Never traveled abroad before — have one week to get from Derry to Paris
Mar 24th, 2015, 02:54 PM
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My friend and I have yet to decide where we will go after Paris (this will be another post, I'm sure), but we are planning to head to the next destination on the evening of August 1st.
I guess my dilemma now is deciding which I'd want to see more of (Paris or London) and figuring out how to split up my time or skip London altogether.
I guess my dilemma now is deciding which I'd want to see more of (Paris or London) and figuring out how to split up my time or skip London altogether.
Mar 25th, 2015, 02:58 PM
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Right now, the USD converts better into Euros than it does into Pounds. With this in mind, should I consider quickly leaving the UK after my program ends and save a trip for Wales/Scotland/England when the conversion rate is better?
Mar 29th, 2015, 08:24 AM
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So, according to how my student visa works, I apparently need to show that I am leaving the UK within a day or two of my program's conclusion. With this in mind, does it make more sense to explore Dublin before heading to Paris, or should I head over to Belgium and then to Paris?
Mar 29th, 2015, 10:21 AM
#26
>>Right now, the USD converts better into Euros than it does into Pounds.<<
Totally untrue. Yes the £ 'costs' more than the €. But since the £ and € are not equal to each you can't say the € @ $1.09 is a 'better' deal than the £ @ $1.48. BOTH currencies are at extremely advantageous rates to the $.
>>save a trip for Wales/Scotland/England when the conversion rate is better?<<
Right now the £ rate is the best I've seen in years.
Both could go lower still . . . or not. (there has been a tiny uptick in both this last week or so.
Totally untrue. Yes the £ 'costs' more than the €. But since the £ and € are not equal to each you can't say the € @ $1.09 is a 'better' deal than the £ @ $1.48. BOTH currencies are at extremely advantageous rates to the $.
>>save a trip for Wales/Scotland/England when the conversion rate is better?<<
Right now the £ rate is the best I've seen in years.
Both could go lower still . . . or not. (there has been a tiny uptick in both this last week or so.
Mar 29th, 2015, 11:00 AM
#27
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For London...which you should definitely visit:
Do not -- I repeat -- do not miss the Tower of London. IMHO it's the number one site in the city, especially if you like castles and such. Plan to spend the better part of a day there.
The British Library (free) has an astounding collection of items in their Treasures gallery. They also have an amazing stamp collection -- last time I was there (if memory serves) it was in the hallway near the entrance to the Treasures collection.
Free art galleries: Depending on your taste, pick one (since your time is limited):
-- National Gallery (and Portrait Gallery next door). 13th c. to early 20th c.
-- Tate Modern. 1900 to present (not my favorite, since I feel it has too little art for such a large space.) NOTE: The Pompidou in Paris has a better collection...but is not free.
-- Tate Britain. British Artists 1500 - present. Lots of Turner.
Take a Thames cruise.
For modern history, I recommend the Cabinet War Rooms.
For a church, I prefer Westminster Abbey to St. Paul's but both are great -- your choice will depend on whether you prefer a medieval masterpiece or a Christopher Wren masterpiece. Read about them and decide for yourself.
...and don't neglect to take a self-guided walk or two. You can find them in every major guide book - Fodors, Frommers, Rick Steves, DK, etc.
SS
Do not -- I repeat -- do not miss the Tower of London. IMHO it's the number one site in the city, especially if you like castles and such. Plan to spend the better part of a day there.
The British Library (free) has an astounding collection of items in their Treasures gallery. They also have an amazing stamp collection -- last time I was there (if memory serves) it was in the hallway near the entrance to the Treasures collection.
Free art galleries: Depending on your taste, pick one (since your time is limited):
-- National Gallery (and Portrait Gallery next door). 13th c. to early 20th c.
-- Tate Modern. 1900 to present (not my favorite, since I feel it has too little art for such a large space.) NOTE: The Pompidou in Paris has a better collection...but is not free.
-- Tate Britain. British Artists 1500 - present. Lots of Turner.
Take a Thames cruise.
For modern history, I recommend the Cabinet War Rooms.
For a church, I prefer Westminster Abbey to St. Paul's but both are great -- your choice will depend on whether you prefer a medieval masterpiece or a Christopher Wren masterpiece. Read about them and decide for yourself.
...and don't neglect to take a self-guided walk or two. You can find them in every major guide book - Fodors, Frommers, Rick Steves, DK, etc.
SS
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
griz_fan
Europe
18
Aug 16th, 2009 04:01 PM
