Need your advice and opinions

[FoghornLeghorn]

I'm considering doing the Fort Lauderdale to Southampton on the Grand Princess next year.

 

London has always been a "bucket list" destination for me.

 

I would love to spend 4 or 5 days in London before flying home.

I tried a QM2 TA, but they aren't sailing in April of 2012.

 

Must sees for me are:

Buckingham Palace

Windsor Castle

any castle!

Big Ben

Westminster Abbey

and tea with the Queen, as I'm sure she is greatly anticipating my arrival ;)

 

Should I stay by the port and go from there?

Should I stay closer to the airport??

 

I will be traveling solo, so I want to be safe.

Would you suggest a package tour of these places? or on my own?

 

ANY info or suggestions would be much appreciated.

[jocap]

Hi, Foggy- sounds good...;)

You might get more advice if you go back to the index, and scroll down to Shore Excursions. if you look under Europe, then Great Britain etc, you'll find there's a lot of people local to Southampton and London, who really know their stuff! It's about 60 miles to London, and there's regular train and coach services.....which they'll tell you all about.

Jo.

[small talk]

If you want to spend 4/5 days in London POST travel, then it's best that you stay in a hotel in London. Southampton is quite a trek from London and if you want to see the sites of the city, then staying in Southampton or at the airport will cost you a lot in train fares. Southampton and the airport may have hotels that are cheaper than London, but the cost of rail fares will make it MORE expensive.

 

There are a lot of great hotels in London and you'll be central to everything. You can buy an underground daily pass that allows you unlimited travel, which would be necessary as it's far easier to use than buses, taxis and walking.

 

Afterwards, you'll only be a train ride from the airport for your return.

 

Don't forget to do:

Natural History Museum

London Eye

River Boat

Afternoon Tea at the Ritz (WILL need to book)

Harrods

St. James Park

Downing Street

Oxford Street

and you'll be a train ride from Cambridge and Oxford if you'd like!

 

Enjoy.

[FoghornLeghorn]

Thank you Jo and Small Talk!

 

Making notes.

[suekay]

I'm considering doing the Fort Lauderdale to Southampton on the Grand Princess next year.

 

London has always been a "bucket list" destination for me.

 

I would love to spend 4 or 5 days in London before flying home.

I tried a QM2 TA, but they aren't sailing in April of 2012.

 

Must sees for me are:

Buckingham Palace

Windsor Castle

any castle!

Big Ben

Westminster Abbey

and tea with the Queen, as I'm sure she is greatly anticipating my arrival ;)

 

Should I stay by the port and go from there?

Should I stay closer to the airport??

 

I will be traveling solo, so I want to be safe.

Would you suggest a package tour of these places? or on my own?

 

ANY info or suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

Definitely stay in central London (I'd be inclined to stay in the Travelodge near Westminster as you'll be out and about all day) Don't miss the Tower of London, and Hampton Court if you like castles (it's just outside London but easily accessible by public transport)

[FoghornLeghorn]

Thanks SueKay!

 

The Tower of London.....geesh, of course!

 

:::adding to list::::

[DEEDIA]

Hi Foggy, guess with all the advice, you will be needing a Bank Loan, Pair of Running Shoes and a set of BIG Lungs.

[marco]

If you are going to stay in London, hotels can get a bit pricy. As long as it's a decent hotel near a major train/tube stop and it's reasonable, stay there. You will waste too much time coming and going if you stay in Southhampton if you primarily are wanting to spend most of your time in London. A couple of years ago we stayed at a hotel (can't remember the name) a block from Paddington station. It was quite reasonable and the "tube" in London is excellent, quick, and cheap. It was well worth saving on lodging and getting the tube pass and using the tube to get around all of London rather than paying a lot more for a hotel right in the heart of things. Folks who live in/near London probably will have more info/options to suggest. When you have tea with the queen, please give her my regards!

[FoghornLeghorn]

DEEDIA: LOL

 

MARCO: Thanks! I shall give the Queen your regards ;)