Europeannovice European Extravaganza
Aug 1st, 2010, 10:03 AM
#61
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Day 14--Grand Finale--Final Installment Whirlwind Day Stonehenge, Bath, Lacock, and Avebury
Okay I think I scared everyone away with our gross talk but things happen.
MIL really really wanted to see Bath. It was her first trip abroad and she thinks it may be her last trip abroad due to age and health. DH really wanted to see Stonehenge. DS wanted to see Lacock because scenes from Harry Potter were filmed in their cloisters. We were too chicken to rent a car. I investigated all the major bus tours Premium, EvansEvans, Anderson, etc. and they all wanted a lot of money for 4 people and wouldn't cover all of what we wanted to see. It would require two separate bus trips to see all the above.
I found Luxury Vacations UK on the internet and spoke to the owner Andrew Stevens. We decided it would be more economical, convenient, and relaxing to arrange this privately for the day. Andrew was originally scheduled to be our guide but he could not make it so he sent Kevin instead. We weren't sure if we were going to have to cancel because of DS. He ate a banana and toast and he said he felt better in the morning so off we went. We left the hotel a little before 7AM to get in a full day. We did this to arrive at Stonehenge at opening time.
Kevin was a very professional tour guide and he was fun to be around. We enjoyed our conversations with him and the MPV was immaculate and spacious. Kevin gave us a lecture enroute to Stonehenge and we discussed the thoughts as to its origins and purpose. Kevin was very friendly and patient with having to make frequent stops for DS to still use the bathroom on several occassions. DS was still not 100% better.
We all were fascinated by Stonehenge. We next went to visit Salisbury Cathedral which houses one of four remaining Magna Carta. Another really spectacular cathedral and we did see quite a few on our trip in both Paris and London. We stopped for a quick bite across from the Cathedral at a little cafe. I think it was owned by the museum across the street. More tea for DS and the rest of us had a quick meal. Very charming little place.
The ride along the Salisbury Plains is breath taking. We drove another hour to arrive at Bath. Of course, ideally you would want to spend a couple of days at Bath to soak in the atmosphere. We had between 1-2 hours but in that time we packed in many things. We saw Bath Abbey from the outside. Graduation processions were going on that day so we saw many students in their caps and gowns with their parents all taking pictures by the Abbey. We did visit the inside of the Roman Baths and took the audio tour. The Roman Baths are well worth seeing for yourselves. Before we left Bath, Kevin drove us by the Circle and Royal Crescent and the Pultney Bridge. The Georgian architecture is truly remarkable. We will need to come back again for a more relaxing visit and to get to see the museums at Bath.
From there on to Lacock so DS could at least see the Cloisters. We arrived just in time to make it in for the last entry of the day. Another beautiful place. There was a small museum within Lacock Abbey about the person who invented the camera and they had some early editions of cameras on display.
Kevin had told us about the white chalk horse carvings in the ground that seems to be prevalent in the Wiltshire area and showed us some pictures in a magazine. Then we drove by one of them and I actually got to take a picture of it. Wow!
We made a brief stop at Sillsbury Hill too.
Then for the final stop of the day--Avebury. We got to go out and touch the stones! It is a much larger complex than Stonehenge and it is free. MIL stayed in the van--she was exhausted. The three of us ventured out and mingled with the sheep in the fields--watch where you step! We climbed the hill and the views are really breath taking. We also got to drive by some thatched roof cottages. Kevin was nice enough to stop in an area so we could take some great photos of the cottages.
We didn't get back to the hotel until late evening. Thank goodness pizza express was across the street from the hotel and I think the only thing open at that time too. DS had plain pasta--we were taking no chances since we had to fly out the next morning. The Pizza was good.
It truly was a whirlwind day but we got to see a glimpse of everything we wanted to see. It was a great highlight of our trip.
Can't wait to go back to see the things we wanted to see but missed--Oxford, the Cotswolds, Greenwich, shopping, etc. etc. There is so much to see in London and the surrounding areas. Makes you look forward to the next time!
Okay I think I scared everyone away with our gross talk but things happen.
MIL really really wanted to see Bath. It was her first trip abroad and she thinks it may be her last trip abroad due to age and health. DH really wanted to see Stonehenge. DS wanted to see Lacock because scenes from Harry Potter were filmed in their cloisters. We were too chicken to rent a car. I investigated all the major bus tours Premium, EvansEvans, Anderson, etc. and they all wanted a lot of money for 4 people and wouldn't cover all of what we wanted to see. It would require two separate bus trips to see all the above.
I found Luxury Vacations UK on the internet and spoke to the owner Andrew Stevens. We decided it would be more economical, convenient, and relaxing to arrange this privately for the day. Andrew was originally scheduled to be our guide but he could not make it so he sent Kevin instead. We weren't sure if we were going to have to cancel because of DS. He ate a banana and toast and he said he felt better in the morning so off we went. We left the hotel a little before 7AM to get in a full day. We did this to arrive at Stonehenge at opening time.
Kevin was a very professional tour guide and he was fun to be around. We enjoyed our conversations with him and the MPV was immaculate and spacious. Kevin gave us a lecture enroute to Stonehenge and we discussed the thoughts as to its origins and purpose. Kevin was very friendly and patient with having to make frequent stops for DS to still use the bathroom on several occassions. DS was still not 100% better.
