JoeG's 1st London Trip Itinerary
 

Well, I impulsively took advantage of the cheap BA fare sale last Nov. ($298RT) and now we leave 2 weeks from tomorrow. I had been thinking about a week end in New York but at these prices it won't be much more expensive. What fun it has been planning this trip over the past couple of months. The anticipation really helps me get through winter.
We will be in London for 5 nights staying at the Morgan Hotel. We booked JustAirports car service for pick up and return to Heathrow.
Thursday: Afternoon. I'm thinking about just doing a big bus hop on/off tour and maybe booking tickets for a sundown London Eye ride. My DW spent time in London in college but that was some time ago and I think that this would be a good way to start. Also we would maybe like to do a fish and chips place. Should I book the London Eye before we leave?
Friday. Breakfast is included at the Morgan so I expect we will take advantage of this most days. Plus it will get us up and running. This is Lynn's birthday and she wanted to do some shopping in the morning. She's mentioned, Harrod's, Fortney and Mason, Harvey Nichols and Peter Jones. We have a late lunch reservation at Gordon Ramsay's in Chelsea. We also have tickets for the 8:30 performance of "Jsrry Springer the Opera." After which we will probably be looking for someplace to eat near the Cambridge Theatre. Indian? Asian? Anyplace still serving I guess.
Saturday morning we would like to go to Camden or Portabello market. (or ?) We mostly would be looking for small household items, maybe some clothes. I want to find a small, round wooden clock to put on our fireplace mantle. In the afternoon we thought of going to the Tate Modern and also having lunch in the cafe. Time permitting we were thinking of St. Pauls. Saturday evening I was hoping for a live jazz venue. I've looked into the Jazz Cafe, Ronnie Scott's and Pizza Express and they all sound like good options. There are several performers that I would like to see that will be at those places prior to or just after our trip. If anyone knows of a good up tempo, funky, live jazz club - I would love to know about it.
Sunday the only plans we have are Theatre tickets for 4:00PM matinee of The Complete Works of WS(Abridged). Monday our only committment is reservations at The Ritz for tea at 5:30PM. Lynn has mentioned that in addition to Tate Modern she would like to see the Courtauld (sp?) Gallery, the National Gallery and of course we have to see the British Museum since we will be staying right next door. Westminster, Big Ben,Buckingham Palace and a London Walk would all be great but it seems like too many places too little time. We are getting picked up by JustAirports at 12:15 PM on Tuesday so we will have a little time in the morning for something.
I'm looking for some help filling in the itinerary and also am open to suggestions. Particularly for eating options. Since we're pretty much blowing the food budget on Gordon Ramsay and the Ritz, we'll be looking at more budget priced places to fill in the gaps.
I was planning on getting one of the tube/bus passes, but when we booked the car service I figured it would be more economical to pay as we go on the tube/bus. Is that correct? The only other adavantage would be to have this prepaid and not having to fumble around for correct change.
This is so funny, before I booked these plane tickets, I had no interest in going to London. Now I can hardly think of anything else.
Any all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
JoeG

Hi, Joe:

Sounds like a great trip shaping up there! I'd recommend visiting the Museum of London if you have the time. I thought it was quite fascinating.

Hello The Museum of London is one of my favorites, too. You could sneak that in the same day you go to St. Paul's.
I would suggest your not pre-booking the London Eye, that way you won't have committed yourself for a ride if it's raining on your Thursday evening. If it's a pleasant evening you can always just show up at the Eye and purchase your tickets.
I can recommend North Sea Fish on Leigh Street for your fish and chip experience. You can walk there from the Morgan.
I think you might regret not having seen the inside of Westminster Abbey , but if you feel you don't have the time to tour the inside, then whatever day you ride the Eye you can stroll across Westminster Bridge and do a walk- by of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey,& Parliament .
Check out Belgo Centraal for your after-Jerry-Springer dinner. It's on Earlham Street, not far from the theater ...and it's not expensive. I believe it's open until Midnight.
Have a great trip.
Joe,

I was in London in February last year. Our hotel booked the London Eye tickets for us in the morning for that same afternoon. It saved a bit of time with the line. We waited for a clear day so we did not want to book before we left home.

