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Visiting London in Sep, tips and greets?

#21
jthisdell said:
I would have been fine skipping Harrod's. Didn't do much for my wife or me.
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Then obviously you don't like to shop!

It was overkill, but a sight to see nonetheless, a London landmark.

MY Girl bought a VERY expensive Burberry raincoat, really cool, something that you would not find easily if at all in the States. Her C/C was declined, as she was negligent in informing her bank that she would be Overseas, something to always keep in mind when traveling out of country.

It was so funny (to me, not her) The Clerk saying in typical English genteel fashion: "Madam, I'm so sorry! It would appear there is some difficulty with your Charge card! perhaps there is another way we can arrange this purchase?"

Well, she had about half-a million (jk, but lots) in her bank, she raised heck, and used another payment. When she talked with her Bank later, you could see smoke coming outta the phone!:roflmao:
 
#23
jthisdell said:
I would have been fine skipping Harrod's. Didn't do much for my wife or me.
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I agree, the Egyptian area was interesting. But it was a department store. My wife and I spent time just walking around taking in the sites, riding bikes through Hyde park, riding on the tube, riding in the top front of double decker busses. We also went to Westminster Abbey, tried to see the changing of the guard but is was cancelled because of rain. One of my favorites was the Tower of London. Spent several hours there.
 
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#28
slobake said:
I agree, the Egyptian area was interesting. But it was a department store. My wife and I spent time just walking around taking in the sites, riding bikes through Hyde park, riding on the tube, riding in the top front of double decker busses. We also went to Westminster Abbey, tried to see the changing of the guard but is was cancelled because of rain. One of my favorites was the Tower of London. Spent several hours there.
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Did all of the above and more, PLUS went to Harrod's.
Calling Harrods "a Department Store" is like calling Big Ben "A Clock":roflmao:
 
#30
friskinator said:
If you REALLY want to impress your wife, make a reservation for afternoon tea at the Savoy Hotel. It's a quintessentially British fancy-pants experience, and the hotel is gorgeous. And the tea service isn't terribly expensive. I asked my wife to marry me while we were there, if that tells you anything.

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What did you do when she said "no"?


Great idea, though. I'm definitely looking into this.
 
#31
B-line said:
Did all of the above and more, PLUS went to Harrod's.
Calling Harrods "a Department Store" is like calling Big Ben "A Clock":roflmao:
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I went to Harrods too. I can see how some people would like it, just wasn't my thing. For one thing it was too crowded for me. To paraphrase Yogi Berra "No one goes to Harrods anymore, it's too crowded." ;)
One minor disappointment. The digital age has made the iconic red phone booths of London obsolete. The few I tried to use smelled like urine on the inside. :atoz:
 
#32
slobake said:
I went to Harrods too. I can see how some people would like it, just wasn't my thing. For one thing it was too crowded for me. To paraphrase Yogi Berra "No one goes to Harrods anymore, it's too crowded." ;)
One minor disappointment. The digital age has made the iconic red phone booths of London obsolete. The few I tried to use smelled like urine on the inside. :atoz:
Click to expand...

Yogi Berra / Harrods

Nope, doesn't connect!:roflmao:
 
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#34
B-line said:
Did all of the above and more, PLUS went to Harrod's.
Calling Harrods "a Department Store" is like calling Big Ben "A Clock":roflmao:
Click to expand...

Big Ben is a bell (the Great Bell), not a clock. It's inside the Elizabeth Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster.
But I get where you're going...

Those who didn't like Harrods obviously missed the food hall. It's unreal.
 
#35
ThudThudThud said:
Big Ben is a bell (the Great Bell), not a clock. It's inside the Elizabeth Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster.
But I get where you're going...

Those who didn't like Harrods obviously missed the food hall. It's unreal.
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OK, I'll correct that chapter in my Guidebook!:roflmao:

And yes, thanks for the add-on. The Food "section" at Harrods!
Incredulous.
 
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#39
I don't know if it works the same way in London as in other areas of the UK, but the local tourism offices can find vacancies in your price range with pretty short notice. Although that was the days before Airbnb.

When I was last in Paris, we rented a two bedroom apartment for a week though a VRBO type site. Worked out very well and was cheaper than a hotel. I would imagine London is similar, although when I go to London for business, my employer prefers to pay for hotels. If you do go the apartment route, make sure you have a supermarket nearby if you decide to want to cook your meals and save a few bucks. Again, Airbnb might be the best option these days for finding a rental apartment.

Get yourself an Oyster visitor card to get around on the Tube (and other modes)....Invalid Link Removed

As touristy as they might be, the British Museum, Tower of London, Changing of the Guard, Royal Botanical Gardens, Greenwich Observatory are all good options to keep entertained. Abbey Road crossing (Beatles) is just a couple of stops on the Jubilee Line from Buckingham palace. And then there are the pubs!
 
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#40
DirtDog said:
I don't know if it works the same way in London as in other areas of the UK, but the local tourism offices can find vacancies in your price range with pretty short notice. Although that was the days before Airbnb.

When I was last in Paris, we rented a two bedroom apartment for a week though a VRBO type site. Worked out very well and was cheaper than a hotel. I would imagine London is similar, although when I go to London for business, my employer prefers to pay for hotels. If you do go the apartment route, make sure you have a supermarket nearby if you decide to want to cook your meals and save a few bucks. Again, Airbnb might be the best option these days for finding a rental apartment.

Get yourself an Oyster visitor card to get around on the Tube (and other modes)....Invalid Link Removed

As touristy as they might be, the British Museum, Tower of London, Changing of the Guard, Royal Botanical Gardens, Greenwich Observatory are all good options to keep entertained. Abbey Road crossing (Beatles) is just a couple of stops on the Jubilee Line from Buckingham palace. And then there are the pubs!
Click to expand...

Thank you for that Oyster link.
 

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