Meander Ingwa

you can use your ATM card at either destination to have some local cash on hand. Any VISA/MC card will work at a ATM. Use those that are directly attached to a bank rather than panic buying at the airport. As usual contact your bank to make sure you are clear. I like to use cash when buying things like Take away from the local food place or snacks from a store. So many of them run on a narrow margin that the percentage a bank card skims from them is felt. I also sometimes encounter places that are having tech issues. Market vendors away from large cities may also not have tech. But what others have said, most of England and EU are now tech based To tell the truth, I like buskers. I like to have some loose coins to flip into their case or jar to thank them for their music. Charity collectors as well. If you visit places with free entry, like the British Museum, you can easily drop a pound or two in the collection box as you exit.

so much depends on the bulk of the trip. I try to wear the bulkiest thing I have to ease some of the suitcase burden. Shoes are easily slipped off once at your seat and I slip on the booties many airlines give in the comfort pack or slip on a pair of slipper type oversocks. layers for sure. I usually use a fitted jogger knit pant or a maxi length skirt. Cable knit tights if the destination is cool. I like to wear a long length duster style sweater light or heavy. I can use that sweater in my room when the air conditioning is too drafty. This is easy to take off at destination and worn backward serves as a comfy wrap blanket at the seat. I live in Western Washington so I consider my flying wardrobe and what I need for the 1 - 2 hr drive to/ from the airport. I see people at the airport when it is below 40 degrees and they are dressed in clothes appropriate for 80 degrees and wonder if it is worth it being so miserable waiting for the courtesy van. No way to end a vacation At a warm location it is easy to dress light and then change in to the colder reality clothes once you are at the airport. Even slipping on a pair of thick tights/leggings when wearing a long skirt with help deal with chilly, drafty planes and the harsh reality of landing back at home base if the flight is super long ; trans-Pacific, NA to Africa, I take a pair of panties and a bra and change half way thru flight / layover so I feel fresh. A little bottle of Gold Bond or cornstarch powder comes in handy as well. Same with panty liners. Compression sleeves are a yes

Sriracha particularly the brand we call Rooster Sauce; Tuong ot Sriracha by Huy Fong Goods. My refrigerator has no ketchup or mayo

This is true, but in summer I would enjoy going up and hiking down through the woods and community, no matter the weather. Waiting in line is a trade off

Thank you Izzy. I am with Viking Ocean Venus doing Northern Lights out of Tilbury Jan 12 2024 Calling at A'dam, Narvik Tromso Alta and Bergen Bergen I have good information on via Travel guides, but info on the other towns is pretty slim. I already have the Amsterdam plan. My interests are natural history, ancient culture, trains . I also love old architecture and graphic visuals and expression; decor and advertising. . I am still debating returning to London via Oslo and taking the train from Bergen to Oslo. I hear it is a lovely journey. I can see where some of the ship docks may be and some of the access areas dont look particularly walker friendly in the dark of winter

On Sunday morning the train will be more open than on work days. Dont worry about your bag or standees. Many people stand on trains and tube even when there are seats. Luggage is kept in your seat. Bond street is huge and feels more like an airport with wide, clean passageways. Like Globaliser mentioned, plan to get on the train at the end cars. That will put you closer to your final exit. The train is VERRRRRRY long. You will have no issues. The City area around Bond street are great to explore on a Sunday, once you settle in. Tons of old side streets filled with character. Evensong at St Pauls is a quiet way to end a busy day. It is free and you get to hear music in this glorious space

you can pre-book the Fløibanen funicular fare and bypass waiting in line. see >>> en visit bergen dot com

Have never seen a pay toilet in London. If I am out and about and am in need, I usually make that a food or drink break and make use of the facility in any number of places. The museums, etc have free restrooms

Bergen is the only one I can see/ know for sure, but you are correct, can certainly get a feel from the maps. My only secondary issue is knowing how walkable the route is from the dock to the town. Tilbury is a good example of a walk that seems a little unpleasant from train station to dock. I am planning on using the ferry from Gravesend for a more pleasant and road safe walk

