Thank You Fellow Fodorites! Our trip is finally here!!!
Sep 8th, 2005, 06:12 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank You Fellow Fodorites! Our trip is finally here!!!
We are finally leaving tomorrow night for our first trip to London, Paris and southern Ireland! Thanks for all the packing, trip insurance, hotel, airline, train/subway schedules, side trips, etc. etc. advice and the many, many trip reports I’ve read. Although I haven’t posted asking any questions, I have found the answers to many of them just reading this board. You are a great bunch of people and I appreciate all the information I’ve collected in the past year. I must say that in the last week I have been up and down about this trip. Excited to be finally going and also feeling a little guilty to think that I’m able to enjoy a couple of weeks vacation while the people in our southern states don’t have the basic necessities of life. God bless them as they try to put their lives back together again.
Anyway, thanks for the help and I’ll try to post a trip report here when we return.
PamT
Anyway, thanks for the help and I’ll try to post a trip report here when we return.
PamT
Sep 8th, 2005, 08:05 PM
#4
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh PamT, please don't feel guilty about going on your trip to Europe. I know the feeling but if you didn't go it would not really change anything.
Go, have joyous moments, life is to be lived!! I hope you will give us a trip report after you return home and get settled in. Best wishes to you!
Go, have joyous moments, life is to be lived!! I hope you will give us a trip report after you return home and get settled in. Best wishes to you!
Sep 9th, 2005, 06:05 AM
#6
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I must admit I was feeling a bit guilty myself. I leave in two weeks for Italy. I told my hubby I feel so frivolous spending that much money when there are people south of me going without.
Staying or going isn't going to change anything. Make your donations and send your supplies, but go on with your trip and have a wonderful time - I plan on it!!!
Staying or going isn't going to change anything. Make your donations and send your supplies, but go on with your trip and have a wonderful time - I plan on it!!!
Sep 30th, 2005, 06:27 AM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well we're back and what a wonderful vacation we had! Of course we had a couple of Oops but life wouldn't be the same without them. I'll break up my trip report since I started typing it out and it was getting kinda long winded. Thanks again for your kind well wishes before we left. And God bless those affected by Rita as well.
Day 1
We left from Minneapolis on NW an hour late due to a mechanical problem with our plane. Nice flight and arrived in London Gatwick around 10 am on Saturday morning.
I was actually able to sleep on the plane so didn’t have any problems with jet lag on the way over. I used Tylenol PM to help me rest as well as a neck pillow, eye shades and noise canceling headphones. Worked great!
Found an ATM for some cash and the counter for the Gatwick express train, purchased our tickets and we’re off to Victoria Station. Got off and proceeded to try to walk to our hotel – Thistle Marble Arch. After a couple of wrong turns we finally asked directions and then had no problems finding it. Got the TMA on PL for $55/night (4 nights) and we upgraded our room and included breakfast which we thought later was not such a great idea since we really don’t like buffets. Oh well, live and learn (we did that a lot on this trip). We got settled into our room and headed out to do the Hop On/Off (HO/HO bus as my DH called them) with the Original Bus Company. Very fun and interesting way to get your bearings and see all the sights as well. Had our first fish & chips at The Wellington that evening. Off to bed around 9pm. We thought we did quite well staying up that late. This was the first day of blisters on my toes from all that walking
but life wouldn't be the same without them. I'll break up my trip report since I started typing it out and it was getting kinda long winded. Thanks again for your kind well wishes before we left. And God bless those affected by Rita as well. Day 1
We left from Minneapolis on NW an hour late due to a mechanical problem with our plane. Nice flight and arrived in London Gatwick around 10 am on Saturday morning.
I was actually able to sleep on the plane so didn’t have any problems with jet lag on the way over. I used Tylenol PM to help me rest as well as a neck pillow, eye shades and noise canceling headphones. Worked great!
