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Post by Jane on Jan 25, 2007 10:15:23 GMT -5
This is really for Brit, whose email is "hidden".
My brother and his family are going to England in March. It is my brother's first trip although my sil has been there. The kids are 14, 12 and 9. They do a lot of traveling and are easy to please (the kids). They will happily do most anything, eat most anything and sleep most anywhere. James (my brother) is astounded by the cost of everything. They plan to use the train for transportation. Brit, any tips for economizing? Is the train really the best way or would renting a car be better? They will be there ten days. What MUST they see and do? Are b and b's a better option than hotels?
If you want to respond privately, Brit, my email isn't hidden.
Do any of you sophisticated and cosmopolitan world travelers have suggestions?
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Post by doctork on Jan 25, 2007 13:34:41 GMT -5
Brit can PM you with his UK-specific suggestions.
Here's one I've used when traveling with the kids. Rent an apartment. We did this in Paris on a two-week spring break The apartment was in a great left bank location, and had a washer/dryer and kitchen, all at a fraction of the price of a hotel room, with much more room.
Since we could do laundry, there was no need to bring huge heavy suitcases. And with a fridge and stove, the girls (then 10 and 12) could have meals and snacks when they were hungry without the trouble and expense of restaurants three times a day. Since we were in Paris, which has excellent public transportation, we didn't bother with renting a car. SNCF (French National Railway) was fine when we went further afield - Giverny and Chartres. I think you could make similar arrangements in London, and rely on the Tube and the trains.
In Paris, it iinfinitely helpful if you speak French (which I do), but for England, you're good to go with the native language.
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Post by scotbrit on Jan 25, 2007 14:34:40 GMT -5
My immediate reaction is for a family of five, a hire car would be the most economic. Trains are expensive here, but are fast. (As an aside, goods trains in the US seem to me to take priority over passenger, but in the UK it is the other way around. Goods trains go into sidings to allow scheduled trains to pass.) Our passenger trains travel at roughly between 90 and 125 mph. Renting a place is a good idea, but they are cheaper further out into the suburbs - as are the B&B's. If the family are spending a lot of time in London, the easiest way to get around is by public transport from the suburbs. The underground and bus services are very frequent, cheap and a day pass gets you on all trains and buses within the centre of London. Even on a Sunday, I personally would not go into the centre of London by car - even though I live 30 miles from Trafalgar Square. The last time I drove up to the suburbs was 18 months ago on behalf of JTOS! If the train tickets are booked well in advance, then I suspect there could be some savings made there, but if you miss a connection, to board the next available train will cost you full price. The other factor is that all trains go in and out of London and the various terminals are on the opposite fringes of the centre. (Think baggage and keeping an eye on kids etc.,) If they are touring the country, clearly the hire car for five is the best deal. If they are staying around London for the whole time, then that is a different matter. But not knowing what sort of things they like to see makes a generalisation ineffective. There are hundreds of places I could suggest you look, but I'm sure Google will suffice. If there are specific details your family wish to ask, please feel free to ask here and I will do my best to help. For the kids, they may be interested in a day at Windsor Legoland. Many families "do" Windsor Castle (tour of State Apartments - 90 to 120 minutes) in the late morning (11am Changing of The Guard) then take the free bus out to Legoland (2 miles) for the rest of the day. I personally use B&B's. I think they are different here than I experienced in the US. B&B have comfortable beds, generally speaking - in large houses converted - but not all rooms are en-suite. The breakfast usually consists of choice of juice, cereal, AND a cooked breakfast of Sausage, Bacon & Egg with toast and as much tea or coffee as you want. If you can find out what sort of things they'd be interested in so I can get an idea I may be able to suggest some do's and definite don'ts! I think I'll take up being a tour guide when I retire! Clearly, I will need to brush up on my American English if I need to communicate.  |
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Post by joew on Jan 25, 2007 16:48:12 GMT -5
For one thing, "goods trains" are "freight trains" in American English.
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Post by scotbrit on Jan 25, 2007 17:54:19 GMT -5
See what I mean?
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Post by doctork on Jan 25, 2007 19:25:56 GMT -5
The reason to prefer the term "freight train" is the great song of the same name by Libba Cotten. Betcha Pat Donohue knows it. Now back to budget-wise travels...
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Post by booklady on Jan 26, 2007 18:22:08 GMT -5
Pat DOES know it. We've heard the proof!!  |
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Post by Tillie on Jan 30, 2007 15:11:51 GMT -5
Sorry, you're all wrong.  'Tis a four lettered word that makes the world go round. |
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Post by booklady on Jan 30, 2007 17:59:20 GMT -5
I once held her in my arms,
She said she would always stay.
But I was cruel,
I treated her like a fool,
I threw it all away.
Once I had mountains in the palm of my hand,
And rivers that ran through ev'ry day.
I must have been mad,
I never knew what I had,
Until I threw it all away.
Love is all there is, it makes the world go 'round,
Love and only love, it can't be denied.
No matter what you think about it
You just won't be able to do without it.
Take a tip from one who's tried.
So if you find someone that gives you all of her love,
Take it to your heart, don't let it stray,
For one thing that's certain,
You will surely be a-hurtin',
If you throw it all away.
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Dopey Member
'Tis a four lettered word that makes the world go round.