Tagged With "More strikes planned for London's Tube."
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tupacshakaur
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Logan Heniry
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Re: Books That Send You Packing...
I love museums,natural sights and architecture ,but what really makes to travel is the interesting people I meet. Some books seem to capture those unique characters that you meet while traveling, especially on a budget.I'm reading" Down and Out in Paris and London "now and George Orwell has brought up a flood of memories of the different people I've met and that keeps me wanting to travel more and more.
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Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
Well, thanks everyone. You've been great and this has all been very helpful. So yes, I will go to Iceland for 4 days. I will base myself at a hostel in Reykjavik (all I can afford), and I'll do 2 day trip tours, still researching which ones but those recommended look great. And I love hot springs, so I plan to soak the evenings away after enjoying the "youth scene" over there. I need to check out a good Icelandic beer. Any recommendations. And I will visit Iceland at the of my trip, rather...
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Re: Improving airline food: Do you hunger for umami?
It is very good to know that the airlines are still trying to improve the "customer experience". I rather like airline food. Perhaps my expectations are low, but I find it a modern miracle that food arrives at my lap at 35,000 feet. What a luxury to sit in a metal tube, examining each bit of the meal, while, outside of the window, I know that the immediate environment is not survivable. Hurray for overcooked mystery meat and somewhat bland chicken. A good dose of umami fixes that. Say,...
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Re: Where Gumbo Was #3 and #3.5: Vernon and Paris
Gets to be an interesting subject when explored Medieval London Bridge - from an engraving in Eton College
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Re: Sometimes a Trip is just a Walk in the Park
Garry's note about Olmsted's travels (and he was quite a traveler) set me off on a quick look to find the park he was referring to (which I didn't; apparently "people's garden" was a description rather than a name?) and found that Liverpool has more parks and especially top-class parks than any British city besides London. The article also mentioned that for reasons of health—and keeping social unrest down—the city commissioners set out on a park-building spree starting about 1833. Many...
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? (11/20/13)
It's been a great game, Gumbo fans, and you've now pinned it to the wall. Tuesday morning's post will confirm your correct answer, with more details. It was fun playing with the group. In answer to the question: I've only been to Kaliningrad twice, both times on paper. Most recently, I was reading Tatiana, and was struck by Smith's comments on the rebuilding of churches, partly as vanity projects of the new capitalist class. When I came to the chapter in which Renko is attacked at the...
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Re: Tips on Traveling with Parents
I traveled with my mom when she was around that age, and in much the same way - I was the tour guide and she was along for the ride. I did all the work - ALL of it - and she paid for both of us, so I considered it an excellent deal. She did have some ideas where to go - "I haven't seen Italy, Austria, or Switzerland." But we also went to Amsterdam, Bruges, and Paris (she had been to Paris before but wanted to get up close and personal with the Eiffel Tower). I got to pick where to take her...
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Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
That's what I do, too, SayMoi. I think it's a good plan. Use my rewards for expensive cities. Pay in lower priced cities and built up more points there. It is nice to get little upgrades and free nights for being a member of a program. Plus I like having a place of consistent quality I can count on. I like knowing what kind of room I'm going to get.
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Re: Need help planning Morocco trip
If you're passing through Europe and plan to go directly on to Marrakech, keep in mind that the low fare carriers more often than not use secondary airports which will add to your travel time if go straight on. For instance, if you fly into London's Heathrow airport a low fare airline will likely use either Luton or Stansted. I believe British Airways has flights from Heathrow so check on the variables and you may find that with time and costs involved to change airports a bit more expensive...
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Re: California road trip ideas
My kids want to do Hollywood and all that stuff, so I guess we have to start or end up there. Me and my husband aren't too interested in that stuff, but nature is appealing, like redwoods and the ocean and stuff. Is Hwy 101 the one that goes along the coast? I think we could plan on getting to San Fran, too, because I think if you go to California and you don't everyone will tell you you should have...and I hear it's got lots of interesting food, too. And kind of quirky museums if there are ...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Jan. 26, 2014: Big City, Small Details
For another urban perspective, from Pheymont's details to the photographs of Michael Wolf's Hong Kong, large scale " Architecture of Density ", currently at Flowers Gallery, London. Don't neglect to click on "#39" on the gallery page for more images.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Jan. 26, 2014: Big City, Small Details
Unbelievable density...unimaginable to me to live in such a tight space. It started a discussion here at home on the viability of cities, whether we could, with Marge Piercy, look forward to a future where cities do not exist—or to a future where, free of some of the economic and political structures of today, we could guarantee cities that are a pleasure to live in. In the meantime...I wish I could be in London to see these pictures at gallery size.
