thursdaysd

I'm considering a day trip to Cambridge on my upcoming trip, but I'm thinking of adding Ely, which I've never seen, for the cathedral.

MmePerdu

Don't think about adding Ely, just do it! So close, so easy and so lovely.

welltraveledbrit

I like Ely too and there's a small Cromwell museum near the cathedral which we thought was well worth visiting. The sibling lives in Cambridge so we are there frequently and it is a charming small city with lots to recommend it.

I should have lots more on my blog on London in the next few months
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/search/label/London
There's a post on the Columbia Rd flower market PQ mentions above, just a few minutes from our flat!

I was interested to read the comments on CFS above. I LOVE gardens and often go out of my way to see interesting examples but I didn't even think about going to the Chelsea Flower Show for all the reasons mentioned. I just can't bare the crowds at these kinds of events, not to mention the ways you are herded around and told how and where to see things. However, another suggestion that several people have mentioned to me is the Chelsea Physic garden and it's on my list for sometime in the next month. Hopefully it will dutifully appear on the blog sometime after that!

I was completely blown away by Prince Charles' Gardens at Highgrove but theta require a drive.

Dulwich Picture Gallery is a good recommendation for art lovers, not too long a journey and a lovely collection of old masters.
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2015/...ry-london.html
Or you could go out to Richmond and walk along the Thames between and of the historic houses out there, Ham House, Strawberry Hill and Marble Hill House, they are on my list but I still haven't made it out there. Another list I have involves a trip out to Bexley Heath to see Red Hill House (Arts and Crafts) Danson House and possibly Hall House.

In town I'd say make sure to see the Soane, Leighton House and the Courtauld.

MmePerdu

Again, it is possible to get to Highgrove by public transport but not for a day trip. Train, bus (http://carlberry.co.uk/rfnlistr.asp?L1=TET0010&op=D ) and a walk from Tetbury. I've walked behind Highgrove along the Monarch's Way, between Tetbury & Westonbirt Arboretum, another very nice place to visit. If you scored tickets to Highgrove and went overnight you could visit there and Westonbirt, although it may be an anticlimax after Highgrove. The entrance to Highgrove is on the road at Doughton, whereas the path is behind the property, but a short distance, so bus or cab to Highgrove (I'd say a bit more than a mile from Tetbury), then walk to Westonbirt, if you love trees, and take the path out the back to return to Tetbury. A very nice day.

Kathie

Thanks, WTB, I'm expecting your blog to be a great resource for us! I just read about a "remodeling" (that isn't really the right word) at the Sloane, so I expect that will be on the list, and it's been years since I was last at the Courtauld. I don't know about Leighton house, will look it up.

Judy

A few years ago we went to Amsterdam for 4 nights at the end of April to see the tulips. From there we went to Paris for 2 weeks and finally London for a week and went to the Chelsea Flower Show. The show was crowded but was still enjoyable for us. My husband is a master gardener and we really enjoy seeing gardens when we travel.

We just returned from Paris last week and spent many of our 10 day stay visiting gardens. If you haven't been to the Albert Kahn Museum Garden just outside of Paris, it is definitely worth a visit.

Last year we visited Billcart-Salmon. We loved the tour and tasting there......highly recommend it. We also have enjoyed the tours at Ruinart and Veuve Clicquot.

Judy

Oooops, just noticed my error. The champagne house is Billecart-Salmon.

welltraveledbrit

In Paris I would second Judy's recommendation of the Albert Kahn Gardens, it is a lovely retreat.
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2013/...ens-paris.html

---and add the Promenade des Plantees
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2013/...-plantees.html

In terms of art there are so many options, don't miss the Jaquemart Andre for the paintings and the house and the nearby Nissim Camodo, if you like 18th century French furniture and interiors. They make a great combination with a walk in the Parc Monceau.

http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2013/...dre-paris.html

The Pompidou has a great collection and a wonderful view.

I like the Louvre when you go there to see something specific, like the Islamic collection but otherwise find it rather overwhelming. The Marmottan-Monet is always a good option and gets you to the 16th too.
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2013/...et-museum.html

http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2013/...at-louvre.html

I like house museums like the Gustav Moreau Museum very much too. However, my top art recommendation in Paris would be the street art walking tour which takes you to the 19th.

I'm going to stop before you feel overwhelmed, but perhaps you do already!!?

Kathie

The choices are overwhelming. We covered a lot in Paris last year, but still have Albert Kahn Museum & Garden and the Marmottan on our list (did the Pompidou and the Louvre with a focus on the Mesopotamian collections). We visited the Promenade des Plantees - took the batobus there.

Once we book this trip, I'll be back with some more specific questions.

Judy, we both goofed up the name of the champagne house!

thursdaysd

Kathie - you have been to the Musee Guimet in Paris, right?

http://www.guimet.fr/en/

planningtravel

Kathie, the Keukenhof is worth visiting. It's an easy day trip from Amsterdam.

http://www.keukenhof.nl/en/

thursdaysd

BTW Kathie - what about this year's trip? Weren't you going to Italy? I'll be there myself the end of September, but up north.

Kathie

Hi Thursdays, yes, we went to the Musee Guimet a year ago - loved it!

We had planned a trip to Italy, but had to cancel. We will be returning to Bangkok for a short trip in November. I think we'll go to Sukhothai for a few days, haven't really decided what else.

planning, I do know about the Keukenhof, but depending on when we decide to go it may or may not be worth the side trip.

pariswat

Taking the train to Ams from Pou can stop at Brussels Paris, you should stop in Brussels and visit it - at least Grand Place and Le Sablon, then go back on the train.
You cannot hop on et off, so you'll need two tickets : PAris-Bxl, then Bxl-Ams but it is a nice stop on your way.

Kathie

We don't need to stop in Brussels, as we spent a week there a few years back. We very much enjoyed it - more than we enjoyed Bruges - which I know is not a popular opinion here.

PalenQ

Well Brussels is a multi-faceted cities with a whole lot of surprises for folks wishing to ferret them out - suave Art Nouveau neighborhoods - relics like the Atonium or whatever that symbol of Brussels - a big atom or atoms is called - a neat well classic red-light district a la Amsterdam - no not for everyone - cosmoplitan restaurants stemming from the EU HQs being here and on and on - yet if you have only a day it is hard to realize all these gems whereas Bruges can well be savored to the hilt in just one day there - I can see why some folks would enjoy Brussels more.