Mlhduck

Hey! I am a 29 yo female going to Europe for the first time this August! I need help with my London part! I will fly into London around 9:45 am, and I know it will take time to get from the airport etc and get settled so other then maybe dinner and some night exploring of city views lit up... day one is shot from what I hear! I am planning on spending 5 nights in London... is this too long? Does anyone have any good hostel recs for me that might include breakfast and in a safe location? I love the outdoors (adventure seeker!) and submerging myself in the culture! I like art and museums but I will be spending a month in Europe and don't want to burn myself out with museums the first week I'm there! I love good food so any restaurant/café recs are greatly appreciated esp if they are non-touristy and off the beaten path for the great experience! I know of the usual buckinham palace, London eye, Big Ben, London Bridge etc... but like out of the norm things as well! (For instance... when I get to Florence I will taking an Italian cooking class bc I love cooking and its not just another museum or building to look at!) Of course I am trying to stay budget friendly but willing to splurge if it is of course a must do/see! Thanks everyone in advance!!!

PalenQ

http://www.hostelworld.com/ is a great source for checking out hostels anyplace, including London, which has scores of them - some nice and some dumps - I would also take the critiquing of Let's Go Europe with a lot of confidence - the best book I can think of for young folk like you going anywhere in Europe (http://www.letsgo.com/destinations/europe/) or at any large bookstore or library - written by young folks for young folks.

You may also want to try university dorm rooms in London: https://www.student.com/?gclid=CKjr9...FQgtaQodKWQN3w

These are all places you can meet others your age from all over the world - can't do in most hotels or airbnb.

Five nights in London is not too much but if you want to do an easy day trip into a more real England think about Cambridge or Oxford or Windsor Castle or Hampton Court Castle (the latter way way underlooked by many - all easily gotten to by trains or with Oxford buses too. Or take a train to Salisbury and a bus from the station to nearby Stonehenge.

nytraveler

Four and a little days will barely scratch the surface of London.

And if your flight lands at 9:45 you will be at your hotel in time to shower and go for a late lunch and some exploring.

Many museums in London are free - so you can just pop in for an hour or so to see just what you want - not need to stay for hours because you've paid a lot. (Although I could live in them forever.)

In terms of hotel you need to give us a specific amount in either $ or pounds - and remember that London hotels are not cheap.

As for restaurants - what type of food do you like/dislike - and again what is your budget for a dinner. (We usually just grab a lunch in a casual cafe wherever we are.)

Mlhduck

Thanks for all of the tips! I was wondering if there were day trip possibilities!!

I travel around the US for a living and my eating horizons have definitely expanded since growing up in a small Midwest town! I will pretty much try anything! Love seafood (as long as its not too fishy tasting), of course steaks/meats/chicken, pasta, pizza etc! Im hoping most days will be just a light breakfast whether its free at the hotel/hostel or a muffin/croissant with maybe a coffee if needed and then hopefully a light lunch but filling enough to get me through the day... and of course I do love happy hours! I'm excited to get to Italy for the appertivo time! And then a descent dinner so I don't really know what to expect for prices but after living in Cali and New England... I am sorta used to paying 20-30$ a meal with a glass of wine/drink for dinner when I eat out! I don't want to splurge every night like that if there are cheaper descent places if that makes sense!

As far as budget for hotels, etc... It will be just me so if I could stay less then 60/night although I've seen most hostels run around 40/night is good in my book!

Southam

Your enthusiasm is obvious, and you are probably energetic enough to do lots of advance research. Start by getting to know London's mass transit system which will be essential to moving around. You can Google it. The London and UK governments have huge Internet information resources. There are hostel information sites too. It will take work but you will hone your knowledge to make the best use of your time. For instance, you find that the London Bridge you mention is located somewhere in the United States now, sold off as a tourist attraction, but you can still see the Tower Bridge, which is what you probably meant. No, I am not being picky; do-it-yourself travel requires such diligence. Another example: Breakfasts in London hotels can vary from the continental style you mention to a spread of cereal, eggs, sausage, baked beans and lots of cold toast. Later in the day the pub can satisfy your appetite but some are at a gastro level and others struggle to microwave a scrawny meat pie. There are plenty of Internet guides such as http://www.pubs.com/ and http://londonist.com/pubs That latter on-line magazine is a quite entertaining guide to many activities in London. The more established publications (Guardian, Telegraph, Time Out) all have lists of pubs, restos etc. You could also consider some sort of half-day tour of the city, maybe hop-on hop off, to get to know the layout. Your hotel or hostel will have information.
But to begin: This site has a Destinations section, and so do other similar sites, and they will give you a firmer foundation for exploring one of the world's great cities.

Mlhduck

Thanks for the help! I do mean the Tower Bridge as in fact I have seen the "real" London Bridge when I was traveling in AZ last summer for work!! Funny you say that! But yes I am very excited and willing to do the research! I just like the out of the norm places that people come across on their own that aren't listed like all of the touristy highlights!!

carolyn

Some of the tube stations have Cornish Pasty carry out shops, and the pasties (meat pies in a crust that you can eat in your hands) are quite good and inexpensive.

latedaytraveler

Hi MLHDUCK,

"... I am planning on spending 5 nights in London... is this too long?"

NO. It could take five months in London to scratch the surface.

Be assured, you will return. Have fun!

ElendilPickle

Some of the YHA hostels offer a continental breakfast for five pounds. You could also use their self-catering kitchens and fix your own breakfast. www.yha.org.uk

We either bought ready-made sandwiches from places like Sainsbury's Express or bought bread, cheese, fruit, etc. and ate on the go.

www.fancyapint.com is a good guide for pubs.

Lee Ann

Mlhduck

Thanks for the info! I'm down for cooking myself if that is cheap! And thanks for the pub info!! After living in Colorado and being to Oregon... I love pub and BEER!!!