Revised 5 week trip with dd
May 11th, 2008, 03:01 PM
#41
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Well, mms, Suze does recommend flying on. It's the switching from the airport to the train and the long train ride that she thinks too much. From Heathrow there's the trip into London and then across town to the departure train station, all the while carrying luggage. Then in Brussels, they'd have to switch to a local train for Bruges.
The more I think about it, the more I agree, though I understand and agree with Mom's original premise. But maybe it's just a bit too much this time.
The more I think about it, the more I agree, though I understand and agree with Mom's original premise. But maybe it's just a bit too much this time.
May 11th, 2008, 03:02 PM
#42
I'd probably agree w/ mms IF you had a tight schedule and only a short time for your holiday. Get where you are going and get it over with.
But in your situation - you have oodles of time. The luxury of time means you don't have to schlepp/rush/connect/race to make the next flight.
Take your time, enjoy, relax.
But in your situation - you have oodles of time. The luxury of time means you don't have to schlepp/rush/connect/race to make the next flight.
Take your time, enjoy, relax.
May 11th, 2008, 03:55 PM
#44
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mms that is the tough part. I do not like one nighters in general either. The good news is that we are traveling light - that will help. So I thought suck it up, get there and then rest. Ugh.
Based on the fact that dd gets sick hard and fast if she is over tired and with her foot situation... I have to really think this through.
I wanted you all to say "definately stay in london".
Perhaps take the flight to Brussels and spend the night?....
Janisj - I know..I need to relax. I am very anxious about the entire trip. Traveling alone is one thing, traveling with an 11 year old alone is giong to be a different experience. I am looking forward to our now two weeks in one apartment, but the moving and traveling has me a little more anxious.
I should correct myself though - one night stays do not appeal to me in general but I am thinking of doing a few after our stay in Lecce on our way up to Venice - Assisi for instance.
Based on the fact that dd gets sick hard and fast if she is over tired and with her foot situation... I have to really think this through.
I wanted you all to say "definately stay in london".
Perhaps take the flight to Brussels and spend the night?....
Janisj - I know..I need to relax. I am very anxious about the entire trip. Traveling alone is one thing, traveling with an 11 year old alone is giong to be a different experience. I am looking forward to our now two weeks in one apartment, but the moving and traveling has me a little more anxious.
I should correct myself though - one night stays do not appeal to me in general but I am thinking of doing a few after our stay in Lecce on our way up to Venice - Assisi for instance.
May 11th, 2008, 04:01 PM
#45
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Dawn--I can see where you would be hesitant with tess. But remember, kids sleep anywhere and they don't stress about logistics like we do. I personally would fly to Brussels at least. We always travel with just one carry on each, so like you say going light helps. But I hate hate hate to repack for one night. Nope, won't do it unless there is no other option, lol!
May 11th, 2008, 04:08 PM
#46
MomDD: If you do stay in London. You can have a nice dinner. a relaxing night. Walk around a little to give your daughter a taste. Next day after a good sleep, take a mid-morning Eurostar from St Pancras and relax all the way. Have lunch on the train. It will be daylight so you can see the scenery instead of darkness most of the way. The scenery isn't spectacular - but for that long a ride I'd personally be able to see things. Don't think of it as a one night stop over w/ packing/unpacking. You just need one change of clothes that can fit in your carry on. It shouldn't be much of a hassle at all.
May 11th, 2008, 06:13 PM
#47
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I emailed the B&B in Brugge and let her know that we would not be there that night.
I am going to spend the night in London. If it was just me - I would press on - I think the wise thing to do is to get her there, do my best to keep her up to a decent hour and take janisj's advice, have dinner, walk around etc. I should be able to get a decent hotel with points - hilton or starwood. Any suggestions on where to stay? If I cannot use points, I am on a tighter budget then normal due to the length of the trip.
I am trying to stay less then 150.00 USD a night for the time we are not in the apartment in Orantro <sp> (Lecce).
