artnbarb
1000+ Posts
Pre-covid I'd always have 3 years worth of trips in the making, but post-Covid (and older!), I've slowed that down to just planning for the next year. So, with 2023 all booked, my thoughts naturally turn to 2024, but with a bit more caution. Will be both still be up to the rigors of traveling? Will we want to try something new, or revisit an old favorite? So many choices!
I've loosened the purse strings considerably, figuring that if I need to borrow from myself to travel now, it's okay to repay myself later when I'm no longer traveling, (or when perhaps we're only traveling domestically). I'm never going to splurge for first class airfare, or the fanciest hotel, but I'm trying to allow us some luxuries like having a car pick us up at the airport instead of dragging our suitcases on and off trains - definitely worth it!
So - my newest plan is to spend 3-4 weeks in London, in an apartment, pretending that I LIVE in London - something I've wanted to do since I was 12 years old. I was hoping to combine this with a TA cruise from the states to Southampton, but so far I'm not finding the price and dates I want. I'm think May might be the perfect month to spend in London. We won't need a car, but can still day-trip by train if we want to. Being well located is the most important thing. I want to be in a nice neighborhood with shops nearby. Obviously close to a tube station, and a bus stop might tempt me to take the bus! The building would need to have an elevator. Based on my initial look at Air BnB listings, £4000 is probably the least we could expect to pay.
I know there are resources here for rentals, and I'll start checking them, but for now, I'm wondering what locations you would recommend. I've stayed near Victoria Station many times, but also enjoyed the time we stayed near the Aldgate Tube Station. I also remember liking the area just north of Kensington Park, off Bayswater Rd.I think as long as we're well connected we'll be happy. I'm happy to consider all your suggestions! TIA
I've loosened the purse strings considerably, figuring that if I need to borrow from myself to travel now, it's okay to repay myself later when I'm no longer traveling, (or when perhaps we're only traveling domestically). I'm never going to splurge for first class airfare, or the fanciest hotel, but I'm trying to allow us some luxuries like having a car pick us up at the airport instead of dragging our suitcases on and off trains - definitely worth it!
So - my newest plan is to spend 3-4 weeks in London, in an apartment, pretending that I LIVE in London - something I've wanted to do since I was 12 years old. I was hoping to combine this with a TA cruise from the states to Southampton, but so far I'm not finding the price and dates I want. I'm think May might be the perfect month to spend in London. We won't need a car, but can still day-trip by train if we want to. Being well located is the most important thing. I want to be in a nice neighborhood with shops nearby. Obviously close to a tube station, and a bus stop might tempt me to take the bus! The building would need to have an elevator. Based on my initial look at Air BnB listings, £4000 is probably the least we could expect to pay.
I know there are resources here for rentals, and I'll start checking them, but for now, I'm wondering what locations you would recommend. I've stayed near Victoria Station many times, but also enjoyed the time we stayed near the Aldgate Tube Station. I also remember liking the area just north of Kensington Park, off Bayswater Rd.I think as long as we're well connected we'll be happy. I'm happy to consider all your suggestions! TIA
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