sandyc

Hi everyone,

I'm tagging along on my husband's business trip to London. We will be staying at the Intercontinental on Park Lane. It's coming up soon and we haven't had time to do much research. Any ideas for a day trip, must-sees, and things I can do while he's in meetings?

I'm interested in healthy or vegetarian food, afternoon tea, quaint little towns, absorbing the culture, maybe even catching a yoga class, etc.
Thanks!
Sandy

janisj

1) purge "quaint" from your vocabulary before arriving in the UK.

2) How long will you be there and when?

There are hundreds of threads on here about London so you can start your research there. Then click on DESTINATIONS above and read up about the highlights for a short visit.

bozama

Well I think we can find you something a wee bit more cultural then taking a YOGA class. LOL , where did that come from,, LOL

A daytrip to Bath is a great trip. I did it myself and I am not very clued in about trains or anything.
The Baths themselves are very interesting and include a museum showing some of the Roman artifacts, and there is the world famous( ok just old english chic lit( Jane Austen,et al) tearoom.
Also walk over and visit the Costume Musuem, I really enjoyed it, had stuff from hundreds of years ago right to modern era.
The train took about an hour( I am not 100 % sure about that) and was pleasant to see the countryside. The town is pleasant and safe to wander alone around in, and everyone speaks english so no worries about getting lost( I have been lost in places where I don't speak the language, so England is a delight to me, )

In London you will want to visit the Royal British Museum, it is great and hey, everyone loves to see mummies at least,, LOL
The Tower of London is also very interesting, even if you don't know much history as the admission includes a guided tour led by the Beefeaters , and they are very humorous and knowledgeable.

bozama

Ha Ha, I just saw your email address, so now I understand where the "yoga" class idea came from, still, with a short visit I would still devote my time to sightseeing as I have a feeling yoga in UK isn't alot different they yoga in US so you might as well enjoy the different sites.

janisj

"Royal British Museum"??

j_999_9

The concierge desk at the IC can give you some ideas. For instance, there are some historical walks you can make near the IC. Ask for Corrado at the concierge desk. He's really helpful, too with getting tickets to attractions.

If it's your first time, I'd take in the Tower of London (as someone else recommended). It's fun and interesting.

I also recommend the Victoria and Albert Museum, within walking distance of the IC.

janisj

from the Intercontinental you'll be walking distance from among other things -- Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens/Kensington Palace, the V&A, Harrods/Harvey Nichols, the Ritz for afternoon tea, Green Park, Buckingham Palace, Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly Circus, Royal Academy, etc etc . . . .

Kellye

I think she meant the British Museum..no royal in there. At least, I assume that is what she meant since she mentioned the mummies. I would also suggest the British Library--is the Sacred exhibit still there? I saw it this past summer and it was very moving. I would even suggest a West End show as a matinee if there are any.

janisj

yeah - I know that was what was meant. It is just that the last couple of days we have had several folks recommending things when they are pretty loose w/ the info . . One thread suggested "Madame Trousseau's"

ElendilPickle

Take a look at London Walks - www.walks.com

Lee Ann

WillTravel

I think a yoga class could be extremely cultural - you will definitely meet a lot of locals, unless you choose one geared to travelers.

bozama

janisj I spell terribly and my grammar is not perfect, but I know what I meant and most other people did too. Why didn't you just post correct name instead of being a smart aleck know it all. I have been to the museum serveral times, so its not like I don't know about it, and in my town we have the Royal British Columbia Museum , so I just got mixed up.

bozama

Ps , no one has to "purge "quaint" from their vocabulary" just because you either don't like the word or have some other odd reason for making such a silly statement.

caroline_edinburgh

Becauase it sounds ridiculous to Brits - good enough ?

zippo

It doesn't sound ridiculous. It just sounds quaint.

ira

HI S,

Have you looked up London under "Destinations"?

janisj

The fact that you think it was a &quot;silly statement&quot; is beside the point. I was actually trying to <u>help</u> sandyc.

I was not being mean -- she really does NOT want to use that word -- honest.

bozama

If you are trying to help, then explain why &quot;quaint&quot; is a word one doesn't use in england. I looked, it is still in the dictionary, and used in many english speaking countries, so what secret or &quot;insider&quot; knowledge do you have to share here, since travel boards are generally about sharing information and not just declaring certain words off limits.

Padraig

Quaint is in the eye of the beholder. I consider it an eyesight defect. It interferes with the way one sees things.

Pete_R

<i>If you are trying to help, then explain why &quot;quaint&quot; is a word one doesn't use in england.</i>

In Britain 'quaint' can have a slightly pejorative undertone that it doesn't have in the US.

I wouldn't say don't use it, but be aware it might not come across in exactly the way you meant it.

For instance, if you said to a B&amp;B owner 'Gee, this place is so quaint!' meaning it as a compliment it might not be received as such.