denise

Just booked a great airfare for london and need advice. I was thinking of maybe doing 4 nights in london and 2 nights in the country. Any hotel/b&b/manor house/castle suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Of course, I'd love to get a deal, but would be willing to splurge a bit if it's worthwhile. Are we trying to cram to much in this short space? My husband & I were only in london for 2 days many years ago but we hired a private guide for one of the days and saw the tower, Westminster Abby, Buckingham Palace etc. I think we paid $100. at the time and it was worth every penny. Also, can anyone recommend a guide with car that might fit 2 couples?

janis

If the other couple has not been to London I would recommend staying the whole time in the city. Perhaps you could take one day trip by train - to Bath or Canterbury or Warwick. But even that might be too much. Six days is pretty short to split up. Remember - the first day you will all be exhausted and jet lagged and the last day will be pretty much used up packing, last minute shopping, getting to the airport, 3 hour advance check in, etc. So you will be lucky to have 5 full days in London.<BR><BR>And the time one person takes to see/do something, takes 2 people about 1/3 longer and 4 people about twice as long. it just does - longer meals, more "what do you want to do's", more waiting for one to finish that last exhibit at the British Museum. So don't rush it.<BR><BR>If you had 10 days I would rec. 6 days in London and 3 or 4 in the countryside.

Nancy

Yes, it will be tight but if you have 4 full days in London in which you can see all the highlights I'd recommend you spend the next 2 nights somewhere in the Cotswold. To me, it typifies what I think of England - thatched roofs, market squares, cute towns. I had a car and drove to several towns so I can't really recommend a particular town You might want to check out Rick Steves England travel book - hotel rates are good but the Cotswold really requires a car. Another thought is to take the train to York (great city) and spend 2 nights there.

denise

Thanks so much for the replies.I've always dreamt of visiting one of thoses lovely country towns and maybe staying in a cottage or b & b, so I think I'll try the 4 days london and 2 nites cotswold. I will have to really plan our time though. Do you think a private tour guide would be practical (is car large enough for four and is the price outrageous). Should we try a day trip to Warwick or Leeds. How far is the drive to Cotswold area? What location should we rent the car from. (airport or city). Our flight leaves at 6:30pm so we shouldn't have any problems driving in from the country that day, but it would be easier to drop car at airport. And lastly any recommendations on london hotels and cotswold accomodations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all.

xx

Do I have this straight? Four of you are going to London in Sept THIS YEAR and you have made no plans. Very wierd! Apparently you have done no research at all since you are throwing around the Cotswolds, Leeds, Warwick, a cottage, a tour guide, and a hotel but have no idea where you where or how long. BEST OF LUCK! You will need it. If you are truly that unprepared it is best you stay in London.

Louise

Hi Denise<BR>We found Harry of London Tours <BR>www.London-Tours.co.uk on Google <BR>and he has a comfortable minivan.<BR>Harry picked us up at our hotel <BR>and explained all the sites on <BR>our day tour.<BR>Great value,best day we had,<BR>hubby keeps talking about the <BR>neat pub stop for lunch,<BR>go figure <BR>Louise<BR>

Denise

Louise, thank you for the info. To xxx@xxx You must be having a very bad day.