comments/thoughts on itinerary
Sep 26th, 2011, 04:50 PM
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comments/thoughts on itinerary
Good evening!
I appreciate any thoughts about my plans - I have had to put this together myself due to limited travel times of younger daughter. Also I have never been to London, Paris or Rome - and only have 14 days so putting this together has been a challenge. We plan to travel light no checked bags...I am 57 (not in best physical shape) and traveling with my oldest daughter (age 30) to arrive in London Heathrow on 10/15/2011. My younger daughter (20) to meet us in London on Sunday 10/16/2011 (flying in from Rome). We are staying at Marriott Hotel Marble Arch
Day 1 - Arrive 10:00 at Heathrow - Best to take a cab into town? No plans - maybe will be to exhausted to do anything due to jet lag? any suggestions ?
Day 2 - Younger daughter arriving late in afternoon from Rome into Gatwick airport - she should take Gatwick Express train from what I can determine to Victoria Station and then cab to hotel?
Any suggestions for me and my other daughter to do in am? My younger daughter wants to visit British Museum, British Library and Harry Potter tour... so can't do these things without her. Also since it is a Sunday - I guess we are really limited?
Day 3 - British Museum - am
British Library - pm
Day 4 - Buckingham Palace - changing of guard?
Tower of London/Westminster Abbey
Day 5- We can do something in the am; but then must catch Eurostar by 3:30 to Paris. Plan to eat dinner in Paris - any suggestions? - We are staying at Hotel Clement in #6. Probably take cab to hotel?
Day 6 - Notre Dame and Tower - am
Louvre - pm
Day 7 - Orsay/Orangerie Museums
have reservations for Eiffel Tower at 600 pm
Day 8 - Day trip to Versailles
Day 9 - See something close to hotel like Luxemburg Gardens? in am?;
must be at Orly by 4:00 pm for flight to Rome - arrive Rome at 8 pm - staying at Sheraton Golf Parco de Medici near my younger daughter's school. I guess it is best to take cab from Ciampino airport?
Day 10 - 14 - no plans set but would like to see Borghese Gallery/ Vatican Museum/St. Peters, Ancient Rome- Coliseum, Forum etc and a day trip to Naples/Pompeii
Leave on Day 15
We are trying to do as much as we can in London and Paris - Rome is a bit easier... but any suggestions are most welcome especially any restaurants you can recommend for dinner that are moderately priced - 25 - 30 Euros near any of the hotels or sights..
Also the day trip to Naples - is that safe - to take the train - heard a lot about pick pockets/thieves.... Are the river cruises in Paris and London worth the time?
Thank you for your suggestions....
Rose
I appreciate any thoughts about my plans - I have had to put this together myself due to limited travel times of younger daughter. Also I have never been to London, Paris or Rome - and only have 14 days so putting this together has been a challenge. We plan to travel light no checked bags...I am 57 (not in best physical shape) and traveling with my oldest daughter (age 30) to arrive in London Heathrow on 10/15/2011. My younger daughter (20) to meet us in London on Sunday 10/16/2011 (flying in from Rome). We are staying at Marriott Hotel Marble Arch
Day 1 - Arrive 10:00 at Heathrow - Best to take a cab into town? No plans - maybe will be to exhausted to do anything due to jet lag? any suggestions ?
Day 2 - Younger daughter arriving late in afternoon from Rome into Gatwick airport - she should take Gatwick Express train from what I can determine to Victoria Station and then cab to hotel?
Any suggestions for me and my other daughter to do in am? My younger daughter wants to visit British Museum, British Library and Harry Potter tour... so can't do these things without her. Also since it is a Sunday - I guess we are really limited?
Day 3 - British Museum - am
British Library - pm
Day 4 - Buckingham Palace - changing of guard?
Tower of London/Westminster Abbey
Day 5- We can do something in the am; but then must catch Eurostar by 3:30 to Paris. Plan to eat dinner in Paris - any suggestions? - We are staying at Hotel Clement in #6. Probably take cab to hotel?
Day 6 - Notre Dame and Tower - am
Louvre - pm
Day 7 - Orsay/Orangerie Museums
have reservations for Eiffel Tower at 600 pm
Day 8 - Day trip to Versailles
Day 9 - See something close to hotel like Luxemburg Gardens? in am?;
must be at Orly by 4:00 pm for flight to Rome - arrive Rome at 8 pm - staying at Sheraton Golf Parco de Medici near my younger daughter's school. I guess it is best to take cab from Ciampino airport?
