London Travel Guide for Seniors

OP probably means Tate Britain, which is in London. Last summer I saw their J.M.W. Turner exhibition. Absolutely fantastic. And, I'll add its a great spot to start or end a walk along the Thames.

If you search "Tate London" in Google you will get both Tate Modern and Tate Britain as a response.

You say you like the looks and concept of the book. Large print, etc, etc. But what about the content ? Surely the primary reason for a guide book is comprehensive and accurate (at the time of printing) information. Have you compared the amount of information in this book to any of the major travel guides such as Rick Steves, Frommers, or Fodors ? You might get a couple from your local library and compare. Personally, I value added, comprehensive, content over pretty pictures. Is this 3 to 5 day walking tour practical for you? Does it include everything you want to see? Does it include much that isn't a priority for you? Given your mobility issues, can you walk all day for 3 to 5 days? And why would any London guidebook omit 2 of the major museums, not just in London, but in the world?

You wonder why the book has low sales. It could be that when people are spending thousands of dollars and valuable time on an international vacation, they want to put their trust in a name they recognize as being worth that trust. Not to mention one that includes as much information as possible, not just select bits. As for the large print - if that is something you need, you might want to look at buying the e versions, where you can enlarge the print as needed. And you can take with you on your trip.

I don’t know about this particular book, but for just about any destination on Earth, Amazon is infested with dozens of phony AI “travel guides” that almost always are a complete ripoff filled with misinformation. I would never buy a guidebook online that didn’t come from a known provider such as Rick Steves, Lonely Planet (although those aren’t as good as they were), Fodor’s, Frommers, Bradt, Insight, Moon and a few others.

Tate London was a mistake. I meant Tate Britain

Phil, the VisitLondon website has a ton of useful information. It’sFREE. and reliable, unlike that questionable guide from Amazon.

https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/budget-london/free-things-to-do-in-london

https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/budget-london/101-cheap-things-to-do-in-london

https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/sightseeing/london-itinerary

https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/sightseeing

CJean

I have cataracts and am working on having them removed. Second pre-op is Monday and first surgery is scheduled for September.

For me, the content is very satisfactory. I will be walking some every day I am there. The guide offers information about many to most attractions that I am interested in and I am always willing to learn about others. I am flexible and open. I am not going to be able to visit all that I would likle to visit.

With me, nothing is engraved in stone.

Each Day is one walk with several attractions listed. There is a nice walking map. There are two pages for each attration.

On the left hand side of the attraction is a history and on the right hand side, is pertinent information which includes how to get there, toilets, accessibility, places to sit down and much more. Remember it is written for older people.

There are 5 or 6 attractions for each walk and it gives you approximate time from one attraction to the next like 5 minutes.

There is no information about lodgings or shopping which is fine with me. There is limited information about restaurants but there are a few recommendations each day close to the sites. There are restaurants recommended for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I have researched these restaurants elsewhere and they get good reviews.

I bought Rick Steves London Guide for my last trip. I took it with me and chose to leave it at the hotel for others in Southampton because I thought that I would never ever go to London again. Never say never!

The Guide I am now talking about costs $21, the same as Rick's and more than others.

I like that it focuses on walks and attractions.

Since my last trip to London, I have unfortunately been diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and my diet is now very limited. Most guide books have a lot of information about food and restaurants because tourists love to go out and the food.

So this one is working better for me or as good for me as Rick's.

I like this Guide and am puzzled as to why more people have not bought it.

But you may be right that travelers want th tried and the true.

I plan to take this book with me and will let Forum know how if worked after my trip.

Mary

Thank you.

I love Visit London and i have used it many many many times. I used it last trip as well as this one.

And I am taking notes.

But I like something off line as well as online. This guide is light and i plan to take it with me.

I will be visiting visitor information when in London. My hotel has tour information. There is a hoho bus very near my hotel and I hope to do the hoho bus. I really liked it in Paris.

The RS London book is helpful. I see you have owned it before. Would a magnifying glass or something similar help?

