We are going to London in April for a week, what are the best things to do and see? We like castles, history & good Italian food. I am supposed to be planning the details, any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Donna, <BR> <BR>I have never been to London, so I can't help you there, but you may get more response to your message if you re-post it with some more detail in you heading. Something like "Help with London itinerary" or the like. <BR> <BR>I have found that postings with very general headings often get passed over by people scanning the board. Think of it as a headline trying to dray people to read your article. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps.

Fodors <BR> <BR> <BR>We like castles <BR>The Tower of London, Dover, and Leeds Castle, both in Kent, <BR>Warwick Castle near Stratford upon Avon. Your problem is that Thomas Cromwell set about blowing them all up. <BR> <BR>history <BR>To the e-mail version of this message I am attaching a note on walks in London designed to bring out our history <BR> <BR>& good Italian food. <BR>Tut, tut: not English ? But Italian is everywhere, and you'll find something near wherever you choose to go. Also, most pubs that serve lunch include a pasta or pizza or both on the menu: shall I copy you my list of such pubs ? <BR> <BR>Welcome to London <BR> <BR>Ben Haines <BR>

Donna <BR>What about "Windsor Castle" (once of the Queens homes, just outside London, 20mins - half hour westwards. Windsor itself is a great town to explore also, quant shops, the river Thames, the pretty town of Eton nearby. <BR>Angela

I have sight-seeing notes on London <BR>and environs; if you'd like to see them, email me

For history you can't beat the Tower of London. You can get tickets in the tube station next to the Tower. Try to visit early in the day, see the crown jewels first and then catch one of the beefeater tours that start at the entrance. A couple of books I enjoyed that help with the history of the Tower are "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" by Alison Weir and also the "Complete Idiot's Guide to British Royalty". <BR> <BR>Windsor Castle is a short distance from London by train and is worth a visit. There are lots of little shops right when you get off the train. <BR> <BR>Hampton Court is also within a short distance of London by train. Although the gardens will probably not be in bloom in April, the buildings are interesting to see and there are lots of tours you can take with guides or on your own with headphones. There is a room where they give out tickets (included with admission) to the tours so stop there first. <BR> <BR>I haven't been to Warwick Castle but its on my list for our next visit. So is Blenheim Palace which is close to Oxford and can be done on the same visit. <BR> <BR>Original London Walks has a Jack the Ripper tour that is quite good. They had lots of other tours as well.

You should go to Leeds Castle - the grounds are worth visiting. Also worth a look if you have time is the Brighton Pavilion (not in London, but Brighton is about 1.5 hrs by train.) For history, try the Cabinet War Rooms (where the Cabinet met during WW2) or the British Museum. <BR> <BR>There are plenty of Italian restaurants everywhere!

One of the things we enjoyed most was a Shakespearean play at the Globe Theater. The Tower of London was great. We also took an Evan Evan Tour for a day to Stonehenge (it was a little brief and hurried, but I'm glad we fit it in.)Marilyn