London Underground Tour

*I received a complimentary tours for the two of us from Insider London for the purposes of review.  

If you've read my blog for any time at all,

you know that I have a Love/Hate relationship with the Tube.

(This particular rant is Exhibit A for Reasons Not to Blog while PMSing. 

Don't even get me started on how hot the Tube has been lately.)

But, the London Underground is a fascinating thing and the primary way to get around London.

It has been an integral part of London for 150 years now and 

you can't really avoid it.  (Well, unless you're a Spice Girl.)

I've been trying really hard to embrace the Tube,

so when Insider London invited Matt and I to join them on one of their tours

we eagerly signed up for the London Underground and Tube Tour.

We started above ground.  We met our guide,

Michelle at Paddington Station at 11am on a Friday morning.

Our tour group was just the right size.  There were eight of us so we could 

all keep up and easily duck out of the the way to listen to Michelle.

After a basic introduction, we headed underground for two hour tour and talk about

the London Tube.  

Michelle is American although she has been in London for many years now.

She is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about history.

She guided us easily from station to station, letting us know what was coming next.

Even on the busy route, she knew the best places to stop for a discussion

so that we never felt stressed or crowded.

Michelle was very engaging.  There was a young boy on our tour that was fascinated

with the Tube.  She was very sweet and patient with him,

without ever talking down to him.  He stayed right by her side.

She was also full of fascinating information.

There is just so much history and interesting facts about the Underground

over the past 150 years.  The information fills up books.

But we learned some great facts and certainly enough to peak our interest further.

She also pointed out the little things that we just overlook as we hurry through the stations each day.  For instance, have you noticed this Tube map made of Legos at Piccadilly Circus Station?  There are five of them at various stations to celebrate the 150 year anniversary.   Or have you ever stopped to look at the 1920's World Time Today clock at the same station?  And do you know how to decipher the tile work at the various stations?

It's not just decorative.  It's there to guide you.

We had a great tour with Michelle

and found out that she also does some of the other historical tours with Insider London.

Insider London offers many different tours such as the London Street & Graffiti Art,

Modern Architecture, The History of Drinking & Pubs (fun!) and

Quirky London to name just a few.

Planning your Insider London Underground Walking Tour

First off we have to talk about price.  At £20 per person this tour is not cheap.  (Their various tours range from £18 up to £40.)  You can find good walking tours in London for less or even free.  But...

1.  I believe they're the only one offering Underground Tube Tours (please correct me if I'm wrong).

2.  And according to their website  "All bookings come with a money-back guarantee: if you don’t love it, email us after the tour and we’ll refund the amount of your choice." 

So, if you want a great tour with a reputable company and are willing to pay that amount, then I can definitely recommend them.

‘Join-in’ tours are on Mondays at 11am and 2pm, and Fridays at 11am.  (Private tours  can be arranged on the time and day of your choice.)  The 'Join In' tours require a minimum of 2 people per booking.

All tours must be booked in advance. 

All attendees need to provide their own Oyster card or Travelcard (Zones 1 & 2).

We did not visit any disused stations.

 

Insider London was friendly, professional and very informative.

I hope we can join them again soon for another tour.

 Do you know any interesting facts about the London Underground?  

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   *We received complimentary tours from Insider London.   All photos and opinions are 100% my own.  
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.


You can find this review and many others in my
London Attraction Guide.

England to France via EuroTunnel

Road trips were an annual event when I was young.  Whether it was moving to our next base, heading to Tennessee to visit the cousins or a trip to Florida, my brother and I would pile into the car with my parents and hit the road.  Eight to ten hours in a car was nothing.  Some of my best and craziest memories are road trip shenanigans.  (Think the Griswolds in Vacation.)  "Are we there yet?"  was the mantra of my childhood.  

One of the coolest things about road trips in the UK is that they take you to places like France, Belgium and Luxembourg.  Over Easter break, Matt and I decided to do just that.  I've written before about taking the ferry across the English Channel and we've take the Eurostar to France and Belgium a few times now.  This was the first time we took our own car across the Eurotunnel. 

The train leaves from Folkestone, England (which is where Matt grew up) and arrives in a village just outside of Calais, France in just over half an hour.  We booked our tickets in advance online for a specific time, but they do offer flexible tickets.  (When you get to Folkestone, be on the look out to your left for a large white chalk horse in the hillside.)