A quick google shows that Nadya Salie is a Malaysian/Scottish woman from South Africa who was studying journalism at the University of Westminster around the time of the pandemic.

Since 2023 she has been a freelance copywriter writing blog posts for wellness brands, and (where 'approved' comes in this context)

Writing and evaluating content for AI models, Used problem solving skills to identify errors in model's output and communications,
Analysed model's answers for safety risks, Categorised content into specific niches, Wrote long-form generative prompts for AI models to satisfy the client's requested needs.

(whatever all that means in plain English).

Slate

I had Rick's Guide last trip and it was good but I chose to leave it at the hotel in Southampton since I was never going to return to London. As I said to Cjean, never say never!

I got a lot of information from Rick's guide but wanted to buy something different.

So this guide I bought looks good. This one is light and i am going to take it with me and I will let forum know how good the information was.

Rather than repeat myself, please read my response to CJean which might explain why most traditional guides might not work. for me.

Thank you for your feedback.

pbscd

Use readers but sometimes need a magnifying glass even with readers. But it seems that print is getting smaller and smaller.

I have cataracts and am working on having them removed. First surgery scheduled for September. Having my second pre-op Monday.

Rick's book was packed with information that I can not use such as food and restaurants.. I have both diabetes and CKD. Food and Restaurant reviews are of almost no value to me.

I am not a shopper but for thrift stores and garage sales.

Thank you isn1c

At least she is a real person and not a robot or maybe she is not a robot.

Out of curiosity I looked at the 59 reviews posted on Kindle about the London for Seniors book. The vast majority of them were positive, but what struck me as odd was that all, or virtually all of them said it’s a great looking book that they plan to use when they go to London in the future. That review is kind of like buying, say, a blender, and posting a 5 star review saying I’ve taken my blender out of the box, the directions look great, looking forward to making some smoothies with it in the future, such a fine blender! There weren’t reviews that said they had used the book already for their London trip and that they found the information to be accurate when they got there and relied on it. So it may be fine, but I would double check anything it says if it’s something that is important to you. A problem with some of these AI guides is that sure, they sound fine when you read them at home, but the content turns out to be inaccurate or unrealistic.

Sounds like, from the credentials, that the author is experienced at writing AI prompts. So yes, likely AI.

I suggest not using HOHO bus.
There are better ways to see the sites by riding on certain regular TFL bus routes that pass many iconic landmarks and attractions throughout the city.
I believe they are routes 11, 24, and 9.

And they cost less than the 25+ GBP the Hop on Hop offs charge.

@bostonphil7 - do you have a tablet? I would suggest you purchase the electronic version of the Rick Steves London guidebook on Amazon - on the tablet you'll be able to adjust the font to make it easier to read. And note that your vision should improve significantly after your surgery - although depending on the lens inserts you choose, you may still need glasses for reading.

There are many self-published books on Amazon that are printed on demand - that is most likely what you purchased.

It has occurred to me that the reviews are all AI generated.

The book is so thin and light that I am planning to take it with me. I will use it so as just to test it out.

markcw

Self published? Maybe but it costs a lot of money to self publish and if this person or group is only selling one book a day, they are losing a bunch of money.

It is published by Golden Agers Travel Guides and approved by Nadya Salie. If I could get an email, I would write.

Slate and pbscd

How do you publish an AI book?

It sound like a lot of work

A human still has to be behind it

Tim

Thank you.

I have heard about the different London buses that also end up working as a tourist bus.

No, they’re not losing money. Self published just means it only prints out if someone orders it. It’s not like what you’re probably thinking of, where a vanity publisher will charge good money to print someone’s book that no commercial publisher wants. I saw an eye opening article about this recently. Many of these AI slop authors push out at least one of these a week. If they sell any it’s profitable. It’s not just travel guides, there are tons of fake history books, biographies, cookbooks, you name it.

An example of Amazon Kindle printing on demand:

A standard 300-page black-and-white paperback costs $4.60 to print ($1.00 base + 300 × $0.012).

