Travel

[dancerjodi]

I'm getting really frustrated trying to research/plan this supposed UK vacation we're taking in the spring. We haven't picked a date. We have a source for airfare (though, the price I saw didn't include fees, which costs as much as the tickets) which is good. We have a source for a place to stay in London which is good.

But, how long would we be there (and how long Scotland)? How the hell would we get to Scotland (more flying I'm assuming, to make best use of the time while we're there). Where would we go? What would we do? I'm trying really hard not to give in and do a tour where I just have to smile and give them lots of money. I know we can do this a lot cheaper on our own (and really, its hard to get myself to spend the cash on a weekend trip to NYC - you have no idea what its doing to me watch the numbers for international travel)!

This may come as second nature to a lot of you, but to this gal who has never even been to Disney World or driven over to Canada, its a bit of a task!

Comments

[nepenthedreams]

I think you can do this, but everything is harder the first time. After planning this trip, you'll be a pro.

Sometimes, Alli and I like to book our first hotel and flights in advance and leave the rest up for when we get there. Picking a date and buying airfare is a necessary evil, but you don't even need a hotel. When we showed up in London, we went to a desk in the airport and asked them to find us a hotel. It was actually nicer than the one we booked for our return stayover!

You could take a train from London to Scotland, too, which would give you a chance to see the countryside inbetween. It's almost like a free tour. That's what we did to go from Venice to Florence, and it allowed us to make the decision when we got there.

where else to get ideas and such:
I like to go to forums like thorntree.lonelyplanet.com to ask questions, or read travel journals on igougo.com to see what other people chose to do, stay at, or eat. Sometimes people have good suggestions on how to travel from one place to another or what to do when you get there. Also, a good travel guide like the Lonely Planet guides, Rough Guides, Insight Guides...just look for the one with the most recent publishing date.

We have a Cheap Eats London book that we could lend you. We found it invaluable because the food there is expensive and it gave us tips on finding inexpensive places to eat. Oh, and if Jerry Springer: The Opera is playing there still, I can guarantee you that you guys would enjoy it!!

Travel books

[dancer.livejournal.com]

"We have a Cheap Eats London book that we could lend you"

Thanks! Alli mentioned this and (I think) an old Edinburgh one. Would you be able to bring them to Man Ray on Friday night?

See you then! :)