Hello-Leaving on Thursday for a week in London and wondering if we will have time for a side trip to the country. What are your favorite side trips? Bath,Avon? Let me know! <BR>Heidi [email protected]

Always time for a side trip! I was in London during November & took a packaged day trip to Salisbury, Stonehenge & Bath. Spent more time traveling than "seeing", and would advise you to just take the train out to Bath, yourself. Great town! Also, my friend took a jaunt out to see Hampton Court (only about a 50 minute train ride) - she said it was one of the better castles to visit. <BR>Also, if you don't already have a travel card, worthwhile to invest if you plan on using the underground alot to get around town. Oh & one more thing - as soon as you arrive, pick up a copy of "Time Out" magazine. It'll gives a great listing of what's going on in London for the week. ENJOY YOUR TRIP!

I know this will sound crazy, but a great side trip from London is Brugge, <BR>Belgium! You may not have time for it this time, but...here's the deal...take the train to Felixtowe, buy a ferry ticket for the overnight trip to Brugge. I went as a "foot-passenger" and it was incredibly inexpensive...15 pounds or so...cheaper than a hotel in London! You sleep on the ferry...just stake you out a seat and a blanket in the theater when you first board, (or you can pay more for a very small sleeping cabin)...arrive in Zeebrugge the next a.m. take the bus into the town, get off and just wander and enjoy the heck out of this wonderful town...be back at the Zandt that night to take the bus back to the dock. They speak 5 languages easily in Brugge...English is no problem. I did this five years ago, so check to make sure about the ferry crossing from Felixstowe. You may not want to try this this trip, but keep it in mind for later. It really is an easy...and an enchanting side trip! Also loved Cambridge!

Once you get to London, check with BritRail (British Railways). They offer special discount return tickets on weekends to all sorts of places. A great way to save money, avoid driving, and see the country. If you have not been to Stratford-on-Avon before, by all means go. But it is over-touristed. A very interesting spot to see on a day trip is the city of York. Bath -- simply marvelous for a day trip.

I believe you can still take the Green Line bus, from Victoria Station, to Hampton Court and Windsor...they will drop you off at one and then when you are finished, just hop on the next bus and they will drop you at your next stop and then you return back when you are ready...or, take the train back. It is a very nice day trip.