London Vacation

Hello, all... I'm wanting to take a vacation in London sometime within the next year. I was wondering when is the best time to come, best place to stay, best things to see, best places to eat... I plan to stay for 6 nights and spend around 3K usd. I will be traveling alone and want to fill my time with sightseeing, day trips, and unique out of the ordinary places. Thanks in advance!

Sarah

I know nothing about the cost of hotels or what a US dollar would buy you.

The best weather is June/July/August.

What do you like doing? What are you into?

Your picture looks a bit gothy? Camden Market is probably the best place for goths.

What counts as unique/out of the ordinary probably depends on where you come from in the US. Need more information!

Ok, well, I'm not very gothy, more black-wearing-soccer-momish when it comes down to it! (though, I will never drive a mini-van) haha... (I'm 37 and about to be divorced, so this is my life renewal vacation) As far as out of the ordinary, I guess I do want to see the wax museum, and the palaces and such, but I also want to see the funky back alley kind of places. I love the dark history of England. I'd like to see museums, perhaps take in a show. As for nightlife, I'm not much of a "clubber", but I would like to find some neat pubs and unique, friendly people. Does that help?

The Vax museum can be booked via Internet and then you dont need to stand in a long long que...

http://www.madame-tussauds.co.uk/

And at the same time look at the London experience... to.. same house but downstairs... Great show!! Think its included in some sort of ticket...


There are a museum called London Dungeon to... http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/london-dungeon.htm

...newer been in that city??? - take a seigthseeing bus.. jump off and jump on.. jump off and on... its in the ticket...

Camden Lock are interesting Market outside London - Take the tube and walk around with a crowd of people... http://www.camdenlockmarket.com/flash_main.htm


As I dont know what you like to spend on food i cant tell any places..

The show I was at last Time was the: We Will Rock You.. one ticket ca 80 Euro... but worth it.. http://www.eolts.co.uk/index.php?pg=13&action=show&id=1041&width=800

Queen...!


and last:

http://www.visitlondon.com/

GoodLuck its a lovely town this Lundun...

my hotel choices so far...

Thistle Euston
Thistle Victoria
Crown Plaza London St James

I'm also open to smaller places that have a neat history and good location for sight seeing and tours...

I have obviously never stayed in a hotel as I live here - you want a guidebook for that sort of thing....

The Natural History and Science museums are well worth going to. Also try the London Eye for a great view of the city. Camden market is always fun as well or go to Petticoat Lane for a really massive market and probably the most famous London market there is.

Then there's the Tate Modern or Tate Britain galleries, Hyde Park (where Speakers Corner is - always entertaining) etc. I could go on lol...

I visited London in an October. It's off season so things tend to be less crowded and cheaper, however the weather isn't as good. Lots of rain, and fairly cool. I'd reccomend picking up a travel guide book like "Let's Go: London" - they're full of pretty up-to-date info on hostels, hotels and resturaunts - very very useful!

Week-long all zone passes for the Underground are sold, and I'd highly reccomend getting one. If you're using a travel agent they should be able to get one for you before you leave. The London subway system really is excellent, very easy to get from one place to another. And having an all-zone week pass means that you don't have to worry about dealing with buying tickets when you want to go somewhere, you just run your ticket through the machine and go.

Anyway, even though it's touristy I'd still reccomend doing the standard touristy stuff in addition to seeking out the more unique stuff. Go see Big Ben and the parlaiment buildings. Go see Westminster Abbey. Tour the Tower of London and see the crown jewels (it's not often you'll get to see in person a diamond the size of your fist). See Trafalgar square. Hyde park is nice and the royal gardens at Kew were lovely. If you're a Beatles fan go to Abbey Road studios (you can't go in, but if you're a big fan it's still pretty damn cool to go and look at the outside.) Wander around Picadilly Circus at night and look at the lights and all the people out having a fun night. And go to the British museum, it's amazing!

I also ended up seeing 2 concerts while I was there. The hotel I stayed in the first night was just down the street from the Royal Albert hall and I ended up getting tickets to see the London Philharmonic play Mahler 2. On a different night I saw a free organ recital at Westminster Abbey. I wasn't expecting to do either of those things, they just kind of happened.

Damn, now I want to go back. I wish I wasn't so poor right now.

Thank you so much, Ana (and everyone else with ideas!)... I intend to do what you listed. I'm not using an agent, I'm planning on my own. I think I'll be able to do more of what i want that way. I plan to get a pass for the train/tube and a "london pass" as well... I'll do the touristy stuff and I'd like to go to places the locals are for sure. I figure I'll just wander a bit! I actually love the rain, as I live in the desert southwest here in the states. I kinda miss it! I'm thinking I'll be there late spring...