Fantasy Trip to UK

[SandraC]

Hi all ~ I am dreaming of a trip to the UK when my youngest is older [in about 4 or 5 years]. How do I go about planning? I have only ever travelled in Canada and the US. I am soooooooooo interested in seeing Stone Henge. Please help me prep to plan. Thanks! Sandra

 

[cabmom]

Hi Sandra, I've lived and travelled there many times. If I can be of any help let me know.
When I went over on my own to visit friends this past Christmas I went on the London Eye in London. It was very exhilirating(sp)!
My friends took me to see Big Ben, the Parliament buildings, Buckingham Palace and a few more touristy places.
I also visited Cadbury World in Birmingham, the chocolate is to die for!
There is loads to see in London proper, but many, many things to see in the rest of the U.K.
I've been to Edinborough, Glasgow, Kirkcaldy, St. Andrews and visited many castles while in Scotland.
There so much to do and see there!
You might also want to post this on the U.K Board.

Have fun planning!

Marilynn

 

[juniorbugman]

My two sisters and nephew are going on a 11 day bus escorted tour to the UK at the end of June. I know they booked through Globus Tours, arriving in London and leaving from Glasgow. I will try to get them to post more information if you wish.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

You don't mention from where you are posting. If you are anywhere near Toronto, it's worth the drive to the Visit Britain office just off Airport Rd. Tons of free info to be had.

We are planning our 3 week trip to the UK in September and we're deliberately avoiding Stonehenge. I have it on good authority that it is incredibly disappointing to stand by a busy highway and view this historic site from afar, especially when the stone circle of Avebury is so close and one can walk right up to the stones there.

Personally, I find the Rick Steve's travel guides and travel shows (on PBS stations everywhere) to be incredible sources of travel information and just returned from a weeklong bus tour (only 14 on the bus) to Germany traveling in the Rick Steves' recommended style -- very light. Three shirts, three pairs of pants, three pairs of underwear and three pairs of socks -- just do some laundry in your hotel sink every couple of nights and the clothes are ready to wear in the morning!! It is exactly how I plan on packing for Great Britain in September -- maybe with one less pair of trousers to free up space. One can travel around the world with the clothes in a carry-on suitcase and still be welcomed with open arms in the best 5 star restaurant anywhere. Check out Rick's website at www.ricksteves.com -- lots of great info.

As for a bus tour of Great Britain -- Yuck. Get off the highways and get on to the trains. I found a bus tour of Germany to be beneficial because of my own language limitations (although most every German I met spoke impeccable English). Great Britain is easy enough to plan by doing the research through the Internet, using reputable travel guides and tourism resources -- probably for a whole lot less than a tour company such as Globus would charge.

Best of luck!! I find planning travel to be nearly as fun as the travel itself.

 

[minnie56]

I am from there originally and took my 2 girls over for the first time 5 years ago. First time for them anyway! We now go every other year as they both love it so much and so will you.

Stonehenge is awesome and if you drive through the Moors to get there you can see the Dartmoor Ponies wandering everywhere. My youngest loved that! They are lovely but gallop away if you get too close. It is a beautiful drive to Stonehenge.

Also the coast Devon and Cornwall is lovely to see and my fave place is Oxford and Evesham in the Cotswolds. So much to see depending how long you are planning to go for you may have to narrow down an area. Lake Windermere is magnificant too where Beatrix Potter wrote her Peter Rabbit books. If you aren't comfortable with driving over there on the other side of the road...a coach tour would likely be the way to go!

Make sure to see London and all the famous sights and the London Eye is terrific! Also make time for the theatre if you can.

Where to begin...so much to do and see.
Have a wonderful time!!

 

[minnie56]

As mentioned above...the trains are fabulous as well.
Very pretty countryside outside the window and very comfortable.