London- First day
May 1st, 2006, 05:29 AM
#3
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..Where are you coming from? Has your family done long trips with time zone changes?..ie how do you handle jet lag. If arrriving in the am from the East Coast, I tend to find my way into my hotel (and I almost never stay at an airport hotel unless very quick connection with an odd hr take off) check in and then go out for lunch/brunch. By then, the room is almost always ready for check in. Then there is a choice- either take a nap wake up for dinner combined with a nice long walk...or some people will do "light" sightseeing in the afternoon with an early dinner. I usually do the first. Either way keep youir day light..don't overestimate your ability to sleep on the plane or underestimate jet lag.
May 1st, 2006, 05:36 AM
#4
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Will you be in London? If so, we always head to the Tower of London. It's an indoor/outdoor activity and it helps us to stay up until a reasonable local bedtime. In any case, I would chose one outdoor activity, and not a musuem or shopping. Being inside always makes the jetlag worse!
May 1st, 2006, 07:28 AM
#5
"<i>what should our plans be?</i>"
Since we have no idea where you are flying from, what time you arrive, or what things interest you it is impossible to make suggestions.
For instance, Marsha's idea of the Tower of London might be OK - but not if you aren't to your hotel until 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. because the the Tower will be VERY crowded mid-day when you could get there.
Also if you are flying in long haul you will be pretty exhausted - so something "gentle" but outdoors is usually best.
So give us more info and we can make useful suggestions.
Since we have no idea where you are flying from, what time you arrive, or what things interest you it is impossible to make suggestions.
For instance, Marsha's idea of the Tower of London might be OK - but not if you aren't to your hotel until 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. because the the Tower will be VERY crowded mid-day when you could get there.
Also if you are flying in long haul you will be pretty exhausted - so something "gentle" but outdoors is usually best.
So give us more info and we can make useful suggestions.
May 2nd, 2006, 08:49 AM
#7
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Assuming that you are arriving from the US after an 8 hour overnight flight and are staying in London:
WALK. If the weather is good, stroll through a park, take a boat ride on the Thames, do active things. Avoid quiet and dark museums, cathedrals, etc. Grab a bite to eat. Try to check into your hotel early and get a shower. But if you nap in the afternoon you may have a harder time getting to sleep that night.
WALK. If the weather is good, stroll through a park, take a boat ride on the Thames, do active things. Avoid quiet and dark museums, cathedrals, etc. Grab a bite to eat. Try to check into your hotel early and get a shower. But if you nap in the afternoon you may have a harder time getting to sleep that night.
May 2nd, 2006, 09:07 AM
#8
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We like to walk a lot - to compensate for inactivity at 9,000 feet for 11 hours. This gets us good and tired out so we go right to sleep in the evening. If we get a little fatigued, we'll ride a bus stage or two just to get re-balanced.
May 2nd, 2006, 02:46 PM
#9
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We usually arrive in Europe in the morning, check into the hotel (or just leave the bags depending on the time) and then it's off to get something to eat then do a little walking/exploring or maybe a hop on/ hop off bus tour. I save major museums, theater, etc. for day #2, but I certainly don't waste day #1 because I just got off the plane. Enjoy your first day, get a good nights sleep and hit the ground running on day 2. Most importantly, have fun!
