SashaZ

First off, thanks all of you for your help in planning my short jaunt. If it weren't for you guys, I never would have attempted the tube from Heathrow to my hotel (even though I live in NY and take the subway every day). How simple...why don't we have that in NYC?

Stayed at Thistle Bloomsbury. LOVED this hotel. My room was small but cozy, very nicely decorated with a nice bathroom. Full English breakfast included - everything from cereal to eggs to sausages (two different kinds)breads, yogart, cheese even mortadella! oh and a newspaper..all for 38Pounds. The staff was great.. public rooms beautifully decorated.

Gorgeous weather, great to sit outside Covent Garden or around Leister (sp?) Square and have a glass of wine and watch the world go by.

Regarding Punch and Judy (I believe it's called)... Someone on this board said to have a drink there - what a mistake.. Loud, obnoxious, young drunks on one of the nicest, sunniest terraces overlooking Covent Garden. Is it always like this? What a shame! I went there twice but each time I left. Has anyone had a good experience there?

A nice place for dinner is the Portrait restaurant in the museum. Its only open Thursday and Friday nights. Nice view with good food - crispy duck with mashed potates. It seems everything is served with mashed potatoes, which is fine with me since I love them.

I also enjoyed Devonshire Arms for dinner which is a pub. It was a Saturday nite and downstairs were a bunch of guys with suits on, but their pants were cut off at the knee. What's the story with that?!! Funny. The restaurant was upstairs.. small place ce that feels like you have stepped back in time..Fireplace too. Very nice. od wine and great bangers and mash.

to be continued

SashaZ

The last sentence should read "good wine"...

Shopping was fun but everything was sooo expensive. Enjoyed shopping on Cheval Place near Harrods. A bunch of resale shops with great bags (my weakness).

Don't miss Portabello market... grab a crepe to go...hmmmmmm. Bought another bag.

Went to about two museums each day. The London Museum is great - although I went on a day with 500 school kids but they enjoyed it even more than I did! Loved the Portrait Museum (only a short time here-oh I have to go back!!) loved Somerset House - I was disappointed the Hermitage rooms were closed- next time. V&A, Kensington Palace (good audio tour) and National Gallery.

SashaZ

I have to say I enjoyed my time in London even though alone. The people are friendly (except in Punch and Judy's) and if you plan a good itinerary, there is no time to be lonely.

Oh I liked another bar/restaurant in Covent Garden - also a terrace - but not in the sun. I believe it's called Chez Rene??? or Chez Ricard?? Didn't eat there, just a drink, but it looks like a great place to dine.

Again, thanks all for your help, I'm hooked on London and know I will return, this time with the husband. Didn't go to sites such as tower of London or Cabinet war rooms since I'd like to do that with him.

I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Lesli

So glad you enjoyed your trip, and agree that London is a great solo destination.

Where did you find that amazing rate for the Thistle Bloomsbury? I assume that was for a single room, rather than a double for sole use? Not too terribly tiny then? (I have had mostly negative experiences with single rooms and thus grudgingly pay for a double; it would be great to know of a place where that wasn't necessary.)

kbella

Congratulations!Solo trips are my way of rejuvenating my zest for life..After umpteen years my husband and grown children still worry that I might fall off the face of the earth.
Happy travels,
kbella

kaudrey

Sasha,

Glad you had a great trip! I concur on Punch and Judy. We went there and my boyfriend had a pint but I didn't bother - got one cheaper a few blocks away. We were not impressed. But, I loved the area.

Karen

SashaZ

Lesli:

I made the reservation through Londontown.com. The room was a single and yes, it was tiny but certainly manageable for one person. Although it was small, it was charming - very pretty and comfortable. Beautiful drapery and headboard. The furniture was functional and I had plenty of drawer space (after I removed the tea/coffee set-up from one of the drawers). I loved the room and looked forward to coming back in the evening.

janis

Neat Report Sasha. I love it when folks are enthusiastic.

That place in Covent Garden is probably Chez Gerard. It is a chain with 4 or 5 branches scattered around London.

I go there most times I am in London - have a light lunch and a glass of champagne looking out over the Opera House, and down Drury Lane.

MelissaHI

Sasha, reading your report made me want to hop a plane to London (solo) tomorrow! You go grrrl!

Can I ask you, what made you decide to tackle this trip alone? I've done the solo tripping thing too and initially was not too happy about it....my travel partner flaked out. But I ended up having a good time. Now I know I can do it again, if I had to. Or if I WANT to!!

SashaZ

Melissa:
No one wanted to go - I wanted to go and I certainly wasn't going to wait until so and so was ready. I wasn't too keen on going myself either, as a matter of fact, I had a nervous stomach two days before I was scheduled to leave. I was hoping it wasn't the flu!! I got such a great deal on British Airways $350 round trip from NYC and the hotel at 38 Pounds per night I couldn't resist.

My husband always says, oh will travel when we're retired (we don't have children and are planning to retire in 3 years - me at 46, him at 50). However, I don't want to wait, so I've gone on a few trips with my girlfriends and I did take my mom to Paris.

I still get "YOU WENT BY YOURSELF"??!! but I realize that the people that say that, don't go anywhere. I had a full itinerary, didn't mind eating by myself and enjoy MY company. I loved it and won't mind doing it again...

circa

Good for you!!!!....London is great
GO GO GO if you can go and see things.....do it....Do things when you can (health)....climbing mountains, walking, long journeys get harder as you get older, still fun at that.
Grab hubbie, and go see those sites...the "War Rooms" are great.
Again....good for you....

enjoy

MelissaHI

So true, Sasha, I get the same reaction from people over travelling by myself.

Next time you do that, you should post a request for a Fodorite's Get Together (GTG) in your destination city. I did that in Paris and got to meet the famous elvira of this board. And Elberko!

beany

I also just got back from a solo trip to London and loved every minute. The only really tricky part is evening. Tourist sites and shops generally close at 5:30. I wasn't brave enough to go to a pub alone (I know, I know, I'll travel anywhere, but won't sit in a pub!), but luckily found the evenings that certain museums were open, saw a few plays (Our house - music by madness - what fun), and went on several London Walks. Great evening walks and if I'd been there anymore evenings I would have taken a pub walk which would have gotten me into a pub. I got a few funny looks in restaurants, but I just pretended that they thought I was an important businesswoman on an important trip and then I didn't care. LOL

Linds

I haven't done an entire trip by myself, yet, but it's beginning to look like I might have to "take myself" to Italy in August. I've never been, none of the people who will be travelling with me can go, but darn it - I'm going. I'll be in England already, with a week to either fly home and sit around watching cable TV or to fly to Rome and see things I've always wanted to see. Hey, that rhymed!

Anyway, great to hear that you had a good time. I'm scoping out hotel possibilities in London, and the Thistle Bloombury sounds great! Thanks for so much good info!

Sue4

I love going solo. Especially to London and Paris. I feel absolutely luxurious being alone, and being able to do just what I want to do (for a change!). Admittedly, it would be nice to have someone with me for "fine dining", especially in Paris, but I can overlook that. In London, the pub walks are great for a solo, and the theatre, too.
All you women out there who are single, or have husbands who won't go, just try it - you'll be glad!

SashaZ

Sue - you said it perfectly... it felt luxurious to be alone...