July 30, 2010 Mickey's Adventures England to Espana Cruise

[ScubaMickey]

We booked our flights today on Delta traveling from Atlanta to Gatwick on July 28th and then Barcelona to Atlanta on August 9th. Selected the Hilton Diagonal Mar in Barcelona for the hotel. We stayed close to the beach last time and really enjoyed it. We also had Hilton Reward points to use, so we got one free night. Every little bit helps!

Only portion of the trip to reserve is the train to Dover and shore excursions.

ScubaMickey

 

[mkmommy]

Yeah! Good for you!
Its funny when you start booking flights and hotels it all suddenly becomes so much nearer! Are you spending a few days in London or heading straight for Dover??
We want to go to NewYork and Washington next year aswell as this cruise. Having discussed finances and timing, what orriginally was going to be a trip at Easter is now more likely to be October! I am glad though.... more planning for this trip!
Flights are looking good over here now so we're just waiting for pay day again! I am going to let DH pick the hotel in Barcelona this time. We had a noisy room the first night last time so despite moving and the hotel being well situated and clean etc. DH wants to choose this time! It'll take him till next july to make a discission!


well done on a good flight deal!

We are just spending 1 night in London, I think we will stay at the Premier Inn Victoria, it sounds like it is walking distance to Victoria station, a new hotel and has rooms that hold 3 people.

Staying at the Premier Inn Dover the night before the cruise. Anyone thinking of doing Dover Castle the morning before getting on the ship?

Barcelona I have the AC Diplomatic booked but I am not sure if that is a good location it sounds like it is a bit far from the main tourist things so I will continue to look, we only have 1 day in Barcelona so I need to pick the important sights but I have not done that yet.

Lisa

 

[ScubaMickey]

We are just spending 1 night in London, I think we will stay at the Premier Inn Victoria, it sounds like it is walking distance to Victoria station, a new hotel and has rooms that hold 3 people.

Staying at the Premier Inn Dover the night before the cruise. Anyone thinking of doing Dover Castle the morning before getting on the ship?

Barcelona I have the AC Diplomatic booked but I am not sure if that is a good location it sounds like it is a bit far from the main tourist things so I will continue to look, we only have 1 day in Barcelona so I need to pick the important sights but I have not done that yet.

Lisa

We will also be staying at the Premier Inn in Dover on the 29th. We also talked about sightseeing in the morning before boarding the ship. The castle looks awesome on the internet. I will have to look to see how long the tour takes and travel distance. Sounds like a great adventure!

Linda

 

[scottishwee35]

We will also be staying at the Premier Inn in Dover on the 29th. We also talked about sightseeing in the morning before boarding the ship. The castle looks awesome on the internet. I will have to look to see how long the tour takes and travel distance. Sounds like a great adventure!

Linda

hI Linda

Premier Inn

Us
in law
Mkmommy
Piggy and Bear
ScubaMickey

anybody else?

so far and we might meet up at evening.

Scottishwee35

 

[mkmommy]

http://www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk/see_and_do/white_cliffs_greeters.aspx

I have been in touch with this organization, and they have been very quick to respond. They offer free walking tours in the Dover area, I am now thinking maybe we will do Dover Castle on Thursday afternoon and then do a walking tour on Friday morning.

Does anyone know what time boarding will begin in Dover?

Lisa

 

[scottishwee35]

Hi Mkmommy

We like to go to cruise at boarding in the morning...about 10.30 am to 11 am as kids like to go to swimming (depend the weather)...

We will have lunch then kids off to swimming...

Maybe we might go around the castle if we have the times or go on Thursday afternoon or night depend how we are tired after the travel...

Scottishwee35

 

[mkmommy]

Hi Mkmommy

We like to go to cruise at boarding in the morning...about 10.30 am to 11 am as kids like to go to swimming (depend the weather)...

We will have lunch then kids off to swimming...

