Calling all Londoners and Italianers

[PepnFluff]

Hey well me and my Grandma finally booked our tickets to Italy with a week in london we'll be going from April 3rd to May 2nd with London from 5th to the 10th then Italy starting in Venice and going down the boot before flying back to London then home.

So getting to my question what are some sight's to see and things to do so far we've got.. London eye, madame tussads, jack the ripper tour, Tate Modern Museum, and some gardens that Gma wants to see but I cant quite remember. And museums, churches etc in Italy

P.S I love to shop so any cool but pref cheap markets or shops

Fire away

 

[pinksalamander]

Kew Gardens is really nice to look at, although who knows what the weather will be like in May! Its only a short walk from Kew Gardens tube station (about 20 min tube from Embankment District Line Eastbound I think).

Also Madame Tussauds is good but you will be likely to be queueing for ages, and its not that good. I'd much rather go on the Tower of London tour. Its really fun, they take you up in the tower and you learn all about the executions and stuff!

Market and shops wise, if you want to cheap out, go to Portobello Road market. They do lots of second hand and vintage clothes, shoes etc. Its really cool, I got a pair of cowboy boots for £10! Its open every day except Sunday, and it is only open from 1pm on Thursdays. If you want clothes though go on Saturday!

For nicer shopping, go to Oxford Street, you can catch the tube to Oxford Circus. There is also Regent Street which runs parallel to Oxford Street which has some really nice shops too.

You can also go to Long Acre which has nice shops, its just off Covent Garden and about 5 mins away from Charing X.

If you need and instructions about how to get anywhere let me know!

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[drunkenbunnyhugger]

I would highly suggest that if you are going to be in London for that long you take at least one day trip out of the city -- there are tons of group tours you can hop on so you dont even have to really think about arrangemens and just enjoy the expierence. Leeds Castle is gorgeous and I know is a day trip from London. I'm not sure if Warwick castle is, but I highly recommend it.

Have fun!!! I'm so jealous!

 

[pinksalamander]

Leeds Castle is like 15 minutes away from me! Hever Castle is nicer (Anne Boleyn's childhood home) but I don't think travel is as direct.

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[kirst3buns]

Where in Italy are you going? There is so much to see. Venice, Florence, Rome all have lots to see. I loved Florence and Venice the most. If you are in Rome, you should go to the Vatican. It is truly amazing to see the cistene chapel ceiling and the cathedral in person. There is just no way that pictures can do any justice to those places.

I'd get one of the guide books out of the library - like Frommer's and read up on them. They basically talk about all the things to see and help you plan your trip.

 

[Bunnys_rule63]

Where are you going in Italy apart from Venice? I've been there more times than I can remember and havevisited many of the major cities so I should be able to recommend a few things for you.

I've visited Venice before, although to be honest I was seriously creeped out by all the masks! It is very beautiful in parts but (as you can imagine) the water does cause damage and smell in some places! If you can I would recommend going on a gondolier. There are many beautiful sights to see such as many of the famous bridges, churches and palaces so I'd have a wander round and see what interests you.

Italy is my favourite country in the world, especially in Lucca. It is so beautiful!!

 

[PepnFluff]

pinksalamander wrote:

Also Madame Tussauds is good but you will be likely to be queueing for ages, and its not that good. I'd much rather go on the Tower of London tour. Its really fun, they take you up in the tower and you learn all about the executions and stuff!

Were buying our tickets online so apparently we can bypass all these queues?

And were also going to FIFTEEN!!! Jamie Olivers restaurant!! Thats one of my major dreams:biggrin2:

Executions! I'm their! I love murders and all that gory stuffmaybe Gma will sit out for that one

Thanks for the market I love vintage stuff etc and it sounds wonderful!

In Italy were having 3days in Venice and from their were thinking we shall catch trains etc down the boot. As it will be easter and even though were not religious we thought it would be a really interesting thing to go to the vatican and watch the Pope speak. Were quite free spirits really Gma more than me, she thinks we should book out flight back from Italy to London on the day we leave :shock:

Were def going to Rome, Naples and Pisa. I'll see how Gma feels about Lucca as it looks lovely, thanks for that too.

Thanks everyone for your suggestion's etc keep em coming

 

[Bunnys_rule63]

PepnFluff wrote:

In Italy were having 3days in Venice and from their were thinking we shall catch trains etc down the boot. As it will be easter and even though were not religious we thought it would be a really interesting thing to go to the Vatican and watch the Pope speak. Were quite free spirits really Gma more than me, she thinks we should book out flight back from Italy to London on the day we leave :shock:

Were def going to Rome, Naples and Pisa. I'll see how Gma feels about Lucca as it looks lovely, thanks for that too.

I visited Rome during Easter. It was quite an experience!My family went that week as we were on holiday, notthinking that it was Easter weekend and so the place was full to the brim of catholics visiting the Vatican. We went to the Vatican as well but only to look at the outside - the queue to get inside literally had hundreds upon hundreds of people in it!!:shock:Rome is a great city with lots to see and do so I'd definitely book in some time there.

Pisa is brilliant too, I've been there many times. You have to go see the now not-so-leaning tower.

I've briefly been to Naples but to be honest wasn't keen. It's a bit....dodgy!:?You can catch the boat from there to Sorrento though which is stunningand a nice quiet change to some of the very busy cities!Plus it's not far from Pompei so you can visitVesuvius and the old city.

 

[Bunnys_rule63]

I found some pictures from Italy so I'll post a few up to give you an idea.

Vatican

Trevi fountain (always packed with people!)

Some Roman ruins

Versuvius

Sorrento (from the boat)

Pompei

I literally have tons and tons but most are from when I was young so aren't on the computer unfortunately.:?

 

[PepnFluff]

Wow those are beautiful, thanks very much for posting those up it's good to get a glimpse of where your going.

Thanks again.

 

[HoneyPot]

When you're in Italy, if you can - do the Amalfi Coast (if not driving, then take the buses that go from Napoli) - SO worth it. I love Sorrento and Positano - the views are spectacular. Also Pompeii is really interesting - loved that as well.

Florence is my favorite - and there is a restaurant there called Zsa Zsa's that makes THE BEST pasta on the face of the earth - I would go back to Florence just for that pasta.

Nadia

 

[PepnFluff]

If theres Pasta I'm there! I love pasta if theres such thing as a pastaholic i'm one of them. Yea Apparently the Almafi coast Is beautiful. And thanks for that little inside tip:biggrin2: