Vita

I just returned from a fabulous week in London. Here are some of the details and I'd be a happy to answer any questions.<BR><BR>I flew direct between Washington DC and London on Virgin Atlantic, then took the Picadilly line to London (cheaper than Heathrow Express). I also purchased a one-week Tube/bus pass for Zone 1 at the train station at Heathrow. The pass worked out very well. I walked a lot but generally used the Tube two or three times a day.

Maira

Welcome back Vita!! Any highlights? How was the hotel? Did you tried the Spanish restaurant near Victoria Station that, if I recalled correctly, was recommended to you? Details, please!!

Vita

There was so much to do in London, it was almost mind-numbing, so I'll just hit the highlights. I saw five plays while I was there: Art, Twelfth Night, Woman in Black, Noises Off, and Stones in His Pockets. With the exception of Twelfth Night, I got all of my tickets through the half-priced ticket booth at Leicester Square on the day of the performance.<BR><BR>All the productions were well done. I think Art was my favorite and the experience of seeing Twelfth Night at the Globe was just thrilling. <BR><BR>As for Woman in Black, I think the production was admirable but marred somewhat by the first two rows of seats being filled with pre-adolescents who screamed and giggled for a good deal of the performance. It was a Thursday night and I'm not sure what they were doing there. It was pretty disruptive to the audience and I think the cast as well. At times, you couldn't hear what the actors were saying and there was a lot of shhhing.

Vita

Thanks, Maira! No, I didn't try the Spanish Restaurant. In terms of food, the highlights were fish and chips at Sea Shell on Lisson Grove in Marylebone, the fat rascal and tea at Betty's in York, and sausage mash at the New Inn in Salisbury. Generally, I was happy with the food and ate wherever happened to be convenient when I got hungry.<BR><BR>I got so excited thinking about the theatre I forgot to mention accomodations. I stayed at the Luna and Simone on Belgrave Road and I was very happy with it. It wasn't much but it was clean and about 10 minutes walk to Victoria Station. For 35 GBP/night, I thought it was an excellent deal.

Vita

I did a couple of the walks with London Walks while I was there - the Old Soho Pub Walk and Somewhere Else London, both very good. I think if I had to do this trip over again, I would incorporate more of those walks because they really were very interesting. <BR><BR>When I first got to London, I was a little disappointed because it all seemed so built up. There were cranes everywhere and it seemed like I had to walk forever to see anything interesting. It took a couple of days for me to realize that there was a certain strategy to sightseeing in London. It's not like Rome or Florence, where you can just walk around and expect something magical to appear around every other corner. With London, aside from the major sights listed in the travel guides, I needed a little more help on where to look.

Vita

I enjoyed strolls through Soho, Leicester Square, and Convent Garden. Leicester Square, with its musicians, artists, and people watching, kind of reminded me of Pizza Navona. I found it a little too chilly to sit outside (although plenty of other people did) but sitting by the picture window at the Rendevous Cafe with a cup of coffee and my book, people watching and reading was almost heaven to me. More later.

Vita

I also did the Stones and Bones tour (Stonehenge, Avebury, Salisbury, Old Sarum) with Astral Travels. I'd highly recommend it if you're staying in London and don't want to drive. The guide took a lot of detours through the countryside and I thought there was plenty of time alotted to explore each site. When I was planning my trip, I thought of Stonhenge as one of those places that I should see, but I wasn't especially looking forward to it. It was actually more impressive than I thought it would be. Avebury was beautiful but not a subsitute for Stonehenge, in my opinion.

HRH SBP

keep it coming Vita, sounds great!<BR><BR>did you make it to Greenwich? or the Tower of London? or walk through Green Park/St. James? my faves include the Imperial War Museum - and the South Bank walk is nice too... did you walk the Millennium Bridge?<BR><BR>HRH

Julie

Are you familiar with a hotel called the Grange Holborn on Southampton Row in West End? Travelocity gives it a 5 star rating, but none of the other travel books or websites list it. Please email me if you know anything thanks

Joanne

Vita: Welcome home! Sounds as if you enjoyed your trip and I'm glad you liked London. Also pleased you got out in the countryside a bit, which I think makes for a much more balanced week.<BR><BR>We enjoyed our return to Italy earlier this month, and seeing Venice and Milan for the first time. Have you decided on your next destination? I'm thinking maybe Prague.<BR><BR>j

