Travel Destinations Across Europe
England

When vacationing in England one needs to compare what you desire on your travels vs. what you can afford. London is a city where 24-hour public parking ranges from $60 US/CA up and a tube ticket is now over $8 US/CA.  Realistic budgeting is essential. Your French Connexion will help you make the most of your vacation in England.

London

We find that in London when a hotel of Motel 6 quality is over $200 a night and where a decent 2 star hotel now can reach $300 and a child’s cot is $60 it is wise to prepare your sights and hours in advance.

Our recommended 1-3 and 4-7 day stays and sightseeing covers your short or longer dream trip with a variety of gardens, museums, neighborhoods, markets, shows and places.

Use every hour well beginning at the early am markets and continue 9am those sights that open before 10am: i.e. Kew Gardens, Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, British Museum, St. Pails and at times the Globe and Churchill War Rooms and Museum as well as the London Eye Ferris Wheel.          Kew Gardens Victoria Lilypads

And plan for evening hours at British Museum, Houses of Parliament while in session, National Gallery (Wed.), Tate Modern (Sat.), Victoria and Albert (Wed). 

Churchill War Rooms at Left

Your French Connexion also will prepare self or guided walks that best suit your length of stay and also prepare day trips for you and your party to Windsor, Cambridge, and Oxford. Consider staying in Windsor rather than London. Another fine option is Greenwich easily reached in 18 minutes from central London.

DESTINATIONS OUTSIDE LONDON REGION
starting to the south-southwest

CANTERBURY AND DOVER - taking the train or a boat to France? Then consider historic Canterbury Cathedral not only for its history from the 6th century but also the literature, political, religious and cultural transformations that surround the city and church. 

 Off the Dover coast

Dover, sitting as it does 23 miles from France, also exhibits Roman ruins, Dover Castle where from the 14^th Century to WW 11 and beyond it was a military fortress dominating the white cliffs and protecting England from Germany, France and Spain.

Inexpensive boat tours as well as the channel crossing are cheapest from Dover.

PORTSMOUTH AND BRIGHTON – continuing westward along the English Channel you encounter, in summer, this blue-collar vacation destination that can be very crowded and noisy from the May Flower festivals until school begins in late August. Once the summer home of kings, Brighton is flashy and fun-full in summer and calm in fall and spring. Portsmouth welcomes those who love the sea and its history. If driving, consider a visit to the well-preserved Roman ruins at Fishbourne or to Arundel Castle still privately owned.

PENZANCE AND WESTERN CORNWALL - Welcome to Land’s End and its artist colonies and ancient tin mines. From here visitors enjoy the English “Mount St Michel” and King Arthur’s Castle-Tintagel. This area of England is very kid-friendly with not only Harry Potter destinations but also kid hands on science exhibits at the “Eden Project” and its ecological goal of showing how the future will be affected by global changes.

BATH - swinging north from Cornwall or taking the train from London, or walking south along Cotswold Walk the city and resort of Bath has been a destination long before the Romans made it their R and R capital, Aqua Sulis. As the centuries passed Bath continued to draw the rich and powerful to the 116n degree hot springs. Queens came and their courts and later architects began to build the neoclassical buildings that survive today as a tribute to both Italian and English skilled craftsmen. Bath is not a day trip; consider at least 3 nights to really get a taste of the entire region.

One of the most welcoming cities of England with free city provided tour guides, a new Therma Spa Center and the ancient Roman and Medieval Baths. The Costume Museum and the Jane Austin center are among the many sights.

Day Trips to Stonehenge and Avebury are available for day-trippers without a vehicle but do have us book at least 60 days in advance for high summer and all weekends if possible. Average prices range from $60 US/CA per person for groups and 100 and from $140 a person for private vans/sedans.

COTSWOLDS HILLS - north of Bath. While the Cotswold Walk covers the entire 100 plus miles north of Bath the northern towns are the most enjoyable for either touring by foot or by car. It is possible to also bus the area. Henri and I have found great hotels and B and B’s in Bath, Chipping Camden, Snow-on-Wold and Edge.

Another Option if driving from London is to spend a day or two in Oxford, then in either a small Cotswold town and perhaps enjoy a play in Stratford upon Avon and a visit to Warwick Castle.

NORTH LAKE COUNTRY & CONNECTIONS TO IRELAND

Driving up the M-6 after Bath, the Cotswolds and perhaps Straford Upon Avon most travelers going north have two destinations: Ireland and The Lake District. From Liverpool you can reach Dublin in 8 hours and Belfast in the same time. A shorter route to Ireland leaves from Holyhead.

THE LAKE DISTRICT is not large - 30 miles across and 30 mile in length with the majority of vacationers favoring the north. However Peter Rabbit fans as well as those who love Wordsworth favor staying in the less expensive southern areas.

From the north you can use infrequent buses, a boat or your car to enjoy a two –five day holiday. Hikers may want to stay a week.

Your French Connexion has designed trips for stays up to a week with one or 2 locations for overnights. Make Kenswick, Derwentwater, Windermere, Ambleside or Grasmore one of your lodging stops.

SWINGING EAST TO YORK - Like Oxford you can reach York by train from London or by car eastward from the Lake District or southbound from Scotland. Do log on to their website to plan your stay as it is one of the best sites in England- www.visityork.com. Like Bath there are volunteer free guides provided at the tourist office.

Kids love the Minster walk, especially the wall walk and the city's ancient gates.  Adults and all who love music will enjoy the free tours and Evensong along with the giant bells especially on Sundays at 10am and Tuesdays at 7:30pm.

Besides Minster, the Castle Museum is a working museum with water mills, candy factory, Gypsy caravans and Victorian toys. Remove yourself to AD 957 and ride the small train through the excavations of Viking, Roman, Medieval and Victorian eras at the Jorvik.

If I had to have tea in only one place in England it would be here in York- and we have 4 tea rooms to share with clients - then stroll the Riverside walk through Rowntree Park

York offers rooms from 120 US up with an average room at 2 star hotels at 150 and 210 at 3 star establishments.

NORTHEAST ENGLAND- from the Lake District and from York the next popular routes are those along Hadrian’s Wall. Several of our clients have taken walks in this area, others have used it as their destination to or from Scotland. The original wall was 75 miles long from Irish Sea to North Sea.  Today the ruins of the forts, guard towers and castles can be viewed before you travel at www.hadrians-wall.org.  For a one day car trip we suggest (for the able-bodied only ) Housesteads Roman Fort and Vindolanda - and if only one then opt for Vindolanda because of its active dig during spring (April after Easter until September).

For overnight stays Hexham, and Haltwhistle are fine as well as Carlisle to the west.

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