Author Topic: Travelling in UK/Europe (Read 290 times)

skwrl · « **on:** June 16, 2002, 05:52:22 PM »

After reading Charon's post about his experiences in Europe, I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for a 20 year old American college student leaving for London in 2 weeks. I'll be studying in London from July 1 to July 26, and then heading to Cambridge from the 26th to August 3. After that, I have until August 11 to do my own thing. During that last week, I'll probably take the train to Paris, and then work my way up through the Normandy region, to Calais. From there, I plan to hovercraft it back to Dover and catch my flight home.

Does anyone here have any suggestions of other interesting things I should do? Or how best to do them?

Things I'm planning:
Duxford, July 13-14 (airshow, woohoo)
HMS Belfast
Imperial War Museum (I understand they're opening up a new building this summer)
Edinburgh (visiting friends)
More Duxford during my time in Cambridge
Normandy/D-Day stuff in northern France

Some of you folks sure know your schtuff when it comes to history, so I figured this could be a great place to ask for ideas and help.

Thanks in advance.

Dinger · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2002, 01:00:37 AM »

My advice: take it slow. Figure out how much time you have to see everything you want, budget that trip, then remove 2/3 of things you want to do. You'll have a much better time if you don't press yourself. Take it slow, and take it in. Heck, just go to a park for a day with some reading material. Eventually you'll discover that English pigeons are these burgeoning lardasses because they're the only friends many old people have. And French ones are just as big pests, but nobody gives them food....

Another thing: american college kids on this trips abroad tend to "ghettoize" themselves. Resist the temptation to get laid by some well-heeled slightly-chunky sorority girl -- flee your comrades and find something out about the culture you're in. Yes, take your studies seriously, but remember this isn't "Spartanville East". The most important lectures come outside the classroom. So when you run out to have a few beverages, avoid hanging out with americans. This is a different country, and you're there to experience the culture. Remember too: Everyone speaks the language of drunk.

Saintaw · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2002, 02:07:07 AM »

Practice drinking REAL Beer before you get here, remember to look the wrong way when you cross the street and stay away from NHS. (seriously, get a medical insurance, at least, when you're in UK).

thrila · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2002, 08:27:58 AM »

It depends where in the Uk for the NHS. I've had no problems getting seen by my local hospital quickly and i've been there quite a few times. I've been hit by a car, had my ear bitten off and the odd broken limb- pretty good service where i live.

Saintaw · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2002, 09:36:46 AM »

Ah, I was not as lucky as you ... I think they still have some of my body parts over there

skwrl · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2002, 12:39:04 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dinger
Yes, take your studies seriously, but remember this isn't "Spartanville East".

Hey, how'd you know I go to Michigan State?

Thanks for the tips. And no slightly-chunky sorority girls for me.

Replicant · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2002, 01:40:29 PM »

On your list of museum visits you have to have:-

Imperial War Museum - Duxford (south of Cambridge) http://www.iwm.org.uk/duxford/index.htm
Royal Air Force Museum - Hendon (North London) http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/IndexHendon.cfm
Royal Air Force Museum - Cosford (west side of Birmingham) http://cosford.rafmuseum.com/flash/

Duxford has lots of really good aircraft, especially British & American aircraft. They also have Ju52, CASA He111, 109E, Fi Storch, V1 etc.

Hendon again has a good mixture of British, American and a few rare German aircraft such as the He162, Fw190, 2 x Bf109s, Bf110, He111, Ju88, Ju87 etc. Hendon also has a fantastic Short Sunderland display which you can walk all the way through.

Cosford has many experimental British jets & some good German & Japanese WW2 aircraft such as Me262, Me410, He111, Fiesler Storch, Ki100, Dinah.

As for Edinburgh, I used to go up there a lot. If you can then fly up to Edinburgh (Turnhouse, former RAF airfield). If you went by train it could take anything between 5 - 7 hours.... or even more if you're unlucky!