We really enjoyed the big bus. We did that tour on our first day then toured the Tower of London and took the Big Bus boat back to Parliment.

We took the hotel's recommendations for dinner and I can't recall any of the names. Hopefully someone else will be able to help there.

Have a great trip.

LOL..somehow my previous posting managed to plunk the body of my message between'Hello" and "Joe". Of course what I meant to say was " Hello Joe" !

I loved the Courtauld Gallery! There's a hole-in-the-wall Indian place nearby. Walk left as you exit Somerset House and look for the sign that says Indian Restaurant Upstairs, go up two flights of stairs, very cheap, decent Indian food. You may want to buy a weekend tube pass, these are 6.10 and good for Sat/Sun. This was the only pass that we used which easily paid for itself. Just bought individual tickets on other days. Have fun!

We love the Tate Modern and its Café 7. I'd suggest that you book your reservation in advance and request window seating for a great view: 0207 401 5020. http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/

The Courtauld is reinstalling its collection, although, it is still available for view except Samuel Courtauld's collection, which will be off display from 8 - 12 March 2004 inclusive so you should check their site before you schedule your visit.

http://www.courtauld.ac.uk/sub_index...ollection.html

Judyrem just posted requesting restaurant recommendations for the theatre district so you should check out her replies, if you haven't already.

Have a wonderful trip.

Our favorite budget eatery was Sofra, a Turkish/Mediterranean place. I believe there's one in the Covent Garden area.

Thanks for the quick responses.
Judy (starspinners) - you first inspired me to book the Morgan Hotel. I like the fish and chips suggestion.
Patty - I think your good experience with JustAirports helped me decide to use them vs the tube. Thanks for the words of encouragement regarding the Courtauld Gallery and the restaurant suggestions.
mvor,
Thanks for the link to the Courtauld Gallery. I checked it out and noticed that admission is free Mon, 10-2. I think that we will go there on Monday.
Also. I'll hold off on the London Eye tickets until we get there.
The market options seem to have been debated ad nauseum. We'll just have to make a choice and take the plunge,
Still looking for lesser known jazz spot for Sat. night.
Thanks all
JoeG

You haven't mentioned a visit to The Tower of London. It was a must see for me on my first trip to London. So much history and if you get there early, could be seen in a morning.

Hi Joe, we leave for London tomorrow and I am all psyched up! I agree with starspinners about not booking the eye. We did the Eye last time, as the WEATHER dictated. In fact, I am thinking about doing a night trip on the Eye, everyone says it is very differant than the day ride. FYI, we booked Maggiores for our pre-theater for Anything Goes. They had a good review in Harden's and their prix fixe looked great. Sapori and Italian Kitchen had good reviews too. Have a great time (how can you not in London?), and I will post about justairports.com. FYI, we are only using them for our return trip. Let the good times roll! Judy

Hi
We live in the North of England but love to visit London, and 2 of our favourite museums are the Victoria and Albert (brilliant fashion exhibitions) and the National Portrait Gallery.
If your wife love shopping she will also love Selfridges - some rank this above the other stores you mentioned. We also love Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese and think it priced very reasonably.
M

azresptech,
I do have Tower of London on my list - too many places - too little time.
Judyrem,
You've probably departed already - looking forward to your report.
Morgana,
Yes! We really want to see the National Portrait Gallery.
JoeG

For great fish and chips (either take away or sit down) - try Seashell's on Lisson Grove. We visit everytime we are in London.
If you like Lebanese food - try Al Dar on Edgeware.

Lynn is still hoping for some direction regarding Saturday markets. She said she is looking for "cheap antiques" - whatever that means. I still would like to find a live music spot for Sat. night (March 13).
JoeG

Live in London, so here are a few more off-beat suggestions:

* Sir John Soane Museum, Lincolns Inn Fields (law court area, next to Covent Garden) - strange/fun.

* Cabinet War Rooms (close to Downing Street): for my money one of the best museums - and I've visited every one.