  

We arrived in plenty of time and passed from line to line.  First we checked in at an electronic kiosk using our reservation information and received a ticket to hang from the rear view mirror with our Boarding Letter displayed.  Once you're all checked in, you are directed to the terminal to wait.  We parked and went in to relax for a bit. 

The terminal is large with a duty-free shop and several fast-food options.  There is a departure board to alert you when your assigned letter group is starting to board.  (The process coming back was almost identical and there is also a nice terminal on the French side.)  Once our letter was displayed it was back to the car and off to France. 

Well, not quite yet.  Time for more queuing.   Getting through all of this and onto the train, takes longer than the actual ride through the channel tunnel.  There were times when we turned the engine off and just sat there.  It was a busy weekend because of the holiday so I'm not sure if it is always like this. 

Eventually, one by one, each car is loaded onto the train.  There are two levels and we took a wager on whether we would be top level or lower level. Obviously, the train is open all the way through for loading.  But before it departs each compartment is closed off.  But there are doors on either side so you can walk along the full length of the train and even go to the other level via the stairs. 

There are toilets every few cars, but most of them were out of order that day so after waiting in a line, I had to use a pretty icky toilet without any toilet paper.  And there are no extras like a snack bar to get a sandwich or soda.  There are several attendants that walk through often if you need assistance with anything. 

Then you just sit in your car for the journey.  Usually it's pretty quick so the toilet thing shouldn't be an issue.  But, there were problems on one of the two lines so we were delayed.  Once boarded onto the train we sat there for another hour before we were able to leave.   

One last thing to mention, the train smells strongly of car exhaust obviously.  When you add to the equation the fact that you're in a deep tunnel, the air can feel very heavy.  I was getting over a chest cold and was feeling pretty uncomfortable.  There is always a chance you could be delayed so I'd recommend if you use one, have your inhaler close by.  (And also please disregard how filthy our car is.  Yikes, it needs a wash.)

 Here are some fun facts about the Eurotunnel.

The Channel Tunnel opened in 1994 and 
consists of three tunnels, two for trains and one service tunnel which are all connected.

The Channel Tunnel is just over 30 miles long and 24 of those miles are under water.

The Channel Tunnel was built at a cost exceeding £9 billion.

Eleven 15,000 ton tunnel boring machines were used to drill the tunnels at a rate of 15 feet per hour.  

The chalk that was excavated from the tunnels by the British was dumped into artificial lagoons behind protective sea walls at the base of the white cliffs of Dover.  The resulting 86 acres of land is now a nature reserve called Samphire Hoe. 


Once off the train on the French side, we went through passport control while still in our car.  The booths are on both sides of the car, so either of you in the front seat may be the one communicating with the guards. With one last reminder to "Please drive on the right as you exit," we were able to continue our road trip in France.  

If you plan to drive in France, be sure to check out the Driving in France requirements.   There is a great checklist of all of the items that are required to drive legally in France including a Breathalyser, reflective jacket, emergency triangle and a GB sticker.  We were able to purchase a kit for about £20 online that contained everything that we needed.  There is also a shop at the terminal that sell automotive supplies.  

More to come tomorrow.  

What is your best road trip memory?

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Austria and Switzerland Winter Trip

Hi.  It's me. 

I'm back and feeling quite contrite. 

I'm sheepishly peeking out into the midst to see if I have any readers left. 

I hope I didn't really offend anyone with my little hissy fit or the photos.  

It was all very tongue in cheek and I promise I won't do it again.  

Much.

If you are reading this then you can relate or you have just forgiven me.

Either way, I'm glad you are here and I'm lovin' the comments you left.

Now as promised, I'm on to nicer endeavors.  

Let me tell you about our Anniversary Trip to Switzerland and Austria.  

 After much discussion, TE and I decided that instead of heading South in search of warmer temperatures,

we would just embrace the cold and make it a Winter Trip.

We flew out on Friday evening after work to Zurich, Switzerland. 

It was a quick two hour flight with only about 15 people on board.

After two nights in Zurich, we boarded a train to Innsbruck, Austria for one night. 

And our last stop was Salzburg, Austria for our last two nights.

