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Archive through February 06, 2006

The TVClubHouse: General Discussion ARCHIVES: 2006 Mar. ~ 2006 May: International Travel: Archive through February 06, 2006 users admin

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Jkm
Member

07-10-2002

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 10:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jkm a private message Print Post    
Never been overseas - going for work in a couple of weeks -- sent off for expedited passport.

Got any tips? 7+ hour flight to London.....

Yesitsme
Member

08-24-2004

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 10:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yesitsme a private message Print Post    
My biggest tip is to hydrate! Drink water any time it is offered (and I would advise carrying a bottle in your bag.) Helps with jet lag and generally just makes you feel better. I advise staying away from alcohol for the same reason. Eat lightly, but do eat something.

Aisle seats or emergency row make it easier to stretch your legs.

Make a copy of your passport and leave it in your suitcase. Also inside your suitcase, at the top, enclose a copy of your itinerary with the phone number of your hotel. I generally throw in a business card, too. If your suitcase is similar to a lot of others, do something to make it easy to stand out. I usually tie a colorful bandana to mine. I'm an advocate of backpacks for carryon. I generally don't carry another outfit unless I have extra room, but usually do take clean underwear and a t-shirt. Oh...and dress comfortably on the plane (though if you are there for business, I would not dress too casually.)

I say don't carry much money....and use machines instead of changing money. You may want to check with your bank in advance and make sure that your passcode will work there. I've never had problems in the past few years using foreign machines even in rather remote locations. Make sure you have a way to contact your bank in the event that your card would be stolen or lost. I generally leave a copy of all of my credit card numbers and phone numbers with my sister and carry them with me (usually jumbled in some fashion so noone else could identify them.)

Is this the kind of stuff you are looking for?

Jkm
Member

07-10-2002

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 11:31 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jkm a private message Print Post    
Yes exactly - Thanks -- I can't imagine being on a plane that long! I think the most in just one sitting has been 3 hours (that's because a guy had a heart attack right before we pushed back ...)

What about customs? I tried to read the information online - but was throughly confused!

How does it work? Do I have to claim stuff coming in and going out?

Merrysea
Member

08-13-2004

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 11:33 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Merrysea a private message Print Post    
If you're planning on using a credit card that you don't use often, notify them in advance that you will be traveling it and using it more. One of my cards was rejected in Edinburgh (fortunately, I had another to use), and when I got home, there was a message on my machine from the credit card company saying the card was being used a lot so they froze the account (even though it was still way under the limit).

Merrysea
Member

08-13-2004

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 11:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Merrysea a private message Print Post    
The airline will give you a form to fill out for customs, and it's pretty easy. They usually just wave you right through (although the lines are pretty long).

Yesitsme
Member

08-24-2004

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 11:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yesitsme a private message Print Post    
You have to declare anything you purchase in excess of some amount ($600-$800?) when you arrive back in the country , but less than that you don't have to worry about. They'll ask you questions like whether you were on a farm, whether you are bringing plants and such back into the country, your purpose for travel, etc. Nothing major. They will give you the forms on the plane to fill out....sometimes the phrasing is weird, but they are rather simple to fill out (you'll need stuff like your flight number, so keep your boarding pass handy, along with your passport.)

The great thing about those flights is that usually they run at night, so you can sleep (which I recommend), but there is always something going on. They continually bring you food and drinks and then they run movies. I don't think the flights seem that long. My backpack is generally full of things like books, a CD player, my battery operated scrabble game, etc. I hate not being entertained!

Jkm
Member

07-10-2002

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jkm a private message Print Post    
Thanks!

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ddr a private message Print Post    
Jkm, great advice above. Also, you may want to ask your doctor for a sleeping pill for the trip to and fro. Just a thought.

Will you be in London the whole time? You may want to look into prepurchasing tube fare. Don't have the website handy though.

Schoolmarm
Member

02-18-2001

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Schoolmarm a private message Print Post    
You only pay customs coming back to the US.

You need to sleep on the plane no matter what. Take an inflatable pillow. Exercise your feet and ankles if you can. I like to dab the drink napkin in the ice and hydrate my face. Wet wipes would also do the trick.

I don't take much money over, just the Euros left from the last trip. Use the cash machines. If you get in trouble, go to American Express or a Bank and get a cash advance (ka-CHING $$)

Take the public transportation. London is hideously expensive. A cab ride will run about $100, when the tube is about $5 (depending on the exchange rate).

