One week until my flight ✈ from Dubuque to
Though I leave late afternoon on Friday, I arrive in London at 9am, Saturday morning which will give me, once I'm checked in, most of the day to explore. I will be taking the Tube in from Heathrow (it will take about 45 minutes). According to the directions from the tour HQ, I will take the Piccadilly Line straight to the Green Park exit and walk 2 blocks. Should make quick work of it.
If you've time to spare, check out the tube map in apps. My exit is Green Park.
London!
Not sure the word, "excited", even begins to express the emotion or mental state. I probably should re-ask if you want to receive this. It really is fine if you don't, just let me know - preferably asap. Though I leave late afternoon on Friday, I arrive in London at 9am, Saturday morning which will give me, once I'm checked in, most of the day to explore. I will be taking the Tube in from Heathrow (it will take about 45 minutes). According to the directions from the tour HQ, I will take the Piccadilly Line straight to the Green Park exit and walk 2 blocks. Should make quick work of it.
If you've time to spare, check out the tube map in apps. My exit is Green Park.
This particular tour is not the same as the one I took 9 years ago - they've added some of the places I didn't get to last time, such as: Borough Market (oldest 'farmer's market' ever). Plus, even though Windsor Castle is definitely worth another visit, this time I shall use the time to discover other things and shops in this section of London (we spent very little time in this area). Actually, it's like a day off in the middle of a vacation.! 😉
The London Eye will be my first free time visit when the weather is sunny. Ended up going on it twice last time. The view is phenomenal. In case you haven't gone to the Steves' site to see the itinerary or viewed my 'hotel', I am just up (north?) a few blocks from Buckingham Palace so I might even get a bearing on the hotel from the advantage of the top of the Eye.
If there is a need to contact me when I am in London then:
How to contact:
Rick Steves Tour Dept, 130 4th Ave N, Edmonds, WA 98020Email: tour@ricksteves.com
Phone: 425-608-4217 (please leave a message; all calls are returned!)
Fax: 425-771-0833 (who does this anymore?)
Web: ricksteves.com
Or, if you want to make it easy... you can contact me on my Kindle: auntie_41@kindle.com - or on Facebook and then there's messenger on iPhone... so many ways.
As for the particulars... My tour begins when I arrive at Heathrow, Saturday about 9am-ish. So I have a day to 'adjust' and simply enjoy the day. Maybe some shopping...
Day 1:
Welcome to London – MAY 21,
Sunday
We'll meet at our hotel
in central London at 3 p.m. this afternoon to get
acquainted. Then we'll set off on a neighborhood walk and Underground/Tube
orientation, before stepping aboard our very own vintage double-decker bus for a panoramic tour of "The Old Smoke"
(London). We'll finish the evening with a "Welcome to
London" dinner together. Sleep in London (6 nights). Walking:
moderate.
Day 2:
Whitehall and Westminster – MAY
22, Monday
After a morning walk through Covent Garden, Leicester Square, and Piccadilly Circus,
we'll enjoy a guided tour of the National Gallery's masterpieces,
including works by Leonardo, Botticelli, Turner, and the Impressionists. After
lunch, we'll continue with a history-laced walking tour along Whitehall — from
the Renaissance-inspired Banqueting House, past Downing Street, to Big Ben and
the Houses of Parliament — all punctuated by the smartly dressed, stony-faced
Horse Guards. We'll finish our day together with a tour of the majestic Westminster Abbey, where England's kings and queens have been
crowned and buried since 1066. The rest of your afternoon is free for the
nearby Churchill War Rooms, the Houses of Parliament, or a Thames River cruise.
Walking: strenuous.
Day 3:
The Tower and The City – MAY
23, Tuesday
This morning we'll head
out early to witness the opening ceremony at the medieval Tower of London. Our early arrival will leave us first in line to
join a Yeoman Warder "Beefeater" for an entertaining tour and a
close-up look at the UK's magnificent collection of Crown Jewels. After lunch,
we'll continue on a walking tour of The City, the oldest part of London and
today one of the world's key financial centers. We'll rest our feet while
enjoying a quintessential English experience: afternoon tea,
before you're set free to explore the treasure-packed British Museum. This
evening is free and perfect for the theater (book a popular show in advance
from the Colonies or pick up a ticket in London). Walking: strenuous.
Day 4:
East London and St. Paul's – MAY
24, Wednesday
Today we'll venture out
to the culturally diverse East End of London, where we‘ll find our lunch on a food tour. The tour will guide us through the history of the East
End, tasting the influence of cultures along the way — from a traditional
English bacon butty, to Indian curries and Jewish beef brisket. Once we have
had our fill, we'll continue on to England's national church — Christopher
Wren's majestically domed St. Paul's Cathedral — and hear how
local "fire watcher" volunteers saved this symbol of British resolve
during the bombing raids of World War II. Your evening is free for the theater,
or consider staying near St. Paul's to hear the evensong.
Walking: strenuous.
Day 5:
Historic Windsor Castle – MAY
25, Thursday
On my own. A great experience that I've had so decided I'd use the day for further exploration. Tonight, join your guide and fellow tour members for a pint at local pub
and share the stories of your day's experience.
Day 6:
Borough Market and the South Bank – MAY 26, Friday
We'll begin our morning
with a tour of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the half-timbered
and thatched roof replica of the original theater which was home to the
playwright’s productions in the late 1500s. Then we'll take a walking tour
along the South Bank of the Thames. We'll see the Tower Bridge and
Southwark Cathedral, and learn how this side of the river has evolved
since Roman times. We'll end our tour at Borough Market,
one of the oldest and largest food markets in London, with colorful produce and
the wafting scents of grilled cheese and duck confit sandwiches. The afternoon
is yours to enjoy lunch at the market, visit the Tate Modern, hop on a Thames
River cruise, or take a ride on the London Eye. Tonight we'll meet for our "last supper" and raise a toast to London and new
friends. Cheers! Walking: moderate.
Day 7:
Tour Over After Breakfast – MAY
27, Saturday
Actually my flight home isn't till 4pm so I don't have to rush. Get into Dubuque about 9pm.
As for weather... comparable to we in the Midwest in late May. Lows in the upper 40's and highs in the upper 60's. So... for those of you who know my weather preferences, now you see why I chose May.
As for weather... comparable to we in the Midwest in late May. Lows in the upper 40's and highs in the upper 60's. So... for those of you who know my weather preferences, now you see why I chose May.
👀 Now... have I remembered everything? Who cares?! What I have is what I have. As long as I have phone, Kindle, access to getting $$, tickets and those other 'things' like health, I'm good to go.
🙋
Update... (as of 4/29)
Remember the schedule I sent you of flight times - change. My return flight is now beginning at 10am London time which ends up translating into my return on Saturday at 4pm in Dubuque. Ergo - if there are any plans for Saturday night, I'll be home between 5:30 and 6pm so count me in!
P.S.
London is 6 hours ahead of we Midwesterners. Temps are comparable, perhaps a tad cooler.
This particular - The End.
P.S.
London is 6 hours ahead of we Midwesterners. Temps are comparable, perhaps a tad cooler.
This particular - The End.
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