Help the travel virgin (appointed, fit in, home)

[Off Topic]

I have a travel phobia that I'm overcoming in order to take my elderly father (still very mobile and lively) and his favorite grandson to London in mid May. I won't say that money is no object, but we fortunate to not have to scrimp too much.

Some random questions:

1. Wouldn't it be worth the extra money to fly business class rather than coach? The thought of 10 hours in coach is giving me the heebie-jeebies. And it sure seems like we have a better chance of sleeping on the way over in business class. Is $1,000/ticket round trip business class realistic?

2. We are only interested in the history attractions and have no interest whatsoever in shopping or touristy things. Can we do London alone in 4 1/2 days if we stick to the museums, etc.? And I mean the highlights -- I understand we could spend 4 months in London and not cover everything.

3. Stonehenge/Bath seems to be the most popular day trip, but we'd prefer Hastings/Dover/Canterbury. Agree?

Any other thoughts? And I promise not to post more than two or three dozen more threads between now and then! Thanks.

[ian6479]

Its definately worth going business - but $1000 ticket is out of the question from the US. Check aa.com and united.com for round trip business/coach fares to the UK.

4 days in London is plenty.

[Hengist]

I always find Stonehenge disappointing, but that's me; you visit and realise most photos fill in the gaps. Not much worth seeing in Hastings which is a dump (Rye, down the coast is very historic and medieval). Dover is OK and has some old forts, and Canterbury is great. Obviously the more history the more tourists. Rochester and Cambridge might be worth a day trip. Think the London museums are still mostly free.

[Jezer]

Hi Off Topic.

A suggestion- BA have World Traveller Plus seats which are a premium economy class. They offer more leg room than World Traveller (economy) and are not as plush as Business.

Personally I do not like the new BA Business class with the head to toe twin seat arrangement.

They are the ones I would go for- Business is not worth the upgrade to me if I'm paying and I'm 6' 2" tall.

By the way, US airline's Business class is more akin to World Traveller Plus than BA's Business class, at least according to Mrs Jezer who has more experience of these matters.

Regarding Stonehenge, prepare to be disappointed. That sounds dramatic, and you may well prove me wrong and find it fantastic.

I am from around there and used to love it until it got enclosed in fencing and barbed wire. The visitor facilities and car park are third world and the place is a national disgrace. New facilities are to be built around a mile from the main stones and the old facilities and indeed the road that goes nearby are to be removed, but that won't be in place for next May.

If you were to go, and I'm assuming you're taking a day trip by train from London, then go to Salisbury and visit the wonderful- no- fantastic Gothic Cathedral with the tallest spire in the country. The Cathedral Close is so beautiful and is the largest in the country.

Oh- while you're there come and see me at the Stately Home where I work just down the road. You want history- you'll get it!

(PM me for details if you wish).

As for Bath, you could fit in Salisbury (take a bus to Stonehenge if you want) and then the train heads straight on to Bath around forty miles away.

It's great from a Roman as well as a Georgian point of view. The countryside around there is also lovely.

I can't comment on Hastings or Cantebury from first hand experience, though I'd say there is little to see at the former and the latter is magnificant.

Hope you have a great time in the UK.

[kkgg7]

I don't think $1000 is enough for a 10 hour round trip business class. I am paying $900 for a 7 hour economy... But I am in Canada, could be a totally different story here.

[Off Topic]

Wow, thanks for the fast and helpful responses! We will definitely look into the BA World Traveler Plus seats (a great tip) and we'll adjust our expectations about the air line costs accordingly.

I've just about convinced my fellow travelers that using up a day at Stonehenge would be using up a day better spent elsewhere.

Just two dozen more threads from me to go, and then you guys can take a break!

[Hengist]

I agree with Jezer about Salisbury (where I worked yonks ago); just get a taxi from the station to town if time and your old man's legs are an issue. If you are still looking for the whole neolithic stone circle thing then Avebury could be an alternative to Stonehenge:
Avebury - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List Transport Services
The village has shops and a decent pub, and is an enjoyable stroll round the whole area. How are you getting about? If train then bus, allow pretty much a whole day. Just wear sensible shoes and expect lots of sheep poo!
Edit. I don't remember the pub being this bad:
http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs...ts.shtml/5180/

Canterbury and Rochester could be done in a long day by train if planned well. Canterbury cathedral is something special (had my graduation ceremony there) and is the bigger tourist destination. I used to love walking off the beaten track and discovering ancient streets and quaint little churches. Rochester cathedral is on a more human scale and has a castle across the road, as well as Dickens connections. If you wanted to explore in more depth and had to choose just one city, it would really depend what you are looking for.

[Jezer]

Snap Hengist- I was thinking of Avebury which is far nicer. Within two or three miles are also the neolithic mound of Silbury Hill and the longest neolithic burial chamber in Europe, West Kennett Long Barrow though the latter is a bit of a hike.

Trouble is it is nowhere near a train station. Nearby is a lovely old market town of Marlborough if you were to go there.

If I were going out of London for the day I'd consider Oxford which has so much to see and is easily accessable from London by train or coach.

How long are you planning to spend over here Off Topic?

[Off Topic]

Originally Posted by Jezer

How long are you planning to spend over here Off Topic?

Our initial plan is 5 1/2 or 6 days, not including travel days. So 4 or 5 in London proper, and then one or maybe two day trips. As I said, we're not interested in shopping or fancy restaurants -- just the history destinations.

We've decided to not try and over-do and have to rush around, but rather to take our time in London and come back the following year to do more of the countryside.

I looked at the web site for the Stately Home and was overwhelmed at how beautiful it was!

[Jezer]

Thanks Off Topic.

Bear in mind that jet lag will mess you up for a while- I'm just back from the States and am getting back to normal after three days!

If it's London you are concentrating on then there is so much to see.

Check this out for starters;

Historic Royal Palaces home