Pack lightly. You will need an umbrella. Take a multipurpose coat.

I'll have more tips in a bit. I have a meeting I need to get to right now!

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 2:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Maris a private message Print Post    
School tips on restaurants would be great. My son and I are going over to London for the Easter break. We will be staying at the cumberland. Thanks.

Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 2:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
Every time I've flown overseas, I've been so excited that sleep was out of the question. :-) I'm lucky that I don't experience jet lag, either, but that's not the norm for most folks.

Yes, it's a long flight. Make sure you do stretch your legs now and then and an aisle seat is definitely preferable -- otherwise you can find yourself needing to visit the loo and having to crawl over two strangers sleeping beside you.

London transit is pretty easy to navigate. So is Paris (even if you don't speak French). Get a good set of electric converters and make sure you have a hair dryer and other such things that can be set to use 220 vs 110 voltage. You won't necessarily find hair dryers supplied in the hotel rooms, depending on where you stay.

I agree with what's been said about money.

Keep your passport with you and keep it safe. Don't carry your passport and money in the same wallet, if possible. Some hotels will offer to make photocopies of your credit cards. That helped a fellow traveler immensely when I went to Venice. She got pickpocketed as we were waiting for a water taxi. Fortunately, her passport was NOT in her wallet and only the wallet was taken. The guide for the tour we were on immediately called the hotel who used the copies of credit cards to make phone calls and cancel them immediately. I have to say, though, that the whole thing could have been averted if she had been carrying a small bag that she could hold in front of her with a hand always on it instead of a large bag that hung at her side (which is ripe territory for pickpockets in such a situation -- the guy unzipped 5 zippers and she never even knew it).

I tend to carry a small purse with a long strap and wear it in front all the time. Inside, I keep a minimum of stuff, which includes a few wet wipes (very handy when a pigeon in Trafalgar square decides you look like an outhouse).

Above all, wear comfortable shoes! If you don't want to look like a total tourist, get some ECCOs or something similar instead of white athletic shoes. Those are a sure-fire giveaway that you're an American tourist. :-)

If you're going to work, chances are you'll end up having your time pretty much determined by someone else. But if you get some time for yourself, explore whatever area you're in by just walking around. If you want to hit the major tourist attraction areas (Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Harrods , and such) and you have a free day, you can, in most cities, get a bus pass that's good for the entire day and lets you get on and off a bus that's precisely designed to take you to those spots. That's a good way to get a quick overview of things.

If you like more out-of-the way stuff, get a copy of one of Rick Steve's "Back Door" books. There are a bunch of them for different parts of Europe and they're full of great things to see, do, and places to stay that are interesting but not necessarily expensive. We used one in Munich and found a wonderful small B&B that was really inexpensive and very comfortable.

Above all, enjoy. Be open to possibilities and be flexible. The more relaxed you are the better time you'll have. The thing I enjoy most about traveling to other countries is discovering things that I never expected. I've sometimes missed the "bigger" touristy things, but I've always found great small people and places that I appreciated a lot.

Yesitsme
Member

08-24-2004

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 3:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yesitsme a private message Print Post    
Are you going to be in London the whole time? I enjoy the theatre there....if that is something you enjoy, look for the booth similar to New York's TKTS (I think it is called something different in London) in Leicester Square to get same day half price tickets (I believe they are in another location also, but I can't remember where.) I generally advise a musical. And spring for the higher priced tickets....some of the old theatres there have balconies that are VERY high and VERY steep! One show we went to I got nervous when I saw where our seats were....my friends made fun of me until we got up there, and while I calmed down once the show started (I get engrossed!), they both ended up not being able to sit in their seats and crouched on the floor on the side.

Also, since this is your first time over you may want to take the chunnel and go to Paris for a day. It'll be a long day, but a great experience. I advised some friends to do it and they said it was the high point of their trip.

Personally I like the real touristy stuff like the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. And the British Museum is cool. There are tons and tons of things to do. I'm not a huge fan of the food in London (even though I was raised by a British mother and love her family's cooking), but decent stuff can be had. Find a good place and visit it frequently!

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 4:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Maris a private message Print Post    
you can get tickets through here

http://www.broadwaybox.com/london/default.aspx?s=110

I got tickets to an arthur miller play at the old vic starring Maximillian Schell, neve cambell and Edward Fox.