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
Thanks for pointing this out! By the way, it is also possible to take a free stopover on the international end. For example, a couple of years ago, we flew from NYC to Copenhagen (the routing) but with a week stopover in Stockholm along the way. We've used that kind of routing a number of times. Adding to your point about Britain: Many of AA's European cities are actually served by their closely-tied partners, British Air and Iberia. With a little persistence, you can find flights that don't...
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
Similar to WorkerBee's experience, I've done these bookings using the Multi-City function, which allows you to specify a date for each segment. It didn't require assistance. Actually I've never had to pay a fee for help when booking something that could not be done on line, but who knows these days. I've done these stopover trips a number of times (NY-Budapest/open jaw/Prague-London w/stopover and then back to NY, etc.) The AAdvantage desk agents, by the way, are some of their best and can...
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
$ 18 ? I am puzzled by this. When I have taken flights from London to the US, the tax has been more like $ 150 - $ 200. It was worth it to spend time in London, of course. Still, it was not a small amount.
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
The UK departure tax is "Banded" into distances and economy / regular / 1st class. London - Spain is only a short distance.
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
I'm not sure on your question about WB's trip, because it depends on routing. From NY, AA most often uses their own seats for the ocean hop, but does use some BA seats from Newark. Other cities...not sure how many BA seats used in that direction. And sometimes it's a matter of class. For instance, last year flying home from Paris, there were AA seats in business class available non-stop, but economy was only available on BA Orly-London-Newark.
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Re: "New American" May Get Old Look: Employees to pick design
At this point, ironically, "change" would mean cancelling the plan to use the new logo!
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Re: "New American" May Get Old Look: Employees to pick design
Originally Posted by PHeymont: "... "change" would mean cancelling the plan to use the new logo!" I give them points for even considering the reverse publically. If it ain't broke, etc.
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Re: Paris Authentic
The 2CV is already on my reservation list for next summer's trip (might be my birthday present!). I love the routing logic. JFK is my home so I can't avoid it, but I'm always searching for ways to avoid Heathrow. Last summer that led to 5 days in Barcelona on the way home from Portugal, and next summer we're having Basel as an add-on so we can fly from Zurich instead of through London. PS...here's a 2CV parked outside a restaurant along the Adige, in Verona last summer.
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Re: Not Again!? British Air Tax Increase confirmed
Tourism isn't hurting from the Tax increases. Passengers through Heathrow have increased steadily: 2011 - 69 Million 2012 - 70 Million All 5 London airports have reached a joint record of 133 Million passengers in 2012 ! So our Government will continue to squeeze the Golden Goose !
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Re: Not Again!? British Air Tax Increase confirmed
It's always hard to prove a negative, and I'm glad that there is growth in passenger traffic through the London airports, but I suspect these numbers would be a lot higher if it weren't for the tax. Can't prove that, though, but it makes sense that they would be. The golden goose will be squeezed until it's dead and then -- surprise, no more golden eggs.
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Re: Planning a Road Trip
That's an interesting tripod, TravelandNature, but you won't catch me on anything that potentially could launch me as a projectile at 60 mph. And, unless you're very macho, you'll not enjoy yourself in bad weather. So if you want to walk on the wild side, rent a convertible, or buy an older one, drive it for a month and sell it in Seattle (not exactly a city for convertibles, except on rare days). Regarding on where to go and how to plan the trip, I'd make a point of going by my local AAA...
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Re: Spain or Portugal?
Thank you, PHeymont, that's helpful. I've always wanted to see Lisbon and Barcelona, and your plan makes sense. Is there a specific guidebook you'd recommend?
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Re: Where is the 6th largest French City ?
There are many reasons. London has been an escape from France since the 1700s. Another reason for the current wave is : "Others are escaping from things in France such as family problems, educational problems and areas like Department 93, because people who live in that part of Paris sometimes have trouble finding a job."
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Re: Love Italian Style: 2 for 1 rail tix for "San Valentino"
In case you find yourself in London on the 14th, Londonist has listed their favorite variations on the theme of celebration, as ranked on their " Sopometer ", or it's full name, 'Londonist Sopometer Of Dewey Eyed Love-Gush'. For you alternative souls.