Day 10 - 14 - no plans set but would like to see Borghese Gallery/ Vatican Museum/St. Peters, Ancient Rome- Coliseum, Forum etc and a day trip to Naples/Pompeii
Leave on Day 15
We are trying to do as much as we can in London and Paris - Rome is a bit easier... but any suggestions are most welcome especially any restaurants you can recommend for dinner that are moderately priced - 25 - 30 Euros near any of the hotels or sights..
Also the day trip to Naples - is that safe - to take the train - heard a lot about pick pockets/thieves.... Are the river cruises in Paris and London worth the time?
Thank you for your suggestions....
Rose
Sep 26th, 2011, 05:55 PM
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Rose, a river cruise on the Seine is quite nice. I like the centrally located Vedettes Pont Neuf, and their website has a coupon. An evening cruise is, IMO, especially nice.
I think that since your Rome hotel is so far from the center, perhaps you ought to rethink the day trip to Naples/Pompeii. You are going to be spending a lot of time getting back and forth to Rome itself, and may not have as much extra time as you think you will. If you take a taxi, it will be, as listed on the hotel's website, about 25 euro each way.
I couldn't climb the Notre Dame tower and then go to the Louvre. That might be a hard day.
London river cruise: meh. I've done it a few times, going from Westminster to Greenwich. The second time we did it, it was because we were tired and just wanted to sit on the boat on a nice day. Plus we had some sort of discount.
Last time in London, we used the water bus service to get to Tate Britain. It seemed to take a long time.
I think that since your Rome hotel is so far from the center, perhaps you ought to rethink the day trip to Naples/Pompeii. You are going to be spending a lot of time getting back and forth to Rome itself, and may not have as much extra time as you think you will. If you take a taxi, it will be, as listed on the hotel's website, about 25 euro each way.
I couldn't climb the Notre Dame tower and then go to the Louvre. That might be a hard day.
London river cruise: meh. I've done it a few times, going from Westminster to Greenwich. The second time we did it, it was because we were tired and just wanted to sit on the boat on a nice day. Plus we had some sort of discount.
Last time in London, we used the water bus service to get to Tate Britain. It seemed to take a long time.
Sep 26th, 2011, 06:24 PM
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A few more thoughts: even though you will be beat up upon arrival in London, I'm pretty sure you will want to something. You can play in by ear, but there are so many dozens of things to do and see. I might suggest The Courtald, or the the Wallace Collection, or something manageable in size. What do you like to do?
Sep 26th, 2011, 07:29 PM
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Only a few comments for now:
No, don't take cab from LHR; a car service like justairports (pre-booked) is cheaper and so dependable. They'll meet you right past customs and take you to your doorstep.
Then get outside and walk around your neighborhood, to a park, etc. Keep moving, in whatever daylight you have. This is a good anecdote for jet lag.
On your museum/library day, I'd switch--go to library first, spend an hour or so, then walk to British Museum and spend much longer, maybe til closing even. I LOVE going to the British Library, but you really can see a lot of what there is to see in 2 hours or so, whereas the BM can take 2---years? months? anyway, much longer.
You will find many will suggest you spend your limited time doing something besides standing around waiting for a glimpse of the changing of the guard. I would be one of these.
No, don't take cab from LHR; a car service like justairports (pre-booked) is cheaper and so dependable. They'll meet you right past customs and take you to your doorstep.
Then get outside and walk around your neighborhood, to a park, etc. Keep moving, in whatever daylight you have. This is a good anecdote for jet lag.
On your museum/library day, I'd switch--go to library first, spend an hour or so, then walk to British Museum and spend much longer, maybe til closing even. I LOVE going to the British Library, but you really can see a lot of what there is to see in 2 hours or so, whereas the BM can take 2---years? months? anyway, much longer.
You will find many will suggest you spend your limited time doing something besides standing around waiting for a glimpse of the changing of the guard. I would be one of these.
Sep 26th, 2011, 11:32 PM
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Sometimes the best way to acquaint yourself with a large city is to take the hop on hop off bus. I tend to stay on the bus for a full circuit and then just hop off at a major sight and spend some hours there. This might work for you, since you say you've never been and, being on the ground in a city is sometimes a lot different from just reading about it.
That's what I'd do in London if it were my first time there and after a long flight. It's a relatively painless way to get to know a big city.
