PTR - Dipping our toes into Europe

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I got the shock of my life when I came out of the train station, the hotel looked like it was about a 5min walk from the station on the map, but it turned out to be up a huge flight of stairs, not what I wanted with luggage.
I had a carry on and an oversized duffle bag with wheels and it was a challenge on some of the trains, plus when staying in older places with no lift. I think it is about 30x30x70cm. My first trip to England I stayed budget, after being on the 4th floor with no lift I thought 'never again', though it sometimes can't be avoided, I avoid it as much as possible! Something to watch out for with apartments and B&Bs. It's not like Orlando where anything over 2 storeys has a lift. When you read glowing reviews of places, you need to consider how much luggage they have - UK and Europe most people are doing short trips and travelling pretty light, luggage isn't much of a consideration, the one whiney review complaining there was nowhere for their suitcase may be one of only a hanful of people with a full sized suitcase that stayed there.
It is around the train station and along the Royal Mile up to the Castle, the Old Town side, that is so hilly, but that is where many of the major attractions are. The New Town side and away from the Castle it is pretty flat.


The London Edinburgh train was fine space-wise, though it felt so strange just dumping the bag in the luggage section at the end of the carriage (not enough space around the seat). One of the other trains I got it was ridiculously crowded, could barely get the bag in the carriage.
I found people on trains were either travelling really light with virtually just a carry-on, or had huge luggage that they wouldn't take on a plane.

So did you chain your luggage somewhere into the luggage section so it couldn't be stolen? This is my greatest fear, seriously.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2923570 is a good photo that sort of gives you an indication of how steep it is, Waverly is the main train station. these are the steps in between the front row of building and the next.... http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1253665 Street photos just don't capture how steep it is around the Royal Mile.

Ahhhh, this model shows it well!!! http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1302117 and how relatively flat the New Town in the foreground is

Off to check this out, thanks for the links Cola.

Oh Yay, A PTR

In London, Marks & Spencers have a really good food department (like a supermarket), lots of fresh premade foods that come in handy if you have one hear by. One trip I had an addiction to their profiteroles. Don't know why, they weren't that good.

Harrods have a great food department too, well worth a visit. I was staying with friends on a few visits and I used to go there for the food when I was cooking dinner. I do recall being there in the summer though and it was SO warm and all of the meat was out and it was a little scary I would not have bought any. But aside from that, the rest is great. Selfridges also have a nice food department if you happen to be near them and were wanting something to take home for dinner or lunch.

I've got Marks and Spencer down as a good place to get food items, along with Harrods.

Is it embarrassing that I really want to buy one of those Harrods bags .

There is a place we always go to in London. It's a place my parents went when they lived in London. It's a place my Grandmother used to go when she was a child! Yes, it's been there since the early 1900's.

It would be great to go for afternoon tea or morning tea or lunch if you were in the area. Not really a dinner spot, although it may be open for dinner. I can't say that I remember having a mind blowing food experience there, but I still always go as it is kind of a tradition and has some history. We would always go for tea or sandwiches.

It's called Richoux. They have a few locations now but I've only been to the one in Piccadilly, so not sure what the other locations are like.
http://richouxpiccadilly.com/

Off to have a look at the restaurant now.

WOW oh WOW, you trip sounds absolutely incredible. The accomodation you have booked looks truely stunnning, unfortunately out of our league though.

Thanks Caroline. Some of the places are very nice indeed. I think the fact that MIL is coming along and my DH and MIL love "nicer" things made me up the budget a little more than usual for some of the accom, although some of the pricing is comparable to what we paid for hotel rooms in NYC.

 

[aussietravellers]

So did you chain your luggage somewhere into the luggage section so it couldn't be stolen? This is my greatest fear, seriously.

Is it embarrassing that I really want to buy one of those Harrods bags .

Oh you totally HAVE to get one of the bags!!!!!

On the luggage, we were a little freaked out about the luggage. On our last trip we did two long train rides and they were fine both times! There was one time at the France Swiss border that the swiss did a bag check so we had to go back and open our suitcases. You can get these travel chain things for when riding trains, so you can thread them through all of the handles of your bags.

