thanks,
-travelnick
The bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Whatever you do don't miss the London Eye (Waterloo Tube), I always take visitors there, certainly the most unique way to get a 360 view of the city. In addition to that, if I only had a day then I'd go straight to Picadilly Circus/Leicester Square for a couple of hours to take in some atmosphere then jump on a hop-on/off red London tour bus. Shopping ? Oxford Street (Oxford Circus Tube) and maybe Harrods (Knightsbridge)
All very cliched of course, but if you want to be totally original - skip London and have a day by the seaside in Brighton, just 30 minutes on the train from Gatwick! Now that's a day out!
S.
if your going to the london eye make sure you call ahead and make sure it has reopened i was in london this week and it is closed for maintenanceIt's re-opened today (Monday) - see http://makeashorterlink.com/?G29014C33
[This message has been edited by Globaliser (edited 01-27-2003).]
No first-time visitor should leave London without a visit to Westminster Abbey, with its Poet's Corner (where Browning, Dickens, and Chaucer, among others, are buried) and royal tombs. Also see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace if it's on, and walk to 10 Downing Street, home of the prime minister. After lunch, see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Dine at one of the little restaurants in Covent Garden such as Porter's, owned by the Earl of Bradford. Try one of their classic English pies (maybe lamb and apricot). For a pre-theater drink, head over to the ultimate Victorian pub, the Red Lion in Mayfair; it's the kind of place Oscar Wilde might have chosen for a brandy. If you're so inclined, head for a play, musical, or drama in the West End. London has the best English language theater in the world, and the offerings are even greater than that of New York.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/london/0055020017.html
But more importantly, go see what you want to see. If exquisite art is what you really want to see, for example, head to the National Gallery.
All the planning I put into this trip sort of went by the wayside when 750,000 to a Million people decided to march today through London. From my starting point till the end, I kept running into all these people. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif They disrupted a lot, which was kind of a bummer, when you only have 26 hours. Any way, I was able to see some stuff today, even though it wasn't as much as I had planned due to the circumstances. It was a vary peaceful march, but very long.
Oh yeah, it didn't make me feel any better that the day before I arrive, Gatwick was closed because of some dorn knob with a grenade.
On the other hand, I guess I watched a bit of history today. I guess this was the biggest protest march Great Britan has ever had.
-travelnick
Haven't been on the London eye yet, doing that on a weekend trip in Feb, but again, if you make the ticket reservations now that is just one less line you have ot stand in.
If you like classicial music, Saint Martin in the Fields usually has some incredibly well preformed music on Saturday nights, usually be Candlelight.
Sunday will really be a lost day for you as you will have to be at the airport too early to get much done.
My suggestions - pick some things you want o do for Saturday and when you want to do them. I'm assuming you will be staying the night someplace, so when you land, take the tube to the hotel, leave your bag, and start knocking stuff off the list. The British Museaum, the Abby, The Tate, Big Ben, The Tower of London and Crown Jewels, Hampton Court Palace, all a quick tube ride away, so getting around won't be an issue.
Get a two day all zone pass when you get to the airport, stop at any of a zillion pubs you will be going by for a beer every couple of hours, hit the flea market at Covenent Garden since you will be there on a Saturday, then walk up and catch a play for the evening.
Options are totally endless.
OOPS! Didn't realize you were there TODAY - doubt that the tour buses were running as normal! We had demonstrations here today too - anyway, hope you got a few glimpses and will have a smooth trip home!
[This message has been edited by freshair (edited 02-15-2003).]
While doing some research today, I came up with a list of things, which some are mentioned here by you.
- London Eye
- Dali Universe
- London Aquarium
- Westminster Abbey
- Big Ben
- Tower Bridge
- Buckingham Palace
- Piccadily area
- Institute of Contemporary Arts
Some of these are close to each other and some aren't, so I'll have to get a map and learn how to navigate the tube. A lot of it will depend on the weather, I guess.
still planning...
-travelnick
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