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Post by t-bob on Oct 26, 2006 8:14:32 GMT -5
I'm not going - my wife is!
I suggested she take a trip and avoid the major dust while we finish the remodeling on our house for upcoming invasion of my father moving in with us. She said to me 10 minutes later, "I can fly to London for $369" My response was, "Do it!" So she's booked airfare from Nov 6 thru the 16th.
At least a couple of you here have been to London recently, any recommendations for hotels? You limeys can speak up as well. The Cranley Hotel in South Kensington is available for 1410 pounds for 8 nights, a nice little boutique place right in the center of everything. I know she'll like that place. I'd prefer to spend a little less.
Thanks, guys and girls.
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Post by guitone on Oct 26, 2006 8:46:43 GMT -5
I stayed in a flat on the SoutheWestern part of London, just south of Chelsea. It was less expensive than a bed and breakfast but was a bit more of a deal if you like to stop by your place mid day, this was definitely on the edge.
Everything is very expensive, food especially, but tell her to have fun. If she is a coffee or tea drinker she can to to Nero's and get a buy 10 get one cup free card...worked out great for Emma and me.
The flat was clean, but spartan, if I were going again right now I would probalby look to be a bit mmore cental.
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Post by t-bob on Oct 26, 2006 8:55:16 GMT -5
You have a name or address? Shops and pubs nearby, Joel? Close to the Underground and bus lines? Our whole family stayed in London a few years ago all summer in a house near The War Museum. I'm not going to worry about the $$$ too much on this trip, it's her birthday week. I'll be in CT getting my dad's house emptied out and all while she's across the pond in my favorite city. Thanks for the suggestion. You're in CT or MA?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2006 9:26:17 GMT -5
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Post by theevan on Oct 26, 2006 16:15:29 GMT -5
Yeah, London is pricey. I stayed pretty far from London town for less, but why bother?
Ditto the Nero card.
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Post by t-bob on Oct 26, 2006 16:31:26 GMT -5
I booked the Cranley Hotel, which can be cancelled up to 72 hours before check-in. Also went through my home exchange, www.homelink.org to see what they had for rentals. There is one in central London. I think my wife will choose the hotel option. What the hell, it's her birthday week, and she's agreed to put up with my father living with us until...  |
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Post by guitone on Oct 26, 2006 16:54:08 GMT -5
You have a name or address? Shops and pubs nearby, Joel? Close to the Underground and bus lines? Our whole family stayed in London a few years ago all summer in a house near The War Museum. I'm not going to worry about the $$$ too much on this trip, it's her birthday week. I'll be in CT getting my dad's house emptied out and all while she's across the pond in my favorite city. Thanks for the suggestion. You're in CT or MA? TB, email me at JRStern11@charter.net I will forward the info on the apartment. It was in the Broadway/Fulham area, nice, not touristy, the apt was a bit sparse. actually here is the email of the person that rents the apt. Samuel Amiada info@londonholidayrentals.com We kind of just played it by ear each day as far as where to eat, we did some theater and plays, no bars...I would recommend some markets for better deals on shopping. I have my London books on line right now on ebay to sell, if you wife needs some let me know and I can pull then and send you all or any of the ones I have for postage. I am in Western MA, near CT, where will you be? Joel |
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Post by andrewg on Oct 26, 2006 19:29:48 GMT -5
South Kensington is a great central location. You are a few minutes walk from the British Museum, Harrods in Knightsbridge and just a few minutes from the Tube which will take you everywhere you need to see.
Recommend your good wife takes a ride on the London Eye-a huge, slow moving ferris wheel with enclosed gondolas for great panoramic photos of London.
A 'must do' is an open top tour bus ride. You'll see all the regular tourist spots-Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge. Just wrap up warm!
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Post by t-bob on Oct 26, 2006 19:33:25 GMT -5
Thanks, Andrew. If everything works out, I'll be in England in April and quite near you.
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Post by theevan on Oct 26, 2006 19:57:41 GMT -5
I recommend 2-3 days at the British Museum. The sucker is free and is a jaw-dropping wonderment. A concert or show at the Royal Albert would be a treat. The Tower of London is another all-day mind meld.
It's a great time of year to do the crowded tourist things because they won't be crowded.
It's a further-out tube stop, but I can get you the name and location of the most amazing Indian restaurant I've ever tried and my Londoner/Sri Lankan friend concurs. Lemme know.
Then there's the guitar street....
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Post by t-bob on Oct 26, 2006 20:21:02 GMT -5
Evan, my wife thinks guitars are impediments to our communication! But she loves Indian food. We went to quite a few of them when we were there in the summer of 98. If you can find that restaurant, my email is bobmckennee@yahoo.com
British Museum is awesome indeed, as is The Victoria and Albert. We did a little bit of the Tower stuff, but we all hate queuing up.
Gracias!
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Post by Supertramp78 on Oct 26, 2006 20:57:10 GMT -5
we went in 1998.
"A 'must do' is an open top tour bus ride." Agree. Sign up for an all day trip and hit most of the major tourist stops quickly. then plan day trips for the other locations you might want to visit. We liked Hampton Court especially. get a week long underground pass. Doesn't cost much and you have most of your travel paid for. You can take trains out to Hampton or Windsor (another nice place to visit).
tell her to have fun.
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Post by t-bob on Oct 26, 2006 21:24:58 GMT -5
I just bought her a ticket to see Al Stewart at The Royal Albert Hall. I'm beginning to get a little envious. I guess I'll need to book myself a trip to Melbourne to see the Australian Open, snark, snark...
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Post by theevan on Oct 27, 2006 5:37:55 GMT -5
The open bus tour will suck in November. Fuggediboutit.
Some of the more expensive coach tours are worthwhile. We dug ours but that's not some folks' bag.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2006 8:21:11 GMT -5
If it's a bit chilly, there are few finer places to go and steam up your specs than the palm house at Kew botanical gardens. (station v. close)
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Post by t-bob on Oct 29, 2006 12:12:34 GMT -5
Thanks again, everyone! Especially Joel for the books. She also may visit either Brussels via the Chunnel, or Edinburgh. She is a travelin' fool - if it were me, I'd just bask in the London cosmos for 8 days.
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Post by roylundelius on Oct 29, 2006 12:19:56 GMT -5
Party at Tequilabobs?
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Post by t-bob on Oct 29, 2006 14:53:55 GMT -5
Great idea, but I won't be at home to enjoy it myself. And the house will be full of painters, plumbers, and finish carpenters putting the final touches on the remodeling we've been doing to accomodate my father moving in with us. I'll be in Connecticut, packing up his house and bringing him back here. Enjoy the party.
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Post by guitone on Oct 29, 2006 16:40:09 GMT -5
Wow, that was fast, I just mailed them Friday.... J |
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Post by andrewg on Oct 29, 2006 18:33:26 GMT -5
The Victoria & Albert museum has Queen Victoria's doll house. You could spend hours marvelling at the thing. When it was built electric lighting was only just being installed in a VERY few choice locations. The doll house was one of them. It seems inconsequential now in the 21st century but back in the 19th it was a thing of wonder.
Also, the library in the doll house contains hand written miniature books by some of the literary giants of the age.
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