Maybe we might go around the castle if we have the times or go on Thursday afternoon or night depend how we are tired after the travel...

Scottishwee35

Have you explored castles with your kids, did they enjoy it? My oldest does not think she would enjoy it , but the lady I have been emailing at the Dover Greeters says that kids really enjoy the castle.

 

[scottishwee35]

Have you explored castles with your kids, did they enjoy it? My oldest does not think she would enjoy it , but the lady I have been emailing at the Dover Greeters says that kids really enjoy the castle.

Not sure if Kids will enjoy the Dover Greeters as they probably exciting for Disney Cruise...

Scottishwee35

 

[mkmommy]

Not sure if Kids will enjoy the Dover Greeters as they probably exciting for Disney Cruise...

Scottishwee35

Good Point, but they do not like sitting around waiting either. It would be nice if you could just get up and get on the ship.

 

[scottishwee35]

Good Point, but they do not like sitting around waiting either. It would be nice if you could just get up and get on the ship.

Yes, we cannot wait to go back on Disney Cruise

I don't think my kids want to walk around the castle when see that ship...

Scottishwee35

 

[Piggy and Bear]

Have you explored castles with your kids, did they enjoy it? My oldest does not think she would enjoy it , but the lady I have been emailing at the Dover Greeters says that kids really enjoy the castle.

DD has always enjoyed castles. Dover is a vast castle and there are many eras of history to explore. They seem to be trying to target children from their information but I would be wary. They talk about having sirens and 'real life' effects in the WWii tunnels. We took DD to a Eden Camp in Yorkshire at about 8. She is not exactly easily scared but was frightened by the bombed street with air raid sirens and bandaged dummys. they were not very lifelike but to her the were! She came out shaking and very pale. (We had taken her because whe was doing about childhood and evacuation in WWII as part of her history topic in school. She did enjoy the Naafi (food) and other parts but was very scared and brought the topic up when we discussed the siege tunnels on Gib.

There is a lot of history at the castle though and they have recently created a new feature in the castle's early use ub Henry II. This is Richard the Lionhearts dad! Using actors this might be more to the children's liking. We live close to the Armories in Leeds and they use this idea in lots of areas. By crontrast DD loves this and laps up everything they say. She insisted on watching an archer from Agincourt twice!!!!

As we are in Dover in the summer holidays there will be lots more activities at the castle for children than there would be at other times of the year. These will be posted about june time so check these before finalising your plans. Most english heritage properties usually have a list of activities and themed weeks. It might be these activities that capture your children's imagination rather than the castle!

Hope this helps
Viccie

 

[mkmommy]

DD has always enjoyed castles. Dover is a vast castle and there are many eras of history to explore. They seem to be trying to target children from their information but I would be wary. They talk about having sirens and 'real life' effects in the WWii tunnels. We took DD to a Eden Camp in Yorkshire at about 8. She is not exactly easily scared but was frightened by the bombed street with air raid sirens and bandaged dummys. they were not very lifelike but to her the were! She came out shaking and very pale. (We had taken her because whe was doing about childhood and evacuation in WWII as part of her history topic in school. She did enjoy the Naafi (food) and other parts but was very scared and brought the topic up when we discussed the siege tunnels on Gib.

There is a lot of history at the castle though and they have recently created a new feature in the castle's early use ub Henry II. This is Richard the Lionhearts dad! Using actors this might be more to the children's liking. We live close to the Armories in Leeds and they use this idea in lots of areas. By crontrast DD loves this and laps up everything they say. She insisted on watching an archer from Agincourt twice!!!!

As we are in Dover in the summer holidays there will be lots more activities at the castle for children than there would be at other times of the year. These will be posted about june time so check these before finalising your plans. Most english heritage properties usually have a list of activities and themed weeks. It might be these activities that capture your children's imagination rather than the castle!

Hope this helps
Viccie

I guess that is something to think about, I don't think my girls would like sirens in a tunnel.

