Anonymouse

Hi,

I just went to www.travelocity.com and put in the cities, dates, and ns
flight... they all came in at around 1100 PER PERSON r/t san francisco
to london.

so 1800 for both or 900 each is not bad.

of course this is why I don't normally vacation to europe in summer.

ttyl

akia

Miguel Cruz wrote:
    > csmytheee wrote:
    >
    >>#1) I found airfare through Virgin Airlines for around $1800 departing
    >>San Francisco - for both of us. Is this good? It seems amazing to
    >>me. Non Stop Direct.
    >
    >
    > I assume you mean it seems amazingly high. Or you're flying business class.
    >
    > miguel

Bill Gourley

"csmytheee" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hello,
    > My husband and I are travelling from the U.S. to London from July 18th
    > to August 1st.
    > I would appreciate any help generated from this post (from experienced
    > U.S. folk & Europeans alike!)
    > #1) I found airfare through Virgin Airlines for around $1800 departing
    > San Francisco - for both of us. Is this good? It seems amazing to
    > me. Non Stop Direct.

Go to http://www.qixo.com for airfare. Right now 2 adults from SFO to LHR is
$926 each.

Anonymouse

    > Shop around; I'm sure it could be at least halved.

450$ per person round trip non stop from san francisco to london in
august on those dates?

Anonymouse

,
    >>My husband and I are travelling from the U.S. to London from July 18th
    >>to August 1st.
    >>I would appreciate any help generated from this post (from experienced
    >>U.S. folk & Europeans alike!)
    >>#1) I found airfare through Virgin Airlines for around $1800 departing
    >>San Francisco - for both of us. Is this good? It seems amazing to
    >>me. Non Stop Direct.
    >
    >
    > Sounds pricey. I flew last month from Detroit to London for $400 per person
    > on BA.

Hi,

by last month I'm guessing you mean may... that's not normally a high
price ticket month... june/july/august ARE... may and september can be.

this year I was watching pricing on jamaica really close... and fares to
jamaica went up at the end of the 1st week in june... unfortunately I
have to travel the 2nd....

    >>#2) We are going to arrive in London. We'd like to stay in the main
    >>action of London, what hotels would be good? We'd like a minimum of a
    >>3-4 star hotel. Preferably one with a fitness center. Definitely one
    >>with private bathrooms.

London is HUGE... generally I'd recommend you stay with a chain... and
yes there ARE Holiday Inns in london (there's a nice one on place
republique in paris too).

now I don't generally stay in chain hotels...and for paris I'd generally
refer you to Jack's Inimitable Travel Page.... but it'll be easier. like
I saw my first ice machine in the halls of a european hotel this year
(marriot in amsterdam) after 40+ years on euro-travel.

but if you're in a "us name brand" hotel you'll probably find tour buses
available via the front desk... I like the hop on hop off types
myself... and day passes for transit (buses and metro) are really
handy... but don't worry to much about where as long as it's close to a
tube station.

when I used to travel for a large law firm (as a comp. tech.) the
secretaries would ask me where I wanted to stay... answer was always the
same... "Holiday Inn" 'cause there's never a bad suprise there.

you'll see more of their "Crown Plaza (by holiday inn)" in europe...
nice on in amsterdam on n.z.voorburgwaal at spui.

>>We'd like to see all the main attractions,
    >>Buckingham Palace, the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Eye of London, British
    >>Museum, etc. We'd also like to do some shopping - of course.

you won't have a problem... they're harder to understand than the
dutch... and they drive on the wrong side of the street... but they're
OK folks. ;-}

if you want a minimum of ***-**** hotels take a black cab if you need
to... they really do know where they're going.

    >>#3) We'd like to take the train to Paris for a few days (maybe 2-3?)
    >>Does this sound reasonable? We probably want to just see the Tower
    >>and some museums, and check out the Parisian life. Hotel options same
    >>as above. Shopping too.

if it's the weekend go to the Clignacourt Markets... watch your
purse/pockets and wander... don't be afraid to buy it since you probably
won't be able to find your way back.

Holiday Inn Republique... good hotel no suprizes good location.

get a hop on hop off bus.

mind you I stay in the 14eme.

