Itinerary help please
May 5th, 2014, 10:13 PM
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Itinerary help please
Hello everyone! Can you please help me out in my family's travel planning?
Here is a list of the attractions we'd like to see in London: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben , and the House of Parliament , Westminster abbey, the London Eye--getting on it if it's worthwhile, the British Museum, Tower of London, and Tower Bridge, Museum of natural science, Trafalgar Sq, Piccadilly Circus, Harrods, Natural History museum, The Warner Bros studio tour- Harry Potter, Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford upon Avon, Windsor Castle, Cotswold, Warwick castle. If you can help us organize in that way we don't crisscross into the city. Bicester if I may squeeze in to the itinerary, if not possible, that's fine. A friend told me she got a good deal on a fine Prada purse here so maybe I can check it out. My girly wishes kicking in...
We are booked at the tower hill location for 7 nights, 8 days. The 8th day we're not doing any sightseeing as we're off to Paris on our 8th day. We're thinking of renting a car on some of our day trips to cut some commuting time and at the same time more convenient for my family. We're a family of 4 with 2kids 9 and 15 yo, girl and boy.I appreciate the assistance you all give towards our family's travel plans.☺️ Thank you very much!������
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Here is a list of the attractions we'd like to see in London: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben , and the House of Parliament , Westminster abbey, the London Eye--getting on it if it's worthwhile, the British Museum, Tower of London, and Tower Bridge, Museum of natural science, Trafalgar Sq, Piccadilly Circus, Harrods, Natural History museum, The Warner Bros studio tour- Harry Potter, Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford upon Avon, Windsor Castle, Cotswold, Warwick castle. If you can help us organize in that way we don't crisscross into the city. Bicester if I may squeeze in to the itinerary, if not possible, that's fine. A friend told me she got a good deal on a fine Prada purse here so maybe I can check it out. My girly wishes kicking in...
We are booked at the tower hill location for 7 nights, 8 days. The 8th day we're not doing any sightseeing as we're off to Paris on our 8th day. We're thinking of renting a car on some of our day trips to cut some commuting time and at the same time more convenient for my family. We're a family of 4 with 2kids 9 and 15 yo, girl and boy.I appreciate the assistance you all give towards our family's travel plans.☺️ Thank you very much!������
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May 5th, 2014, 10:34 PM
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Jazzie this will work better if you 'tag' the country you are going to. Click the little triangle you can see on the right hand side of the screen and ask the moderators to tag England for you as well as anywhere else you are going. If they can it would be good if they put that in your heading too.
May 6th, 2014, 01:15 AM
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I'm afraid that you have just way too many things on your list for the number of days that you have. As I read it you have 5 day trips on your list - leaving you only 1.5 days (the day you arrive is a half day at most to see everything you want).
To even begin to cover yourself our list in London you will have to leave yourself 4.5 days there and limit yourselves to 2 day trips.
I think you are underestimating the time it takes to 1) see major sights in London and 2) get from one place to another - London is a very large spread out city.
Suggest you get a Michelin green guide ad check out how long it will take you to see the major sights, then lay then out day by day and make some choices. The Tower of London for instance does not take an hour - but more like 4 hours, possibly longer with long lines.
To even begin to cover yourself our list in London you will have to leave yourself 4.5 days there and limit yourselves to 2 day trips.
I think you are underestimating the time it takes to 1) see major sights in London and 2) get from one place to another - London is a very large spread out city.
Suggest you get a Michelin green guide ad check out how long it will take you to see the major sights, then lay then out day by day and make some choices. The Tower of London for instance does not take an hour - but more like 4 hours, possibly longer with long lines.
May 6th, 2014, 08:10 AM
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If you want to rent a car for a day in the country--maybe bit of Coltswolds, Warwick, Stratford, OR Bath and Stonehenge, I'd take an early tube to Heathrow or train from Paddington to Reading or Oxford and pick up a rental car at one of those locations. Don't try to cross the city in a rental.
Compare total prices with the combined Bath/Stonehenge tours which originate in central London.
Harry Potter I believe has to be pre-booked.
With a tower hill location you'll be touring east to west for the most part. Once you decide your must ses, they are easy to group on a map. Learn the underground.
Compare total prices with the combined Bath/Stonehenge tours which originate in central London.
Harry Potter I believe has to be pre-booked.
With a tower hill location you'll be touring east to west for the most part. Once you decide your must ses, they are easy to group on a map. Learn the underground.
May 6th, 2014, 02:43 PM
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Buckingham Palace - to see it or visit it or do the inane Changing of the Guard thingy?
Big Ben and the House of Parliament [walk-by and take pics]
Westminster Abbey (this will take 1.5 hours or more)
the London Eye--getting on it if it's worthwhile
the British Museum
Tower of London (this will take 3-4 hours)
<strike>Tower Bridge</strike> you'll be right near it, so take pictures
<strike>Museum of Natural Science</strike> - uh, it's just the Science Museum and there are plenty elsewhere that are better
Trafalgar Sq. - ok, but if you like art there are two National Galleries on it
Piccadilly Circus - whatever. It has a lot of noise and lights. If you want to shop, go down Jermyn Street.
Harrod's - if you must, but deal with the food halls.
Natural History museum
The Warner Bros studio tour-Harry Potter
Stonehenge
Bath
<strike>Stratford upon Avon</strike>
Windsor Castle
<strike>Cotswold</strike>
<strike>Warwick castle</strike>
When you list it like that, it looks absurd. The last seven entries are outside London and you can't reach them in less than about 3 day trips. That means cut. Suggestions on cutting above.
Consider doing something other than running around with your site checklist - like a Fat Tire Bike Tour or walking tours from London Walks (www.walks.com).
You have a hubby and a son, which means the Cabinet War Rooms and Imperial War Museum may soon join this list. Same for the various offerings in Greenwich.
And do learn about the 2for1 offerings at www.daysoutguide.co.uk. The savings on the Tower and War Rooms would provide a decent lunch.
Big Ben and the House of Parliament [walk-by and take pics]
Westminster Abbey (this will take 1.5 hours or more)
the London Eye--getting on it if it's worthwhile
the British Museum
Tower of London (this will take 3-4 hours)
<strike>Tower Bridge</strike> you'll be right near it, so take pictures
<strike>Museum of Natural Science</strike> - uh, it's just the Science Museum and there are plenty elsewhere that are better
Trafalgar Sq. - ok, but if you like art there are two National Galleries on it
Piccadilly Circus - whatever. It has a lot of noise and lights. If you want to shop, go down Jermyn Street.
Harrod's - if you must, but deal with the food halls.
Natural History museum
The Warner Bros studio tour-Harry Potter
Stonehenge
Bath
<strike>Stratford upon Avon</strike>
Windsor Castle
<strike>Cotswold</strike>
<strike>Warwick castle</strike>
When you list it like that, it looks absurd. The last seven entries are outside London and you can't reach them in less than about 3 day trips. That means cut. Suggestions on cutting above.
Consider doing something other than running around with your site checklist - like a Fat Tire Bike Tour or walking tours from London Walks (www.walks.com).
You have a hubby and a son, which means the Cabinet War Rooms and Imperial War Museum may soon join this list. Same for the various offerings in Greenwich.
And do learn about the 2for1 offerings at www.daysoutguide.co.uk. The savings on the Tower and War Rooms would provide a decent lunch.
May 6th, 2014, 03:04 PM
#12
Bicester for a Prada bag?
just not worth it, IMHO, in a trip of this length. [or any length, but that's just me].
As BigRuss and others have said, you've far too much here for the time you've got. Have a look at a map [with a Tube map to hand too] and see how close things are to each other and how you are going to get around. you'll need to use the tube/buses as you can't just walk round London - it's too big.
just not worth it, IMHO, in a trip of this length. [or any length, but that's just me].
As BigRuss and others have said, you've far too much here for the time you've got. Have a look at a map [with a Tube map to hand too] and see how close things are to each other and how you are going to get around. you'll need to use the tube/buses as you can't just walk round London - it's too big.
May 7th, 2014, 10:24 PM
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Thank you all for the replies. We'll try to see most of the attractions as we can in the time frame that we have. I just want to have a sort of a guide on a day to day basis so I'll know how much time we need to spend on one particular attraction. Like what Big Russ detailed on his comment like 3-4 hours....is that on each museum? Or is that specifically for the Tower of London ?
Since we're arriving early, 0655 at Heathrow from Texas, USA, we're thinking of renting a car and go to the Stonehenge , Bath, Salisbury ? Afterwards drop off our luggages at night then check in. Then either return the car or find a parking space that is not Too expensive....whatever... What do ya'll think? Again...thanks for all the suggestions.����
Since we're arriving early, 0655 at Heathrow from Texas, USA, we're thinking of renting a car and go to the Stonehenge , Bath, Salisbury ? Afterwards drop off our luggages at night then check in. Then either return the car or find a parking space that is not Too expensive....whatever... What do ya'll think? Again...thanks for all the suggestions.����
May 7th, 2014, 11:23 PM
#15
OMG - no!!! You do NOT want to get off an over night flight and drive anywhere. Recipe for absolute disaster.
With a 7:00 arrival you will probably get to east London where you are staying, by maybe 10:00 or 10:30.
And no, you don't want a car for any time you are staying in London. No need whatsoever. If you do end up taking a day trip out of the city you will take trains (or possibly rent a car for one day - but most day trips don't require driving)
With a 7:00 arrival you will probably get to east London where you are staying, by maybe 10:00 or 10:30.
And no, you don't want a car for any time you are staying in London. No need whatsoever. If you do end up taking a day trip out of the city you will take trains (or possibly rent a car for one day - but most day trips don't require driving)
May 7th, 2014, 11:26 PM
#16
You might like to consider the affect of jet lag on your reactions when driving on reasonable congested multi lane roads and similar on single lane twisting roads when driving on the wrong side of the road with different road signs and laws. (what we call "barking" in the UK).
where are you returning to? London? You really do not want a car in London. I might look at staying say in Bath
Have you looked at say Google to find out how far each of these sites are? How long do you think Salisbury should take you? I guess 4 hours to 2 days. Stonehenge you could do in about 10 minutes or 2 hours. Bath (which I find dull) needs about a day.
Changing of the guard (people on foot) is just dull and crowded. I'd look into the horse born troop doing a ride by. Much prettier and east to see.
British Museum about 4 hours
Windsor Castle about 4 hours.
The trick to Europe in general and UK is to use public transport a lot of the time. use this http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2...epeatingloop=Y
where are you returning to? London? You really do not want a car in London. I might look at staying say in Bath
Have you looked at say Google to find out how far each of these sites are? How long do you think Salisbury should take you? I guess 4 hours to 2 days. Stonehenge you could do in about 10 minutes or 2 hours. Bath (which I find dull) needs about a day.
Changing of the guard (people on foot) is just dull and crowded. I'd look into the horse born troop doing a ride by. Much prettier and east to see.
British Museum about 4 hours
Windsor Castle about 4 hours.
The trick to Europe in general and UK is to use public transport a lot of the time. use this http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2...epeatingloop=Y
May 8th, 2014, 12:01 AM
#18
Janisj: I think you are correct and that is how I first read it, but it seemed hardly practical so I wanted to check.
OP: the issue of cars in London is not about expensive parking (well it can be) it is about the whole car using/holding experience. Even Brits I know who live in London would not take a car to most of the sites you will be visiting in London. Certainly I'll be in London in a couple of weeks and I will take the train/tube.
OP: the issue of cars in London is not about expensive parking (well it can be) it is about the whole car using/holding experience. Even Brits I know who live in London would not take a car to most of the sites you will be visiting in London. Certainly I'll be in London in a couple of weeks and I will take the train/tube.
May 8th, 2014, 09:23 AM
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Oh yeah, I've done the fly overseas and drive thing and it's not great even with a ton(ne) of caffeination.
But the real fact is that you cannot drive in London as a tourist. That's not a legal issue (e.g., a prohibition) but a practical one. Good luck finding your way around a city with innumerable one-way streets and no grid layout and ton(ne)s of cabs and ton(ne)s of buses stopping all the bloody time and narrow streets (inhabited by those abominable bendy-buses) and circular intersections and the surcharge for driving in London and driving on the wrong side of the road and the traffic volume of New York City multiplied by narrow roads and lack of a grid layout and . . .
Do you get it yet?
<b>There is no way on G-d's green Earth that you should have a car in London</b>.
P.S. - The term "barking" in the UK is short for barking mad. In other words, nuts.
But the real fact is that you cannot drive in London as a tourist. That's not a legal issue (e.g., a prohibition) but a practical one. Good luck finding your way around a city with innumerable one-way streets and no grid layout and ton(ne)s of cabs and ton(ne)s of buses stopping all the bloody time and narrow streets (inhabited by those abominable bendy-buses) and circular intersections and the surcharge for driving in London and driving on the wrong side of the road and the traffic volume of New York City multiplied by narrow roads and lack of a grid layout and . . .
Do you get it yet?
<b>There is no way on G-d's green Earth that you should have a car in London</b>.
P.S. - The term "barking" in the UK is short for barking mad. In other words, nuts.
