Hi
We are taking a transatlantic cruise on the QE2 on 10/10/08 but would like to go to europe a week before to see london/paris/normandy/white cliffs of dover. We will be arriving on EOS airlines into Stansted, England on 10/5. What is the best way to proceed? We don't know if we should sign up with British Tours( they told us that we had to inquire back to them 3 months prior to travel) or try to do this on our own. We will have 3 pieces of large luggage and carry on...Paris/ Normandy are our priorities with the White Cliffs of dover next (helicopter sight seeing for this ? ) We have seen London before and would like to see it again but only if time allows. Are there flights from Stansted to Paris? or is Eurostar the best way to go? Suggestions?

Thanks

From where exactly does the QE2 depart? Will you be able to stay in London the night before? If so, I would recommend that you ditch 2 out of your 3 suitcases and live for a week with one while you do your Paris-Normandy-White Cliffs of Dover trip. (You'll want to stay overnight in London on the day you arrive - you'll be exhausted. Ask your hotel if you can leave 2 bags for when you return a few days later.)

The Eurostar would make for an easy trip to Paris. Likewise, I'd recommend taking the train from Paris to Normandy and back again - it might be about a 3 hour journey.

The QE2 departs from Southampton. We want to be in Southamptom by 10/9 thurs. We are arriving into Stansted on 10/5 about 8am. Originally we were going to try to stay in London on 10/5 then leave for Paris on 10/6...we may possibly go to Paris on 10/5 but do not know how jet lag will be. Is there a way to get over to Southampton from Normandy and at the same time get a good look at the White Cliffs of Dover? If not, I think we have to go back to London and get a train or car service to Southampton. Luggage is a major problem... I can store it at the Stansted airport for a great price but then we have to find our way back there and then get to Southampton or find a hotel which will store our luggage for us in London

The solution to the luggage situation is not to take so much stuff. If you chose wisely you can take a carry or small bag to check. I assume you can find a way to either do your own laundry or pay to have it done. Anything is better than carrying overly large suitcases. You will have a much better time with lighter luggage. Light is better everytime

I wish I could only pack a small piece of luggage. The bigger luggage is for the QE2 cruis..it is a 6 day transatlantic cruise back to the US which involves formal and semi formal dinner evenings. At best 2 large pieces of luggage and carryon of which the carryon would only be taken to Paris

I just remembered that you can fly direct from Southampton to Paris on Air France (our friends flew this route last year). That would simplify some aspects of the trip, but would result in having to drag all of your luggage around with you (or at least having to take it to Paris with you - you could probably store the bags for a night or two while you headed off to Normandy).

That is a great idea..Air France/ Brit Air do have flights into Paris.
Does anyone know if there are daily tour buses readily available by the tower for sightseeing and if yes, where to get them from?
We want to go see Normandy..is there any one tour company which is better than another?