One week and counting before my 9 year old daughter and I begin our 3-week adventure to Europe. I am so appreciative of ALL the advice I have received so far. We have a one-day layover in London on Saturday 11/28 and following is the itinerary I've put together for us. I'm wondering if it's comfortably doable? (janisj if you happen to be reading this thanks for your advice regarding Windsor vs London) We have reservations at the Alhambra Hotel (a very basic, budget hotel that I'm not totally comfortable with but chose it for it's proximity to the Picadilly line, price and ok Trip Advisor reviews) near King's Cross Station. As I look at the map and see that the sites we want to see are relatively close together I'm wondering if we should locate ourselves closer to them. I would love to stay at the Luna and Simone but they are booked (although I've been checking daily for a cancellation). I am timid of Priceline (only because I don't know London's neighborhoods well but I have visited betterbidding several times and understand the process) but am willing to try if someone has an area recommendation. Also I don't have a solid feel for distances between areas of London (despite all my reading) so I'm wondering if we would be taking the Tube during our day, if buses are conveneient or if our planned stops are walkable. Thanks.

* Tower of London first thing (they open at 9:00) Although we could stay longer I'm
hoping to stay until 12:00 or so.
* Lunch close by (quick take out if it's a nice day)
* Skating at Tower rink (1/2 hour)
* Westminster Abbey (I'm hoping we can get there for Evensong at 3:00 then spend
an hour touring)
* London Eye at 6:00 (I really did not want to do this but I know once my daughter
sees it she will want to ride and tickets are on sale now 20% off online.
* Dinner somewhere where we may be able to wander towards Harrod's and see the
Christmas windows
* Hotel - our flight to Zurich leaves at 11:40 on Sunday so we can sleep in a bit and
leave at 9:00 (we have carry-on luggage only).

Hi - your plan seems totally doable w/ a 9 yo.

For lunch - there are decent cafes right in the Tower complex so that will save you time before the skating.

As for where to stay - are you leaving from Heathrow? If you want to bid Priceline - I'd choose the Knightsbridge/Kens/Earls Court or Mayfair/Soho zones. Westminster zone is good to -- but one of the hotels that sometime comes up is in a less convenient south-of-the-river location.

Mayfair Soho would take higher bids. In Knightsbridge/Kens/Earls Court you'll either get a hotel right ON the Piccadilly line or the Olympia Hilton which isn't as convenient transport-wise. But you can often get a very nice 3 or 4 star place in Knightsbridge/Kens/Earls Court for around $100 or a bit less and even IF you do get Olympia - there is great bus service right outside the hotel. Or you can take a cab a short distance somewhere like South Kensington and then hop on the tube to anywhere. There is a tube station but it is on a sort of spur of the District line and doesn't have as frequent service as most other stations.

So I'd feel really secure bidding any of those 3 zones - and avoid all the others just to simplify things.

It's all fine apart from Harrods which is in Knightsbridge which isn't near any of the other sights. If you want to see christmassy shops etc head for Regent St where the lights are and al the shops will have their window displays.

Re the hotel: It's in Argyll Square which used to be really bad but is actually quite nice now.

Good planning. I am doing almost the same with my 10 yr. old grandaughter, but we will do rubbing at WA. The rubbing is an excellent keepsake for the trip. The London Eye is a must for this age but remember, it goes so slowly it hardly seems to move. Great for picture taking. I am hoping to get in a short boat ride on the Thames.

There's a pub that serves great fish and chips near the Tower if you eat after you leave the Tower grounds (forgot the name). It's on Minories just north of the Tower and is located on the right side of the street (facing away from the Tower) and is under the DLR railway line, just a few meters from the Tower Gateway station entrance.

That sounds a great day. I agree about the lights - it'll be much easier to go to Regent Street but you could treat yourself to a London taxi (and give yourself a little rest on the way to Harrods!)

If you decide not to head towards the lights at all then there are lots of places to eat along the river after you take the London Eye. Just walk along the river towards the East and there are lots of choices at Southbank.

What great advice from everyone and such quick replies- thank you.

janisj - This is just what I needed to feel more secure about Priceline. Thanks so much, I will try these 3 zones and let you know how it turns out!

