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<p>Thanks. The temperatures are still in the 90’s here, with the heat index getting up to about 98 degrees today. Very humid and by now, very tiresome. I’m looking forward to wearing sweaters and long pants for a little while. I’m hoping the heat wave will be over by the time I get back.</p>
<p>Momcat2, those walking tours sound really fun. I’m going to go get that book today.</p>
<p>There are day coach trips from London to all over England. When we lived there, my mom and I took a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath. I think we caught the coach about 8:15 or so, went to the central coach station, then on to Stonehenge and Bath. I loved Stonehenge. Bath was an interesting city. All of the Roman influences are still there. I just felt Jane Austen could appear from around any corner.</p>
<p>Another possible coach trip would be the Cotswolds. Just charming. Oh, and Warwick Castle is another option. You take the train from Marylebone (if I remember correctly). The castle has all sorts of employees in period costumes. It was a big hit. You could also catch a bus (coach) to Oxford for the day. I think they are called the Oxford Express, and they have stops all over London. You could also go to either Windsor Castle or Hampton Court Palace. Both are wonderful day trips. I love them both. </p>
<p>Here is a link for some tours out of London [London</a> tours from £19 & Stonehenge sightseeing bus tour. Tower of London](<a href=“http://www.premiumtours.co.uk/index.php]London”>http://www.premiumtours.co.uk/index.php)</p>
<p>I hope that you have a wonderful time. We lived in London for 3 years, and it was the best 3 years of my life.</p>
<p>Second London Walks!! They are wonderful.</p>
<p>No no no. <em>Never</em> allow a business to process your foreign transaction in US $. This practice, known as Dynamic Currency Exchange is a money maker for the business/third party and a huge loss for you. You still pay for the transaction and the exchange rate is beyond bad. This is a common practice in Ireland and in some duty free stores. They call it a convenience, but it isn’t. If someone pulls this on you, demand that they void the transaction (not do a credit) and redo it in the local currency. If they won’t, write “refused to do transaction in local currency” on the receipt and protest the charge with your bank. </p>
<p>Most travel sites laugh at using travellers checks. The fees for cashing the check, coupled with a poor exhange rate at the bureau du change, make them a poor substitute for credit and debit cards. </p>
<p>We’ve travelled to France and England many times over the past 5 years and have never had a problem. Common sense rules - like using an ATM at a bank and during banking hours in case there’s a problem will increase the odds of a successul transaction. </p>
<p>AMEX no longer requires you to let them know you’ll be out of the country.</p>
<p>zeebamom - You caused me to go back and check several purchases I made in London. I compared purchases made when I paid in US$ with purchases that I paid for in pounds. The exchange rate for either purchase was exactly the same within a fraction of a percent. Additionally, my bank (Fidelity and BOA) did not charge me a transaction fee on the purchases made in US$, but they did on the purchases made in pounds, so I did save the 2% exchange fee by opting to complete the transaction in US$.</p>
<p>Not sure where you had a problem, but all of the major retailers in London seem to be operating above board.</p>
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<p>True. I found this out yesterday when I called them. Mastercard wanted that information.</p>
<p>Thanks to all for their suggestions. We decided to buy a some traveler’s checks for my dd to keep in case of emergency-if her debit doesn’t work or a cc is declined. I bought some pounds from the bank and will rely on my debit card and cc for all the rest.</p>
<p>We have been running around for the past two days trying to get ready. DD is very excited when she found out she got all of the classes she registered for, and all of the other details seem to be falling into place.</p>
<p>I’m exhausted already and we haven’t even left yet.</p>
<p>Thanks again to everyone who gave us all of those great ideas.</p>
<p>Got back today. Got DD settled in at school (was amused at the welcome bag, which contained a package of condoms, and the welcome to new students party, which was held at a local pub). We did some sightseeing, saw a few shows.</p>
<p>My favorite museum was the Cabinet War Room and Churchill museum. Of course the Tate Modern was great, too, but I could have spent half a day at the Churchill Museum. I still haven’t made it around to all of the great museums, but that is good incentive to go back someday. Made it back to Westminster Abby and saw St. Paul’s Cathedral for the first time.</p>
<p>I saw “Thriller Live” and “Wicked” in the West End and enjoyed both shows very much. We easily walked 6 miles or more per day. I love being in a walking city vs. home where you have to drive everywhere.</p>
<p>Had some good meals and a few glasses of good wine.
All in all, a good time. Because of DD’s registration/orientation schedule, we weren’t able to make time to do a day trip. Next time-I think I’d love to see Canterbury and/or do one of the Stonehenge tours where you get to go up to the stones.</p>
<p>Anyway, thanks for all the good suggestions.</p>
<p>We LOVED the War Rooms!!! That was one event that I scheduled “for my husband” who was a WW2 historical fanatic when he was a kid. We ALL loved it. </p>
<p>Do yourself a favor a see Blenheim Palace when you return. It is an amazing place. We went on a day tour of the Cotswolds that included the Palace. (selected for the Palace). The Cotswolds are beautiful, the Palace and its history worth it.</p>
<p>You I know I am from England and go back to visit my Mum (about 17 miles out of London) and brother every year. I have never been to the War rooms. Definitely on my to do list for next summer after reading your rave reviews.</p>
<p>After the War Rooms my family and I walked through St. James’ Park. (I think) The whole day was one I will never forget. It was a Bank Holiday so there were lots of families out. We felt so welcomed there.</p>
<p>The only “funny” park of the day was when we were in the taxi going back to the hotel my daughter made a comment about the Fourth of July…wondering if they celebrated it in England as well. (!!!)…ok, she is in a top college…they can’t take that away.</p>
<p>I said rather solumnly, “I don’t think so.”</p>
<p>The cab driver turned around and said, “Actually we go from the 3rd to the 5th.”</p>