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Post by NFLqueen on Aug 21, 2003 14:48:38 GMT -5
Hey there  I'm spontaneously off to London in a few days to spend some time with a lovely mate I met in the Greek Islands  So I've got a place to stay and a personal tour guide so to speak. I've never been before but would like to keep the budget reasonable, any suggestions on things to do and see?? I plan to make a visit to Stonehedge, Buckingham Palace and the obvious sites but anything you loved and would like to share would be great. As well I have NO idea what to budget, with lodging I know I'm already off to a good start. Thanks NFLqueen |
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Post by LHR02 on Aug 21, 2003 16:10:48 GMT -5
I am a purely 'tourist' lover of London, surely not a native ;D but have spent now a goodly amount of time there. 'IF' your lodging is taken care of already, then $50 should do you on a fairly tight budget, with some fun built in. You'll not be hitting all the clubs, but eating and sightseeing w/o lodging can be done on that amount fairly easily if you are careful. Buckingham Palace is only open for a couple of weeks in August....I highly suggest that of the three 'palaces' Buckingham, Hampton Court and Windsor that you take the train (about 30 min) and see Windsor. It's amazing....remember...it IS a private residence at the end of the day. Arrive early in the morning, there are great pubs and such in the town to linger at while waiting for the return train. I have posted this before....can not praise enough "Original Walking Tours of London'.....the Westminster by Candlelight is a really nice one. Two hours of your time will give you an wonderful oversight of many areas of the city you would never see on your own. They have an extensive web site and I continue to praise their value and enjoyment on any of the many options. As for what specifically to see....depends on your interests. I am a WWII buff, so headed off immediately to Churchill's war rooms, Imperial Way Museum, etc. I think for the first time visitor though, Westminster and the Tower are not to be missed sights....and do go ahead and pay for the guided tours....you paid all this money to get there, spend 6 pounds or so to really understand what you spent all this money to see. ;D I visited Stonehenge on a Mad Maxx tour from Bath which included Salisbury and a Cotswald village...they also run from London but will likely have a different configuration. It will take an entire day though, more or less, no matter where else they take you. As a 'tourist' I understand you MUST go see it....and think you will agree once you do so that your gut says to tell anyone...save your bucks and time and don't bother. So I say, don't bother, but understand that you must. ;D Did you know there is a 6 lane highway just a mere feet away? Me neither! But. it is one of those things one really must go see for themselves. St. Pauls is another not to be missed...and do yourself a favor and make plans to be there late in the day. Try to be there at 'evensong' song sevice at 1700.....it is a memory worth storing and savoring indeed. Questions? It's one of my favorite 'visit' cities and I will be glad to help if I can. ging |
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Post by Kim on Aug 21, 2003 16:47:40 GMT -5
And you have to go to the theater at least once... at least! You can get pretty cheap last minute tickets and it's so incredible.
I've seen alot of shows but none have the atmosphere that London has.
Kim
(who is surprised Ging didn't mention the British Museum ;D)
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Post by LHR02 on Aug 21, 2003 17:06:28 GMT -5
Actually, Ging will wax eternal about the V & A museum, or the National Portrait Gallery, but no raves here for the British. Again, it's all about your interests...I found the V&A immensley enjoyable...such a wide variety of things and the Brit a huge bore. The Imperial War...fascinating, the Tate, yawn. For museums, it is hard to suggest as every one's taste is so different. What we adore, another poster may curse us for the 'advice'. The sheer number of museums in London allow for anyone's interests to be fulfilled. You just need to do a bit of research to see which of the many will fit your needs.
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Post by Kim on Aug 21, 2003 17:38:08 GMT -5
Damn... I got them mixed up! LOL
Shows what I know about museums, I am so not a fan. ;D
Kim
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Post by LHR02 on Aug 21, 2003 17:48:12 GMT -5
Well, since cathedrals, castles and museums were my 'priorities.....shows why this site can offer a bit of everything. ;D Someone, surely, shares your interests!
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Post by Kim on Aug 22, 2003 8:24:18 GMT -5
What... eating? ;D ;D
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