* Old St Thomas's operating theatre (HMS Belfast nearby is also good)

* Markets: Borough Market (nr London Bridge tube) - food, but great place on Saturdays. Brick Lane on Sundays - 'rougher' east end

* Restaurants: best view is Oxo Tower Brasserie; best Chinese is on Gerrard St and Lisle St (Fung Shi, Golden Dragon etc). Soho is generally pretty good, Covent Garden over-rated.

* Don't pay as you go on the bus/tube - get a travel card (4.50 quid or so - can't remember): covers bus, tube and train within central london.

Mushed,
Thanks so much, we need some "inside" information. I'm so confused about the tube and I admit being public transportation challenged. It seems the weekend travel cards are a good value. Are you suggesting the 4 or 7 day travelcard? Can we purchase these right in the station?
Borough Market sounds interesting - any more information?
BTW - the weather in London looks cold today.
JoeG

Borough Market is fab - lots of food you can 'graze' with while you move around. Although it's open Fridays, Saturdays are 'Londoners' days. It's about 3 minutes walk from London Bridge tube station - and if you're into 'hip', it's one of the new 'cool' areas. From Borough you can also walk up to Tate Modern (about 10 minutes), plus loads of other things - Shakespeare's Globe is on the way to the Tate. Don't worry about public transport (don't use it much myself!): just buy a zone 1&2 travel card - this will cover everything you need - for one day; you can buy them at all tube stations, either at the ticket office or via the machines.

Joe,
(I'd already typed the following and was about to post it when I was rudely interrupted by the phone...life does get in the way of reading/posting on Fodor's somedays. When I got off the phone I saw that you'd already received sage advice about the Tube, but I'll just post what I'd written anyway. I wanted you to be sure to read my PS.)

Even if you do feel public transportation challenged , don't worry, I think you'll be OK.
By all means , buy your Tube tickets at the station the first time you want to use the Underground.
There are ticket dispensing machines at the stations , but you don't have to use those. You can buy your tickets from a real live person. Just march right up to the ticket seller inside the station.
I know you're staying near the Tottenham Court Road Station... so the first time you want to use the Tube, walk down the station's entrance steps ( the ones right in front of the Dominion Theatre will probably be the ones you'll use most days). You'll see the ticket selling windows as soon as you get to the bottom of the staircase.
You have a few options for tickets or Travelcards:
You can buy single tickets each time you ride.
You can buy a carnet , a booklet of 10 tickets , that will get you 10 single rides anywhere within Zone One. You and you wife can divvy up those 10 tickets if you wish, use them until they're gone and then buy 10 more.
If you decide to buy Travelcards, then each of you must have your own card if you plan to travel together.
A Daily Travelcard will let you ride all day within whatever Zone that card is valid. I am sure you've already read that most tourist venues are located in Zone One. A Daily Travel card has two price points, one for trips that occur after 9:30 AM + all day thereafter , and the other for travel that commences before 9:30 AM +all day thereafter. The before- 9:30 -card is a bit more expensive than the after-9:30 card.
There is a Weekend Travel card that allows travel anytime on Saturday and on Sunday, the price of this cards is less than buying 2 individual Daily Travelcards .
The Weekly Travel card is just that..good for 7 days, can be bought at the station.. oh ,and it's valid for travel before 9:30.
Price the various fares at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...04/index.shtml and see what seems the most economical for you.
You can pick up a Tube map in the stations . You can download a Tube map before you leave for London .. you can find t-shirts with Tube maps printed on them..guidebooks have Tube maps printed inside. My point is, you will not be thrown to the wolves..you WILL be able to find your way around. :-) And if ever in doubt, find a uniformed Underground worker and ask for directions.

