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-   -   Last minute ideas anyone? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/last-minute-ideas-anyone-1025517/)

NE Sep 14th, 2014 09:01 PM

Last minute ideas anyone?
 
We are leaving for our trip this week. Here is what is on the agenda so far...not hectic with some time to relax.

Wengen 4 days:
jungfrau
Murren - schilthorn
Lake Brienze

Paris 4 days:
Louvre
Notre Dame
St. Chappell
Sacre coeur
Seine cruise

Cotswolds 4 days:
Stratford upon Avon
Hidcote
Village walk Bourton on the water- slaughters


London: 4 days
Tower of London
British Museum
Westminster Cathedral
Churchill war rooms

Anything I should reserve entry for in advance? Any suggestions!!,

Much appreciated!

MynameisFinnley Sep 15th, 2014 12:30 AM

Hi NE,

I went to France in Summer and there were queues for Louvre and Notre Dame but I managed to get tickets in about 30-45 minutes. If you want you can book online tickets for Louvre, but I don't see a point since it is only 45 Minutes.

I noticed that alot of the items you mentioned for France are covered on the Paris pass, you can compare to see if it is worth it for you. I intended to stay the entire day in the Louvre so it was not worth it for me since its on a per day basis. Link here - http://www.parispass.com/

If in London you want to visit the Royal Galleries, you can sometimes find a better deal online, I managed to get a discount by purchasing in advance and as a package.

There is no need to book for Tower of London. They have a Tower of London spooky night tour that is really interesting but booking runs out fast, you can try checking if they still have tickets
Link here - http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/...rTwilightTours

For more information on Europe, I have written a blog on my travels, Do visit - http://mynameisfinnley.wordpress.com/

Hope you have a great trip!

Lotsa Love,
Finnley

bilboburgler Sep 15th, 2014 02:41 AM

D'Orsay

bilboburgler Sep 15th, 2014 02:41 AM

V&A

janisj Sep 15th, 2014 07:30 AM

>>Westminster Cathedral<<

I'm pretty sure you mean Westminster Abbey (Westminster Cathedral is an entirely different thing)

There is no need to pre-book any of this sites.

ESW Sep 15th, 2014 08:59 AM

I'm assuming you mean Hidcote Gardens If so, Kiftsgate Court Gardens are almost next door. They are very different and definitley worth considering.
http://www.kiftsgate.co.uk/visitor-i...-refreshments/

If you are wanting a short walk we can recommend Eastleach. This is 15 min drive south of Burford. There is a lovely walk between Eastleach St Martin church across a clapper bridge to Eastleach Turville.
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/church...tin/index.html

For something very different, There are two churches that might interest you as the walls are covered with superb wall paintings. There is the Church of St James the Great in South Leigh, just east of Witney.
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/church...igh/index.html

The other is St Peter ad Vincula Church in South Newington, about half an hours drive east of Stow on the Wold.
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/church...ton/index.html

Both of these are completely different to the great wool churches and give an idea of what a church would be like in medieval times.

stokebailey Sep 15th, 2014 09:22 AM

In London, consider a stroll along the South Bank, to enjoy the skyline. I like to go to Borough Market, early to beat the crowds.

You might enjoy a Thames Clipper ride from the Embankment to Greenwich and back; no commentary or anything, just clips along the river. http://www.thamesclippers.com/route-time-table/book-now
You can use an Oyster card for 10% discount. It's a relaxing <1.5 hr round trip.

It's fun to approach Greenwich from the river, the way Charles II and Eliz I would have on their slower barges. Greenwich has worthy sights, including the impressive National Maritime Museum, but you could save those for another trip.

BigRuss Sep 15th, 2014 10:39 AM

Get a single-day paper travelcard for you and the other part of "we" for your Tower visit - the Tower rack rate is about 21 quid, with the travel cards (off peak) you'll save about 10. Go to www.daysoutguide.co.uk for the voucher for the savings (2for1 - two admissions for price of one) and instructions on how to use the discount. There's more than just the Tower on that site - the War Rooms are too (or used to be).

europeannovice Sep 15th, 2014 04:55 PM

In the Cotswolds, how about Snowshill Manor? We really liked that.

In London--National Gallery and V&A are great. Climbing to the top of St Paul's Cathedral is wonderful too.

Paris--Musee de Orsay for the impressionists inside and the architecture outside and within.

NE Sep 16th, 2014 01:47 PM

Thank you all for your wonderful ideas . Noted and marked ! We are off tomorrow so a trip report is due upon our return ! Let's see how I do as the planner and guide!


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