Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This section will help you get started planning your trip—with advice on trip costs, when
to go, and things to know before you take off.
Your trip to London is like a complex play—it's easier to follow and really appreciate on
a second viewing. While no one does the same trip twice to gain that advantage, reading
this topic in its entirety before your trip accomplishes much the same thing.
Design an itinerary that enables you to visit sights at the best possible times. Note
festivals, holidays, specifics on sights, and days when sights are closed. Visit The City
(London's old center) during the day on weekdays, when it's lively, not at night or
on weekends, when it's completely dead. The two-hour orientation bus tour is best on
Sunday morning (when some sights are closed anyway, and traffic doesn't slow down the
bus) or evenings (when it's cheaper). There are almost no plays on Sundays, except for
Shakespeare's Globe and family fare (like
The Lion King
). Treat Saturday as a weekday,
except for transportation connections outside of London (which can be less frequent than
on Mon-Fri, and downright meager on Sun). A smart trip is a puzzle—a fun, doable, and
worthwhile challenge.
When you're plotting your itinerary, strive for a mix of intense and relaxed stretches.
Every trip—and every traveler—needs slack time (laundry, picnics, people-watching, and
so on). Pace yourself. Assume you will return.
Update your plans as you travel. You can carry a small mobile device (phone, tablet,
or laptop) to find out tourist information, learn the latest on sights (special events, tour
schedules, etc.), book tickets and tours, make reservations, reconfirm hotels, research
transportation connections, and keep in touch with your loved ones. If you don't want to
bring a pricey device, you can use guest computers at hotels and make phone calls from
landlines.
Enjoy the friendliness of the British people. Connect with the culture. Set up your own
quest for the best pub, silly sign, or chocolate bar. Slow down and be open to unexpec-
ted experiences. You speak the language—use it! Ask questions—most locals are eager to
point you in their idea of the right direction. Keep a notepad in your pocket for confirm-
ing prices, noting directions, and organizing your thoughts. Wear your money belt, learn
the currency, and figure out how to estimate prices in dollars. Those who expect to travel
smart, do.
