I'll be venturing off to London in the coming weeks over the week of Thanksgiving. I've never been outside the U.S. (though 46 states ain't too shabby), so this will be my first time and I am pretty excited!
Anything you recommend seeing while out in London? I'll be there for 8 days, working for 3 of those days.
Also, any random tips on international travel?
Thanks in advance!
I've been to London twice.
I hope you have a pass port. Have copies of it, your drivers license, and credit cards on you in a separate, secure location as well with a family member back home. You might want a hidden secure location to hide them.
Get your cash out of an ATM rather than an exchange booth. Cover the number pad when entering your ATM code incase if compromised. Use credit card as much as possible.
Tipping--they don't tip over there and if anything, round to the next highest whole number.
Bring electrical adapters/converters for your electronics. Newer hotels will have the appropriate voltage and you may only need an adapter. Even newer hotels will have that for you.
Pack all essentials in your carry-on plus one-two days of clothes. Pack lightly and plan to rewear some clothes. Check your luggage for replaceable things.
If you don't have international smart phone access, free wifi is at every McDonalds and many Starbucks. I stop in, buy a water, then use their wifi when needed.
Everything is very expensive.
Don't leave London without seeing: Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, and the British Museum. You'd probably want to see Big Ben and Parliment, however they're right by the Westminster Abbey. Buckingham Palace is good to see, however not as critical as the others. You can only take tours there one-two months of the year, so might not be open.
I've also seen the Churchill War Rooms, London Eye, St Pauls' Cathedral, British National Art Museum, Trafalgar Square, Picadilly Circus, Globe Theater, British War Museum. All are fine to visit, however not as critical.
Try to see a musical or play in the London Theater district or the Globe if you're into that.
Travel--get a day or few day pass on their Underground. It's probably one of the best mass transits in the world. If you take a trip out of London, I'd sign up for one of those day trips, which will save you travel time. They have ones to Stonehenge and Bath, Hampton Court & Windsor Castle, or up to Stratford and Oxford. All are good trips, which I've been on. If you do it on your own, the train transfers and bus transfers can take a lot of time.
Other than here, I'd refer to Tripadvisor, Rick Steve's, Fodor's, and/or Frommers for what to do and where to eat and how to travel.
Have fun.