Schoolmarm
Member

02-18-2001

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 4:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Schoolmarm a private message Print Post    
Ok, if you are going for work, you will probably be taking your laptop. Get a set of international PLUGS for it. That way you won't need the adapters, and it just works MUCH better. I have a Mac, and they make international plugs. I would imagine that PC computers can get the same.

You will only get to have one carry-on PLUS personal item. This is EITHER the computer case OR a purse. I sometimes solve this problem by putting the briefcase AND purse in a big tote bag (with a bottle of water, etc.) Lately, I've given up on "rolling" aboard to Europe, and check the suitcase and take a big rolling briefcase with computer, printer and scanner and business papers in it, along with the tote (with purse inside.

Pack in one color scheme and make sure that things can mix and match. Navy is always a good choice for business. I usually go to NYC in Blacks/greys with colorful accents. WALKABLE shoes are a must! Americans tend to take WAY too many gadgets and clothes. Do you REALLY need your hairdryer? Curling iron? (Take spongy curlers and use the hotel dryer...or just air dry!)

Your cell phone may not work over there. Mine doesn't. Buy a phone card if you need to make calls.

Go to www.allthatchat.com for info on WEST END shows and info on the half price same day tickets. I haven't done this in London.

My London experiences are not the greatest. Went there by mistake with ex-husband and slept at the law firm. (Air strike in France made it impossible to get off the continent any other way). I usually end up at Heathrow or Gatwick changing planes. Gatwick is like being in a big shopping mall, and you have to keep watching the screens so you know which terminal to go to. I suppose you are supposed to shop! LOL!

I would recommend getting "fish and chips" (or in my seafood allergic state "chicken and chips") on the street wrapped in newspaper. There are great cathedrals to see, and I would like to see Buckingham palace.

NOW, for the flight. I try to be VERY tired when I get on the plane. I eat whatever they serve. I have pinned a note on my pillow giving them instructions to wake me for food (I have low blood sugar). Going over, you will need to sleep on the plane. If I have to change planes, I usually need a little cat nap right after I land. If I have a non-stop and have gotten sleep on the plane, I try to stay awake. DO NOT schedule a meeting for the next morning! It is very hard to wake up the next morning, but you must! AND you should try to eat breakfast. You will need to go to bed at your "regular" bedtime and NOT stay up late.

Coming back is just strange for me. I will wake up at 3 am for several days and fall asleep at supper time!

All the academics I know say that clothing costs are really high in London...so don't plan on shopping!

For business, it is MOST important to get your internal clock reset ASAP. I will leave a day earlier so that I don't have to "function" on the day AFTER I land.

If you need advice about continental Europe...I'm your gal! My London experience is a bit limited.

Schoolmarm
Member

02-18-2001

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 4:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Schoolmarm a private message Print Post    
Maris,

I have a grad student teaching in London at an American Boarding School. Perhaps you would want to visit? Anyway, I can give you my student's email if you PM me sometime. He teaches Jr. High, so can ask his students what your son might like to see! Are you going to Ireland, too?

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 4:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Maris a private message Print Post    
nope just going to london, We are going on a wednesday coming back the tuesday. So far I have got things pretty planned out. Arrive thursday morning -- veg out, Friday he wants to do madam tussauds and if we can we will meet some cousins of mine who live there, Saturday we are doing old vic in the evening, probably the Tate in the morning. Sunday we are going to stonehenge, Monday we are doing the paris trip for the day, it is a pretty good deal, Tuesday back to NY.

Meal wise, I am pretty flexible, I thought you may have run across some gems in your travels. The last time I was in london was about twenty years ago.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 4:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Can I come? I want to see Stonehenge! I think tonight, the History channels Digging for the Truth is doing a show on Stonehenge. Comes on at 9 I think, if you're interested. Sounds like a fun trip.

Schoolmarm
Member

02-18-2001

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 4:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Schoolmarm a private message Print Post    
Packing tips:

Pack clothing that is wrinkle resistant.

Mix/match, color coordinated is best.

Have one or two "neutral" colors (Navy, beige, gray, black, olive green, etc) and build your entire wardrobe around this.

Limit your jewelry and DON"T take anything you wouldn't mind losing. Jewelry can make you a target for pickpockets.