If you price that book at $15.99, Amazon keeps its distribution share (usually 40% of the list price) and deducts the $4.60 print cost, leaving you with roughly $4.99 in royalties.

Based on all information developed to date, it would appear this book was partially or fully written by AI. My experience with AI in my workplace is mostly okay, but be aware of random hallucinations. You may find yourself on a walking tour that takes you through the Tate Modern, exit the front doors, head right, then right again down an alleyway, remove the manhole cover, then jump into the sewer and go for an enjoyable swim.

Hopefully this book works for you and you have a lovely holiday….just keep your wits about you.

BostonPhil, you've already bought the book, and I'm assuming you're not going to return it, but everyone's advice here is correct in that these really aren't worth a nickel, much less what you paid for it. So I would just chalk it up to experience. I would be a little concerned about using any of the advice because it very well could be wrong.

That said, the suggestion about buying an e-book is a good idea, but keep this in mind. You don't have to have a Kindle to read an e-book. I have a lot of e-guidebooks and I read them on my laptop. Just download the Kindle app for your device, which is free. I open up the book in there, I can read through it, and because it's on your laptop, you can make it any size you want. I know you have a laptop or at least an iPad. Either of those would work for this purpose. It makes it a lot easier to do trip planning when you're sitting at a desk with your laptop or iPad in front of you and you're able to write down notes and so on. You can even save parts of the book to a document for later, or put it in a folder.

Thank you Mardee, Jay MN, markcw and Slate

I have a laptop, iPad and now a new iPhone

I do not believe I need any more guidebooks.

I bought this one based on my previous experience with Paris Travel Guide for Seniors. I only looked it over when still at home -- never took it with me so I do not know how accurate or valuable the information might have been.

This one, I want to take it with me so that I can check out how accurate and valuable the information might be,. If I do take it with me, I will report back about how accurate it was and how valuable it turned out to be.

This is a very simple guidebook. It is not in depth like other guide books but I like the simplicity.

Some might know that I went to London a few years back. I had a friend come down from North England and she walked me all over London.

On my own, I managed to find V & A plus the museums across the street. I managed to walk from my hotel on Bayswater Road to Victoria Coach Station only getting lost once. Still I got there. My hotel was across from Kensington Gardens

My friend walked my legs off. They felt wooden. We walked in no particular order to Trafalgar Square and went into the The National Gallery. We walked to and around The London Eye. We walked over one of the bridges and she did tell me which one but I can not remember which one it is. I have a picture with I think Big Ben in the background. The picture says London - City of Westminster at the top. We walked along the Thames. Oh and she walked me to Piccadilly Circus and I believe that it was Old Bond Street.

So I did experience London but it was not enough. I want more.

This time I am hoping to visit St James Park and Regent's Park.I want to go to the British Museum and Tate Britain. i want to walk from my hotel back to Wellington Arch and explore the area around Buckingham Palace and Houses of Parliament.

My friend may come back down from North England again. I may visit with my distant cousin again. We met for the first tine last visit.

I may take a HoHo bus or other local buses around London. May take a boat ride.

Keeping it relaxed and open, not structured.

I have watched hours and hours of youtube videos. I have been very active on forum which has been SO helpful. So helpful. Some might remember that I began by trying to figure out the neighborhoods of London last time.

I can not say that I know London but I can say that I experienced London. I want to go back to experience some of the same and some new.

Until I was planning this trip, I did not realize how much I have already seen but how little I knew. I know more and now I want to go back with the knowledge that i gained form my last trip.

I am going to continue to watch youtube videos and do on line research. Will check out kindle. Also Amazon Prime and forum.

Actually, I probably did not need to buy this guidebook but it is simple reading. It is something to take to the doctor's office while I wait and something to read in the airport before I fly out.

I might end up leaving it in London.

Just a heads up that the local library can be a great resource for guidebooks to read in advance and carry along.