There is a brand called "Pacsafe". They have the best bags, handbags, travel bags, accessories all for travelling. Both DS and I each have a couple of their bags, which we both used in France and the UK (due to the very high pickpocketing crime there, particularly in France). That brand also has the wire thingy that you can tie your bags together or to a pole or both eg, like this http://pacsafe.com/wrapsafe-adjustable-cable-lock. LOVE their stuff.

A friend of mine (who I was with at the time) had her handbag pick pocketed on the train in Paris. We just can't work out how they did it as she had her hand in the middle of the zip part of the bag, but they managed to unzip it, remove her purse and zip it back up without her knowing!!!! Something I have never forgotten. They work in teams and are very skilled in their craft!

 

[Andona]

Shuttergirl, your trip sounds simply wonderful. You are going to have an amazing time.

I remember that a lot of places were shut on Easter Sunday but Covent Garden was open and full of people - we had a nice lunch there in a cafe.

Good idea to go to Westminster Abbey well before the Easter weekend - because it's only open for services for so much of the weekend everyone tries to go on the Saturday - the entry queue was colossal.

As Cola says Edinburgh is VERY hilly, we were grateful to have our hop on-hop off bus tickets to get up the hills. However, the trafiic down the Royal mile can be extremely slow so the bus does take a long time to do the full circuit.

Try to be up in the Castle at lunch time so you can see the 1 oclock Gun set off - there's also a cafe which is a great place to stop for lunch - we sat by the window and had glorious views looking down to Princes gardens and across the New Town.

We caught the train the opposite way that you're going ( from Edinburgh to York) I'll be honest with you it was not a great trip for us - the train before ours was cancelled so 2 trainloads of people were all trying to cram onto one train. We had reserved seats but the confusion meant that the seat reservations were not displayed when we boarded and we had to ask some people to move - one chap was pretty nasty about it. Theluggage racks were all full when we boarded and the aisle was full of people standing so we spent the first part of the trip with our suitcases on our laps We also had a big delay outside Newcastle because someone had run a lorry into a railway bridge and they were checking the bridge before letting trains run over it. Our 2 hours trip took 4 hours.

HOWEVER - I think we were unlucky. I don't think trains are cancelled all that often and I'm sure the experience would have been better otherwise.

Looking forward to reading more of your evolving plans

Andona

 

[cola]

So did you chain your luggage somewhere into the luggage section so it couldn't be stolen? This is my greatest fear, seriously.

No, I didn't have anything to chain it up, and no-one else seemed to be chaining their luggage up either.
The whole getting on the train at King's Cross was strange, they literally only let you near the platform at the last minute, so it is a mad dash up the platform to the carriage, with all your luggage. It seemed to be very normal for everyone else!

This might be making getting a plane sound more and more attractive, but the actual train journey is lovely, and considering the limited time, it is great seeing so much of the countryside, and there are some stunning views along the coast in Scotland. Get the train, travel like a local, see the English countryside!!! just be prepared for the luggage situation and the dash up the platform and the hills in Edinburgh. I loved Edinburgh. It was more Harry Potter-ish than Universal's WWoHP!

 

[cola]

We caught the train the opposite way that you're going ( from Edinburgh to York) I'll be honest with you it was not a great trip for us - the train before ours was cancelled so 2 trainloads of people were all trying to cram onto one train. We had reserved seats but the confusion meant that the seat reservations were not displayed when we boarded and we had to ask some people to move - one chap was pretty nasty about it. Theluggage racks were all full when we boarded and the aisle was full of people standing so we spent the first part of the trip with our suitcases on our laps We also had a big delay outside Newcastle because someone had run a lorry into a railway bridge and they were checking the bridge before letting trains run over it. Our 2 hours trip took 4 hours.

HOWEVER - I think we were unlucky. I don't think trains are cancelled all that often and I'm sure the experience would have been better otherwise.

I caught a train Edinburgh to Leeds, change at York, Edinburgh to York was lovely York to Leeds, an earlier train had been cancelled and it sounds like exactly your experience!!!!

 

[aussietravellers]

No, I didn't have anything to chain it up, and no-one else seemed to be chaining their luggage up either.
The whole getting on the train at King's Cross was strange, they literally only let you near the platform at the last minute, so it is a mad dash up the platform to the carriage, with all your luggage. It seemed to be very normal for everyone else!