I already have a train pass, that is meaningless, I think for the UK and Eurostar from London to Brussels.
I am going to spend the night in London. If it was just me - I would press on - I think the wise thing to do is to get her there, do my best to keep her up to a decent hour and take janisj's advice, have dinner, walk around etc. I should be able to get a decent hotel with points - hilton or starwood. Any suggestions on where to stay? If I cannot use points, I am on a tighter budget then normal due to the length of the trip.
I am trying to stay less then 150.00 USD a night for the time we are not in the apartment in Orantro <sp> (Lecce).
I already have a train pass, that is meaningless, I think for the UK and Eurostar from London to Brussels.
May 11th, 2008, 06:39 PM
#48
$150 won't get you much in London (that is only £75) - but w/ points there are lots of good choices.
Which one do you have the most points w/ . . . . .
There are at least 10 Hiltons in central London and maybe 7 or 8 Starwoods.
Which one do you have the most points w/ . . . . .
There are at least 10 Hiltons in central London and maybe 7 or 8 Starwoods.
May 11th, 2008, 06:43 PM
#49
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That is why I was avoiding London on the way in - I want to stay for 3 nights on the way out (In November) price.
I have about 100,000 hilton points and about the same Starwood.
I "can" spend more but would prefer not to. Maybe I should priceline right before we go? I have read good things on this board about priceline London no?
I have a couple of expensive areas on the agenda - Venice, Rome, London.
I have about 100,000 hilton points and about the same Starwood.
I "can" spend more but would prefer not to. Maybe I should priceline right before we go? I have read good things on this board about priceline London no?
I have a couple of expensive areas on the agenda - Venice, Rome, London.
May 11th, 2008, 07:08 PM
#50
Since I don't use points - I mostly rent apartments in London or sometimes use priceline - I don't know how many points are required for London properties. But there are several really nice Hiltons and some terrific Starwood hotels. That is the way I'd go if your points will cover it.
May 11th, 2008, 07:41 PM
#51
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A lot (of points) But it is one area where it is worth it imo based on the weak dollar.
I was hoping to save my hilton points for Venice - a friend stayed at the Hilton in Venice and said it was amazing. I was suprised.
I am spending less in certain areas so I can go over a little if that makes sense.
I need to fill:
October 24 - thinking Verona
Oct 25
Oct 26
Oct 27
Oct 28
Oct 29
Oct 30
Oct 31
November 1
November 2
November 3
November 4 LAX
Ira had a great suggestion for Fussen (sp) Innsbruck, Salzburg I believe - I need to go back and look.
People keep urging me to go to Praque but I have heard from others it is "stressful"??
It is a good problem to have but as you can tell - I am stressed over it.
Want to stick as much as possible to trains - but do not see how to get back to London without flying.
I was hoping to save my hilton points for Venice - a friend stayed at the Hilton in Venice and said it was amazing. I was suprised.
I am spending less in certain areas so I can go over a little if that makes sense.
I need to fill:
October 24 - thinking Verona
Oct 25
Oct 26
Oct 27
Oct 28
Oct 29
Oct 30
Oct 31
November 1
November 2
November 3
November 4 LAX
Ira had a great suggestion for Fussen (sp) Innsbruck, Salzburg I believe - I need to go back and look.
People keep urging me to go to Praque but I have heard from others it is "stressful"??
It is a good problem to have but as you can tell - I am stressed over it.
Want to stick as much as possible to trains - but do not see how to get back to London without flying.
May 11th, 2008, 07:54 PM
#52
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I would consider whether the points use is a good dollar value. For example, if you bid for a 4* hotel in Bloomsbury-Marble Arch for one night on Priceline, which would likely put you quite near St. Pancras, you may be able to succeed at less than $125 total. I'd value Starwood points at least at 2 cents per point, although I don't know about Hilton. So if, for example, it took 10,000 Starwood points to get a hotel room in London, I don't think it would be a good value.