1. Check out physical guidebooks to browse and dream.
2. Check out ebook versions of guidebooks to take with you on a device without added weight.
3. Check to see if your library has a “friends of library” bookshelf where they sell donated or culled books. Last week I bought 6 guidebooks, all places I have trips planned, for $3.

The guidebooks can be outdated, but honestly even a newly published guidebook can be outdated. I get ideas from guidebooks and then I go directly to the websites for up to date information.

PS BostonPhil. Consider a day trip to Greenwich by train or boat. I’m pretty confident you would like the Painted Hall and the Cutty Sark.

Carol N R

I have thought of the local library but it is OVER 100 every day. And with the humidity it feels even hotter.

It us going to be 103 plus for every day and days to come.

Still I am not leaving until October so I have time to get there. I love the library. I do not take books out. I just look them over while visiting.

I just watched a very long you tube video by Prince Edward about the Thames and he discussed Greenwich. We explored a palace or museum. Whatever it was, it was magnificent. I have to go back and watch it again.

And this guide book I have been writing about has a section on Day Trips from London and includes two pages about Greenwich.

I think it was meant to be.

Prince Edward has other you tube videos about London and England. I plan to watch some more.

I believe you're in Austin, which based on reputation, should be relatively advanced technology-wise. Here in Los Angeles our public library offers free downloads of e-books on loan - if you have a similar service there, you can borrow directly to your iPad without leaving home.

And it appears that e-books are available- here's the link for Rick Steves London [2019 edition]:

https://austinlibrary.overdrive.com/search?query=Rick%20Steves%27%20London%202019

You may need to establish an online account and download an app such as Libby - you could ask a librarian to help you remotely.

Thank you Markow

Actually I have already joined my library as well as Libby and I believe another on line service. A few weeks ago, I did an online search and did find some guide books about London but I never got around to taking one out.

Mardee and others on forum told me about Libby and the other service some months ago.

I did not yet have a current library card but i got one and joined up.

I would like to check out Rick's guide. Ecven if it is the 2019 issue, the Thames is still where it has always been.

Tim from KY

I do not know if you will come back to this discussion but this guide mentions Bus Lines 11, 15, 24 and 9 as Useful for Visitors.

Transport for London (TfL) publishes a graphic map of several key bus routes in Central London, including the few you mention just above but also many many more so you can get from pretty much anywhere to pretty much anywhere else on a scenic route.

I know you are sometimes directionally challenged and don't do so well with maps, but here goes - it shows many of London's main attractions

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/key-bus-routes-in-central-london.pdf

Nigel

I love the map you sent me. I love looking at the sites in the individual boxes.

I may be able to use the buses. My friend and i took a double decker last time I was in London. We also took the tube

There are any number of buses close to my hotel. And there is a tour desk at my hotel. Maybe I can get a map similar to the one that you sent me

I plan to stop at visitor information at the airport and maybe even in London.

I have a mouth and I can ask for directions while walking around but the map is really cute. I am going to look it over.

Thank you

Regarding the library-my nearest library is a small branch of the local library system. Since the branch library has a limited book selection I often order books online to pick up locally. It's a great way to preview a travel guide (or any other book). On a hot (rainy, snowy, etc.) day it's easy to pop in and out quickly. I believe they provide curbside delivery for those with mobility concerns-you might want to ask at your library.

Sometimes it's just nice to peruse a physical book :).

Hi Den

I am close to our main library and it is a great library. Have no problem getting in and out as well s getting around our library.

Yesterday was 105 degrees and today will be 106. It has been over 100 for a couple of weeks with more to come.

I do not drive and it is impossible to get to the library in this heat but I love libraries. It is also very difficult to get to public transportation in this heat.

But there is a lot of information online. I spend a lot of time online in this heat. I do not leave my apartment until after 7 pm except when necessary

This includes spending time on forum. Thank you for your input.

ADDED: I love going to the library and looking at travel guides while spending time in the library

Great map NIgel - thanks!

And I agree that it is a great map, Nigel.

Someone suggested to me privately that I should print it out and i may do that.