Found an ATM for some cash and the counter for the Gatwick express train, purchased our tickets and we’re off to Victoria Station. Got off and proceeded to try to walk to our hotel – Thistle Marble Arch. After a couple of wrong turns we finally asked directions and then had no problems finding it. Got the TMA on PL for $55/night (4 nights) and we upgraded our room and included breakfast which we thought later was not such a great idea since we really don’t like buffets. Oh well, live and learn (we did that a lot on this trip). We got settled into our room and headed out to do the Hop On/Off (HO/HO bus as my DH called them) with the Original Bus Company. Very fun and interesting way to get your bearings and see all the sights as well. Had our first fish & chips at The Wellington that evening. Off to bed around 9pm. We thought we did quite well staying up that late. This was the first day of blisters on my toes from all that walking
Sep 30th, 2005, 06:33 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Day 2
Sunday morning we had our buffet breakfast at our Hotel. Service was pretty much non-existent and the food was only so-so except for the croissants which were very good. Took the HO/HO bus again and got off at the V & A museum. Wandered around looking at the exhibits for awhile and then not really seeing much we were interested in decided to head outside. Stopped at Harrod’s and took the Egyptian elevator and looked at the tacky memorial to Diana & Dodie and had coffee & scones at the food counter – very good. Back on the HO/HO bus and got off in time to take our Thames River Cruise (included in our HO/HO price). Cruised as far as the Tower of London and got off to wander around the grounds checking out where to meet for the Ceremony of the Keys that we had tickets for that evening. Checked out St Katherine Yacht Harbor area, shopped a little and ate at the Dickens Inn. We had pizza and beer and it was very good. Finally it was time for the Ceremony of the Keys and the Beefeaters came and let us in (about 20-25 people) about 9:30 pm. The Beefeater explained everything that would take place and what we were to do. Very interesting ceremony and somewhat eerie since it’s after dark. Took the subway back to our Hotel and off to bed we went. More blisters tonight - not a good sign
Sunday morning we had our buffet breakfast at our Hotel. Service was pretty much non-existent and the food was only so-so except for the croissants which were very good. Took the HO/HO bus again and got off at the V & A museum. Wandered around looking at the exhibits for awhile and then not really seeing much we were interested in decided to head outside. Stopped at Harrod’s and took the Egyptian elevator and looked at the tacky memorial to Diana & Dodie and had coffee & scones at the food counter – very good. Back on the HO/HO bus and got off in time to take our Thames River Cruise (included in our HO/HO price). Cruised as far as the Tower of London and got off to wander around the grounds checking out where to meet for the Ceremony of the Keys that we had tickets for that evening. Checked out St Katherine Yacht Harbor area, shopped a little and ate at the Dickens Inn. We had pizza and beer and it was very good. Finally it was time for the Ceremony of the Keys and the Beefeaters came and let us in (about 20-25 people) about 9:30 pm. The Beefeater explained everything that would take place and what we were to do. Very interesting ceremony and somewhat eerie since it’s after dark. Took the subway back to our Hotel and off to bed we went. More blisters tonight - not a good sign
Sep 30th, 2005, 06:41 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Day 3
Got up a little late so quickly headed for breakfast (buffet again-more croissants) because we were going to the Changing of the Guard today at 11:30. Chose the high ground at the monument in front of Buckingham Palace. Enjoyed the band coming up the street to the Palace but otherwise it’s much ado about nothing as far as we were concerned. Part of the problem is that you really can’t see a whole lot since everything takes place behind the gates.
Oh well, we left before it was over and headed for the subway and Tower of London before the “crowds” got there. We had purchased our tickets prior, so we bypassed the somewhat short line and headed straight for the Jewel House. We enjoyed the displays and the informative short films on the Crown Jewels. Very interesting and not many people inside. We then headed back to the main gate and caught up with a Beefeater Tour. We really enjoyed the tour and finished up with lunch at their cafeteria. We split a sandwich and it was very good.
Back to our hotel to rest and change/freshen for our night at the Theatre. We had tickets to The Phantom of The Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Took the subway there, had plenty of time so we enjoyed a bottle of wine at a bar nearby prior to the show. We had front row seats right next to the orchestra. We had actually only seen Phantom once before and that was the movie not at the theatre. Well, we both absolutely LOVED IT!! Even though the acting was superb it’s the music that makes the play IMHO. I was totally mesmerized by how passionate the director and the musicians were about their music. This was the HIGHTLIGHT of our trip to London. =D>
After the play we walked around a little looking for someplace to eat, ending up in a “shady” area and hastily retreated to the main area where we found a rib place that overlooked the street. Can’t remember the name of the place but we had a table right next to the window overlooking the street so we could people watch as we enjoyed our “sampler platter”. Good food and service! Off to bed – no more blisters today, but I’ll need to refresh my Band-Aid stock soon
Got up a little late so quickly headed for breakfast (buffet again-more croissants) because we were going to the Changing of the Guard today at 11:30. Chose the high ground at the monument in front of Buckingham Palace. Enjoyed the band coming up the street to the Palace but otherwise it’s much ado about nothing as far as we were concerned. Part of the problem is that you really can’t see a whole lot since everything takes place behind the gates.
Oh well, we left before it was over and headed for the subway and Tower of London before the “crowds” got there. We had purchased our tickets prior, so we bypassed the somewhat short line and headed straight for the Jewel House. We enjoyed the displays and the informative short films on the Crown Jewels. Very interesting and not many people inside. We then headed back to the main gate and caught up with a Beefeater Tour. We really enjoyed the tour and finished up with lunch at their cafeteria. We split a sandwich and it was very good.