Vita

Sorry, Julie. I'm not familiar with that hotel. I hope someone else can help you out.<BR><BR>Joanne, Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip. I haven't been to Venice or Milan yet but I'm hoping to include them in a future trip at some point. In the immediate future, I was thinking of doing a long weekend in New York in September and possibly another trip to Italy in December. Nothing definite yet. If I do go to Italy, I'll probably stay in one place (either Rome or Florence) and just delve. Prague and Andalucia are also at the top of my list of places to see, but alas, not this year.<BR><BR>I know I'm bouncing around a lot on my trip report, but it's probably a good indication of my mental state during the trip. <BR><BR>In London, aside from aimless wandering, I did some of the standard sites: St. Paul's, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, British Museum, National Gallery. I generally spent 2-3 hours at each place and only did about two sites per day max. The interiors of both St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey were stunning, although I was wondering if there are any plans to clean the exterior of St. Paul's.<BR><BR>Tower of London was another one of those pleasant surprises that I wasn't expecting to enjoy. It was much different from what I envisioned, much larger and spread out. I wasn't particularly wowed by the crown jewels, but I also wasn't particularly interested in the "royal" aspect of London. Seeing the armor and the reconstruction of certain rooms as well of the structure of the fortress itself was more interesting.<BR><BR>I did a highlights tour of the British Museum, which I'd highly recommend unless you have a good idea of what you want to see. It included the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, and the mummies.

Vita

Actually reconsidering what I wrote, it probably would have been better if I had done the British Museum tour with London Walks since it would have been 5 GBP instead of 8 GBP through the museum. Lessons learned. Also should have mentioned that the design of the museum itself was worth a look.

Tina

Vita,<BR>Looked at website for Luna Simone Hotel --- looks like basic accommadations for good price. Is it located close (2 blocks or less) to the underground? <BR>

Vita

Tina, No, L&S was actually located a little farther from Victoria Station - maybe about 5 blocks? <BR><BR>More about my trip later.

Joanne

Vita: Enjoying reading about the sites you visited and your impressions. The Tower was quite different than what I expected too.<BR><BR>Spain is a good choice. We have been there and would like to return. We particularly liked Seville and a day trip to Jerez de la Frontera/Cadiz. <BR><BR>We're planning long weekends here in California, but doubt a return to Europe before year's end unless we come across a dirt cheap fare.<BR><BR>j

Vita

Other than that, I just enjoyed walking around. I loved Trafalgar Square although the pigeons freaked me out a little. They fly so low, they look like they're coming right at you. At one point, I swear to you an entire "wall" of pigeons took off from a nearby rail and flew right over my head. <BR><BR>Also enjoyed watching how everyone reacted to the rain. One evening, it poured. Of course, this was the evening that I had tickets to the Globe. As I was walking the the theatre, I saw a man (who could only be British) sitting at a park bench with an umbrella in one hand and a book in the other. I took a picture of him and I hope it turns out. For me, it was a reminder that you can't let the weather ruin your fun. It rained through the performance, but everyone was in good spirits and laughed at the end when the jester sang 'The Wind and the Rain.'

Sara

Welcome back Vita. Glad you had a good time. Did you reach Primrose Hill or Camden Market?

Vita

Thanks, Sara. No, I didn't get to either one. So much to do, so little time!<BR><BR>I guess I didn't mention my day trip to York. I had a good time, but I'm glad I only spent a day there. The highlight was the cathedral and, as I mentioned, the fat rascal at Betty's. It was fun just walking around and peeking in shops. I also did the wall walk. I think the quarter closest to the touristy part was the most interesting. The rest of it gave me great views of people's backyards and laundry.<BR><BR>In summary, I had a great time! I loved London and can see going again with some different day trips. I'd definitely do another tour with Astral Travels and more walks with London Walks.<BR><BR>If I think of any other pearls of wisdom, I'll be sure to pass them along.

me

Vita, did you get sitting or standing tickets for the Globe? My husband and I have been thinking seeing a show one of these weekends and thought the standing tickets would be a more realistic experience, but aren't sure if we can handle standing that long and still enjoy the show!

Suzy

Remember that the show goes on at the Globe regardless of the weather -- groundlings get the full brunt of sun and/or rain. The seats are authentic, too! And the theater is so small, there are really no bad seats. If you get a seat in the back row, you'll have something to lean against! Be ready to rent one of the seat cusions (for &pound;1), those wooden benches aren't that much of an improvement ofer standing for 3 hours.