Are you going to skip the siege tunnels in Gibraltar?

 

[Piggy and Bear]

I guess that is something to think about, I don't think my girls would like sirens in a tunnel.

Are you going to skip the siege tunnels in Gibraltar?

Yes! DD went all quiet and was emphatic that she didn't want to do anything like that again. Funny though she wants to go to the D Day beaches and museums. I think this is because my dad went ashore at Aromanches and DH grandad went on Gold beach on D day itself. We've bigged this up saying its part of our family history.
We will do St Michaels cave though!. Went there in my early 20s and the caves were amazing! The limestone formations were wonderful. You kinda forget nature has the amzing power to create just through a few drips of water! We just got a taxi in town and will probably do so again.

Viccie

 

[mkmommy]

Now that I have my flights booked I feel like I have nothing to do

I did go to the library and get a bunch of travel books. Lisbon seems like a hard city to find information on. It will nice when the excursion details are out as that will help.

Next month I am doing a RCCL cruise out of Miami but I am leaving my girls at home, so yesterday I got the luggage tags, I got 8 I think even the cruise line is telling me that I should be taking my girls.

Lisa

 

[RJAYL]

Attention all DVC members that are interested, but have not heard, booking for the concierge hotel collection for 2010 has opened up!

 

[mkmommy]

Good Morning

Everyone has been so quiet.

I went to the store to get a can opener yesterday and I came home with passport pouches and that can be worn under a shirt and travel pillows for the flight and no can opener.:

I guess the girls will not be getting soup for lunch this week.

Lisa

 

[Piggy and Bear]

Good Morning

Everyone has been so quiet.

I went to the store to get a can opener yesterday and I came home with passport pouches and that can be worn under a shirt and travel pillows for the flight and no can opener.:

I guess the girls will not be getting soup for lunch this week.

Lisa

Have been quiet because its assessment week at school and me and the kiddies are stressed! But you've just made my day!

Viccie

 

[mkmommy]

Have been quiet because its assessment week at school and me and the kiddies are stressed! But you've just made my day!

Viccie

Do you get a school break soon, I thought schools in the UK have a fall break?

 

[ScubaMickey]

Good Morning

Everyone has been so quiet.

I went to the store to get a can opener yesterday and I came home with passport pouches and that can be worn under a shirt and travel pillows for the flight and no can opener.:

I guess the girls will not be getting soup for lunch this week.

Lisa

Good Morning,

Just got back from spending a week in Colorado on vacation. The weather was perfect. Spent time day hiking, riding our four-wheelers, and sight seeing. The Aspens were already done turning their colors for fall. Wildlife was plentiful, mule deer, pronghorns, and Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep were all out and about.: Back in Florida where the weather has FINALLY changed to fall.

Lots of people coughing and sneezing in the airports and on the planes. I hope H1N1 has run its course before we board next year!!

Linda

 

[mkmommy]

Good Morning,

Just got back from spending a week in Colorado on vacation. The weather was perfect. Spent time day hiking, riding our four-wheelers, and sight seeing. The Aspens were already done turning their colors for fall. Wildlife was plentiful, mule deer, pronghorns, and Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep were all out and about.: Back in Florida where the weather has FINALLY changed to fall.

Lots of people coughing and sneezing in the airports and on the planes. I hope H1N1 has run its course before we board next year!!

Linda

Sounds like a great vacation. I have never been to Colorado but I have spent a lot of time in the Canadian Rockies. One of our best vacations without kids was a cycling trip from Calgary to Jasper through the Canadian Rockies, we saw lots of animals and the views were amazing. Now I cannot imagine riding 100 KM's a day for 10 days, no time for cycling.

Everyone has been sick around here with coughs and colds but no flu yet.

Are you in St Augistine? An aunt of ours was showing us some pictures on the weekend and it looks like a wonderful place, somewhere I would like to visit.

Lisa