Hello all
I've been lurking here for awhile now; I've learned a lot. Now, I'm finally mustering the courage to post.
My wife and I are taking our first trip outside North America next May. Two weeks out, including a stop-over in Iceland. I've read a lot of itineraries on these boards that seem pretty... enthusiastic and many readers express caution and moderation. Now, I'm starting to wonder if I'm too mellow. I would greatly appreciate if you would take a look and let me know your thoughts. Of course, there are plenty of things to see along the way, but want to hit the high points of where we would spend more than a stop-sigh-click-move on.
- Day one. Arrive Heathrow Sunday 11am. Two hours to clear customs. Train to Windsor. (We're touring Oakley Court for an hour instead of HRM's castle. Bets on how long we can do the Time Warp in the main hall before we're escorted out). Continue to Bath. Collapse in Bath after the XX hour flight. Staying at a simple chain hotel because after that long of a flight, we don't want quaint, we want sleep.
- Day two. Lion Bus Tour of Stonehenge, Glastonbury and Wells (found a link to the Hot Fuzz Walking Tour of Wells. Gotta love it.) Muck around Bath upon return (staying in same hotel)
- Day three. Train to Penrith and bus to Keswick. Wander around Keswick including Castlerigg Stone Circle. Spend the evening with the Druids drinking strange fermented fluids (running naked through the wuids optional).
- Day four. Take the local bus (77) that loops anti-clockwise from Keswick to Seatoller (via Buttermere). Start hiking north via Castle Crag. In Manesty, if we're feeling worn, we can take the boat back to Keswick, otherwise keep marching north via Catbells.
- Day five. Local bus to Carlisle, train to Bardon Mill. Visit Vindolanda. Stay in Once Brewed.
- Day six. Hike the wall from Steel Rigg east (possibly skipping Housesteads) ending at either the Mithraeum west of Chollerford or Chollerford Museum proper, then bus back to Once Brewed via the AD122 bus.
- Day seven. Bus to Hexham. Train to York. Walk the Walls and see Diagon Alley... I mean the Shambles. Continue to London, arriving in the evening. Found a cool Air b&b near Regent's Park.
- Day eight. Tube/train to Kew Gardens. River boat back to London. Possibly tour Saint Pauls? Ceremony of the Keys that night.
- Day nine. Westminster Abbey, Changing of the Horse Guards, lunch at the Cafe in the Crypt, then walk north via Trafalgar and Piccadilly, arriving and spending the rest of the day at the British Museum. (Yes, I know, one can spend a lifetime there.)
- Day ten. Tower of London (As the RS mobs cry See the Crown Jewels first!). Lunch at Borough Market. Wife spends the afternoon at the Tate Modern. I go to The Globe. If it's running, see a show at the Globe that night.
- Day eleven. Leave London at 900, tube to Heathrow for a 1300 flight, fly to Rekyavik.
- Day twelve. Bus tour of the Golden Circle, ending at Fontana Wellness spa.
- Day thirteen (Friday). Fly home to Seattle. Flight leaves at 1100 local and arrives at approximately 1100 local. Stagger home and sleep for three days.
Thanks to all who leave good feedback!
Daniel