What?! What is wrong with you?!!! I've been to Dublin many times and love it.
I'm in Canada.
How much would a 1.5 - 2 week honeymoon in Europe cost, or any vacation there.
We would for sure do London and some of UK and probably hit the trains to various countries. France, Italy, but, probably Ireland and Scotland for sure (our ancestry is from there).
We would probably do a few nights at upper scale hotels but besides that low to medium fare places. For us, the best part of being over there is the sights during the day. Seeing the castles and rolling hills and mountains. The architechture and culture.
We do not drink alchohol so finding a good night life isn't important.
I know the CAD -> Euro is a pretty steep exchange rate. Would $5000 CAD do it? I honestly have no idea what a typical trip over there costs!
How much are the trains to various countries?
If you are doing London + Ireland + Scotland for sure than don't hit the mainland. You could easily spend a week in each one (Which we have done) and not see everything you want to see despite a break neck pacing.
One thing to keep in mind is that intra-British Isles flights can be very cheap. If you don't mind going through places like Ryan Air or Easy jet you can do simple flights from Glasgow to Belfast for under 25 Euro each (although there are charges for baggage). Virgin Atlantic flies form London to Edinburgh often for less than 80 Pounds and includes more baggage allowance.
There is also an overnight train from London to Scotland. Its a bit pricier but saves on a hotel night.
If you are going to do those 3 countries I would fly into London and fly out of Ireland. The UK charges a distance based fee for passengers leaving the UK which can get quite pricey for Trans Atlantic flights. If you are close to a certain major US cities or can get a cheap flight into one Aer Lingus often has very cheap airfare ($500USD RT from NY) and doesn't always show up on sites like Expedia. Another option which doesn't show up on those sites may be Icelandair. They run direct flights from some Canadian cities like Toronto to Heathrow and are in a bit of a fare spat with Air Canada
You'll have chain options in UK with IHG hotels being the biggest if you have any points or status although places like London and Edinburgh will have pretty much any option. In London itself I like the County Hall Marriott and the cheaper County Hall Premier Inn. Both are located almost directly across the river from Parliament and you have Westminster and Waterloo tube stations right there. Just an easy walk north of those hotels is a great food market called 'The Real Food Market' with a lot of fantastic food options
For Scotland and Ireland I would recommend looking into B&Bs as they are pretty much everywhere and fairly cheap for what you get.
I would think $5000CAD would be enough although that depends on the time of year you go which greatly influences hotel and airfare prices. Aside from rental car, airfare and hotel (which you will be able to find the prices in advance) we spent about $140USD a day for food, gas, entrance fees etc but we don't tend to buy too many trinkets
Some other quick recommendations:
-Look into getting a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees
-Grocery stores\gas stations have some good\cheap food options for breakfast. Their pastries are typically quite good if you are into that kind of thing and around 0.40 pounds each. It was quite easy to have breakfast for two for under 5Euro\Pounds total
-Consider renting a car and driving on the 'wrong' side of the road.
-If going to Wales avoid Bristol and surrounding areas around rush hour at all costs
-Get to Stonehenge shortly before they open to avoid the mass tour buses
- Avebury circle is a 'henge' like Stonehenge. Not as well preserved but no real tourist congestion and you can walk right up to the stones
-If you love landscapes make sure to visit the Isle of Skye in Scotland
-Loch Ness is a tourist trap
-If you're in the area choose the Dingle Peninsula over the Ring of Kerry. Just as scenic if not more so and much fewer tourists (the big tour buses can't do the Slea Head Drive)
-Cost of wait service is included in food prices so many places offer a discount for take out. If the weather is nice get take out in someplace like Ft. William and eat it on the side of a mountain