I don't use those silly money belts, but I keep my purse VERY close and usually crossed across my chest. I use a little wallet that was from travellers checks for my paper money. When in Europe, I use a purse with a coin pocket on the outside and put a small amount of money there. This is "give away" for pickpockets, and also handy to buy a sandwich...no digging through the whole purse and exposing all your cash.

Get a bunch of those travel size plastic bottles for liquid soap, shampoo, etc.

BEST TIP: Take ziplock bags with you. I use the two gallon size to keep dirty undies/socks away from the clean clothes. (You can take laundry to the laundromat in them, too. I take several in the quart size to knick a sandwich or hard boiled egg at the breakfast table.

I take a couple of plastic spoons, forks and knives and paper napkins in a ziploc...you can have a great picnic anywhere! Food is cheaper at the deli or grocery.

Get a public transportation map and ask about multiday tickets. Often you can buy them at machines at the airport or subway station. NOT all machines will have the discount/multiday tickets. The ones at major stops will. ASK a ticket agent at the airport. Often metro tickets are for sale at the Tabacco shops and bookstores/newstands. Check out "partner" tickets if you are traveling with another person. Some cities have them, some don't.

ROLL your clothes. They will not wrinkle as much and they take up less space.

Do not wear ANY metal when flying. You will probably get frisked at Heathrow, anyway. Your shoes will need to slip off at security.

Put pantyhose, socks or undies INSIDE your shoes. Make sure that your shoes are in a bag or slot in suitcase so the polish doesn't wear off on your clothes.

Watch the weight on your suitcase. You WILL be charged a surcharge if you go overweight. They are stingy in Europe. (20 Kilos, perhaps more, perhaps less).

I always take a washcloth with me. It is amazing that washcloths are not common in many countries. It goes in it's own ziplock and is great to freshen up with when landing!

You might need eyedrops on the plane if you have dry eyes.

Blow-up pillows are a lifesaver!

Again, pack lightly! I can go for a month in Europe (in the summer--or two weeks in the winter) with all my research gear and clothes (including evening wear for the opera) in a "roll-aboard" and a rolling briefcase and a tote bag. You will be rolling your luggage on cobblestones, so take it for a "test drive" around the block. Too heavy? Take some crap out and try again!

If you don't often travel with your computer gear, practice taking it out and hastily repacking it...a necessary evil for security at the airport.

Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 5:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
Maris, you have quite an itinerary already! :-) Stonehenge is at least a 2-hour drive out of London (when I was in that area, we were already staying on the coast so I don't know how long it takes to get there directly). If you stop for food along the way to Stonehenge, I strongly advise to avoid the "rest stops" on the freeway. That was by far the worst meal we had on our entire trip.

If you get the chance, Westminster Abbey is quite the place to see, as is the Tower of London. Amazing to think of all the history that's there.

Can't imagine trying to see Paris in just a day, but if that's all you've got, then so be it. Notre Dame would be high on my list, although one of the first places we saw (just because we were walking and headed towards the gold dome) was Napoleon's Tomb. I spent the good part of a day in the Musee d'Orsay, which is one of the smaller museums and has lots of wonderful works by Monet and others.

Gee, now I really want to go back! Tuscany is next on my list, though. :-)

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 5:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Maris a private message Print Post    
My game plan is probably to just go have lunch at trocadero, go to the jeu de paume. whet his appetite for more.

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 5:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Maris a private message Print Post    
Actually a friend of mine did a great stonehenge tour, a small tour of a dozen people, you go there for sunset. They pick you up at the hotel and drop you off, we get back to the hotel late in the evening. Stonehenge is the one thing I have never seen, despite having been on quite a few trips in my youth to London. I am most excited about that part of our trip.

Kaili
Member

08-31-2000

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 8:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kaili a private message Print Post    
Bring sweats to change into on the flight. Get comfy. Most people around you will be in pajama pants. :-)

Halfunit
Moderator

09-02-2001

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 8:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Halfunit a private message Print Post    
This is getting kinda freaky as I leave for London in less than two weeks, lol.

Jkm, the best piece of advice I can give you is to remember to look to your RIGHT first, when crossing the road.


Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 8:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
And mind the gap!

Merrysea
Member

08-13-2004

Monday, February 06, 2006 - 9:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Merrysea a private message Print Post    
I wanted to buy a T-shirt that said "mind the gap," but somehow I never got around to it!