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.