My husband and I are going there for my 65th Birthday and our 45th Anniversary. We'll arrive in London late on the 16th of March and will leave London again in the AM of the 30th, so basically we have 2 weeks. We have a copy of Rick Steves' Britain '08 book to help us. We have never been to the Great Britain and are frustrated not knowing how to organize our trip. We have a 4-day BritRail Flexipass and 5 nts at the Millenium Hotel in Glasgow included in a package we bought. We want to spend time in London, Bath and surrounding areas, Wales, Glasgow, Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland, and York. We have traveled quite a bit stateside but not at all in Europe. Money is an object, but we are not poverty-stricken--just want to see as much as possible without being in a different bed every night for the best value. We are very concerned as to how to handle luggage taking a train and getting off to enjoy the sights of the various cities. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Freedonia
15199 posts
First, get a copy of Rick Steves "Europe Through the Back Door" which will answer many of your generic questions about luggage, trip planning, taking the train, etc.
Next, go through Rick's Britain book and figure out what you want to see.
Then, go to the library and look at other Britain guide books for ideas.
Plan your trip in a circle starting and ending in London. Since you already have your hotel booked in Glasgow, which way you go will depend on what dates you have it booked. (Get a good map of England, Scotland and Wales.)
You booked a lot of nights in Glasgow (5 out of 14) and that will limit some of your sightseeing but it's doable. Why so many nights in Glasgow? Can that be changed?
Posted by
Powell River, Canada
359 posts
With 14 nights I'd be doing 4 in London, on to Bath for 2, Glasgow for your 5 nights (but spend 2/3 days on day trips from the Millenium to Edinburgh/other local sites via bus/point to point tickets). Off to York for 2 nights and a final 1 night in London (prelude to trip home). Glasgow's not as grungy as used to be; visit the town hall (beautiful building inside) and other local sites. With a 4 day Flexi it's 1 day to Bath, 1 day to Glasgow, 1 day to York, 1 day back to London. My missus and I are in the same age bracket as you guys, lots of rail miles under my belt in England and would be glad to offer advice and/or experiences. If you wish, send a message offline for my favourite places/things-to-do in the cities mentioned. Since it appears you're going in March, I'd start thinking about booking rooms fairly soon; grand idea not to spend every night in a different bed, two nites minimum.