London Calling- Planning with Tripadvisor

My mum has decided that we should spend a couple of days in London. So I thought I would do some preliminary planning.

I thought by starting with the things I must see, then I can work out how many days I would need.


Step 1. I started with Tripadvisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g186338-Activities-London_England.html

Step 2. After I had logged in, there is an option to add attractions to "my trip".
So I added
- Les Miserables/Lion King - Musical
- Houses of parliament
- National gallery
- British museum
- churchill war rooms
- Big ben
- Tower of london
- Westminister abbey
- Globe Theatre
- British Library
- Trooping the colour
- St Pauls
- Kensington Gardens
- Tower bridge
- London Eye
- Buckingham palace
- Hyde park
- River thames
- Shard
- Tube
- Trafalgar square
- Notting hill
- Albert bridge
- Millenium bridge
- Bond street
- Abbey Road
- Westminister bridge
- Harrods
- Twinings tea shop and museum
- Charles dickens museum
- Sherlock holmes museum
- Benjamin franklin's house
- Chinatown
- Freud museum
- Changing of the guard
-


Step 3. Cull the list
- What is a must see?

Step 4. So you have your list, google (search also in trip advisor) each attraction/ read reviews to see if you need to cull some more, and tips on how to save money/time.
- 2-4-1 Travel cards http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g186338-c195600/London:United-Kingdom:2.4.1.Travelcards.Step.By.Step.html

Step 5. Piece it together allowing plenty of time at each spot.
- Too lazy? Check out their 3 day guide. http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Guide-g186338-l570-London_England.html
- Something unique? http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Guide-g186338-l573-London_England.html
- Poor? http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g186338-i17-k1350500-A_thread_for_the_financially_challenged-London_England.html

Step 6. Plan for rest and wet weather.

Step 7. Have a look at the trip advisor forums, see if anyone else has had a similar list to you. See what they did. Ask for advice on your trip.

Step 8. Use Tripadvisor to look at a list of accommodation places that fit your list of activities. Anywhere near the tube will do!
- I usually sort by price, then look at the negative reviews. (click on terrible reviews and read about it)
- A$100+ for AWFUL hotels, pay a few dollars more for better location/reviews
- Also try selecting your price range, then sorting by ratings

Step 9. Don't forget to check out other resources: http://www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/getting-around-london/london-maps-and-guides/welcome-to-london , travel guides, and ENJOY!

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Win a Julique Trip! SA Australia

You have heard of Julique right? Yes, its the amazing skin care brand your overseas relatives love. To be honest, I didn't know about them until I got requests from my overseas relatives to stock up as presents.

But after trying the stuff, I believe it's in line with the same offerings as Crabtree and E. But homegrown and naturally Australian.

Now win a fantastic prize to the home of it all.

Prize includes
- a personal tour of the Jurlique Mylor Farm in the Adelaide Hills
- 3 nights accommodation at Mount Lofty House for two
-a 90 minute Jurlique Signature Facial at Jurlique Burnside for two
- two return economy airfares from your nearest Australian capital city(if applicable)
- a one night sumptuous Degustation dining experience
- breakfast daily for 2 people
- $500 Jurlique Skin Care product selection

Enter online at: www.facebook.com/jurlique.au . Direct link: https://www.facebook.com/jurlique.au?v=app_1436418896588923

Entries close 20 Feb 2014.

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CX fanfares 14 Jan 2014- London

This week's fanfares focus on Jan and April. The funniest fare I found was for London, with little option but to travel 21-23 Jan.

Location	Price	Taxes	Total HK$	AUD$	Dates	Seats
Clark/Angeles	$400	$669	$1,069	$153	17/1/2014- 27/1/2014	210
Sanya	$490	$669	$1,159	$166	1/4/2014- 14/4/2014	200
Guilin	$790	$669	$1,459	$208	1/4/2014- 14/4/2014	200
Nanjing	$790	$669	$1,459	$208	1/4/2014- 14/4/2014	200
Hangzhou	$790	$693	$1,483	$212	16/1/2014- 24/1/2014	150
Phnom Penh	$790	$773	$1,563	$223	1/4/2014- 14/4/2014	200
Seoul	$1,490	$762	$2,252	$322	1/4/2014- 14/4/2014	200
Nagoya	$1,590	$779	$2,369	$338	16/1/2014- 20/1/2014	60
Dubai	$1,990	$2,171	$4,161	$594	1/4/2014- 14/4/2014	200
London	$2,990	$3,445	$6,435	$919	21/1/2014- 23/1/2014	150
Los Angeles	$3,290	$2,374	$5,664	$809	1/4/2014- 14/4/2014	200

As always, any discrepancies, please refer to the http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_HK/latest-offers/flights/fanfares/ website.

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One way airfares v return airfares

A few years ago, I found myself stranded in a foreign country. The only option was to book a new flight home.

But the one way flights were as expensive as the return flights less taxes.

Here's why.
Original article: http://m.smh.com.au/travel/holiday-type/budget/everyone-asks-why-is-a-oneway-airfare-almost-as-much-as-a-return-ticket-20140108-30gj1.html

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CX fanfares 7 Jan 2014- First cab off the rank

It's Cathay's Fanfares again!

Location	Price	Taxes	Total HK$	AUD$	Dates	Seats
Kunming	$690	$672	$1,362	$195	27/3/2014- 9/4/2014	200
Kaohsiung	$790	$635	$1,425	$204	27/3/2014- 9/4/2014	200
Zhengzhou	$790	$672	$1,462	$209	9/1/2014- 14/1/2014	200
Hangzhou	$890	$672	$1,562	$223	27/3/2014- 9/4/2014	200
Penang	$890	$710	$1,600	$229	9/1/2014- 20/1/2014	210
Phuket	$1,090	$725	$1,815	$259	27/3/2014- 9/4/2014	200
Fukuoka	$1,590	$627	$2,217	$317	9/1/2014- 20/1/2014	140
Osaka	$1,890	$777	$2,667	$381	16/2/2014- 1/3/2014	200
Amsterdam	$1,990	$2,274	$4,264	$609	17/1/2014- 20/1/2014	60
Paris	$1,990	$2,507	$4,497	$642	16/1/2014- 19/1/2014	75
Maldives (Male)	$2,890	$2,094	$4,984	$712	27/3/2014- 9/4/2014	200

My guess is that Phuket and Paris will be very popular.

As always, any discrepancies, please refer to the http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_HK/latest-offers/flights/fanfares/ website.

The holidays are over, and work is on. The only thing keeping most of us going is the fact that Easter holidays aren't that far away. I expect some fanfares to reach that season in the next few offerings. I can't wait!

I'm not actively planning my europe trip for April. Any tips, let me know!

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Win a trip to Europe with Emirates

LAST chance
Entries close 7 Jan 2014

Describe your ultimate getaway experiencing the best of europe your way?

Two (2) x return Business Class airfares to any of the 35 European destinations on the Emirates network, and departing from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane or Perth international airports, via Dubai valued at up to $20,000 (including taxes, depending on point of departure)

enter here: http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/competitions/be-inspired-win-europe-your-way!/

My ultimate getaway experience- explore the pictureque sights, the fragrant smells, the exciting tastes, and find the hidden treasures of old in Europe.

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A good reason to be in Japan this time next year

Apple lovers, for ¥36,000 (close to A$340) you can win an apple mac air+magic mouse+dr dre speakers, ipad air, etc. It's part of the Apple Japan Red pockets promotion they have each year.

Original article: http://www.iphonehacks.com/2014/01/apple-2014-lucky-bag.html

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