When traveling around Europe, make sure to plan ahead. The best plane fares and deals come out well in advance of when you actually think to start planning...

LONDON

  • If traveling on the train, it might be worthwhile to risk not actually purchasing a ticket. They did not check our tickets on either the way there or the way back.
  • Avoid Mr. Wu's in Chinatown, unless absolutely desperate for food. NB - Chinese food is actually more expensive than most other food options, so don't think going to Chinatown will be eay on your wallet.
  • Can get theatre tickets relatively cheaply if you do student rush.
  • The lions in Trafalgar Sq. are fun to climb on.
  • Westminister Cathedral is not the big tourist attraction - Westminister ABBEY is. Go there and see the dead people.
  • If you miss the actual touring hours at St. Paul's, try to sneak in for a service. You can also sneak into the crypt and see more dead people if you look suave.
  • Museums are free. Everything else costs a decent amount of poundage.
  • Look for the Cadbury chocolate machines in the tube... And always "Mind the Gap!"

GRANTCHESTER

  • A short boke ride or walk southeast of Cambridge (Approximately thirty minutes on foot)
  • Follows River Cam through cow country to a small little town with thatched roofs and an apple orchard
  • Can get some desserts in the apple orchard for relatively decent prices (Recommend chocolate tart)

OXFORD

  • Take the X5 bus from the Drummer Street bus stop for 9lbs (Round-trip, 3 hr. bus ride)
  • Train takes longer as you must go through London and then to Oxford (2 sides of the triangle...)
  • Visit the Oxford Museum - very worthwhile
  • Don't leave stuff on the buses...
  • Visit New College (Which is ironically one of the older ones in Oxford)

NOTTINGHAM

  • Make sure to visit the castle and see the cave tunnel that leads to the Castle Hill Brewery (Guide was excellent)
  • Nottingham University is 2.5 miles from the city centre
  • City has loads of shopping options, a large city square, and plenty of tourist sites
  • About a two-hour bus ride from Cambridge
  • Christmas markets have excellent food and great shopping in late Nov / early Dec

EDINBURGH

  • Train (through Peterborough) is not the best option
    • Should take 5 hrs; took me 7 b/c the train system is less than reliable
    • The train from Peterborough to Edinburgh has seats that are reserved btw some stops - it's helpful to memorize the order of stops so you know where you can sit
  • Climb Arthur's Seat for a great view of the city (takes about half an hour)
  • The Museum of Scotland has lots of cool swords etc.
  • The Palace of Holyroodhouse is nice but probably less impressive than other palaces in Europe.
  • Edinburgh Castle is definitely worth visiting - see them fire the one-o'clock gun.
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