I did it! Crossing the Pond for the first time!

Jennifer

The London walks (www.walks.com) are a really fun way to spend an evening especially if you are by yourself and not really comfortable going into a pub alone. You usually go into a couple of pubs for a drink plus you will learn a lot about the area you are walking in.

Have fun. London is wonderful.

Jennifer, the best method for me, but maybe not for you, would be to take the underground from Heathrow and get off at Russell Square. If you're staying at the Russell Hotel, it is just a short walk. Go to a book store in TO and buy an "A to Z Inner London" for a good little atlas of the city, and you will never be lost. I hope you have a lot of fun.

First, check with your carrier to see if your blackberry will work in London. Not all of them do. You may have to get a sim card. If your employer has an IT department, they will know. If not, ask to speak to your company's blackberry rep.

If you are traveling light--carry-on only--then the easiest way to get to your hotel is the Piccadilly Line (London Underground) to Russell Square. Chances are your room won't be ready but the hotel should store your luggage until check in time. Once out of the Russell Square tube station, you'll have about a 1 minute walk to your hotel. The cost is 4 GBP for the tube and it will take about an hour.

The pub walks through London Walks are a lot of fun and I've always met single women on them You will stop in one, two three or more pubs...all are fine.

Another suggestion for the evening is to go to the theater. You can get discounted tickets for that evening's performace at the TKTS Booth in Leicester Square.

Thanks for the advice on the travel.. I will have a full size suitcase (on wheels) and a small backpack. Do you think I can ride the tube with my luggage???

please do a google search about your blackberry and int'l usage, or check with your carrier; I've read horror stories about travelers with iPhones and similar advanced devices that rack up a fortune in charges; it turns out that these phones regularly connect to the network to check for email, and each connection incurs a charge.

You can take your luggage on the underground. I have seen people with unbelievable amounts on luggage on the tube. If it's the rush area you probably won't be very popular though!

P.S. Oh I just realised you are getting here on Saturday so you'll be fine re: the rush hour!

I believe Russell Square has a lift (elevator) but no escalators. Be prepared to carry your suitcase up stairs if the lift is broken.

One suitcase on the Tube is no problem, as long as you can lift it onto the train easily. There are special "gates" you can go through. The Russell Square station is not difficult to negotiate and the general area is nice. There are some small "stores" just outside the station (similar to cirlce K) where you can get fruit, snacks, juice, sodas, newspapers, etc. Don't mess with the mini bar in your hotel room- WAY too expensive. If you lucked up and got the Russell Hotel (per your previous post)- congrats! Enjoy. If you need ideas about day trips, etc. feel free to private message me- My husband and I have been to London more than 40 times.

From Frank, USA, "The pub walks through London Walks are a lot of fun and I've always met single women on them You will stop in one, two three or more pubs...all are fine."

I think a London Walks pub crawl would be a great, safe way to get out at night. Just be careful of who you meet-might be Frank prowling about.

(Frank, might want to use an alias this time around! ;)

I meant "met lots of single women" in the most innocent of ways!!!! :) Perhaps I should have said "there were a few single women on the crawl with us."

Although, on one pub crawl, a group of us "single" travelers went on for a nightcap or three at a local hotel. (The Pubs had already closed. This was back in the days when the pubs had to close at 11.)

A full size suitcase and a backpack for 3 1/2 days?

well, its 4 nights and 4 full days. My carry one is tiny and it is winter so the clothes are bulkier. I also plan on shopping. The backpack is also very small.. more like a purse with back straps.

To each their own, but if you want to see everything in a four day timespan, hauling your huge suitcase around the city will be a drag in more ways then you could ever imagine. In any event, have a great trip!

my suitcase will be at the hotel??? Its not huge... 26" I believe and is on wheels. I will only have it from the airport to hotel and back again.

Jennifer, you mean you are not going to drag your suitcase out with you every day while you sight-see?
; )

Have a great time! My husband and kids are making their first trip on Wednesday.

4 days and shopping too? What are you planning to buy? Overall London's pretty expensive. And there are so many wonderful sights!!!!

Whatever you decide, you'll have a great time.

I'm with Bob on the suitcase issue -- even on a two week trip to China, when I didn't know what laundry facilities might be available and it was winter, I only took a 24", and had room to spare for souvenirs, etc. Four nights should be easily doable with a 21" roller.

Hi Jennifer, I wouldn't pay any attention to the one who was some what rude when implying you were going to haul your suitcase around London. I would probably end up taking the size of suitcase you are taking or a 24". I wouldn't want to wear the same sweater every day so I would wear one and take a couple more and sweaters take up a lot of room. I'm not one to wear the same thing over and over. You will love London, if you have time go to The Organery at Kensington Palace, it is beautiful inside and has great tea and scones. If you want to ask any questions you can send me a private PM.

Thanks! I think my suitcase is 24 or 26 and is a roller. Challenge is my carry-on is tiny.. smallest on the market I think (17") and can barely fit pj's and a sweater! I fly a lot of overnights in Canada in small planes and I find the small size is perfect and I have no problems fitting it overhead. So it's one or the other.

The backpack is very tiny as well and I use it when I am running or attending fairs or concerts to act as a purse/carryall. I hope I am not overpacking but I do want to bring home a couple of items.

Hoping the weather is ok and my wool car coat and an umbrella should be fine.

I can't wait!! 10 days!

Hi Jennifer,

I'm a bit of an over-packer. I didn't used to be, but I travel with overpackers and am always jealous that they have all these changes of clothes and I don't. But really, you're only going to one city, so even if it's a hassle, it won't be over and over again, it'll be only to and from the airport.

I'm going to get some grief for this but: Take the size suitcase you want...it probably won't be that bad and at worst, you'll learn that you don't want to do it again. Just watch the weight so that you are sure you can carry it up some stairs if you need to. And have fun!

Jennifer, it's your first time. Travel any way that makes you comfortable. Only by actually doing it will you see whether or not you want to change things the next time.

and...don't forget to "Mind the Gap."