Anyone going on Knights/Lights July 1 - 8?

[Travelin'Gal]

Hi! We are so excited to be getting ready for our second ABD, this time to London/Paris, in just a couple of weeks! Our first was Backstage Magic in June 2008 and it was wonderful. We're hoping for a similarly magical experience this time around. Anyone else going on this trip (or recently returned from it)?

Martha

[wdwsos]

I just got back on Friday night -- it was fabulous! This was my fifth AbD trip and I keep thinking they can't get any better -- but they do!

A fraction of my photos are here: http://picasaweb.google.com/DottiSaroufim/2010LondonParis?authkey=Gv1sRgCK71-feD-emALA#

Are you staying later or arriving early? I'm working on a trip report, but since the Bella Italia one from 2009 is still incomplete, I wouldn't count on it being done before your trip. Please ask any questions and I'll do my best to answer!

Dotti

[Travelin'Gal]

Thanks for your reply, Dotti. I'm glad you loved the trip! We're leaving from Boston as well. Unfortunately not staying any extra days. I don't have any particular questions; just glad to hear it was so great!

[LTFrench]

Looks as if Fransesc is still doing the Knights and Lights tour, part of the time anyway. Just thought I would share a little known video that he stars it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG-J1bZKPmI


As a side note, if you get a chance to eat at Cafe Rouge, on the veranda in Greenwich, do not miss it! We had a platter of meats, cheeses, bread and wine and it was one of our favorite lunches of the entire trip. Slow dining, people watching...... Couldn't be beat! We did this the Tower of London day with the free afternoon, I believe.

[wdwsos]

Thanks for your reply, Dotti. I'm glad you loved the trip! We're leaving from Boston as well. Unfortunately not staying any extra days. I don't have any particular questions; just glad to hear it was so great!

Where are you in Boston? We could be neighbors! :)

I just typed up two pages of tips for a client leaving in a few days, so please email me if you'd like me to send it along!

Dotti

[Travelin'Gal]

Thank you LT French and Dotti! I'll jot down your recommendation for lunch, LTFrench, and look up Fransesc. (Just did a search, and the name isn't recognized in a search of the boards here, so I guess I'm out of luck on that, too!)

Dotti, I will send you my email and I'd love to see your notes. Getting very excited!

I just checked the long term weather forecast and it looks rainy... but we'll see.

Editing to add, apparently I don't have enough posts to send anyone an email. And I tried typing my email address here but I need 10 posts to include an email in your text. :(

Will try to figure this out without posting random stuff all over the place!

[wdwsos]

Travelin'Gal, I just PM'd you with my contact info. You could also just Google "Dotti Saroufim" and "Adventures by Disney" and I'm sure my info will appear somewhere. You might have to weed through all the AllEars hits (was part of the team for over 10 years, which is likely why a lot of people here have said they know my name somehow!), but you'll find some way to contact me. :)

Dotti

[Travelin'Gal]

Thanks, Dotti. I received your PM and will contact you ASAP. I really appreciate your help, as I'm starting to get nervous about all of this!

[sennihairu]

im planing on it just waiting for some things to come through:rolleyes:

[beachcat]

Hello Martha

My wife Patti and I just did the Knights and Lights Tour in May. Everything was first class. Our guides Eddie and Francesc did a great job. You can surprise Eddie and congratulate him on the purchase of his first flat. I would do this trip again. It was that good. The Rock and Sole Plaice had great fish and chips. Let me know if you have any questions about the tour.

Say hello to Eddie and Francesc for me.

Richard Harris

[redzinner]

Looks as if Fransesc is still doing the Knights and Lights tour, part of the time anyway. Just thought I would share a little known video that he stars it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG-J1bZKPmI

Oh. My. Heavens! What a laugh. I will pass this bit of giggles on to the other members that traveled with us in Ireland and had Francesc as a guide.

[LTFrench]

Oh. My. Heavens! What a laugh. I will pass this bit of giggles on to the other members that traveled with us in Ireland and had Francesc as a guide.

We had fun with him, with this! Seems as if a struggling actor will do anything for his resume and a bit of cash.

[Travelin'Gal]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. My last question is suggestions on what to do during free time in London - I really don't know my way around London to know what's close to the hotel (or what's worth the ride to see). My family is low-energy (except for me!) and will balk at most suggestions in favor of sitting around in the hotel during down time, but I really want to get out and be a tourist.

We'll have a full day before the Welcome dinner, though might be a bit tired from the overnight flight, but I for one would love to see some sights/eat some good food.

[beachcat]

Hello Martha:

I personally enjoyed the London Eye. Great view of the city. I would also recommend a boat trip up and down the Thames and the Seine Rivers. In London, we boarded the Tornado Clipper and rode up and down the river for 2hours using the River Roamer pass. All the needed facilities are on board and I thought the views from the O2 arena to the Westminister bridge were great. Not much walking needed and you can see a lot of the city from the river. The Thames Clipper boats are fast, new and clean. They are commuter boats but a great way to cover the river and they go further than the tourist boats. In Paris, we rode the Bateaux -Mouches which is a sight seeing boat and a good ride. Mont Marte in Paris was fun and has a beautiful view of the city from the Sacred Heart church.

The London eye is a easy bus ride from the Renaissance Hotel and you can also board the Thames Clipper boats there. Have a great trip and please say hello to Eddie and Francesc for me. Tell Eddie that Eric Clapton put on a great show at Wembley. They both did a great job and are very helpful in planning your free time. Have fun. It is a wonderful experience.

