So, I’ve got some of the itinerary roughed out. Most importantly, I’ve decided where I’m staying for each of the days on the trip. Here’s how things look:
Friday, May 1, 2015
This is my departure day. Flight to Toronto at 12:20, about a 5-hour layover, then on to Heathrow on British Air at 21:40. Arrive at 9:35 the next morning.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Arrive in London. Travel from Heathrow to my hotel: ibis budget London Whitechapel1
Should get there in early afternoon, so then I have a chance to do a little wandering, find some food, and stock up on water and snacks for the touring and walking I’m going to be doing the next few days. There’s also a 3 store near the hotel, so I can get my phone and ipad set up for the UK network.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Taking the City Sightseeing bus tour today, mainly because I figure I’m going to have a bit of a slow start today.Especially see the Tower of London. I’ve got my paperwork done for the Ceremony of the Keys there at 21:30 today.
Monday, May 4, 2015
Another day on the City Sightseeing bus tour. London’s a big enough, full enough place that another day of touring is probably a good way to get an overview and some time at the most interesting place. In the evening, I’ve booked a Jack the Ripper Tour of Whitechapel at 19:00.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Spend the day seeing the things in London that I didn’t get to see, yet. Museums, palaces, etc. I’ve got a ticket to see Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre in the afternoon.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Today, I think I will take the train to Swindon and a bus from there to Avebury to see the Avebury stone circle and the other interesting stuff around there. This archaeology walk may be the way to do it.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Today, I have the Stonhenge Private Viewing Sunrise tour booked. It leaves around 5:00 from London in order to be at Stonehenge as the sun comes up. It includes a tour of Bath, site of the Roman baths2, and Lacock, where they filmed some of Harry Potter. It’s about a 10-hour tour, so that means getting back into London around 15:00-16:00.
Friday, May 8, 2015
Travel to Oxford. Staying at The Buttery. I’ve booked a Ghost Walk Tour this evening, starting at 19:30, with these folks.
Saturday, May 9, 2015
11:00 – Oxford walking tour with these folks. Spend the rest of the day wandering Oxford spending time at the cool things I didn’t get enough time at on the tour.
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Take the train out to Milton Keynes and visit Bletchley Park. It’s about a two-hour train trip each way, so that’ll eat most of the day.
Monday, May 11, 2015
I think today I will take the train up to Stratford-Upon-Avon, and see if I can find a local tour there.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Travel to York. I’ll be staying at Abbeyfields B&B. Haven’t booked any activities, yet, but there’s a lot of cool history in and around York, so there’ll be lots to occupy me. York Minster and the city walls, at least, are definitely on the list to see.
Also, York Castle – at least, the Castle Museums and Clifford’s Tower.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Taking the City Sightseeing bus tour or York today. That’ll give me a good idea of where I want to spend more time.
In the evening, I think I’ll check out this ghost tour.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Bus out to Ripon, and then to Fountains Abbey. Nice, leisurely day trip.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Museums and such. Jorvik Viking Centre for sure. I also found out that York is hosting an international Shakespeare festival while I’m there, so I got tickets for King Lear tonight at 19:30.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Travel to Oban. Staying at the Old Manse Guesthouse.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Boat tour to see Fingal’s Cave. Booked this tour.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Travel to Edinburgh, where I am staying at Hotel 20. I only have one thing booked so far, but Edinburgh is a city full of neat things to see and do. Besides that, I really want to take a bus or a tour out to Rosslyn Chapel.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Taking the City Sightseeing bus tour of Edinburgh. That’ll give me a good idea of where I want to spend more time.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
I have booked a day trip up into the highlands, including Glencoe and Loch Ness. There’s even an optional boat cruise on Loch Ness, at an extra charge. Hell, yes, I’m paying for that!
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Edinburgh. Tonight, I have a ticket right down front to see Derren Brown’s new show, Miracle, at 19:30. During the day, I will do some walking around, maybe try to hike up to Arthur’s Seat.
Friday, May 22, 2015
Booked this Quest for the Holy Grail tour. I imagine it will be full of Dan Brown twaddle, but it will also get me to Rosslyn Chapel and Stirling Castle, both of which I want to see.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Travel back to London. Stay at the Travelodge Terminal 5 Hotel for my last night before heading back home.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Fly home. Leave T5 at Heathrow on British Air at 13:20, arrive in Toronto at 15:55. A little over three hours layover, then leave at 18:55 for Winnipeg, arriving at 20:35.
Looks really interesting Rick! now just to let the months before creep by!