We all were fascinated by Stonehenge. We next went to visit Salisbury Cathedral which houses one of four remaining Magna Carta. Another really spectacular cathedral and we did see quite a few on our trip in both Paris and London. We stopped for a quick bite across from the Cathedral at a little cafe. I think it was owned by the museum across the street. More tea for DS and the rest of us had a quick meal. Very charming little place.
The ride along the Salisbury Plains is breath taking. We drove another hour to arrive at Bath. Of course, ideally you would want to spend a couple of days at Bath to soak in the atmosphere. We had between 1-2 hours but in that time we packed in many things. We saw Bath Abbey from the outside. Graduation processions were going on that day so we saw many students in their caps and gowns with their parents all taking pictures by the Abbey. We did visit the inside of the Roman Baths and took the audio tour. The Roman Baths are well worth seeing for yourselves. Before we left Bath, Kevin drove us by the Circle and Royal Crescent and the Pultney Bridge. The Georgian architecture is truly remarkable. We will need to come back again for a more relaxing visit and to get to see the museums at Bath.
From there on to Lacock so DS could at least see the Cloisters. We arrived just in time to make it in for the last entry of the day. Another beautiful place. There was a small museum within Lacock Abbey about the person who invented the camera and they had some early editions of cameras on display.
Kevin had told us about the white chalk horse carvings in the ground that seems to be prevalent in the Wiltshire area and showed us some pictures in a magazine. Then we drove by one of them and I actually got to take a picture of it. Wow!
We made a brief stop at Sillsbury Hill too.
Then for the final stop of the day--Avebury. We got to go out and touch the stones! It is a much larger complex than Stonehenge and it is free. MIL stayed in the van--she was exhausted. The three of us ventured out and mingled with the sheep in the fields--watch where you step! We climbed the hill and the views are really breath taking. We also got to drive by some thatched roof cottages. Kevin was nice enough to stop in an area so we could take some great photos of the cottages.
We didn't get back to the hotel until late evening. Thank goodness pizza express was across the street from the hotel and I think the only thing open at that time too. DS had plain pasta--we were taking no chances since we had to fly out the next morning. The Pizza was good.
It truly was a whirlwind day but we got to see a glimpse of everything we wanted to see. It was a great highlight of our trip.
Can't wait to go back to see the things we wanted to see but missed--Oxford, the Cotswolds, Greenwich, shopping, etc. etc. There is so much to see in London and the surrounding areas. Makes you look forward to the next time!
Aug 1st, 2010, 02:24 PM
#62
I'm still here, and enjoying your trip with you.
there was a discussion recently about hiring a driver and car for a day, with very differing views as to cost. would you mind posting how much the day wuith Kevin cost you?
there was a discussion recently about hiring a driver and car for a day, with very differing views as to cost. would you mind posting how much the day wuith Kevin cost you?
Aug 1st, 2010, 05:20 PM
#64
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Annhig--I can say that the price was comparable to taking two bus tours for four people. I don't remember the exact price offhand.
I also forgot to mention in my ending that we would love to go back to Paris too--next time not to check off items on a list but rather just to enjoy the city and to shop and eat!
I also forgot to mention in my ending that we would love to go back to Paris too--next time not to check off items on a list but rather just to enjoy the city and to shop and eat!
Aug 2nd, 2010, 02:50 PM
#65
'novice - that's very helpful.
on a previous thread we had a number of opinions about how much such a day would cost, ranging from the "it's quite cheap" to "it'll be exhorbitant", but no-one who'd done one. it sounds as if it compared very reasonably with the cost of an organised trip, when you take account of the freedom it gave you, what you packed in, and the fact there were 5 of you sharing the cost.
and your DS might not have been terribily welcome on a coach!
on a previous thread we had a number of opinions about how much such a day would cost, ranging from the "it's quite cheap" to "it'll be exhorbitant", but no-one who'd done one. it sounds as if it compared very reasonably with the cost of an organised trip, when you take account of the freedom it gave you, what you packed in, and the fact there were 5 of you sharing the cost.
and your DS might not have been terribily welcome on a coach!
Aug 2nd, 2010, 05:06 PM
#66
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Annhig--Absolutely
We could not have done any bus tour that day in DS's condition. This way the driver stopped when we needed to and we went off to the next venture when we were ready. No absolute set time as on a bus that has to stick to the schedule. It certainly wasn't cheap but you summed it up quite well! I wouldn't recommend it for just two people as the cost per person would be very steep but for a family group it was reasonbable for what we covered. We covered a lot of ground that day.
You take so much time in planning and then it flies by so quickly!
We could not have done any bus tour that day in DS's condition. This way the driver stopped when we needed to and we went off to the next venture when we were ready. No absolute set time as on a bus that has to stick to the schedule. It certainly wasn't cheap but you summed it up quite well! I wouldn't recommend it for just two people as the cost per person would be very steep but for a family group it was reasonbable for what we covered. We covered a lot of ground that day.You take so much time in planning and then it flies by so quickly!
Aug 2nd, 2010, 05:48 PM
#67
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Great report. I can empathize with your son. I had some grilled salmon with horseradish sauce at Loch Fyne Oyster Bar in Scotland in '07 that caused some sort of bacterial problem that, by the time we got to Edinburgh a few days later, left me feeling like I needed to go all the time. I, too, ended up staying in bed one day while the rest of my party went out and did some stuff (however, it was the rainiest day of our trip, so I didn't miss much).
