a student, I’m stuck with the dates set for spring break, but Student Universe saved my wallet. They’re cheaper than other sites like Kayak or Travelocity, and have great customer service! I initially snagged a ticket that would have me grabbing a cab from JFK to LaGuardia in the middle of rush hour on a Friday. That was a rookie mistake on my part, but Student Universe was great with swapping my flights for an easier layover in elsewhere. With my passport and tickets ready, I’m hoping for a smooth flight.

The Planning

Being that I’m visiting my friend going to graduate school in Glasgow, I’ve been fortunate to have a more relaxed planning process. I pulled up the ever-so-handy Google Docs to create a list of what activities I wanted to check out. I searched online, asked people I know who have made the trip and (of course) asked my friend about her suggestions.  I made sure to have the activity/place, address, transportation and costs on my spreadsheet. Seeing my total budget at the bottom of the sheet was really important for my sanity and bank account.

The Gist

Here are the basics of my agenda:

• Glasgow
• Edinburgh
• Glencoe
• Fort William
• Portree
• Stirling

Amidst those destinations, I hope to capture amazing pictures, meet great people and take in whatever Scotland has to offer in this short week. Here’s to doing, not lusting–Stay tuned for next Friday’s post!
*photo credit: Meredith Hudock