That's what I'd do in London if it were my first time there and after a long flight. It's a relatively painless way to get to know a big city.
Sep 27th, 2011, 02:35 AM
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On your arrival day, as you are pretty near Hyde Park, you could just stroll there if the weather's nice. The Serpentine Gallery in the middle of the park is free, and this will the last weekend of this year's pavilion there (which is actually a very peaceful enclosed garden).
http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/Hyde-Park.aspx
http://www.serpentinegallery.org/201...1_zumthor.html
For your daughter's arrival from Gatwick, there are two different services to Victoria (which is indeed the terminus to aim for). The Gatwick Express is the dedicated airport service, but there are also cheaper local stopping trains that don't take much longer, and on a Sunday late afternoon shouldn't be particularly crowded. However, that Sunday there are engineering works on the line and the Gatwick Express service will be reduced to half-hourly. The 16 bus goes from Victoria to Edgware Road, right by your hotel (it's only about half a dozen stops), but a cab would be the easier option:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaro...rchdr-2168.pdf
You can use the public buses to get a drive-past of most of the major sights (though without commentary, of course). The 23 from right by your hotel takes you on quite a tour (not sure I'd recommend it for your jetlag day - too easy to nod off!):
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloa...itor-guide.pdf
http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/Hyde-Park.aspx
http://www.serpentinegallery.org/201...1_zumthor.html
For your daughter's arrival from Gatwick, there are two different services to Victoria (which is indeed the terminus to aim for). The Gatwick Express is the dedicated airport service, but there are also cheaper local stopping trains that don't take much longer, and on a Sunday late afternoon shouldn't be particularly crowded. However, that Sunday there are engineering works on the line and the Gatwick Express service will be reduced to half-hourly. The 16 bus goes from Victoria to Edgware Road, right by your hotel (it's only about half a dozen stops), but a cab would be the easier option:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaro...rchdr-2168.pdf
You can use the public buses to get a drive-past of most of the major sights (though without commentary, of course). The 23 from right by your hotel takes you on quite a tour (not sure I'd recommend it for your jetlag day - too easy to nod off!):
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloa...itor-guide.pdf
Sep 27th, 2011, 05:02 AM
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I agree that climbing Notre Dame tower and visiting the Louvre in one day is a bit much for even the fittest of travelers. Instead of visiting the Louvre that day, why not visit Ste. Chapelle and then take a stroll on the Ile St. Louis. You havae a full morning on your last day - visit the Louvre that day.
Sep 27th, 2011, 05:55 AM
#9
I tend to be rude about Naples but I don't think you should have a big problem on the train there or if going around the volcano.
However, I would be careful in the station concourse or just outside. Not scared just careful.
All above is good advice.
However, I would be careful in the station concourse or just outside. Not scared just careful.
All above is good advice.
Sep 27th, 2011, 06:44 AM
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Walking around outdoors is supposed to lessen jet-lag. So texasbookworm's suggestion of a walk in a park your first afternoon is a good one. People have reported falling asleep on the Hop-on-hop-off bus.
As for your next morning, there's so much to do in London. You might be interested in one of the Sunday London Walks: www.walks.com. Or the Churchill War Rooms, including the underground bunker where he spent WWII. Or the Imperial War Museum or the Victoria & Albert. Or the Globe Theater exhibition and tour. Or, if the weather's goodish, the London Eye, a giant ferris wheel with a great view of the metropolis. Or window-shopping along Oxford Street or for higher-scale windows, Sloane Square and King's Road. Most stores, including Harrod's, don't open until 11:30 on Sundays.
Or, if you didn't do the HoHi bus the previous day, maybe that to get acquainted with the layout of the city.
As I said, there's so much to do in London.
As for your next morning, there's so much to do in London. You might be interested in one of the Sunday London Walks: www.walks.com. Or the Churchill War Rooms, including the underground bunker where he spent WWII. Or the Imperial War Museum or the Victoria & Albert. Or the Globe Theater exhibition and tour. Or, if the weather's goodish, the London Eye, a giant ferris wheel with a great view of the metropolis. Or window-shopping along Oxford Street or for higher-scale windows, Sloane Square and King's Road. Most stores, including Harrod's, don't open until 11:30 on Sundays.
Or, if you didn't do the HoHi bus the previous day, maybe that to get acquainted with the layout of the city.
As I said, there's so much to do in London.
