allieS

Hi All,

We are heading to Europe on the 20 September, with the first stop London for five nights before flying to Inverness. We are staying with friends in West Kensington, however they are heading off on their own holiday on the second last night that we are there. SO...We are thinking about heading out to Cotswolds for one night and then Brighton or Gatwick for the second night. We need to be at Gatwick airport at 0800 on the morning after the second night. We'd hire a car to do this. The other alternative is that we can stay at our friends house while they are away and day trip out of London. Maybe hire a car but more likely train or bus tour.

I would love any recommendations of where to go and which option is the best idea?

Rich

If this is your first visit to London, you can easily fill the five days in London.

When I lived in London and wanted to get away for a few days, I would take the train to Gatwick ( if I was going south ) or Heathrow ( if I was going west ) and rent the car there.

I rented once at Hertz in Portman Square and regreted it . . too much stress getting out of London.

Day trips to most common destinations are easy by train.

janisj

The Cotswolds and Brighton are quite far apart - not an easy "2 fer".

5 nights is <u>nothing</u> for London so you really don't need to go anywhere. But if you want to - Brighton makes the most sense since you can take the train there from London and then another train from Brighton right to the terminal at LGW.

bratsandbeer

Our last trip to Europe we had a morning flight from Gatwick. We stayed at a b&amp;b about 5 minutes from Gatwick. It is a great place to stay. They ask what time your flight is and they make sure they have you at Gatwick in plenty of time. They drive you there themselves - no charge. Each of us tipped him - he was great. If you are interested I will find the name of the b&amp;b for you.

He will even pick you up at Gatwick and take you to the b&amp;b.

The Yotel at Gatwick is an option also but may be more expensive.

allieS

hi all, thanks for your advice. We've decided to stay in London and just take day trips if we feel the need for a break from the city. Bratsandbeer, that bnb sounds great. I am thinking about staying out at Gatwick for the last night so that we are ready to go early in the morning.

janisj

allieS: Staying at LGW is definitely an option. However - if your London hotel is near Victoria station, it is just about as convenient to stay that night in London.

The Gatwick Express takes only 30 mins from Victoria right to the terminal at LGW. There are many hotels w/i walking distance of Victoria, including one right above the station. You could catch a 7:30 GEX and be at the airport by 8:00.

zeppole

I'm interested in the name of the Gatwick b*b. Thanks!

bratsandbeer

Trumbles - Gatwick Airport B&amp;B
You can read a review on tripadvisor.

http://www.trumbles.co.uk/

You can search under Gatwick b&amp;bs or Horley b&amp;bs for other hotels and b&amp;bs in Horley.

zeppole

Thank you, bratsandbeer. I'm in and out of Gatwick a lot. I'll check it out. Shall I tell them you sent me?

bratsandbeer

Zeppole - no they wouldn't remember us - our last trip there was 18 months ago. But I remember what nice people they were and wanting to take care of us. We had the best breakfast there.

I am new to this forum so perhaps I should ask the question formally, but will ask it of you anyway. Do you think 2 nights in Assisi is one day too many? We are stopping there on our way from Florence to Rome.

zeppole

You should probably solicit other opinions in a separate thread, and when you do, say more about how Assisi fits into the whole context of your trip, what time of year you are going and how passionate you are about exploring art/religious sites -- and whether you will have a car.

Assisi is very, very heavily populated by not only tourists by religious pilgrims. St Francis is the patron saint of Italy. (Don't go on his birthday, which is Oct 4 or 5, I think).

Because it is jammed in the day, many people recommend spending at least one night there, to get the feel of the place after the hordes have departed.

By the way, if you are not so keen on artistic sightseeing that you are prepared to face down the hordes, that area of Umbria is filled with atmospheric destinations. However, there is no substitute for Assisi if you want to see Assisi. Just have a strategy for getting to really see it.

But ask other people too!

zeppole

PS: I'm sure you already know, but Assisi is out of the way from a trip between Firenze and Roma, especially if you aren't using a car to do it.

Any interest in seeing Orvieto? Or is Assisi a lifelong dream?

bratsandbeer

Thanks Zeppole. If you think of anything else to add you can find my posting.
There is a train close to Assisi with a bus that runs back and forth to Assisi.
Would love to drive but with all the countries my sister has driven us around in she refuses to drive in Italy.

zeppole

I'll look at the other thread but maybe I'll add here that Umbria is the perhaps the easiest place to drive in Italy, other than Piemonte. But not always the easiest place to park!

Yep. There is a train station, and a bus to take you up the BIG hill. (There's nothing but big hills around there, though, so no gettin' around 'em.)

It's just that it is a dog leg to Assisi, rather than on the direct train line from Firenze to Roma.

bratsandbeer

Thanks - it isn't how easy it is to drive cause she has driven all over UK and Ireland and Paris but it is those Italian drivers. gt

zeppole

For me, it's not the drivers, it's the parking. But they do get on your rear and, at heart, they either all believe they're divinely protected or else that one shouldn't cling to life, because they do cut it close.

Anyway, you don't need a car. Just pack some good eats and a bottle of vino for that train trip.

bratsandbeer

The train trips through Italy will be great. We are taking a sleeper train from Budapest to Venice and that one can be an adventure. Not sure of safety on the train. We take our bungee cords and locking cables etc. We checked out low cost flights but they seem to end in September.

bratsandbeer

Couldn't remember the name of the other b&amp;b that we stayed in close to Gatwick - but it is The Lawn Guest House. It is in Horley just minutes from Gatwick.

www.lawnguesthouse.co.uk
[email protected]

thursdaysd

Horley is loaded with B&amp;Bs that provide pick up and drop off service for Gatwick. I like this one: www.springwoodguesthouse.co.uk The breakfast is continental not English, but the rates are good and the rooms small but comfortable. If you stay in Horley the Old Six Bells pub is a good place for dinner and walking distance from several B&amp;Bs.