    >> #3a) How much does the train cost? Do we need to make
    >>reservations? Any clues or links are appreciated.

make them when you get to europe... varies... 1-200$.

THE BEST PARIS PAGES ARE:

http://www.jack-travel.com/

http://www.paris.org

Miguel Cruz

Anonymouse wrote:
    > I just went to www.travelocity.com and put in the cities, dates, and ns
    > flight... they all came in at around 1100 PER PERSON r/t san francisco
    > to london.

Which is a shame since Singapore Air's been doing $199 from Newark to
Amsterdam and back in June.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam

Harvey Van Sickle

On Wed, 04 Jun 2003 07:32:54 GMT, The Reid wrote

    > Following up to Harvey Van Sickle
    >
    >> Ummmm....Buckingham Palace to Tower Bridge?
    >>
    >> I suspect you didn't spy that one on the list -- bit of hike, I'd
    >> say.....
    >
    > I would do that, yes. Along the embankment then into Trafalgar Square
    > and along the Mall. IIRC I even recommend it on my website!

It's do-able, certainly; I just found it odd to classify "BP-to-Tower-
Bridge" as "walking distance" but BP-to-the-British-Museum" too far to
walk.

--
Cheers,
Harvey

For e-mail, change harvey to whhvs.

The Reid

Following up to Harvey Van Sickle

    >Ummmm....Buckingham Palace to Tower Bridge?
    >I suspect you didn't spy that one on the list -- bit of hike, I'd
    >say.....

I would do that, yes. Along the embankment then into Trafalgar Square
and along the Mall. IIRC I even recommend it on my website!
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)

The Reid

Following up to motorgirl

    >Does the tube have straps or bars? If bars like the Boston subway, you can
    >do pull-ups between stations.
    >That should work the upper body and keep away the weirdos.

IMHO the rule on the tube is stare at no one, do nothing to attract
attention, then you shouldnt end up in a conversation with a nutcase.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)

The Reid

Following up to Harvey Van Sickle

    >It's do-able, certainly; I just found it odd to classify "BP-to-Tower-
    >Bridge" as "walking distance" but BP-to-the-British-Museum" too far to
    >walk.

got you! I ran through the names and felt BM was out on a limb rather
from the others, it may of course just be my mental map of London
rather than reality. I tend to think of Knightsbridge and the Museums
as seperate trip country, probably just me!
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)

Surreyman

@ttilla the pun wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > "csmytheee" wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > Hello,
    > > My husband and I are travelling from the U.S. to London from July 18th
    > > to August 1st.
    > > I would appreciate any help generated from this post (from experienced
    > > U.S. folk & Europeans alike!)
    > >
    > > #1) I found airfare through Virgin Airlines for around $1800 departing
    > > San Francisco - for both of us. Is this good? It seems amazing to
    > > me. Non Stop Direct.
    > >
    > > #2) We are going to arrive in London. We'd like to stay in the main
    > > action of London, what hotels would be good? We'd like a minimum of a
    > > 3-4 star hotel. Preferably one with a fitness center. Definitely one
    > > with private bathrooms. We'd like to see all the main attractions,
    > > Buckingham Palace, the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Eye of London, British
    > > Museum, etc. We'd also like to do some shopping - of course.
    > >
    > > #3) We'd like to take the train to Paris for a few days (maybe 2-3?)
    > > Does this sound reasonable? We probably want to just see the Tower
    > > and some museums, and check out the Parisian life. Hotel options same
    > > as above. Shopping too.
    > > #3a) How much does the train cost? Do we need to make
    > > reservations? Any clues or links are appreciated.
    > >
    > >
    > > I'm sure I'll think of more questions, but this is good to start off
    > > with. Again, I thank you in advance for your help!!!
    > >
    > > p.s...web links are a great help =)
    > Avoid Dave's Caff in Burnt Oak High Street he waters down his brown
    > sauce,also he barred me after I tried to shag his wife.
So it was you who spoiled it for me!

Surreyman

Surreyman

Harvey Van Sickle wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > >
    > Ummmm....Buckingham Palace to Tower Bridge?
    > I suspect you didn't spy that one on the list -- bit of hike, I'd
    > say.....
A mere part of the Marathon route!

