ENGLAND
London - May 6-8
Pre-Tour Mistakes
FRANCE
Tour Begins
Paris - May 8-10
Beaune - May 10-11

SWITZERLAND
Gimmelwald
May 11-13

AUSTRIA
Reutte- May 13-15
GERMANY
Neuschwanstein
May 14
ITALY
 Venice - May 15-17
 Florence - May 17-19
 Rome - May 19-21
Tour Ends
Ostia - May 21-22
Home
The Gang
The Reunion
Mistakes Made:
We saw the outside of everything and the inside of nothing. We didn't plan our time well and wasted time and money because we didn't have an itinerary ahead of time.

We couldn't wait to start our Back Door tour in Paris so we could stop making stupid mistakes are start really seeing the insides as well as the outsides of buildings.

Lessons Learned:
We will read our Rick Steves guide books more closely, make an itinerary, plot out our transportation before arriving next time.

Highlights:
The architecture in London is fabulous. The gardens were charming. The Big Bus Tour was very helpful and worth the price.


Big Ben
Some time in January we begin planning our two days in London. A helpful guide at Europe Through the Back Door recommended a wonderful hotel in London centrally located just two blocks from Victoria Station, within walking distance of the Buckingham Palace, Maggie Thatcher's home and lots more places.

May 5

We depart Seattle for London to begin the big trip of a lifetime. This is our first trip to Europe. We are nervous and excited.

May 6

Arrived London early in the morning. We meant to take the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station, but got on the regular train that stops everywhere in between. Finally after arriving in Victoria Station we walked a few blocks to The Lime Tree Hotel. Checked in around 10:00 am and took a walk through the Belgravia neighborhood, and around Buckingham Palace. The Prime minister was visiting and there were crowds all around. We got to see the beautiful horse drawn carriages, but could not see who was inside.

Had a bite to eat at a local deli in Belgravia then checked into our beautiful room at noon and had a six-hour nap. Awoke at 6:00 pm and had fish and chips at The Orange Brewery, then back to bed to get on London time.

The Lime Tree Hotel, our first home away from home.


Our first experience in an English Pub.
The high class neighborhoods are enchanting.

May 7

Spent time figuring out how and where to buy tube tickets to Paris. Bought the Big Bus Tour and used it to get to Waterloo Station to buy the tickets. We got the last two available. Really cut it close and we paid a fortune because we didn't book it ahead of time.

While on the Big Bus Tour, we saw Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, Eye of London, etc. Arrived too late to see the inside of Westminster Abbey, the Jewel Tower and lots of other stuff. Took a Thames River cruise as part of the Big Bus Tour. After the tour we went on the Big Bus's 'Ghost Walk'. It was actually more of a pub crawl. Mike enjoyed some nice English beers. Turned in early to get ready for trip to Paris.


Mike on the Big Bus Tour
The Tower of London

May 8
Took walk to Harrods's (closed) through beautiful neighborhoods. Caught the Big Bus at 10:00 a.m. to get to Waterloo Station to catch the train to Paris, France. It took an hour and a half to get to the station because of VE Day celebrations. Nearly didn't get to station on time. Sweating it all the way there.

Home • The Gang • London • Paris • Beaune • Gimmelwald • Reutte • Neuschwanstein • Venice • Florence • Rome • Ostia • The Reunion