Back to our hotel to rest and change/freshen for our night at the Theatre. We had tickets to The Phantom of The Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Took the subway there, had plenty of time so we enjoyed a bottle of wine at a bar nearby prior to the show. We had front row seats right next to the orchestra. We had actually only seen Phantom once before and that was the movie not at the theatre. Well, we both absolutely LOVED IT!! Even though the acting was superb it’s the music that makes the play IMHO. I was totally mesmerized by how passionate the director and the musicians were about their music. This was the HIGHTLIGHT of our trip to London. =D>
After the play we walked around a little looking for someplace to eat, ending up in a “shady” area and hastily retreated to the main area where we found a rib place that overlooked the street. Can’t remember the name of the place but we had a table right next to the window overlooking the street so we could people watch as we enjoyed our “sampler platter”. Good food and service! Off to bed – no more blisters today, but I’ll need to refresh my Band-Aid stock soon
Oct 3rd, 2005, 07:38 AM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Day 4
Got up early because we were catching the Grayline tour to Stonehenge, Bath & Lacock for the day. David, our guide was very excited about this tour because we would arrive at Stonehenge at sunset and go inside the circle to walk among and touch the stones. He has been guiding for sometime and said he’s only gone in three times. Needless to say, all twelve of us on the bus were excited too.
Our first stop was Bath, where we went inside to see the hot springs, walked around the quaint little town, shopped, and enjoyed coffee & a pastry at one of the little sidewalk cafes. The bridge with the shops inside it was very interesting and when you went by you could look through their shops and see the river on the other side.
Then on to Lacock which is a medieval village famous for its abbey. We took a short tour of the village enjoying the old homes, shops and churches and stopped at the local pub for a pint before going on to Stonehenge.
We arrived just before sunset to this deserted prehistoric site. The only people there were the two security guards. We entered the circle of stones and I thought David the guide was going to “faint” from the excitement. We stayed for about a half hour – forty five minutes just walking among the stones, taking pictures, touching them and contemplating how they came to be there. We left just as it was getting dark out. What a fascinating tour! Another highlight of our trip to London!
Back to the hotel after a quick stop at KFC (I know – but our only fast food stop from the whole trip) No more blisters and the Band-Aids are holding out!
(Just had to mention when we ordered at KFC-I like KFC’s baking powder biscuits, so I thought I could order a “biscuit” but the young gal at the counter kind of laughed and said they didn’t have any “biscuits”. The next day I was thinking about it and I bet she thought I wanted a “cookie”
Day 5 will be on to Paris - I'm taking a break here - need to catch up on the laundry, etc.
And if this double posts, I've been having trouble posting - gremlins at work again I guess
Got up early because we were catching the Grayline tour to Stonehenge, Bath & Lacock for the day. David, our guide was very excited about this tour because we would arrive at Stonehenge at sunset and go inside the circle to walk among and touch the stones. He has been guiding for sometime and said he’s only gone in three times. Needless to say, all twelve of us on the bus were excited too.
Our first stop was Bath, where we went inside to see the hot springs, walked around the quaint little town, shopped, and enjoyed coffee & a pastry at one of the little sidewalk cafes. The bridge with the shops inside it was very interesting and when you went by you could look through their shops and see the river on the other side.
Then on to Lacock which is a medieval village famous for its abbey. We took a short tour of the village enjoying the old homes, shops and churches and stopped at the local pub for a pint before going on to Stonehenge.
We arrived just before sunset to this deserted prehistoric site. The only people there were the two security guards. We entered the circle of stones and I thought David the guide was going to “faint” from the excitement. We stayed for about a half hour – forty five minutes just walking among the stones, taking pictures, touching them and contemplating how they came to be there. We left just as it was getting dark out. What a fascinating tour! Another highlight of our trip to London!
Back to the hotel after a quick stop at KFC (I know – but our only fast food stop from the whole trip) No more blisters and the Band-Aids are holding out!
(Just had to mention when we ordered at KFC-I like KFC’s baking powder biscuits, so I thought I could order a “biscuit” but the young gal at the counter kind of laughed and said they didn’t have any “biscuits”. The next day I was thinking about it and I bet she thought I wanted a “cookie”
Day 5 will be on to Paris - I'm taking a break here - need to catch up on the laundry, etc.
And if this double posts, I've been having trouble posting - gremlins at work again I guess
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sweetbippity
Europe
72
Nov 1st, 2006 07:07 AM
gyppielou
United States
9
Feb 23rd, 2004 05:00 PM
