Thanks for the chuckle!Quote:
Some wonderful drivers -- outside of Paris. Paris is like London, but the drivers sound more romantic when they curse you.
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Thanks for the chuckle!Quote:
Some wonderful drivers -- outside of Paris. Paris is like London, but the drivers sound more romantic when they curse you.
Many years ago I planned a trip to tour UK. I contacted British Tourist Authority in NY, NY. I would imagine that office is still there & they had a lot of info on BritRail & B&B. Bed & Breakfasts that are run by the Govt. called Book A Bed Ahead. They are located in major tourist sections & sometimes right at the train station. You can also make that arrangement for the next night at the place you are staying at tonight. It is very organized. The BritRail was cheaper & so were B&B's. You can specify you want to stay close to train station. The BritRail pass can only be purchased in US before traveling over there.
I had read up on the areas I knew I wanted to visit but left myself flexible. That is very key when traveling--being flexible. Sometimes mistakes that happen can be the most fun...I bought 2 different travel books to mark up & bring along.
When I traveled over there I only rented a car for 1 day in Wales as I wanted to get into the mountains. It was a very narrow winding road. Very scary to be driving on the "wrong" side. We ended up staying the night in Llududno (that is pronouned Clud-dud-no) in Wales but everywhere else it was Lud-dud-no. I was going crazy trying to get how to say that name--everyone kept correcting me. I finally decided it just depended where that person was from. Now this was about 20 years ago but with the Book A Bed Ahead plan we paid 7-10 Pounds per night & that included a big English breakfast. Coffee or tea, juice, eggs & bacon or sausage. Most of the places we stayed in were just an extra room or 2 in someones home. But we were very comfortable.
In London we paid 25 Pounds including breakfast. I'm sure thats more now.
I found an accomodations desk in Heathrow airport. They wanted to charge me 250 pounds for 1 night. I told them that was too much & they directed me to Book A Bed Ahead about 5 levels down the escalator to a little office but I got the room for 25 pounds.
One time I had to climb 3 floors to a coin-operated shower. Another time I had a shower stall in the middle of our bedroom. Another time had a separate bathroom attached to bedroom. (Remember, flexibility is key). I also discovered at Heathroom a place to store luggage. I forget the term & I actually thought it meant lost luggage while I was looking for lockers. But I left my main luggage there for a couple of pounds & just toured around. I was initially going to Isle of Wight to visit an aunt so didn't need all the luggage. I just brought overnight bag as I had to take a bus from airport to get a train to Portsmouth to ferry, back to train to cab. (Flexible!!)
Most of the B&B's were very accomodating in directing us to touristy things. They also had places to store our luggage in a large closet while we toured so as to free up the room to the next person.
I hope my info helps you. That trip was exhausting but I did England, Scotland & Wales & then Paris France in 3 weeks. I came home strong as an ox from carrying the luggage (pack very light) & lost 20 lbs. No time to eat & walking so much with the luggage. But the trip was very exciting & if I were 20 years younger I would do it again. I truly got to meet many locals & saw so many interesting things.
I forgot about the roundabouts. We call them traffic circles here & they are trying to eliminate them in NJ as a hazard. (Too much traffic). Or the rotaries in New England.
I can't help but think of Chevy Chase in the Vacation movies as he goes around the circles again & again. I do believe I did that a time or two. LOL.
Diane
You might want to take a look at the book Take Your RV to Europe. It was reviewed here on this forum at:
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/rv/Ta...-To-Europe.htm
Even if you aren't taking an RV to Europe, these seasoned "road warriors" have lots of other great advice. In fact, they are in Europe with their RV right now. I've been enjoying their emails.
Carol White
Hey-
Sorry if this reply is a bit late (only a couple of months... lol), but keep an eye out on BBC America for "Top Gear". They usually do jaunts into Europe etc, and you'll get an idea of just how picturesque England and Europe can be.
By the way, if you hate roundabouts, head to the Arc de Triomphe (sp?) in Paris... You have more chance winning the lottery than coming away without a ding! (Actually, watch out for that on Top Gear- three presenters try to take over $1 millions worth of supercar around the Arc... lol!!!)