janisj

I'm from CA too. Trust me, the train to Oxford isn't an adventure. Besides you are taking the Eurostar later for your train fix.

What time do you arrive at LHR? If it is AM I would also consider taking the express coach from the airport to central Oxford. Spend that (jet lagged) day and til mid afternoon the next day in Oxford and train or bus into London in time for dinner and maybe even a show.

I would NOT stick your day trips back to back - but Harry potter must be booked well in advance so you need to make that decision first.

As for where to stay in London - I understand wanting to be near st Pancras, but unless you pony up BIG bucks to stay at the station hotel, your other choices aren't so hot. Maybe ask your husband if he'd consider near Russell Square / the British museum. They would be a very short cab or tube ride and there are a lot of decent options.

propita

Yes, we’re looking at that area, too. Once I point things out on a map, he’s all, “Oh, it’s not very far between the two. Sounds good.” We’re seeing some decent looking, decent priced, decent location apartment rentals. An extra block is okay when there’s other benefits.

Ah...”adventure” is a relative term. We’re pretty boring people (no, really, we’ve been called that and don’t mind it), so anything out of the ordinary is an adventure to us. Might be a “bother” to others, but I’m a fan of spinning things in a positive light when possible. For instance, if our regular route somewhere is closed to traffic and we must detour, unless we’re in a rush, we’ll take the detour and look around at things we’d normally not see and enjoy the change in scenery. If it’s a nice day and no one’s behind us, we’ll even “Sunday drive” it.



I have a theory that some people require more activity and external stimuli for enjoyment or just to keep going. Some will even stir things up in positive (or negative) ways to create it. They’re often at the center of parties, have bright colors in their homes, anything to keep things moving and active. Too quiet for too long is just too boring for them. I knew one guy who literally fell asleep for having to just sit for 20 minutes. They’re not bad, they just require more.

Others prefer much less external stimuli to enjoy things. They sit at the outer tables at parties and receptions (when possible), often have quieter colors in their homes, and usually avoid loud and crowded rooms--it’s overstimulating and overwhelming to them. They’re not bad, either, they just require less--not nothing, just less. We’re in this group; my sister is in the other--she can have quiet for a while, but then she’s rush rush rush because she’s hit her limit of quiet.

janisj

I'm just saying the train trip London to Oxford isn't exciting/romantic/adventurous.

The bus actually puts you down in the center of Oxford and w/ choices of pick up/drop offs. So actually door to door the bus could be faster since you can get off right near several colleges/attractions.

Nothing wrong w/ taking the train for sure - just pick the mode that makes the most sense for what you want to see/do and your budget . . . Not based on some romantic notion.

cw

>I believe that taking the train gives us 5 days of 2-4-1 in Paris, so we’ll be gearing our sightseeing for that.<

Is there a 2-4-1 deal in Paris? I haven't heard of it, but that doesn't always mean anything

StCirq

There's one for London. Never heard of one for Paris.

janisj

AFAIK there is no 2-for-1 in Paris. The train is the best way to get to Paris but it doesn't get you sightseeing discounts.

propita

Here’s from the Eurostar.com site. Limited, but better than nothing. Also Lille and Brussels. Limited usage though.

http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/eurost...s#.UrxRiXlXvWU

stokebailey

Several places are included in 2-for-1 deals in Paris. You could use that for the first few days, then get maybe 2-day Paris Museum Passes later, run around and see what else you choose in a couple of concentrated days. http://en.parismuseumpass.com

The big advantage of museum pass becomes evident when you skip to the front of huge lines, save time and frustration. And without a pass our family otherwise wouldn't have gone to the top of Arc d'Triomphe at the end of our last Pass day, but it ended up being a fun and memorable climb.

historytraveler

The Oxford Espress is now the X90. Both the Oxford Tube and the X90 have several pick up/let down options in London and Oxford. The final bus stop ( Gloucester Green) is right in the center of town. The train station is several blocks away. Although I'm not so foolish as to suggest either route is particularly scenic, I much prefer the bus ride. I seem to be repeating janisj's comments, but she's right. Bus over train on this one.

Goldens

As propita indicated , the Eurostar website does indeed have 2 for 1 deals. Just be sure to read the conditions very carefully.

CarolA

I am amazed that based on a few posts folks can diagnosis the state of OPs marriage. Since it seems to work for her, I think we should assume it is fine

I did some research around St Pancreas a while back as I had an early train and I do agree the options were mainly high priced or dumps.

Someplace I would consider for a day trio is Windsor. We really liked it. We found Stonehenge interesting, but would not bother again as it was a lot of hassle for limited enjoyment. After about 20 minutes we felt like we were done.

propita

Thanks, Carol. Husband can be demanding (like most men), and picky (but he picked me, so that should factor), but he has said that my (I admit) overkill research made our last vacation a total success. I channel my OCD-tendencies for good.

We’re looking towards rentals in both cities.

I saw Stonehenge back in 1986. I will assume it hasn’t changed. And since Husband isn’t interested, I don’t think we’re missing anything there.

We’ll have time to consider a third day trip out (Oxford, Harry Potter--yes, huge fan here). Strangely, we’re more interested in walking around the school, museums, and libraries than the town. We should have enough time for a gentle visit of what we wish, though obviously we will miss stuff. Not a problem. We’ve prioritized our “must sees.” I’ll collect info for a third trip to consider and surprise Husband with it IF we have time. No sense in filling his head with too much info.

historytraveler

Just to clarify, Oxford has 38 Colleges and 6 Permanent Halls. They are spread through out Oxford, but the most important ones are located Oxford Centre.The Colleges' libraries are not open to the public. There are tours available at the Bodleian, but they only allow access to Duke Humfrey's library.Still well worth seeing. The Radcliffe Camera has very limited tours and need to be booked in advance. The Ashmolean Museum is excellent. Your husband might enjoy visiting the University Museum with its T- Rex skeleton.

propita

Thanks!

I saw that there are a couple of other museums (History of Science, Pitt Rivers), the Sheldonian Theatre (why Big Bang Theory hasn’t referred to it, I don’t know), a church, and a Botanic Gardens. Plus the town.

I think it will be a nice day. We won’t be in a rush, just walking around and looking around is good for us.

stokebailey

It would be pretty hard to walk through Oxford's libraries, museums, and colleges but not the town.

janisj

>>I saw Stonehenge back in 1986. I will assume it hasn’t changed.<<

You assume incorrectly but if the hubby isn't interested, maybe forget it.

>>we’re more interested in walking around the school, museums, and libraries than the town.<<

historytraveler and stokebailey beat me to it. There is no 'school' as in a 'university campus'. It is all the colleges IN the town. They are one and the same

propita

Ah, then all will be well. We have time to consider taking one of the buses. I have the info and will confirm it all in March. I know that things, schedules, and prices can change.