I always find the whole getting the luggage on and off the train quite stressful! If it's the start of the end of the line (like Eurostar at DLP), it wasn't so bad, but the TGV, and the trains in Switzerland and the train in London (Kings Cross and St Pancras it was one in the train, one out, throw the bags out to the one on the platform or quickly get them on. But loved the end of line, not such a rushed feeling.

 

[battymum]

In Japan, everybody uses luggage forwarding, it's very reliable, you leave your bags with the hotel concierge and they turn up the following day at your next destination! I wonder if there is any service like that?

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Oh you totally HAVE to get one of the bags!!!!!

On the luggage, we were a little freaked out about the luggage. On our last trip we did two long train rides and they were fine both times! There was one time at the France Swiss border that the swiss did a bag check so we had to go back and open our suitcases. You can get these travel chain things for when riding trains, so you can thread them through all of the handles of your bags.

There is a brand called "Pacsafe". They have the best bags, handbags, travel bags, accessories all for travelling. Both DS and I each have a couple of their bags, which we both used in France and the UK (due to the very high pickpocketing crime there, particularly in France). That brand also has the wire thingy that you can tie your bags together or to a pole or both eg, like this http://pacsafe.com/wrapsafe-adjustable-cable-lock. LOVE their stuff.

A friend of mine (who I was with at the time) had her handbag pick pocketed on the train in Paris. We just can't work out how they did it as she had her hand in the middle of the zip part of the bag, but they managed to unzip it, remove her purse and zip it back up without her knowing!!!! Something I have never forgotten. They work in teams and are very skilled in their craft!

You are scaring me Aussietravellers .

I've looked at that lock and it looks great.

Would it differ that much from one of those curly bicycle locks do you think?

Shuttergirl, your trip sounds simply wonderful. You are going to have an amazing time.

I remember that a lot of places were shut on Easter Sunday but Covent Garden was open and full of people - we had a nice lunch there in a cafe.

Good idea to go to Westminster Abbey well before the Easter weekend - because it's only open for services for so much of the weekend everyone tries to go on the Saturday - the entry queue was colossal.

As Cola says Edinburgh is VERY hilly, we were grateful to have our hop on-hop off bus tickets to get up the hills. However, the trafiic down the Royal mile can be extremely slow so the bus does take a long time to do the full circuit.

Try to be up in the Castle at lunch time so you can see the 1 oclock Gun set off - there's also a cafe which is a great place to stop for lunch - we sat by the window and had glorious views looking down to Princes gardens and across the New Town.

We caught the train the opposite way that you're going ( from Edinburgh to York) I'll be honest with you it was not a great trip for us - the train before ours was cancelled so 2 trainloads of people were all trying to cram onto one train. We had reserved seats but the confusion meant that the seat reservations were not displayed when we boarded and we had to ask some people to move - one chap was pretty nasty about it. Theluggage racks were all full when we boarded and the aisle was full of people standing so we spent the first part of the trip with our suitcases on our laps We also had a big delay outside Newcastle because someone had run a lorry into a railway bridge and they were checking the bridge before letting trains run over it. Our 2 hours trip took 4 hours.

HOWEVER - I think we were unlucky. I don't think trains are cancelled all that often and I'm sure the experience would have been better otherwise.

Looking forward to reading more of your evolving plans

Andona

So you enjoyed the hop on hop off bus tour? I think this might be the answer considering our limited time and the hills.

You are making me nervous about the train option which I wasn't completely sold on in the first place

No, I didn't have anything to chain it up, and no-one else seemed to be chaining their luggage up either.
The whole getting on the train at King's Cross was strange, they literally only let you near the platform at the last minute, so it is a mad dash up the platform to the carriage, with all your luggage. It seemed to be very normal for everyone else!

This might be making getting a plane sound more and more attractive, but the actual train journey is lovely, and considering the limited time, it is great seeing so much of the countryside, and there are some stunning views along the coast in Scotland. Get the train, travel like a local, see the English countryside!!! just be prepared for the luggage situation and the dash up the platform and the hills in Edinburgh. I loved Edinburgh. It was more Harry Potter-ish than Universal's WWoHP!

The plane journey is seeming alot more attractive.

