Expert: Emoor - 11/9/2007

Question
QUESTION: My friend and I will be traveling to England for the first time when we graduate high school. What place would be best to visit? Also, if you know of some inexpensive hotels in the area you recommend, that would be great. Thank you.

ANSWER: Your question is a very good one.  You should visit London and at least one or two other cities or towns or villages.  I need to know how long you plan to be in England to make good suggestions.

Everybody who goes to London will want to visit The Tower of London and Westminster Abbey.  You probably will want to ride The London Eye and maybe visit Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.  However, any good guide book can tell you about these popular attractions so you do not need me to do that.

There are many hostels in London and elsewhere in England.  They are the best places for students trying to save money.  Go to Google and type in "Hostels in London".

If you want really good advice, follow up your question by telling me several things:
1.  How long do you want to be in England, and what months?
2.  In your ordinary life, what are you interested in?  
Sports and partying?
Music-- and if so what kinds?  Pop? Rock? Classical? Opera? what?
What times in history?
Drama, plays or movies?
Military and wars?

Let me know the information, and I can make some good suggestions.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We would probably be there for a couple of weeks in the summer (july?). Both my friend and I are interested in art. I like rock music for the most part. I don't like just one specific time in history, and I enjoy plays (as well as movies).

Answer
July is a busy time, usually with a lot of tourists.  Start looking for bargain airfares now.  Check all the airlines online, and also check places like Expedia, Orbitz, etc.

In London, you can save money by staying at a hostel (which I have already mentioned).

Go to Leicester Square in London where they have a half-price theatre ticket office.  Get good prices on plays in London.

As I am sure you know, there are many wonderful art museums in London.  The National Gallery at Trafalgar Square and the Tate Modern on the south bank of the River Thames are the most popular.

The British Museum is free and is a fascinating place.  Take some London Walks which are guided walks -- anything that looks interesting.  You should be able to Google "London Walks".  

Buy the magazine "Time Out" or "What's On" in London which will help you find concerts.  People at your hostel will help you find good ones.

Get around London by The London Underground.  Go into a station and buy an Oyster Card with a week's worth of rides.  Just inquire at the window.

You should visit someplace other than London.  Take a train from King's Cross Station to, say, York.  Search for "York Bed and Breakfast" to find an inexpensive place to stay.  Other interesting cities are Bath, or Oxford (take the bus).  Find a small village and stroll around.

Have a great trip.