THE FIRST DAY OF THE TOUR!We set out on our free morning before the meet and greet to Kensington Palace. We decided to get some exercise and walked from our hotel in Mayfair down the length of Hyde Park.
At the palace we learned about Queen Victoria, Princess Diana, as well as the future residents William and Kate! We enjoyed sandwiches at the cafe and sat outside to enjoy the gardens. That is, until the rain started. We tried to stick it out with our umbrellas, but in the end, took our soggy sandwiches inside to finish! We pack light (carry-ons only) just like Rick taught us, but always make room for rain jackets and umbrellas. Remarkably it was the only time in London that we used our rain gear! We strolled back to the hotel through Hyde Park and made it back just in time to meet the group! The meet and greet is always an interesting time. Putting names with faces. Finding out where people are from. I had already researched about our guide, Gillian. The comments I had read about her were all fantastic, and they all turned out to be true. Gillian was funny, unbeliveably knowledgeable, and really fun to be with. We also had a "guide in training" on the tour with us, Mark. He was Gillian's right hand man, and very interesting to chat with. Gillian led the group to the Tube and taught us how to navigate with the maps. We got off at Leicester Square to explore some of the Theatre District. Gillian showed us where to get discounted show tickets and pointed out some of the interesting side streets as we walked back to our hotel neighborhood. Dinner was at a cute restaurant near the hotel. One of the bonuses of being on a tour is the group dinners. Not only do you get yummy food, but also interesting dinner companions. The tour members come from all different walks of life, but we have at least one thing in common...we came to experience London on a Rick Steves tour! |
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Planning Your Own Trip? |
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine |