What do you guys think of this? Doable?<BR><BR>LONDON ITINERARY<BR><BR>April 1, Tuesday<BR><BR>2p Arrive Heathrow<BR>Walk around KENSINGTON/KNIGHTSBRIDGE area<BR>Harrod's: KNIGHTSBRIDGE<BR>Original Hard Rock: KNIGHTSBRIDGE<BR><BR><BR>April 2, Wednesday<BR><BR>British Museum: BLOOMSBURY<BR>Carnaby/Oxford Street Shopping : SOHO<BR>Neal St/Neal's Yard: SOHO<BR>Picadilly Circus: SOHO<BR>Evening Stage Play : SOHO<BR><BR><BR>April 3, Thursday<BR><BR>Tower of London: THE CITY<BR>London Museum: THE CITY<BR>Tower Bridge: THE CITY<BR>Design Museum: SOUTHWARK<BR>Tate Modern: SOUTHWARK<BR>Globe Theater: SOUTHWARK<BR><BR><BR>April 4, Friday<BR><BR>10.30a Buckingham Palace: ST. JAMES<BR>1pm St. Martin-in-the-Field's: ST. JAMES<BR>National Portrait Gallery: ST. JAMES<BR>7pm? London Eye: ST. JAMES<BR><BR><BR>April 5, Saturday<BR><BR>1p Depart Eurostar<BR><BR><BR>Travel to Elsewhere (no itinerary yet)<BR><BR><BR>Return to London:<BR><BR><BR>April 19, Saturday<BR><BR>7a - 6p Portobello Road Market: NOTTING HILL<BR>Walking around NOTTING HILL<BR>Abbey Road Studios: ST. JOHN'S WOOD <BR>4p Cumberland Hotel Tea: MARYLEBONE<BR>Madame Tussaud's: MARYLEBONE<BR><BR><BR>April 20, Sunday<BR><BR>Speakers at Hyde Park: KNIGHTSBRIDGE<BR>Victoria &amp; Albert Museum: SO. KENSINGTON<BR>Science Museum: SO. KENSINGTON<BR>Natural History Museum: SO. KENSINGTON<BR><BR><BR>April 21, Monday<BR><BR>11a Depart Heathrow

Hi - I think your april 3 itinerary is a bit ambitious. Depending on your level of interest the Tower of London would be at least 1/2 a day in itself if you do the Beefeater Tour (which is incredibly interesting) and the crown jewels - I think I spent almost a whole day exploring the place. The Tower Bridge tour is also very interesting. Add the British Museum and the Galleries and I think it would be just too much.<BR><BR>Also if you decide to see a play in London try and book well before hand if you want to see something popular as often the shows are booked well in advance.

I also plan like you did but, in the end, deviate from the plan quite a bit. Some places take longer and some can be seen much quicker than one plans.<BR><BR>Since your plan doesn't involve that much travel within London, consider not buying a Travelcard or LT Card. Instead, consider buying a bus pass (either 7 day for 8.50 for 1 day for 2.00). Many tourists forget about the bus and take the tube.

Depending on your evening plans (or lack of plans) consider that some museums open late one day a week. The Tate Modern opens late Friday and Saturday and the V&amp;A opens late on Wednesday.

I think your itinerary looks great, very ambitious, although I do agree that the 3rd is a bit heavy. As long as you decide beforehand what you are prepared to sacrifice if something is too intriguing to leave, you'll have a great time. I notice you haven't included the Imperial War Museum, perhaps you've seen it before, but we couldn't believe how interesting it was. Also, and this is a personal opinion, I think Madame Tussauds is a waste of time. You'll stand in line forever, fight to get a little bit of space to see anything and will come out of there begrudging the time you've wasted. <BR><BR>If there is some particular play you want to see and checking ahead of time you realize it's usually sold out, book ahead. But our experience has been that for most plays you can buy the tickets the afternoon of, or before. Also many of the plays have matinees on various days of the weeks which may help you out. Have a great time and can't wait to read your report when you return.

Biscuit: You have put a lot of thought into what you want to see. Most of it is fine. But April 3rd is not just difficult - it is impossible.<BR><BR>*the Tower takes a minimum 3 hours, <BR>*Tower Bridge (if you go into the Tower Bridge Experience) takes about an hour,<BR>*the Design Museum is walking distance from Tower Bridge but there isn't a really convenient tube station so you will need to walk a fair distance and spend at least an hour there, <BR>*the Museum of London takes at least 2 hours (plus the travel time to get there),<BR>*the tour of the Globe takes another hour<BR>*Tate Modern takes as long as you want - 45 mins for a brief overview - or all day to see everything.<BR><BR>With all the to-ing and fro-ing and tube trips plus stopping for a bite to eat, you would need two days to see all of the above.

Thanks everyone! Great feedback. Thanks Hiroshi about the bus pass idea. What about incorporating the double decker tour?<BR><BR>I did my itinerary and realized I left out a block of things which I just jammed into the 3rd. I knew it would be too much.<BR><BR>Shoud I skip the Tower Bridge Tour, Globe Tour and the Design Museum? Could I still see the other things in one day?<BR><BR>Could I take off say the Tate Modern or Museum of London and add that on to one of the other days?<BR><BR>What to do?

help! don't leave me stranded. we're almost done. <BR><BR>oh, and did i mention you guys are great!<BR><BR>thanks.

For your Day 3, I'd suggest doing the Beefeater Tour at the Tower of London, having lunch at a Pub, then walking across the Millenium Bridge (great views of the Thames) to do the Globe Tour and the Tate (they are next door to each other). <BR><BR>Are you going to see a concert at St Martin in the Fields? If not, you might want to do the London Eye right after Buckingham Palace, then head for SMITF and have lunch in the crypt (decent soup/sandwich fare) and pick up tickets for a 7PM candlelight concert. They are magical. You could then do the National Portrait Gallery and possibly catch a quick nap at your hotel before heading back for the concert (I believe they start at promptly 7PM). Eat dinner fashionably late after the concert.

I thought there was a 1pm concert at St. Martin's?<BR><BR>Also, I've heard the Borough Market is great for lunch near the Tower.

Hi Biscuit, <BR><BR>I'll throw in my 2 cents. I was in London for 2 weeks in January.<BR><BR>Eek! Hard Rock? Why, oh why would you do that? I wouldn't set foot near such a place in a foreign city. But that could just be me. Go to a nice British Pub instead. (Don't take this wrong and get defensive, I just like experiencing unique things on vacation, not chain restaurants. I can do that at home).<BR><BR>Anyway, your itinerary depends on what you like. I didn't do half of the things you mention, but did a bunch you haven't.<BR><BR>I loved the Globe theatre, but I am a Shakespeare buff. We were there for about 1 1/2 hours. On the other hand, the only museum we went to was the British Museum (for 3 hours), there just wasn't time for the others. <BR><BR>We spent about 2 1/2 hours at the Tower of London. The Tower Bridge was kind of interesting but you can skip it if you don't have time, IMO.<BR><BR>Madame Tussaud's is a HUGE tourist trap. It costs 15GPB, which is like $22, PER PERSON. I skipped it, and can't imagine spending the money. But again, it depends on what you like. <BR><BR>Other thoughts: You have left out 2 of London's most famous sites: Big Ben/Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Not to mention St. Paul's Cathedral. But, you seem to be more focused on museums than I was, so again, this is a matter of taste. The Abbey and Cathedral are so beautiful.<BR><BR>Good luck and happy travels!<BR><BR>Karen

Biscuit,<BR>St. Martin-in-the-Fields does have lunchtime concerts (at 1:05 PM) on Mondays, Tuesdays, &amp; Fridays. These concerts are free.<BR>The church also has candlelight concerts for which you must purchase tickets.

Hi Biscuit,<BR><BR>For my two cents, I would just skip the London Museum...it was okay, but nothing to write home about. <BR><BR>For the 20th, all the museums you have packed into one day...wow! I loved all of those, so I wouldn't recommend cutting any out, but maybe rearrange so you go to Hyde Park in between instead of before. Speaker's Corner wasn't particularly lively the day I was there, so I didn't feel like I missed much not hanging around. <BR><BR>Have fun!<BR><BR>Cheers,<BR>Syrin

Kaudrey. I loathe the Hard Rock and chains like it, but this is the Original Hard Rock, the very first one and it has a unique feel to all of the others. I'm only considering going on my sister's recommendation, but I may skip it. We're not drinkers, so we'd just pop our heads in anyway.<BR><BR>I love museums and my wife loves shopping, so that would be the focus for us. One or two cathedrals is plenty. Madame Tussaud's was my wife's idea and I'm wanting to talk her out of it. Is this anything else in Marylebone/Notting Hill worth seeing/doing?<BR><BR>I suppose I should give more thought to Westminister Abbey and Big Ben/Parliament. My wife has never been to London and I don't want to museum-her-out. How much time is involved in seeing these sites, approximately?<BR>

Syrin,<BR><BR>Thanks. London Museum has been cut. Something had to go. <BR><BR>We'll just have to wing it on Sunday. I think we'll play it by ear on which museums to visit. If you had to pick between the Science and Natural History Museums, which would you choose?

The Natural History Museum hands down. I'm not particularly interested in dinosaurs, but that exhibit is extremely well done. The life size model of the Blue Whale also really stands out in my mind. <BR><BR>When you get tired of the hoardes of school-children screaming at the dinos, there are a couple of exhibit halls with extensive insect collections...although maybe that's not everyone's cup of tea.<BR><BR>The biggest mistake I made in London was not budgeting enough time for the V&amp;A. The collection is so diverse and the building itself is huge, I could have spent several more hours there easily. <BR><BR>cheers,<BR>syrin

Biscuit - just to cxonfuse you more <BR><BR>The Museum of London is absolutely fantastic. Don't skip it unless you simply must.<BR><BR>As for the Hard Rock - you can't just pop in - they usually have a massive line outside to get in. No reservation - just show up and hang around outside for up to an hour to get in. It can be a REAL time waster. But most people only go for the Original Hard Rock souviners anyway - so just pop around the corner from the main entrance to their gift shop. the Gift shop usually has a queue too, but it moves fast because they have several clerks. You really should get pins, t-shirts and some of the other things - they have a great selection. Just don't eat there.<BR><BR>As for what to skip - don't decide now. wait until you are there. The weather will make a difference - something convenient by tube might be a better choice than something else six blocks on foot if it is pouring rain. Whereas the walk might be better if it is a lovely day. Just have your master list and get to as many as you can. <BR><BR>Pick up Time Out magazine the day you arrive - get it at the airport so you canread through it on your way into town It will list all the special exhibits, etc.

You could do a self guided tour of Westminster in an hour or so depending on your pace. There's lots of history in there.<BR><BR>I agree with the comment about the V&amp;A. I love that place. My husband, who is not particularly interested in decorative arts, is also a huge fan. There is a huge exhibit on Art Nouveau opening late in March. I also would chose the History over the Science museum but tend to avoid both due to high concentration of school groups.<BR><BR>Your Saturday plan might need a bit of working. I think you'll be done with Portobello Market by noon at the latest assuming you get there early as planned. It looks as if you have Madame T's scheduled after tea....but i think it closes 5 or half past. Go if you must (lol) but for me it's 3 hours of my life I'll never get back. You could easily fit some more shopping in there! Kings Road has some fun and unique places.<BR><BR>Finally since others are tossing in museum ideas, I also enjoy the Soane house and museum. He was an architect who devoted himself to collecting after his wife died. It's kind of a quirky place but I always find something fascinating there. If your wife is museumed out, there's some MORE shopping near the Soane on Tottenham Court Road (Habitat, Heals, Elephant, the big Paperchase shop).<BR><BR>If you're a history fan, I agree that the Museum of London is not to be missed. Maybe you find a way to squeeze it back in to the mix.<BR><BR>London is a fabulous city. Have a great trip!<BR>

To add to obxgirls's point about Portobello road. You shoul dplan on being through there before 10AM. You cannot believe how crowded it gets. You can abrely walk let alone see anything. So get there early (even 5:30 or 6 AM is not too early) and get out when the hordes start arriving after about 9:30. <BR><BR>That will give you a lot of free time on Sat. to get to things you may have missed earlier.

sheesh - talk about typos (oh, I wish there was an edit function!)<BR><BR>