Sep 27th, 2011, 07:28 AM
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One of the best things that we did in Paris was the Paris Wal with Peter. He took us to Monmartre and we saw where many of the famous painters and artists lived and worked. It was so much fun for 10 Euros each it is a must.
Also, a picnic with a baguette, cheese and wine in Luxumbourgh Gardens is another highlight.
In London, the Victoria Pub is beautiful and has wonderful pub food. 104 Strathearn Place.
In London, the hop on bus is a must.
Enjoy!
Also, a picnic with a baguette, cheese and wine in Luxumbourgh Gardens is another highlight.
In London, the Victoria Pub is beautiful and has wonderful pub food. 104 Strathearn Place.
In London, the hop on bus is a must.
Enjoy!
Sep 27th, 2011, 03:52 PM
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You don't have St. Paul's listed on your to-do list in London. You could go to a Sunday morning service that would let you see the interior without paying for a tour. If the boys' choir is singing, that would be a special treat.
We went to the 11:00 am service once, ate lunch at the Paul's Patisserie nearby, and then joined the Shakespeare & Dickens London Walk at 2:00 pm. Check londonwalks.com to see all that they offer.
In Paris, Ste. Chapelle is quite near Notre Dame. Its stained glass is wonderful.
We went to the 11:00 am service once, ate lunch at the Paul's Patisserie nearby, and then joined the Shakespeare & Dickens London Walk at 2:00 pm. Check londonwalks.com to see all that they offer.
In Paris, Ste. Chapelle is quite near Notre Dame. Its stained glass is wonderful.
Sep 27th, 2011, 04:00 PM
#13
I wouldn't plan anything the first day in London. I have a real hard time with time change/jet lag and prefer just to walk around, get some fresh air, see whatever I happen to see (yes maybe even take a nap).
With so few days in Paris, personally I wouldn't spend an entire day going out to Versailles. I would spread out the things you already mentioned onto the 'extra' day. I didn't do a river cruise my only time in Paris but that is something I wish I'd fit in. I love Luxembourg Gardens!
I also wouldn't do a "day trip" to Naples with so few days in Rome. Just spreading yourself too thin (especially since you mention not being in top physical shape).
I never plan restaurants ahead myself. Just keep your eyes open when you're out and about near your hotel (jot down addresses if something looks especially nice and you want to be able to find it again).
With so few days in Paris, personally I wouldn't spend an entire day going out to Versailles. I would spread out the things you already mentioned onto the 'extra' day. I didn't do a river cruise my only time in Paris but that is something I wish I'd fit in. I love Luxembourg Gardens!
I also wouldn't do a "day trip" to Naples with so few days in Rome. Just spreading yourself too thin (especially since you mention not being in top physical shape).
I never plan restaurants ahead myself. Just keep your eyes open when you're out and about near your hotel (jot down addresses if something looks especially nice and you want to be able to find it again).
Sep 27th, 2011, 04:34 PM
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Your hotel is a good bit outside Rome as I'm sure you realize. However, it is not far from Ostia Antica, a site featuring ancient Roman ruins that might make an easy afternoon trip instead of the long day trip to Pompeii.
http://www.ostiaantica.info/excavations.php
http://www.ostiaantica.info/excavations.php
Sep 30th, 2011, 11:49 AM
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Thank you for all the great suggestions . In London it was mentioned to get a car service to travel from airport Is there a particular good one.
Same question for getting to Orly airport in Paris. Thanks again for your help
Rose
Same question for getting to Orly airport in Paris. Thanks again for your help
Rose
Sep 30th, 2011, 12:37 PM
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>>In terms of looking for local restaurants, I tend to look for portly women of a certain age, they will know were the good restaurants are and the best cake shops<<
Or they know where all the Macdonalds are.
Or they know where all the Macdonalds are.
Sep 30th, 2011, 02:34 PM
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<I also wouldn't do a "day trip" to Naples with so few days in Rome. Just spreading yourself too thin (especially since you mention not being in top physical shape).>
Especially since you're going to spend a lot of time getting into and out of Rome. Are you sure you want to stay out there? Wouldn't one visit to your daughter's school suffice? Then you could stay in a centrally located hotel in the midst of Rome. And see so much more.
Especially since you're going to spend a lot of time getting into and out of Rome. Are you sure you want to stay out there? Wouldn't one visit to your daughter's school suffice? Then you could stay in a centrally located hotel in the midst of Rome. And see so much more.