Surreyman

Surreyman

carman wrote in message
news:w%[email protected]...
    > "csmytheee" wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > [email protected] (Miguel Cruz) wrote in message
    > news:...
    > > > csmytheee wrote:
    > > > > #1) I found airfare through Virgin Airlines for around $1800
departing
    > > > > San Francisco - for both of us. Is this good? It seems amazing to
    > > > > me. Non Stop Direct.
    > > >
    > > > I assume you mean it seems amazingly high. Or you're flying business
    > class.
    > > >
    > > > miguel
    > >
    > >
    > > it's a coach flight. so it's too pricey. well then, where/what is
    > > the better fare? which airline is better. what price range is more
    > > acceptable?
    > > thanks
    > $1800 is about right for UK to USA. USA to UK flights were usually
    > cheaper. (I lived in SF for a while so always looked for the cheapest
    > flights to London). Monday thru Thursday flights are usually cheaper.
    > The trade price for that fare is only $100 cheaper per person so it's a
    > reasonable deal. Having flown with BA, American, United and Virgin on
that
    > route there's not much to choose between the service. It just depends
how
    > full the flight is and the cabin crew.
What do West Coast-East Coast internal flights cost? From UK we can then fly
NY return for $200 or less. Or are these costs not available from NY?

Surreyman

Harvey Van Sickle

On Wed, 04 Jun 2003 08:42:16 GMT, The Reid wrote

    > Following up to Harvey Van Sickle
    >
    >> It's do-able, certainly; I just found it odd to classify
    >> "BP-to-Tower- Bridge" as "walking distance" but
    >> BP-to-the-British-Museum" too far to walk.
    >
    > got you! I ran through the names and felt BM was out on a limb
    > rather from the others, it may of course just be my mental map of
    > London rather than reality. I tend to think of Knightsbridge and
    > the Museums as seperate trip country, probably just me!

I always find these difference in mental maps interesting.

Before I started to do work in London -- when I was just visiting -- my
base had always been in Bloomsbury, so I perceived even Victoria as on
the periphery (rather than part of the core) of what I considered to be
"London".

That changed a bit when I started dealing with that big building at the
end of the Mall, but my research has always tended to remain in the
City-to-West-End and Thames-to-Regent's-Park zone.

(I still tend to react to anything beyond Victoria -- or, say,
Bayswater -- as lying towards the edge of town: "You want me to come
out to Kensington? I'd better pack a lunch for that trip......".)

--
Cheers,
Harvey

For e-mail, change harvey to whhvs.

John Blake

In message id on Tue, 03 Jun
2003 18:22:23 +0100, Harvey Van Sickle wrote in uk.local.london :

    >On Tue, 03 Jun 2003 17:28:28 GMT, The Reid wrote
    >> Following up to PTRAVEL
    >>
    >>>> We'd like to see all the main attractions,
    >>>> Buckingham Palace, the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Eye of London,
    >>>> British Museum, etc. We'd also like to do some shopping - of
    >>>> course.
    >>>
    >>> London has a great underground system, which will get you around
    >>> efficiently.
    >>
    >> all of those things you mention are in walking distance of each
    >> other except British Museum,
    >Ummmm....Buckingham Palace to Tower Bridge?
    >I suspect you didn't spy that one on the list -- bit of hike, I'd
    >say.....

It can be done in less than the 14 days! As big as London is (650sq
miles~ish) the 3 miles between these two can be walked in less than an
hour. If you don't stop for donuts every 50 yards.

--
I don't do arguments, read the reply properly to get the context.
Kind regards.
If you want to take it to email remove THE SPAM BLOKA

John Blake

In message id on Tue, 03
Jun 2003 18:28:28 +0100, The Reid wrote in uk.local.london :

    >Following up to PTRAVEL
    >>> We'd like to see all the main attractions,
    >>> Buckingham Palace, the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Eye of London, British
    >>> Museum, etc. We'd also like to do some shopping - of course.
    >>London has a great underground system, which will get you around
    >>efficiently.
    >all of those things you mention are in walking distance of each other
    >except British Museum,

5 minutes walk north/east of Oxford Street/Tottenham Court Road hardly
puts it off the beaten track.


--
I don't do arguments, read the reply properly to get the context.
Kind regards.
If you want to take it to email remove THE SPAM BLOKA