CW and LynnB - Thanks for the Regents Street suggestion - it sounds like this would be a more convenient alternative. CW thanks for the thoughts about the hotel area - it relieved some of my concern in case Priceline doesn't provide an alternative.

BigRuss - Thanks for the Fish and Chips suggestion - depending on our timing it may work out perfectly.

Elainee - I hadn't thought of rubbings at the WA. I hope you have a fabulous time with your 10 year old grandaughter!

bookmarking

Well, Priceline is expensive tonight! I went up to $150 for a 4* in the three areas and then for the fun of it I put in $205 for a 5*. No luck - I'll try again tomorrow Perhaps tomorrow I'll try for a 3* also.

Minor glitch in the itinerary (I don't know why I didn't check this first!) but Westminster Abbey closes at 2:30 (last admission @ 1:30). We will cut this very close but since I'd really like to attend Evensong (a little adult time for me!) I don't think I'll reverse the order and start there. Maybe we'll save the skating for the evening - the pictures of it in the night lights looks fun. I am wondering how long a walk it is from the Tower to Westminster and from Westminster to London Eye? Would the Tube be a better bet? Thank again!

Elainee - I just looked up rubbings and they are no longer allowed. The website does list another location where they can be done.

"<i>am wondering how long a walk it is from the Tower to Westminster and from Westminster to London Eye? </i>"

Westminster Abbey to the Eye is nothing. Just across the river on Westminster Bridge. BUT - The Tower to Westminster is a very VERY long walk. Wouldn't be possible in your short time frame.

But there is skating much closer than the Tower. Somerset House has a lovely rink. From the Eye you'd walk across the Hungerford footbridge and then just down the Embankment maybe 1/4 mile. So maybe 1/2 a mile total. And from Somerset House it is a short walk into Covent Garden w/ all the street performers places to eat.

http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/ice_rink/default.asp

didn't notice the discussion of brass rubbing -- the centre at WA has been closed for a long time. It shut maybe 8 or 9 years ago.

But they can still be done at St Martin in the Field at Trafalgar Square.

I forgot...we did rubbings at St. Martin in the Field in the basement. Ice skating at Somerset House is lovely but make reservations in advance.

High Tea rather than dinner would be a treat.

Another food option near the Tower: There's a Wagamama restaurant (asian noodles, very fast service, casual) opposite the tourist entrance to the Tower. As a recall from September 2008, it's on a corner, almost straight behind the Tower's gift shop.

Another round of fabulous advice.

Janisj the skating looks beautiful at Somerset House plus there's a fashion exhibit that my daughter would love (oh, for more time!). Thanks so much for this and the walking instructions. We'll head to Covent Garden after for dinner.

Elainee - I'm glad you remembered the rubbings at St. Martin in the Field - I didn't want you to get to WA and be disappointed.

Tahl - You have no idea how serendipitous your restaurant suggestion is. We were having lunch at a local noodle shop just yesterday and my daughter commented that maybe there are noodle shops in London or Paris (our last stop)!

Until a couple of years ago I used to work in Tower Place, the building above Wagamama. Wagamama is great but it does get very busy at lunchtimes so go early. Other choices nearby include La Rueda - just cross the the atrium from Waga. - Good spanish food and great tapas (and not so busy). There is a Pizza Express across the road from TP Byward Place/Tower Hill (go onto there website they are always doing 2 for 1 deals).

If you just fancy a sandwich go to http://www.grazingfood.com/ really excellent roast meat sandwiches with all the trimmings

Another casual place close to the Tower if you decide against Wagamama -- there is a Cafe Rouge in St Katharine's Marina just across the street from the NE corner of the Tower. It is a sort of French bistro-ish chain w/ actually quite decent food.

But I honestly think - just eating right at the Tower may make the as much sense as anything. You could break your sightseeing at the Tower w/ a mid-morning tea/early lunch 'elevenenses' at one of the on-site restaurants and then have a late lunch or early dinner before or after the Eye.

crellston - thanks for the heads up about the crowds at Wagamama.
Janis j - I think you're right that eating at the Tower makes the most sense. I printed out a coupon for a very inexpensive child's lunch too! Skating at the Somerset House seems to be booked already but I'm going to call them and see if they sell any "day of" tickets.