Richard and Patti Harris

[WeLoveABD]

We did the K&L tour at Christmas 2008--with Eddie and Sonja, great guides of course! The Eye was fun, the British Museum (free) is a 10 minute walk away from the Renaissance; I'd recommend also walking to St. Paul's (about a 20 minute walk--very pleasant)--and having tea in the crypt cafe of St. Paul's (on K&L we didn't go inside St. Paul's--just walked by it; so I'd try to see it if you can). The tube is close by, too--you won't have enough time to make an Oyster Card worthwhile, probably--but if you want to head out to other parts of London it is very convenient and easy (Holborn station).

We loved this hotel--stayed there again just a couple of weeks ago (pre-nights to the Disney cruise to the Baltics). Being there again confirmed by appreciation for Disney's scouting of hotels and finding places that are central and convenient. Krispy Kreme is right around the corner, on the way to the tube at Holborn--I found that as one way to get my kids moving in that direction!

The west end theatre district (where you'll see Lion King) is also walkable from the hotel.

enjoy!!

[LTFrench]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. My last question is suggestions on what to do during free time in London - I really don't know my way around London to know what's close to the hotel (or what's worth the ride to see). My family is low-energy (except for me!) and will balk at most suggestions in favor of sitting around in the hotel during down time, but I really want to get out and be a tourist.

We'll have a full day before the Welcome dinner, though might be a bit tired from the overnight flight, but I for one would love to see some sights/eat some good food.

If you arrive on the starting day you will probably be exhausted. We came in a day early, we had a cup of tea and pastries at the hotel with our room was being finished. We went in showered and crashed for a few hours, got cleaned up, and went just across the street/way to The Villandry Kitchen restaurant. A great place to people watch and the food was terrific. Nice wine, too! We had a spinach quiche and a mushroom cream goodness over bread that was to die for, Their mixed greens were amazing, too! We might have had snacks there more than once! I believe we then took an open topped tour around town to figure out where we were.

We had the next day, too, so we did the Eye, very confusing where to get your ticket, but it is the very long line, moves quickly though! Nice area to walk around, watch the street performers, have an ice cream..... Take the river cruise....

Be *sure* and get a dinner reservation on the theater night. Our guides told us it wasn't necessary, but it most certainly was. We arrived, at the show with full bellies, as the lights were going down! Many didn't even get to eat! We chose Le Cafe Du Jardin and it was outstanding! Just kitty cornered from the theater, I believe, right there anyway!

If you like Indian Food, it is on every block. We went to Masala Zone and it is the best I have ever had. Very helpful staff for those that don't know what they are doing ; ) Yumm, Yumm!!!

I can't wait to go back! Have fun!!!

[Travelin'Gal]

Thanks! I appreciate the new information, and Richard I will make sure to mention the Eric Clapton show to Eddie.

I've looked at both hotel websites and it doesn't look like either hotel has a pool for the kids to swim in - usually a high point for them. I know we'll have a lot of other things to keep us busy, though.

[WeLoveABD]

Neither had pools--but you are right, there is so much else to do! At the London hotel, do take time to check out the famed marble staircase--very impressive! If you are staying at the Hilton (Arc de T), there is a park nearby that was gorgeous and offered a nice retreat and lovely walk.

[LTFrench]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. My last question is suggestions on what to do during free time in London - I really don't know my way around London to know what's close to the hotel (or what's worth the ride to see). My family is low-energy (except for me!) and will balk at most suggestions in favor of sitting around in the hotel during down time, but I really want to get out and be a tourist.

We'll have a full day before the Welcome dinner, though might be a bit tired from the overnight flight, but I for one would love to see some sights/eat some good food.

Don't worry about leaving the rest behind. It's your vacation too, just get out and walk, people watch, fashion watch.........

We had rain predicted for the entire trip, in September, and never got even a drop. Now the Italian trip, in May, was a different story, but we survived!
Get you a nice, all weather, rain jacket, with hood, that you can roll up into your tote/daybag/backpack........

[beachcat]

Hello Martha

How was the adventure? I have big time vacation envy.

Richard Harris

[Travelin'Gal]

Hello Martha

How was the adventure? I have big time vacation envy.

Richard Harris

Richard,

It was FANTASTIC and exhausting. We got home last night. Eddie was tickled that you were on these message boards and he liked hearing about the Eric Clapton concert. He enjoyed meeting you and your wife very much.

I'm planning to create a blog with pictures and my journal accounts. Everything was top-notch. Thanks so much for your help, and for every one else's.

Martha

[DisFan10]

Hi Travelin'Gal, who was your other guide? We had Adam and Francesc on our June 11th trip.

[beachcat]

Hello Martha

Glad to hear the Knights And Lights tour was as good for you as it was for me. Italy is next. Who is game?

RDH

[Travelin'Gal]

Hi Travelin'Gal, who was your other guide? We had Adam and Francesc on our June 11th trip.

We had Eddie and Amanda - a good team and reminded me of Quinn and Robyn who we had for our Backstage Magic trip - he's very funny and outgoing; she's a little more reserved, calm and very detail-oriented. It worked well.

I have to say, the trip was MUCH more strenuous than we expected - and we're in very good shape to begin with. A couple of the more elderly folks and small kids at times had a hard time keeping up with the walking and stair-climbing. There were steep flights of stairs EVERYWHERE in both cities, and I'm not including the stairs on the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame (more than 350 to climb at both places).

[sayhello]

We had Eddie and Amanda - a good team and reminded me of Quinn and Robyn who we had for our Backstage Magic trip - he's very funny and outgoing; she's a little more reserved, calm and very detail-oriented. It worked well. We had Robyn for our Mediterranean Magic ABD. She's so fun and capable! I really loved her and Tina, who'd been doing the South Africa trip.

Sayhello

[Maashleni]

If some have experience of Italy visit then share with me. I am planning to visit Italy for office work. I am thinking that i is better for me to spend one week for health in healthy environment.

[beachcat]

Hello Martha

It was a great trip. Time to go on another one.