London Here I come!!! - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

Sparkly Songbird · 06-18-2008, 06:01 PM

Hi Kathy
I have to disagree with some of the advice given to you here. I've recently been "rediscovering" London after living in Spain for many years and am writing a blog about my days out in London. I've used the London Pass several times this year and its great value for money. You also get to jump line which saves quite a bit of time at the big sightseeing places.
If all you want to do is see the outside of buildings then, sure, sit on a bus for several hours but you won't get to experience London properly... and if you get stuck in traffic queues or are on diversion you will get very frustrated!
You have a couple of weeks til you arrive so I strongly recommend using the London Pass site (www.londonpass.com) to plan your itinerary so you don't waste time on unnecessary travel and you will find you can fit loads into 2 days. Also, if you plan in advance you can make sure you DEFINITELY save money... with a 2 day pass it's hard not to make a few bucks profit!!! London Pass also gives you discounts and offers at various restaurants and bars and also on theatre tickets so check that out too!
There is definitely more to London than sitting on a bus for two days!!! And, believe me when I say that London also has a lot more to offer than just museums... do your research and you'll see what I mean!

I really hope you enjoy your brief time in London - it is a great city so don't waste your time just sitting on a bus with a map looking at buildings... please

Best Wishes
Sparkly Songbird x

Sparkly Songbird · 06-18-2008, 06:10 PM

p.s. Thursday is late night shopping in central London so plenty of time for the all important purchases after a day of sightseeing!!! (Also quite a few freebies and discounts thrown in with London Pass at different shops including Harrods!)

Also from the hotel you are staying in you can walk to many famous sights (Tower of London, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, St Paul's Cathedral, Southwark cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre etc etc etc) and catch a river cruise boat from Tower of London down to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
You can see/do all this using the London Pass and if you check the cost of regular admission you will see you can actually save mega bucks using a pass.

Sounds like I'm trying to sell but I've done all these using the London Pass and you are staying in the perfect location... you really couldn't do better!

Enjoy!

SS x

KathyV · 06-18-2008, 08:14 PM

Wow Sparkley,
I have a lot to think about. We seeing Wicked on Friday night so Thursday shopping sounds great. My daughter will like that.

Sparkly Songbird · 06-20-2008, 02:45 AM

Hi Kathy
Your daughter is one very lucky girl to have a mum like you

Have a great time!

Sparkly x

KathyV · 06-20-2008, 11:00 PM

Sparkly,
Ya she is lucky, but I got to tell you this trip is coming at a bad time. When my girls were little I pulled them out of school and home schooled through a Catholic school. They learned so much about art history and of course the history of our faith that I told the girls if they finished I would take them on a trip.
Well the oldest picked Italy and that was fun, but two years later when the economy is so bad I have to make good on my promises. Next year is my youngest daughters turn and all I can say is I better get a job to help pay for this because my poor husband works so hard and dosn't get to go on the vacations, just me and my daughter.
Kathy

Vim&Vigour · 06-21-2008, 03:10 AM

Kathy,
Highly commendable of you to be good to your word. A lot of moral value to your children in time to come!
I know funds are tight, especially from the US to Europe.
For fashion and museum, you MUST go to the VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM - costume department. Fashion, Jewellery & Accessories - Victoria and Albert Museum (Free admission)
Whilst most museums are free, some special exhibitions are fee paying. Usually, with the aid of a "National Arts Collections Fund" Membership, you gain half price access and save the Nation's art at the same time! The Art Fund - Join Us

Whilst clothes prices are generally much higher in England than in the US, your daughter may wish to go to Oxford Street and visit "Top Shop" "H&M" (= Hennes & Mauritz), "Jack Wills", PRIMARK (Primark), Zara... (places where my 19 year old goes).

The department store Selfridges has something for everyone and every budget. Great selection of lunch places on the top floor.

Best wishes for this exciting trip!
Cheers,
Vim

KathyV · 06-23-2008, 09:20 PM

I have heard much about Oxford street. Sounds fun and thinks for the tip about the store your daughter shops in. I know that London has a Abercrombie and there jeans are at least 3 times more there then here. My daughter works there and gets a great discount. She can't wait to check out your store! If she had it her way she would try to work there one day. I don't know if we will even have time to go to the turist places because she has been saving her money a long times and really wants to shop for clothes. Did I tell you that she is majoring in college in Fashion Merchandizing? So we will for sure try out the musium you sudgested. Thanks a million.
Kathy

KathyV · 06-26-2008, 12:27 AM

So for those of you who are from London is The Tower of London near London Hill? I was thinkiing of going to the Tower of London on Monday and then hitting the "Jack the Ripper" walk at 7.30 that night. I love to get scared and I think my daughter would like it. It meets near London Hill. So is it close?
Thanks for the help.
Kathy

Vicci · 06-26-2008, 07:23 AM

hi,

I just thought i'd say that a normal single bus fare in london is £1 and it will take you everywhere. The oyster cards are the best way to get around if your using the tube or buses. Just watch out for pickpockets in tube stations.

Hope you have a great trip

Vicci xxx

Vicci xxx

sherry7 · 06-26-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicci

.........Just watch out for pickpockets in tube stations.........

I went on a European cruise last fall, and was warned about pickpockets as well. I bought a PacSafe bag, and carried it crossways, over my body. It made me feel a lot more secure about my possessions.

Here's the link to the website: Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags & Travel Security Products

If you search the web (or eBay), sometimes you can get one in a discontinued color for a whole lot less expensive. I love the way mine is compartmentalized, and I still carry it quite often, and get lots of compliments on it from people wanting to know where I got it.