With Venice, the Hilton Molino Stucky is coming up on Priceline for 5* bids. Of course this hotel couldn't be guaranteed, but again I would look at the points "cost" versus the dollar cost when making a hotel decision. Points are just one restricted form of currency - they don't really give you "free" rooms. Of course, if you have more points than you could ever possibly use, then the economic decision is different.
From traveling with my kids, I definitely think 5-night stays or so are a good minimum, other than for 1-night "in-transit" stays. Yes, in theory it doesn't seem like it should be necessary, but life is easier with 5-night stays.
With Venice, the Hilton Molino Stucky is coming up on Priceline for 5* bids. Of course this hotel couldn't be guaranteed, but again I would look at the points "cost" versus the dollar cost when making a hotel decision. Points are just one restricted form of currency - they don't really give you "free" rooms. Of course, if you have more points than you could ever possibly use, then the economic decision is different.
From traveling with my kids, I definitely think 5-night stays or so are a good minimum, other than for 1-night "in-transit" stays. Yes, in theory it doesn't seem like it should be necessary, but life is easier with 5-night stays.
May 11th, 2008, 07:59 PM
#53
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willtravel - good information/insight - thank you.
I have used Priceline in the states but never in Europe.
Is it like here in that I have a better chance of a good price/room if I wait it out?
What area should I bid in for London? Noting that I am arriving at 2:40 into LHR and will be leaving mid morning for Brugge the next day?
I hear you about the five night stays - we went to Europe last year and moved a bit - Paris, Montruex, Florence and Rome. I will say after 4 nights though we were all ready to move on.
This will be interesting to say the least.
I have used Priceline in the states but never in Europe.
Is it like here in that I have a better chance of a good price/room if I wait it out?
What area should I bid in for London? Noting that I am arriving at 2:40 into LHR and will be leaving mid morning for Brugge the next day?
I hear you about the five night stays - we went to Europe last year and moved a bit - Paris, Montruex, Florence and Rome. I will say after 4 nights though we were all ready to move on.
This will be interesting to say the least.
May 11th, 2008, 08:46 PM
#54
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Personally, I'd say Bloomsbury-Marble Arch for Priceline or Hotwire, but others may disagree.
There is one important advantage to booking rooms with points in your case, which is that I think they are almost completely cancellable. Given the normal things that can happen with kids, that may be significant. So perhaps what I'd suggest is book a room with points, and then reconsider once you are much closer to the actual date.
There is one important advantage to booking rooms with points in your case, which is that I think they are almost completely cancellable. Given the normal things that can happen with kids, that may be significant. So perhaps what I'd suggest is book a room with points, and then reconsider once you are much closer to the actual date.
May 12th, 2008, 06:59 AM
#55
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Have you totally given up on flying onto Brussels after arriving in Heathrow? I think that's the best solution. Especially since, according to Jean, there's a train from the Brussels airport directly to Bruges.
Or you could spend a night in an inexpensive B&B near the airport (Windsor?) and fly out the next day.
Your daughter will get plenty of other train experiences during your 5 weeks.
Or you could spend a night in an inexpensive B&B near the airport (Windsor?) and fly out the next day.
Your daughter will get plenty of other train experiences during your 5 weeks.
May 12th, 2008, 08:17 AM
#56
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willtravel - considering I have had a million trips cancel (okay a tiny exaggeration) that is a good idea.
It is one reason I am shying away from apartment outside of the two weeks in Southern Italy - due to the fear that "something" will happen.
No, I have not completely given up on flying to Brussels. I have a little time to sort through it all... I am leaning definately towards just staying the night in London.
It is one reason I am shying away from apartment outside of the two weeks in Southern Italy - due to the fear that "something" will happen.
No, I have not completely given up on flying to Brussels. I have a little time to sort through it all... I am leaning definately towards just staying the night in London.
