Paris, London, 49ers and Fodors GTG

Old Feb 9th, 2014, 12:38 PM
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Just got around to reading your trip report.

Thanks for another great report!
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Old Feb 9th, 2014, 04:32 PM
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So late in reading this but sounds like fun, especially the GTG.

We meant to get to Ciel de Paris while we were in Paris in December and I'm not sure why or how we didn't. There is always something we don't get around to that we regret and now we especially wish we had. OK, next time.

Pere Lachaise is one that we haven't been to and I haven't decided on if I want to. But if I do, I will bring a map!

Always missing Paris--thanks for the report.
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Old Feb 10th, 2014, 05:36 PM
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Hi Janisj,

Glad to hear that you may be returning to the UK in the spring. Have you firmed up dates yet?

I am “thinking” about returning to London in mid-June. I have never joined a GTG as you did. How does it work? Just post on this forum? As you may recall, I travel solo then add a tour at the end which has worked for me in the past.

However, the island is only so big, and I have “done” several of these junkets already. I did look at a Rabbies tour of Cornwall and Devon for 4 nights/5 days which is a possibility even though I “did” West Country a few years back.

On that tour we stayed in Plymouth and Bristol whereas the Rabbies tour stops two nights each in Falmouth and Essex. I really want to visit Dartmoor which is included on this tour.
I guess my question is – if I don’t add a tour, would a 8-9 days alone in London be a bit much even though I have so many museums/attractions/venues that I really want to experience. Thoughts?
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Old Feb 11th, 2014, 10:23 AM
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I'm currently visiting New York (posting from the cafe in the Met w/ a view across a VERY snowy Central Park) so just time for a quick note right now.

To get a GTG going - just post a thread w/ a title something like " in London June 1-5 - GTG?". Or similar. Then folks like jamikins and Patrick, maybe julia_t, heck, flanner even and others will post their availability and it develops from there. Very casual - sometimes it works, out sometimes you can't connect. Usually helps if you post a few weeks ahead to get more input/organizing/suggestions.

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Old Feb 12th, 2014, 08:41 AM
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On that tour we stayed in Plymouth and Bristol whereas the Rabbies tour stops two nights each in Falmouth and Essex. I really want to visit Dartmoor which is included on this tour. >>

Falmouth and Essex? - possibly not Essex, lateday. [do i remember that you posted about this possible trip a few months ago - I remember you asked about hotels in Falmouth, but I can't remember where the other place was for the life of me. I do know it's not Essex though].

personally I think that a trip to the West Country would be great, but having done a flying visit to London last week, I can see the attraction of a longer stay there too.

not being picky, hopefully!
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Old Feb 12th, 2014, 10:02 AM
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My guess is you meant Exeter ???
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Old Feb 12th, 2014, 01:05 PM
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well done, jj, that never occurred to me.

my brain is suffering from the battering it's getting from the wind, perhaps.
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Old Feb 12th, 2014, 06:04 PM
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Hi Annhig and JanisJ,

Yes, I should have said EXETER, not ESSEX. I live near Boston in Essex County and, of course, we have Plymouth, Bristol, Falmouth and all those towns nearby to remind us of our ancestral British roots. I appreciate your responses.

Still weighing the Rabbies Devon and Cornwall offering (I did do a tour of West Country two years ago which I enjoyed) against staying in London and exploring so many venues/museums/curiosities which I missed on previous visits.

I guess my question is – would 9-10 days in London by myself be too much?

To be continued…
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Old Feb 12th, 2014, 06:06 PM
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Annhig, I have just read about the terrible weather in your neck of the woods and sympathize. Also read about how often the Thames Barrier below London has been used of late to contain the raging tides. Too bad...
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Old Feb 13th, 2014, 05:41 AM
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thanks, lateday - the focus is moving more to the SE where there is some terrible flooding, though we are due another gale tomorrow.

only you know whether that time in London would feel too much to you - though you could always mitigate it by doing guided walks and suchlike. you certainly wouldn't run out of things to do in london, but that tour of the West Country also looked very good and dovetails nicely with your interests.
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Old Feb 13th, 2014, 02:38 PM
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janis, you raced sports cars?
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Old Feb 13th, 2014, 03:10 PM
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Thanks for another great report. I have been going to London nearly every year for the past 25 but always look up your trip reports for tips before I go.
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Old Feb 13th, 2014, 05:58 PM
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Hi again Annhig and Janisj,

“only you know whether that time in London would feel too much to you”

True, I am thinking that I will go it the whole time solo in the city with a few day trips out of London. We can never do everything, right? And I have seen your lovely Cornwall and Devon on a previous jaunt.

As you know, I am into all that lit/art/history stuff and am considering attending a few public lectures at LSE, London Walks, and like venues. I know that theater is huge in London, but I am not that into live performance, especially musicals.

Also considering two offerings on Viator. One includes Downton Abbey sites (not Highclere itself) and Blenheim (always wanted to see it!) and another that includes Leeds Castle, Canterbury (love those tales), White Cliffs, Greenwich, with cruise back to Embankment. That should keep me busy.

There is just so much to do and see in London….
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Old Feb 14th, 2014, 05:45 AM
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Nice! Please pass along the name of your driver's company.

FWIW, ldt, I loved everything about Canterbury.
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Old Feb 14th, 2014, 08:09 AM
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Can you find a tour which includes Sissinghurst, I think you would like it? The gardens should beautiful in mid-June.
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Old Feb 14th, 2014, 08:58 AM
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go for it lateday.

I'm sorry that we won't be able to welcome you to Cornwall again, but I'm sure you'll have a great time in london.

I look forward to the trip report!
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Old Feb 14th, 2014, 02:14 PM
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Hi TDuette,

“Please pass along the name of your driver's company.” Not sure which one you mean. The five day trip to Cornwall and Devon was with Rabbies Tours. The others are on a large company called Viatour, see www.viator.com. Most day trips on this site are to places that I have already been to. The two I mentioned looked interesting to me. I have not been to the southeast corner of the UK including Canterbury.

Hi Cathinjoetown,

No, I did not find any tour Sissinghurst, but it sounds lovely. Thank you for the suggestion.

Hi Annhig,

You KNOW there will be a trip report wherever I go. I appreciate your input. Friends have asked, “You are going to London AGAIN?” Yeah, it’s hard to explain…
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Old Feb 14th, 2014, 05:45 PM
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Hi Lateday,

We spent 10 days in London a few years ago and really barely scratched the surface so the more time you can allocate the better. Will definitely look forward to your next trip report.

We too are looking forward to returning and touring the southeast also but we have been reading all these stories of the terrible flooding. We have been having one ice and snow storm after another here, the UK is inundated with all this rain, and California has a drought. Go figure.

Regarding your bus tours, I think viator is a middleman--not the actual tour operator. I could be wrong but it is probably an Evans Evans or a Golden tour that offers Dover, Greenwich etc. all in one day. The only thing about those is that you really don't get to spend enough time at any one of them before you are rushed off to the next stop. Better to take the train to Dover on your own as a day trip from London and then go to Greenwich on a separate day. No?
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Old Feb 15th, 2014, 03:17 AM
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Hi Europeanovice,

I agree that many of these tours seem rushed, but at this age and stage , the convenience outweighs that reality. One excursion that I had considered on my own on my last trip was to Cambridge for the day. Somehow, didn’t make it. We will see this summer.

Thanks for your suggestions…
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Old Feb 15th, 2014, 05:16 AM
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The one who was early.
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