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Re: Alternative London Tube Maps.
And yet another London "map", replacing real place names with book titles. Curiouser and curiouser. Have a look .
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Re: Alternative London Tube Maps.
And map-ish, London from above, beautiful pictures . I could go on and on, and apparently mean to!
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Re: Strasbourg & Route Du Vin
DrFumblefinger— A few days could be enough in Strasbourg itself, but if you want to tour the vineyards, I'd stay a week in the area. You could stay two nights in Strasbourg and then a night or two in Riquewihr and beyond. And I'd suggest renting a car to go at your own pace. For my next trip, I will plan at least full week in the region because I want to stop at the vineyards and visit more of the museums. And don't forget Chateau Haut Koenigsburg.
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Re: Would You Walk to Mexico to Save 100s on Airfare?
The plan is to charge about $13 for use of the bridge (about the cost of a taxi from the other crossings to the airport...didn't say what the parking was, although I assume you could also be dropped off at the lot without a car. The article cited a family of 4 that was saving $250 each on the cost of tickets, which makes the savings sizable. If they end up setting the rate too high, of course, they'll end up with what they have now: an empty lot.
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Re: The Dempster Highway: a Drive to the Arctic Coast of Canada
Originally Posted by DrFumblefinger: It sounds like a great adventure! Thanks for sharing it with us. This road trip has been on my bucket list for some time, but sounds like it's worth delaying until the road to Tuk is completed. I've heard fall is a nice time to go. Not only is the tundra vividly colored, but there are no mosquitos (frozen to death by evening frost). Know any downsides to this, Tom? Yes, I would wait until the road is finished. I had to fly from Inuvik to Tuk and return by...
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Re: Tuktoyaktuk: A village on the Arctic Coast of Canada
Hi Tom. I live in the UK. We're not lovers of cold weather, but we did have a night 10 months ago when it fell below freezing for a few hours. Some say "Global Warming" but I say the Jet Stream got stuck in its usual "Summer" position and Caribbean winds kept us warm. We don't have a mosquito problem here ( 200 miles north of London) but I'm curious to know. Are there any noticeable changes to your weather ? Longer summers or wetter winters ? I remember studying the shifting Polar Ice Caps...
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Re: Tuktoyaktuk: A village on the Arctic Coast of Canada
I don't know much about global warming. I suspect that pollution contributes to it, but these things also happen on their own as we know from ice ages and warming periods in the past. I have noticed long periods of warm weather but then it gets cold again. I have read that the Arctic ice is melting but this coming winter is predicted to be very cold here in Canada. Although I have travelled in the Arctic, I have not spent enough time there to observe any climate changes. There are scientists...
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Re: Vineyards, Burgundy, France
This isn't the walking part, DrF, this is the drinking part. I do plan to tell the story of the walk along the Burgundy Canal soon but the answer to your question about gear is, neither. When I walk I carry a day pack, period. I leave my bigger bag at a hotel, in Burgundy it was in Dijon, and just have essentials with me, a change and toiletries, any guides and maps I may want and little else, about 10 lbs. altogether including rain gear. The less stuff, I've found over the years, the better...
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Re: Yosemite National Park: A walk among Giants. Hiking in the Mariposa Grove
Thanks for all your comments. Followup: DrY. Yes, you and your family should see this sometime. You would love it! We need to plan out a trip to California for you that includes its best parks and some city sites. PHeymont. Yes, you must DO Yosemite. I recommend mid to late May as the best time to go as the waterfalls are brimming with meltwater. I like hikes of all types and can still do "moderate" hikes, though no longer take on "challenging" ones. But the Mariposa grove is doable by...
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Re: Finding Reiner #3: Inside Old Shadows
This makes a fascinating read, well done! My father-in-law Hans Esser was from Cologne (had sung as part of the choir in Cologne cathedral) and served on submarines (unwillingly) during the 2nd W.W. war. Their sub was attacked several times and finally they were forced to surrender. He was taken prisoner and interned in England. The prisoners then helped on the local farms which was where he met his future wife Vera. They married just after the end of the war and had the difficult privilege...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#48)
I think that it is Europe, but not London or Paris.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#48)
JonathanL is right—it is Europe, and not London or Paris. I've seen lots of European skaters with no helmet (bikers, too, for that matter) so don't draw too many conclusions from that. Concentrate on the details of the scene...that's all you get for now!