PS If you'd be more confident having a personal Tube guide, in just a nanosecond I can have my suitcase packed and be ready to go to London ; as long as you buy lunch...and a plane ticket. :-)

Judy,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful explanation. I'm sure we'll get the hang of it once we take the plunge.It would be nice to have our own personal Tube guide however.
JoeG

JoeG,
The single day and weekend travelcards can be purchased at the station. Prices are:

single day - 5.30
single day off-peak (after 9:30am?)- 4.30
weekend (good both Sat/Sun) - 6.40

All are for zones 1 and 2 valid on tube or bus. Compare that to the price of 2.00 for a single tube journey to decide if you'll use it enough to warrant buying a travelcard. Another option is to buy a carnet of 10 zone 1 tube tickets for 15.00. I believe these are fully transferable, i.e. you can buy one carnet of 10 tickets to share. I didn't investigate the longer travelcard options as we weren't staying long enough to make it worthwhile. Some people prefer buying the longer travelcards for convenience. I never took a bus, I can't figure out bus schedules to save my life but the tube is easy.

Here's a link to the dizzying list of ticket/travelcard options:

http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/content/tickets/fandtjan2004.pdf

Hope this helps rather than adding to further confusion ;)

Borough Market on Saturday morning is great. It's also convenient to other southbank sites.

Oops, just saw starspinner's post after I added mine... makes mine kind of redundant. I'll add one more piece of advice:

The London tube uses directions (northbound, southbound, etc.) rather than end stations on their signage. It's easier to figure out and more intuitive for first time users, unless of course you're direction challenged ;)

Patty,
Thank you for clarifying this for me. I think I understand now.
JoeG

Just a footnote about finding your way about the tube - London Transport provide lots of leaflets including one with all that first-timers need to know: just keep an eye out for the leaflet racks at any station, and most of the information will also be replicated on their website - www.tfl.gov.uk.

One of things you will see is that the platform indicators on each line will indicate trains by their destination: for most trips it won't be important once you have decided which line and general direction you need, but it might, since stations on the Circle Line share platforms with other lines, and some lines divide and serve different routes once they leave central London.

PatrickLondon,
I did download the leaflet from the tfl website. The short version was only 10 pages. Tonger version is like 60 pages. I have the feeling that this is one of those things that's easier doing than explaining. I just realized that the manual for my digital camera is 170 pages, I've only read about 8 pages and have taken thousands of pictures without any problems.
Hey, I'm still looking for a live music venue for Sat. night (Mar 13).
JoeG

Starspinners, do you by any chance still have some leftover photos of the Morgan Hotel to share??? I was thinking of staying there during our upcoming trip (3 people) and was hoping you still had them. If you by chance do, my email is [email protected]. Thanks so much!!! Carolyn

JoeG, I just received my tickets for Jerry Springer the Opera and the show begins at 7:45 PM. I noticed that you said it began at 8:30. Please check. We are attending in July so that might account for an earlier start time.

Hi Carolyn,
Check your yahoo email inbox for a message from me.
I am also topping a Fodors' thread for you.

JuneAnn,
We're seeing Jerry Springer on Friday night - there are two performances. 5:30 & 8:30PM.
JoeG

Let us know how you liked the show.
Have a great trip.
June

Joe G, if you don't get a lead here, why don't you pick up Time Out when you arrive to find a performance for the 13th. You could also email your hotel for advice. Good luck!

mvor,
I just looked on the website for the Tate Modern. The menu for Cafe 7 looks great. Prices don't look too bad either. We will likely be there in the afternoon on Saturday and I see they don't take reservations for lunch. We'll just have to take our chances.
Also your suggesstion for getting a Time Out magazine is probably our best source for live music possiblities.I was hoping to see someone like Down to the Bone, St, Germain, Average White Band, Tower of Power -something along those lines. It seems that places like the Jazz Cafe or London Astoria would be good venues for us. Unfortunatley not for the night in question.
Otherwise, we leave in one week and I believe that we are ready to go!
JoeG

JoeG: Your itinerary sounds great. I was never very interested in visiting London either and now it is one of our favorite destinations. We were most recently there the second week in December 2003. Went to the Courtauld/Somerset House for the first time and loved it. Also very much enjoyed our tour of the Cabinet War Rooms.

Thought you might get some info on jazz or other things of interest on the following site: www.timeout.com/london/

Have a wonderful time. Look forward to your trip report.

Try a London Walking Tour. There are several, but my favorite was the "Jack the Ripper". Excellent!

What a busy place Fodor's is. I posted to this thread this morning and it is currently 170.

Topping for JoeG.