Wherever you choose I think the proximity of a Tube Station is key. Ideally a tube station served by multiple lines; Baker Street, Kings Cross/St Panc. for example. Kings Cross can be a bit daunting if your mobility is an issue. Some of the lines are a bit of a walk. Baker St is my favorite station in London for its beauty and history. There are others served by multiple lines. Consider if the station is step free which means an elevator service to get to the platforms I use google maps to search for hotels and see their reviews. There is a wide array of choice around Baker Street. Dont overlook B&B and non-chain. Google maps can also show you what lines serve the local station. for your get away day you can use a cab to the train station. You can also easily get a cab from Paddington on arrival day if your the Elizabeth Line to get in to town from the airport. You may find that much easier.

The cards are available at any underground station including T5. You can check you balance on the old card and top it up. You can check with your credit card company, but most VISA / MC widely accepted. If you have a chip or RFID in your credit card you should not have issues, but do check with your company. I use Capitol One and now that they issue chip pins it is no worries. Some company still want you to report that you are going to be traveling internationally, Capitol One does not require it any more. Even my home bank no longer needs to know. I use my ATM card to get cash, though I seldom use cash except at little Mom and Pop eateries and stores where bank fees eat profit margin.

I know there is a web site which lists dock locations for the various port towns / cities around Europe. I have lost my reference link, do you know? I am a pretty independent traveler and am not adverse to walking and exploring. I want to keep those options open at my stops and having a starting point ( or possible points) will help with finding my interests that are not included on the ships planned or bookable excursions. Thank you for your help

I didnt know they changed, Thanks for the info. I have used my card for so long that a refund to buy a cup of coffee or a pint of Cider ( my choice) is pretty moot

I have an Oyster card that I have been using for about 7 years. I top up on every visit. Even for a short visit pre/post it is pretty darn handy. For a single visit you can get the deposit 5L fee returned at the airport. Tapping in and out on the underground is easy and fast. It also saves on any international use fees that your credit card company may have. I keep my Oyster and a folded up tube map it its own little card sleeve. My map always comes in hand and you dont have to rely of wifi for on line maps. Oyster will get you in to London via the Underground ( Piccadilly line) or on the Elizabeth line, which is part of National rail. I prefer Liz line since it is fast and spacious. Riding the Pic in the morning can be an experience in itself. Depending on where your hotel is, the Pic may be a better choice. Elizabeth line has limited stops / interchanges. You can buy a card at any of the underground stations in heathrow using your credit card. By now I hope everyone has a chip and pin card. It really only takes a minute or two and there are agent there to help you if there is any confusion. If you are concerned about the balance on your card you can tap it on the purchase machine at any station and get your balance. My favorite arrival day ritual is drop bags at hotel ( if room isnt ready) then a visit to St Pauls for evensong ( no matter your spiritual persuasion) This gets you inside the space at no charge. You can sit and listen to lovely music and admire the space under the dome. There are a lot of London museums which are free of charge. You can visit the British/National Museums for an hour or two ever day rather than feeling like you have to make a full day of it. There are many free places to visit in London . Sit down and plan what it is you wish to do in your short time and consider how many of those places have admission fees. London is huge and pretty impossible to absorb in a few days. I think there is much pleasure in just wandering about. My favorite is a walk along the south bank along Southwark over the bridge to St Pauls in the evening. A walk around The City ( original core inside the roman walls) on a Sunday morning. The streets of The City are pretty empty then. That tip about the bus ride ( public transportation) is pretty handy. You can use your Oyster on the busses and the river boats as well. The river boats are more spendy than the tube, but you get to see things

Thank you @Ferry_Watcher for the suggestion about the tea lights. I travel with a little night light, which has a handy USB port in it, but didn't know about the no outlet in bathroom issue. Problem solved