European Travel Planning : A Two week Itinerary for London and France: Week ONE- London
Our two youngest children graduated high school this year! Both girls had all A's and were very successful in school. Both girls also showed amazing character and maturity as they plan for their future. We had never traveled to Europe, so we planned a graduation trip to London and Paris! We began researching a date and accommodations months ago! I would love to say that we picked the date to coincide with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and the Anniversary of D-Day, but it was pure dumb luck!
Below you will find the first week in London itinerary! (I was a bit overwhelmed for the France planning, so we used an amazing travel service called Frenchside Travel. I will do a separate post regarding the week and France and a review of our experience !)
We did modify it some as we traveled, but mostly stuck to it! I planned the London end myself with help from many other bloggers out there who shared their experiences. We stayed at a flat I booked through Airbnb in the South Kensington Area. We love the feel of an apartment! It gives one a true sense of living in the city for a week! The area was near museums, 2 Tube stations, many coffee shops for mornings and was very quiet, safe and pleasant. (The only thing we learned is to bring wash cloths! Apparently Europeans do not use them??!) Traveling in London proved easier than I had thought.
Travel Tips:
*** I highly recommend purchasing an Oyster Card online prior to travel. We ordered $50 one and were able to use them all week on subways and buses. The longer trip to Oxford and Windsor required a ticket on a different railway (National Rail) and a separate expense. I would also purchase the London Pass as it provides entrance to most attractions (except London Eye). I would also recommend familiarizing yourself with the train system before you go.
The London Transportation System also has an app! There is the Subway (Tube) and Bus Public Transport in London. There is also the National Rail System, for travel to the outer cities of London. Then there is the Eurostar, an exciting and fast way to travel all across Europe! We rented a car and drove in the countryside of France, but could have very easily done all of our trip by trains and public transportation !
WEEK ONE: LONDON, ENGLAND
May 28, 2022: Arrive in London and Settle In!
10:30 am: Arrive at London Heathrow Airport
Can check in VRBO 3:00 pm or earlier if available
https://www.travelstaytion.com/rooms/213954
Pick up and drop off luggage
Double decker Bus ride
Walk tour St. James Park and Buckingham Palace!
May 29- Tower of London
10 AM Tour pre-booked. Tube is 24 min ride from South Kensington (Oyster Card)
Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Parliament Walk tour
Dinner at Gillray's
London Eye (Fast Pass)
May 30-Westminster Abbey (13 min tube)
Shop Piccadilly Circus Area
Eat at Gordon Ramsay's
Shop at Harrod's!
May 31-British Museum
29 mins by tube
Shop Covent Gardens Lunch, street markets
Abbey Road by bus ! Iconic Beatles pic!
June 1 -Take the train (National Western Railway)to Oxford
Lunch at cafe built in 1300 at Oxford- with tea and pastries!
Blackwell's Bookstore
Fish and Chips Dinner at Poppies
June 2 Platinum Jubilee Parade !!
Trafalgar Square
Churchill War Rooms
The Original Hard Rock for Dinner Reservation !
June 3:-Take the National Railway train to Windsor Castle !
June 4: Check out of room, take train Eurostar to FRANCE!
This post is to give an overview of our first week abroad and a few travel tips.
I will have detailed posts with pictures of the sites, stories and photos of us as time allows me to create.
Did I mention we were there for the PLATINUM JUBILEE parade !!???
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