You girls have me running scared

 

[Aussie Wendy]

We have left luggage in the luggage racks at the end of trains while travelling within Europe (mostly in Italy and France) with no issues. We have them locked (padlocks) but nothing special although we also don't have anything important to steal or worry if they were broken into-thats in our Pacsafe bags that we keep on our laps/by our feet. DH does carry a simple chain and lock he can use to chain to eg a bar but don't think we have used it on a train so far (sorry not very helpful-he is the supersafe security guy-I'm a bit more slack).

I have friends who work on one of the British train lines-every now and then an incident causes massive delays and crowding but its not that regular an event I gather. Mostly train rides are nice and peaceful with nice views of the countryside-I wouldn't discount it as a means of getting up to Scotland. My parents,who were in their late 70's at the time, travelled from South Wales changing trains in London to Southend-on the day of the London bombings and wondered why there were a few delays and reroutings! Totally oblivious til they saw the news that night! Meantime we (in a guesthouse where no-one spoke English) in Slovenia were panicing about them big time as we pierced together what had happened from the news items (which were also all in Slovenian and German-the first time I could really relate to Tom Hanks character in The Terminal).

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Cola thanks for all your useful tips and info on Edinburgh-following your info to Ms Shuttergirl and its gratefully appreciated by me too! Now I am working out if we will be heading for flat land or steep land! Seems we'll need to get fit before the visit.

 

[cola]

I LOVED staying at the Hotel Missoni I got it very cheap on a jetsetter.com Flash Sale ($140US per night). I LOVE jetsetter.com, but the Flash Sales tend to be only about 3 months in advance, which I know most people around here couldn't cope with!!!! It was on the Royal Mile almost next door to St Giles Cathedral. I have to admit I didn't quite realise how amazing the location was when I booked it, I just got it because it was cheap and looked fun Turned out to be completely over the top luxurious amazing. (Everything I've booked through jetsetter.com has been outstanding)

Around the Royal Mile is very hilly, most of the attractions around it include a lot of stairs, (the historical buildings can be up to 6 stories high) Even if stairs are a problem there is still more than enough to see and do, the hills are just take your time, it's not a race, only problem will be varying levels of fitness in your party. You can't go to Edinburgh and not do the Royal Mile, it's like a tourist going to Sydney and not checking out the Opera House!

 

[Aussie Wendy]

We are walkers-DH delights in making us walk where sensible people would catch a subway/bus/taxi.... but nice to be prepared! (We were the ones climbing up the 265 or whatever steps of the monument in London having just walked the circuit from below Tower Bridge along southbank and over Westminster Bridge and back along the Embankment!)

Did not know about jetsetter.com- noting it for future use - have booked our first couple of nights in Edinburgh but not our last night when we get back from our mini road trip. Hotel Missoni looks pretty flash-and a great deal for the price you got.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Jeez Shuttergirl!

You really ARE spending that reno money aren't you?



(Trip looks a-MAZ-ing, by the way).


Can't wait to see how you go with completing an American TR in the 9 weeks before you leave for this trip.

 

[Toy Story]

You are so lucky to have two trips on the go.

I want to start planning for Europe Christmas 2013, so your trip will be very helpful for my plans

Can I ask who you booked the apartment in Paris through?

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2923570 is a good photo that sort of gives you an indication of how steep it is, Waverly is the main train station. these are the steps in between the front row of building and the next.... http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1253665 Street photos just don't capture how steep it is around the Royal Mile.

Ahhhh, this model shows it well!!! http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1302117 and how relatively flat the New Town in the foreground is

You've got me a little scared about my fitness level for Edinburgh . Lucky are aren't staying there long. I think we may need to invest in a cab to take us to the top and then we will wander down the Royal Mile .

Thanks for these links.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Jeez Shuttergirl!

You really ARE spending that reno money aren't you?



(Trip looks a-MAZ-ing, by the way).


Can't wait to see how you go with completing an American TR in the 9 weeks before you leave for this trip.

Hmmmm, is that a good thing or a bad thing PIO .

I generally write the TR's live each day while away, well that's what I did last time anyway and I enjoyed it. I really value all that I wrote in the moment - warts and all so I would hope I can do it again. My family go to bed really early and it drives me crazy so I like to catch up on the DIS and write an update. I'm not so good sharing photos on the trip though because I really prefer to edit the images individually and don't like doing it on the laptop. Professional vanity or something , although I may need to get over myself and share some.

It's just so annoying that you have to upload through a secondary photo website. Just makes everything a little harder that's all.

You are so lucky to have two trips on the go.

I want to start planning for Europe Christmas 2013, so your trip will be very helpful for my plans

Can I ask who you booked the apartment in Paris through?

We are very lucky that is for sure but it has come with a fair amount of stress. Not sure whether I would do trips so closely again.

We booked the apartment through http://www.parisvacationapartments.com/. I can't tell you how beautiful all of their apartments are and the company came highly recommended to us from friends who had used them twice.

We originally wanted to stay in the St. Germain area but our apartment at Palais Royal suited our sleeping needs for a family of 5 better. Since you are a family of 4 the choices are endless from what they have available.

We had definitely wanted to choose an apartment that had the right feel for us, we wanted to feel like we were "living the Parisien dream" . Sounds silly but that was important for us since we've never visited Paris before, well actually we took this into account for all of the accom for this trip. My husband and I have dreamt of visiting the UK and Paris our whole lives so perhaps we have splashed out a little more than we do for the US etc. Plus we wanted MIL to feel comfortable and well looked after since we invited her along to give her something to look forward to after loosing her husband earlier this year. She too has never been to Europe and this may be her only time so we wanted her to feel special as well.

Booking for 5 has created alot of challenges and expense and I take my hat off to families that have to do this regularly. 4 definitely makes it easier.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hmmmm, is that a good thing or a bad thing PIO .

I generally write the TR's live each day while away, well that's what I did last time anyway and I enjoyed it. I really value all that I wrote in the moment - warts and all so I would hope I can do it again. My family go to bed really early and it drives me crazy so I like to catch up on the DIS and write an update. I'm not so good sharing photos on the trip though because I really prefer to edit the images individually and don't like doing it on the laptop. Professional vanity or something , although I may need to get over myself and share some.

It's just so annoying that you have to upload through a secondary photo website. Just makes everything a little harder that's all.

From where I'm sitting, this is DEFINITELY a good thing. I get to live vicariously and not spend any money.


Great strategy for daily updates on the TR. I'll be here.....reading along.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

From where I'm sitting, this is DEFINITELY a good thing. I get to live vicariously and not spend any money.


Great strategy for daily updates on the TR. I'll be here.....reading along.

Yes well there are alot of photo shoots to happen before the next trip to pay for it all .

Trip planning and the need to pay for said trip is the only thing that gets me out of bed each day and what stops me biting annoying clients heads off

 

[alicia1506]

Yes well there are alot of photo shoots to happen before the next trip to pay for it all .

Trip planning and the need to pay for said trip is the only thing that gets me out of bed each day and what stops me biting annoying clients heads off

Me too. Every morning my alarm beeps at me and the message on the screen is 'one day closer to oyr disney vacation'.. It is pretty much the only thing getting me out of bed in the morning

 

[Toy Story]

Hmmmm, is that a good thing or a bad thing PIO .


We are very lucky that is for sure but it has come with a fair amount of stress. Not sure whether I would do trips so closely again.

We booked the apartment through http://www.parisvacationapartments.com/. I can't tell you how beautiful all of their apartments are and the company came highly recommended to us from friends who had used them twice.

We originally wanted to stay in the St. Germain area but our apartment at Palais Royal suited our sleeping needs for a family of 5 better. Since you are a family of 4 the choices are endless from what they have available.

We had definitely wanted to choose an apartment that had the right feel for us, we wanted to feel like we were "living the Parisien dream" . Sounds silly but that was important for us since we've never visited Paris before, well actually we took this into account for all of the accom for this trip. My husband and I have dreamt of visiting the UK and Paris our whole lives so perhaps we have splashed out a little more than we do for the US etc. Plus we wanted MIL to feel comfortable and well looked after since we invited her along to give her something to look forward to after loosing her husband earlier this year. She too has never been to Europe and this may be her only time so we wanted her to feel special as well.

Booking for 5 has created alot of challenges and expense and I take my hat off to families that have to do this regularly. 4 definitely makes it easier.

Thank you so much - this is great. We are thinking of visiting Italy as well so I will have a look - now to work out the high/low seasonal pricing and where we may want to stay. I think you may have just rigged my planning bug