London / Paris Here We Come!!! 9/2 - 9/10/11

[sayhello]

Don't worry, us Brits are just as addicted to caffeine as the rest of the western world. We always ask 'coffee or tea?' and we have coffee shops on almost every street corner, you won't be left wanting!

I really adore tea, but I am addicted to my coffee!!!!

Thanks!
Sayhello

 

[OKW Lover]

They sell Krispy Kreme in Publix.

I'm hoping for something more exotic.

How about english muffins?

 

[sayhello]

How about english muffins?

Sayhello

 

[BriarRosie]

How about english muffins?

You're not helping, Jeff.

 

[k5jm]

Anyone wanting to venture through France, I would purchase France rail passes in advance.

http://www.raileurope.com/index.html

and here is the I-app:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rail-europe/id430956244?mt=8&uo=4

 

[Chropistopy]

I played that song for Christy tonight and she now wants the soundtrack on her IPhone.

I just finished listening to the soundtrack. Love it! I can't get the song You and Me (but Mostly Me) out of my head. The album will be on my favorites playlist for a while.

 

[k5jm]

Two by Two, I believe....There are just so many great songs, great harmonies, and clever writing. It is a fantastic libretto.

Who knew that they based much of Battlestar Galactica on Mormonism? Even the name of Earth is Kobol, which is an anagram of Kolob (the home planet of God).

...But I pray I am sent to my favorite Place,
Orlando, Orlando, I love you,
Orlando! Sea World and Disney and Putt-Putt Golfing...

 

[Chropistopy]

...But I pray I am sent to my favorite Place,
Orlando, Orlando, I love you,
Orlando! Sea World and Disney and Putt-Putt Golfing...

I lost it when he started singing that part. So funny!

The part when the newly converted started explaining the mormon religion at the end...

 

[Chropistopy]

How is everyone going to handle the money situation? Are you going to attempt to get pounds/euros before the trip? If so, how much do you think someone would need just to get by before hitting an ATM or using debit/credit? Do you plan only to use the ATM or depend on your debit/credit card once you get there?

I want to arrive with the correct currency but don't want to be carrying around a bunch of cash. I am so in the dark when it comes to this type of thing. How do you even get the correct currency beforehand? Can most banks help you with that exchange?

I'm off to do research....

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

So glad you asked this, Christy! I'm wondering too.

Laurie

 

[MinnieGarden]

When I opened my account at Chase at the beginning of the year, I asked the same question. You can order foreign currency from the bank without fees, at the current exchange rate. Since we are in Houston, we can get it in 24 hours, but that may vary based on where you live.

They also told me there are certain banks in Europe with ATMs that you can use. I haven't asked which ones......

 

[DisneyKevin]

How is everyone going to handle the money situation? Are you going to attempt to get pounds/euros before the trip? If so, how much do you think someone would need just to get by before hitting an ATM or using debit/credit? Do you plan only to use the ATM or depend on your debit/credit card once you get there?

I want to arrive with the correct currency but don't want to be carrying around a bunch of cash. I am so in the dark when it comes to this type of thing. How do you even get the correct currency beforehand? Can most banks help you with that exchange?

I'm off to do research....

I asked my bank about this and I'm told that I can order up to $999 at the current exchange rate for a $10 fee.

Over $999 and the fee jumps to $20

I was told I would be able to have British pounds and euros in 24 hours.

 

[sayhello]

When I went to the Med last year, AAA exchanged currency for me and did not charge a transaction fee. It was the prevailing rate I saw. I think it was a 2-day turnaround. You need to be a AAA member, I believe.

I still have some euros left from last year, so I'll probably be OK for that. I plan on buying some British pounds before I leave, because I'm spend 6 days in England before the tour. I'm hoping to pre-buy everything I can (train passes, entry to attractions, etc) and will use my credit card whenever possible (Capitol One has no foreign transaction fees). I haven't figured out exactly how much cash I'm going to be bringing with me. I know I plan to take a taxi from my hotel to the ABD hotel. Probably a couple of other times. I think I can buy an Oyster card using my credit card (I don't know if you can pre-buy those...) I don't know if taxis in London take credit cards... I need to find that out!

I also haven't decided what currency I'm going to tip the Guides in. I'm thinking the easiest would likely be hitting an ATM at DLP and giving them Euros. I don't know that I want to carry the cash for their tips with me for the whole tour...

Sayhello

 

[k5jm]

Shock and horror after hearing about the Vatican!!!

 

[BriarRosie]

Shock and horror after hearing about the Vatican!!!

I am still in the midst of listening. I heard about Rome and now can't blame them for "going rogue" in Florence. I haven't heard the details of that yet.

But I'm with Pete on this. If I had that guide who rushed us through what we wanted to see just so we could spend time at the Vatican gift shop for her kickback, I'd have wanted to smack her. At that point, I would have told her I will not step foot in the damn gift shop.

And Restaurante Americano would have offended me on SO many levels. I don't go to experience another culture by looking for "American" food.

 

[Chropistopy]

I am still in the midst of listening. I heard about Rome and now can't blame them for "going rogue" in Florence. I haven't heard the details of that yet.

But I'm with Pete on this. If I had that guide who rushed us through what we wanted to see just so we could spend time at the Vatican gift shop for her kickback, I'd have wanted to smack her. At that point, I would have told her I will not step foot in the damn gift shop.

And Restaurante Americano would have offended me on SO many levels. I don't go to experience another culture by looking for "American" food.

I have not listened yet...doesn't sound good.

Thanks for everyones input on the currency exchange. I'm leaning toward getting a smaller amount of both pounds and euros. I'll then visit an ATM or use my card as needed. I'll check in with my bank to see what the turnaround time is to receive the currency.

I'm so glad that I have others to bounce all of my questions off of...I would be in a state (as in pulling my hair out) without you all. THANKS!!

 

[MinnieGarden]

I am still in the midst of listening. I heard about Rome and now can't blame them for "going rogue" in Florence. I haven't heard the details of that yet.

But I'm with Pete on this. If I had that guide who rushed us through what we wanted to see just so we could spend time at the Vatican gift shop for her kickback, I'd have wanted to smack her. At that point, I would have told her I will not step foot in the damn gift shop.

And Restaurante Americano would have offended me on SO many levels. I don't go to experience another culture by looking for "American" food.

If any of that happens in Paris, I'll be doing my own culinary tour of the city. Anyone can join, in exchange for wine! And so help me if anyone tells me I can't have soemthing on a buffet because it's not included in my package....

 

[BriarRosie]

I have not listened yet...doesn't sound good.

Thanks for everyones input on the currency exchange. I'm leaning toward getting a smaller amount of both pounds and euros. I'll then visit an ATM or use my card as needed. I'll check in with my bank to see what the turnaround time is to receive the currency.

I'm so glad that I have others to bounce all of my questions off of...I would be in a state (as in pulling my hair out) without you all. THANKS!!

I planned on going to Chase to order a small amount of pounds and euros and hit the ATMs as needed or use my credit card.

If any of that happens in Paris, I'll be doing my own culinary tour of the city. Anyone can join, in exchange for wine! And so help me if anyone tells me I can't have soemthing on a buffet because it's not included in my package....

I'm with you, sister! I wouldn't be surprised if many of us "went rogue" if that happened.

 

[k5jm]

Ian and I were at Sonic and just saw a future candidate for Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares....

 

[JWren1234]

Ian and I were at Sonic and just saw a future candidate for Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares....

In my mind I can definitely picture what Gordon Ramsay would say about it!

Jason