posted 02-26-2005 07:01               

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Originally posted by krisj:
We're making our month-long trip to Scotland this summer, in spite of the poor exchange rate.

We think of 1) the mountains of money we're saving by doing TS exchanges versus staying in hotels, 2) the money we'll save by having a kitchen (we're not going to Scotland for the fine cuisine), 3) the fact that our time to travel with our children is limited, and 4) money isn't everything :-)

Is there really anyplace where the dollar isn't weak these days (including in the US)?

Kris

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I cannot agree with you more Kris about having limited time to travel with your kids and enjoy family time together. Mine are both in college now and having vacation time together is difficult. My oldest has not been able to accompany us for the past 2 summers due to internships - we had a three week trip to London (still cannot believe we got into the Allen House), the English countryside (Walton Hall), and Paris (Royal Regency) and begrudingly, the Washington Post with which she was interning - allowed her one week to come with us to Paris. The only sure time has been trips at Christmas and now that she is graduating from college this year - she will not be able to even do that in all likelihood.

So enjoy the kids while you still have them.

I would suggest purchasing the British Heritage Pass- I think that it would have saved us alot of money. Entry fees are expensive into all the historic sites and many are included in the pass - both in London and in the countryside area. Also, the pass includes alot of other minor properties that you have to optional to visit - that you would ordinarily not want to pay another entry fee for. I almost felt like I was doing Disney - the entry fees were alot and levied everywhere. But then remember that we live in the Wash DC area - where there are no fees into the Smithsonian.

Joyce

posted 02-26-2005 10:09               

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Originally posted by Jwerking:
I would suggest purchasing the British Heritage Pass- I think that it would have saved us alot of money.

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I wasn't familiar with the British Heritage Pass so looked it up. It only seems to be available in the US which explains why I'd not heard of it. I agree that it is likely to save you quite a lot of money. It gives entry to properties of National Trust, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Heritage, English Heritage and probably others as well. As entry charge for National Trust properties tends to be £6 ($11 at current exchange rates) it won't take long to start making the savings. Edinburgh Castle as another example is not NT for S and costs £9.50 $17 per person.

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Regards

posted 02-26-2005 13:53               

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Originally posted by Keitht:
I wasn't familiar with the British Heritage Pass so looked it up. It only seems to be available in the US which explains why I'd not heard of it. I agree that it is likely to save you quite a lot of money. It gives entry to properties of National Trust, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Heritage, English Heritage and probably others as well. As entry charge for National Trust properties tends to be £6 ($11 at current exchange rates) it won't take long to start making the savings. Edinburgh Castle as another example is not NT for S and costs £9.50 $17 per person.

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Keith, I think that it is available to be purchased in G.Britain. We could of purchased it at the local tourist office at Stratford de Avon- but the office did have limited hours - like 9 to 5 hours. Before we went, I was trying to figure out if it would be worthwhile, but that is diffcult to do when you don't know what you really want to see and where all the stuff is located and match it to what the Heritage Pass includes. But it was a mistake not to purchase it - so if anyone is going, give it serious thought.

BTW, we went the summer of 2003 when it was so hot in Europe. London was extremely hot the week we were there and nothing was air conditioned. I thought we were going to faint in the subway - it was so hot. I still remember going to Kensington Palace and viewing Princess Di's dresses as I was sweating like a pig. Trying to fan myself with the little leaflet they had given us and dapping my dripping sweat with a tissue. And for all this I paid something like a $10 admission fee and we may have been in there an hour. It was definitely expensive.

Joyce

posted 02-27-2005 10:41               

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Originally posted by Jwerking:
Keith, I think that it is available to be purchased in G.Britain. We could of purchased it at the local tourist office at Stratford de Avon- but the office did have limited hours - like 9 to 5 hours.
BTW, we went the summer of 2003 when it was so hot in Europe. London was extremely hot the week we were there and nothing was air conditioned. Joyce

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Joyce, you may well be right about purchasing in the UK. My assumption was based on the fact that the only sites I could find for it only gave $ prices. As you also discovered, comparatively few places in the UK are air conditioned. As average summer temperatures only reach mid 70s it isn't generally necessary. Add to that most of the interesting locations were built long before air conditioning and are 'listed' i.e. there are very tight restrictions on what can be done to them.

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Regards

posted 02-27-2005 20:25               

We're at Forest Hills our second week... 4th of July week. Will we once again have the pleasure of crossing paths (you could meet my better half this time) or are we off by a bit?

posted 02-28-2005 08:51               

I think it's too funny how often our families vacation in the same places! As I recall, I owe you an espresso... but perhaps I can repay you with a pint or some haggis one afternoon.

posted 02-28-2005 12:11               

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Originally posted by krisj:
Glenn -

I think it's too funny how often our families vacation in the same places! As I recall, I owe you an espresso... but perhaps I can repay you with a pint or some haggis one afternoon.

Kris

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posted 03-01-2005 14:06               

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Originally posted by glenn1000:
Thanks for that information damorgan but I was going to go for the pint anyway!

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