Sailor Boy and I have our plane tickets all booked. Thanks to a massive sale at British Airways, we’re spending his Winter Break on a research trip to Europe. A couple days (think: super-long layover) in London and then on to Rome, the setting for Rampant, for me to indulge all my unicornish tendencies.
We don’t know much about roaming around England at all, and we still don’t have a place to stay in Rome (though we’ve both been thre before, and I have a pretty good idea of our itinerary), so any advice would be much appreciated!
(Yes, I also posted this to Fangs, Fur, Fey. What can I say? Blog readers give great advice!)
September 27th, 2007 at 9:31 am
The last time I vacationed in England, I made London my homebase and took day trips to other towns via the train. Hampton Court Palace is a fairly quick ride just outside of London and worth it in my opinion. That was one of Henry VIII’s homes and reputed to be haunted. They have a great maze on the grounds, too, which I nearly got lost in by myself. If you can get up to Bath, that’s another must see! So interesting with the Roman history of the ancient bath ruins — plus, it’s Jane Austen country!
You have to hit the Tower of London and plan to spend a good 2-3 hours there. I could go on and on, but if you only have two days my recommendation would be to fit those sites in.
Christina
September 27th, 2007 at 9:36 am
We actually have four days. Christina, where did you say? We’re really desperate for hotel recs in England or Rome.
September 27th, 2007 at 9:46 am
I don’t have any tips on where to stay or what to do but Wow!! I can’t wait to hear all about your trip.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
I stayed at the Princess Hotel in London - it’s right next to King’s Cross Station. It’s nothing special, but it’s cheap, comfortable and they have full breakfast included. I stayed there two nights in a room with a shared bath. The family that runs it is nice too. I found it though tripadvisor.com
Where did you find out about the British Airways sale??
September 27th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Diana,
Granted, when I was last in England, it was 1995 (sigh), but I stayed in the Hilton London Paddington Hotel conveniently located right next to (on top of) Paddington Station (http://www.holidaycity.com/hilton-london-paddington/photo.htm). I just looked at the photos of it now, and it’s obvious they did a pretty major redesign of the interior since I was there. My room didn’t look half as nice as what they show in the photos now. Although, I was traveling solo, so they might have purposefully stuck me in one of the smaller rooms (and overlooking the interior courtyard — read pipes, construction scaffolding — lol!). I’m so much smarter of a traveler nowadays.
But, the convenience of having the tube/rail station connected to the lobby was great. I stayed in a B&B on my first trip to England and a pension in Rome, but unfortunately don’t recall the names as I found them through a booking service at the rail stations when I arrived. That was typical college travel back then. 
Good luck and I’m totally envious of your trip! I can’t wait to return, as well!
Christina
September 27th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Oh, you’ll have a great time! I spent a couple weeks at a little hotel in Rome a few years ago. I’ll try to dig up the info. It wasn’t super cheap, but neither was it posh or expensive. Tiny place, 8 rooms or something. But the people were incredibly nice. I love Rome and it was nice and quiet in January (that’s when I went, too).
September 27th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Anonymous, I got an email from a friend (Amanda Brice), but it turns out I got the same email from Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia. etc….
I think it ends today. Also American Airlines…. HURRY!
September 27th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
ERF and I stayed at the Vicarage Hotel near Kensington Palace when we were in London in 1996. We booked on the web. They were lovely and inexpensive. Shared bathrooms. (I remember so clearly this poor traveler outside her room dripping wet in nothing but a towel who had been locked out by her roomie by mistake.)
It’s not far from Nottinghill. Good breakfast.
September 27th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
I was there for 2 weeks, so it varied. It was cold and rainy some of the time… but fabulously beautiful at other times…
I’d say the warmest days were only in the low sixties, but the sun was out so it felt wonderful and the sky was super clear. From what I’ve heard about Rome in the summer (hot, humid, smoggy and overrun by tourists) I highly recommend Rome in the winter. It certainly didn’t drop anywhere near freezing. Not that that kept the Roman women from breaking out their fur coats that to me looked like overkill even as a Canadian. Overkill anywhere south of the 60th parallel, really
September 28th, 2007 at 1:30 am
I was just in London back in May. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend any places to stay because I lucked out and stayed with a friend that I was visiting.
I did fly British Airways though and LOVED IT. I like to travel and I do so at any opportunity so I’m frequently flying when I do and by far, British Airways was the best airline I ever traveled on. My ticket was decently priced ($600 which isn’t bad at all considering I had to fly from Philly to Charlotte, NC for $450 once).
One thing I would recommend is that aside from getting from the airport to the hotel, don’t use a cab much. They’re expensive as hell and the drivers are scary. haha. They drive out of control there compared to here. The buses or tube make a great way to travel! I would definitely try getting like. .$20-$30 on an Oyster card for the four day you’re there. It makes it SO much easier and cheaper.
Oxford Street is fun if you’re in the mood to shop. I had a blast there spending money (who wouldn’t?). Trafalgar Square is basically the equavillant to NY Times Square except smaller (and I swear to God, there’s a sex shop right smack in the middle which amused me to no end for some reason). If you have the time, check out a play in West End. I saw Equus while I was there, and their theatre district is amazing!
Are you flying into Heathrow? Are you using Heathrow to fly to Rome? Fair warning, customs is a bitch to get through when arriving in London and you’re not English. The lines are long so don’t be surprised if you wait a while. Also, you’ll likely be put on a bus when landing to take you to the terminal. Heathrow is HUGE. I would also get there early when leaving for your flight to Rome. I swear I stood in the security line for over an hour and by the time I go to my terminal. .I had 10 minutes to grab a quick bite to eat at the pub before having to board for my flight.
If y’all are willing to get up early for a good standing spot; you have to see the changing of the guard at the palace. It’s so neat to witness. I’m not sure if you’re catholic or not, but Westminster Abbey is absolutely breathtaking. There’s also an Abe Lincoln statue across the street which was kinda strange to see. haha. We walked EVERYWHERE, just FYI. Walking was a lot more fun.
I can’t think of anything else right now. lol. If I do, I’ll let you know!
Here are some of my pictures from my trip:
http://wilmcoll.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2226&l=0d9ef&id=514571235
I loved London. It was absolutely amazing. I went to Bermuda about three weeks later for a family vacation and while I loved it there; London was the highlight of my summer/spring. I’m already planning to go back in the spring when I have spring break from school (providing I can actually afford it). Rome and Dublin are actually next on my list of cities to visit in Europe so I can’t wait to see you have to say about Rome.
September 28th, 2007 at 9:22 am
How fun for you guys!! What a time! You should talk to Elizabeth Mahon about London. She’s positively an expert on it, having been there several times. I have to insist you not miss the Tower of London or climbing to the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Westminster Abbey is amazing and for an interesting off the path thing, go to the Cabinet War Rooms where Churchill masterminded a lot of WWII from an underground headquarters. It’s been preserved. If it’s still there, the Bag ‘o Nails pub over near Buckingham Palace has THE best homecooked food in the world. And remember, most beer is served warm or room temp there.
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Go online and google discount London hotels. You will find some great bargains. Some areas in London are a bit dodgy - let me know where you’re thinking of. The transport system is great so you’ll be able to get to lots lf places from London.