Planning a Trip to London

[thesummerqueen]

So as has been mentioned in other areas and in chat, I'm planning a trip to London for around the beginning of March, it looks like. My job doesn't give me much vaca time, so I'll only be a week.

I haven't been on a plane since I was 13 - pre-9/11!! - so this is going to be harrowing and unnerving for me. It's also my first time out of the country since I was just under a year old.

I've already gotten excellent travel advice for leaving the states (ticket information and such) and some hostels to stay at (or people's couches ). What I'd love to hear from our Brit members is suggestions of what you guys think is worth the money to see. I'll be on a tight budget, but I want to make the most out of every minute. What kind of information can you give me about what to expect for pricing? Where are the best places to eat? I'm already working on getting maps to plan each day out (I'm a woman who likes a framework, but I'm flexible).

There are so many places in the whole of Britain that I want to see, I can't reasonably expect to hit even a portion of them in a week, so I'm open to any and all suggestions.

The only thing I have to do, and I'm working on it now, is find out where my family lived in England about 150 years ago. I'm chasing the information to start that search down through my anti-social family members right now...I'm hoping to meet the family we apparently still have living there.

And yes, I DO expect an AF meet up in London one night. I'll probably be wearing that red dress 5th and Eld liked so much, so show up and bring teh sexy. AF has to represent, you know.

[Tiberius]

My couch is available anytime you need it. I only live ~30 min outside of London by train as well.

A lot of London you can see for free, but obviously it all depends on what you want to do. London Eye is quite expensive, and the queues are long. The art galleries are usually free, as are most of the museums. Things like Windsor Castle are quite cheap though, and places like the Tower of London, etc.

[Minimalist]

The Tower of London is really cool. Sort of like Alcatraz without the amenities.

[Cinjin]

I'm making the trek to europe in a couple years. I want to go when I can take about 3 weeks and spend some money.

Still .... I am a bit jealous of you summerqueen.

[thesummerqueen]

It's probably not the most responsible move, but then again...I'd like to be more irresponsible before I hit 30.

[The Grand Nudger]

Here here! Someone has to do irresponsible stuff for me to enjoy vicariously.

[Ace Otana]

Come by Harlow, it's only a few miles north of London, even if it's for a couple of hours. I wanna hug!

[thesummerqueen]

Here here! Someone has to do irresponsible stuff for me to enjoy vicariously.

Quit living through me.

Come by Harlow, it's only a few miles north of London, even if it's for a couple of hours. I wanna hug!

You got it, cutie!

[Ace Otana]

[thesummerqueen]

But you will be coming out that night if you can, right? All James Dean-ified?