We flew home on Wednesday afternoon

We pre-booked our hotels with advice from Tripadvisor.com and were happy with our choices.  

We aren't too fussy about hotels.  Location, cleanliness and good customer service are the things that we value.

The three that we picked all fit the bill very nicely.

 Zurich

 Innsbruck

Salzburg

All three of them were close to the Old Town Center and the river

which are common characteristics of each city.

We splurged a little on first class tickets for the three hour train journey from Zurich to Innsbruck.

Nice big comfy seats with lots of room and amazing views.

On a side note.  Did you know most trains have seats facing both ways,

meaning you could be facing backwards at times on a journey?
How did I not know this until recently?

Riding backwards happens to really do a number on my stomach.

I go a crazy shade of grey and my insides start making awful noises.

(I told you I was a bit of a princess nightmare.)

 I do get really sick so TE always tries to make sure he books seats for us facing forwards.

The challenge on this journey was that for part of the trip, we were facing one way.
Then after a particular stop the train reversed and we were facing the opposite direction.  

TE thinks he deserves lots of sympathy that he had to try and make sure I was facing the 
wrong way for the least amount of time. 
I think I deserve the sympathy for having a wonky stomach.
  

 It's a good thing we had the extra room because I actually spent part of the trip 

sitting in my seat on my knees facing the back of the seat.

TE just pretends he doesn't know me.

 

 After less than an hour, I was happily facing in the right direction with a settling tummy

so I could focus on the amazing views along the way.

Crisp, blue skies and pristine snow.  Majestic mountaintops and charming cottages.

Fuzzy evergreens and floating clouds.

It was just beautiful.

 There is something so relaxing about watching these views flash by

and thinking about the people that live and work in these places.

From Innsbruck to Salzburg we were in standard class.

The train had a hallway along one side of the carriage.

On the other side were compartments with glass doors that each seat six people.

Three facing backwards including TE and three facing forward (me).

There is plenty of room above for storage and the seats are comfy.

Everyone just settles in reading or watching the world go by in comfortable silence.

It was five wonderful days and I think it was one of my favorite trips so far.

We had really good weather, just a few random showers.

 There was plenty of this.

And a daily serving of this.  

Pork Schnitzel with a nice squeeze of lemon, parsley potatoes and cranberry sauce.

So nummy!

Over the next few weeks I'll be posting about each of the places we visited

and some of the things we did along the way.

 I hope you will follow along.  

And please tell me I'm not the only one that gets sick from facing the wrong way on a train!

xoxo

Selena

Sorry about the quality of the pics taken from the train windows.  And as usual, this is not a sponsored post.  However, if anyone would like to sponsor a future excursion, please make yourself known.   

Public Transport. Warning... Rant Ahead!

Did you guys know that I talk to you?  I do, all the time.  Mostly in my head, but even sometimes out loud.  Whenever something is really good or even really bad, I automatically start writing you a blog post.  I’m usually pretty good about picking and choosing which ones I actually share with you.  (I don’t want you to know just how deep the crazy goes.)

But this is one rant that will no longer be denied.  I’ve got an amazing new blog design in the works (ohemgee wait until you see it!!)  and I don’t want to muck it up with the ugliness that I’m about to throw down.  (I can't believe I just said throw down.)  I think we should just get this one out of the way.  So, if you are easily offended or if you actually know me in real life, you might want to look away.  There will be adult language and gestures. 

Can we please just talk about the bullsh*t that is public transport?

Disclaimer:  I mostly love the public transport system in the UK.  It is extensive and the fact that it moves millions of people from point A to points XY and Z is amazing.  I couldn’t do without it.  It really is remarkable.    

BUT.

Here are some of the things that really suck about public transport. 

First off, it is such a frickin’ effort! 

It takes forever to get anywhere. You have to make sure you have proper access.  Then you have to take a look at the bowl of spaghetti that is the London tube or bus map and figure out where the hell you’re going.  It takes a degree to get that far.  Any route you pick still includes at least a mile of walking in the rain.  (Which is why I’ve stopped styling my hair.  Why bother?)   And there are all of these crazy secrets, like which stations are the best and require the least walking or have the least stairs or which carriage is the best to use to avoid a long walk at the other end.  (Yes, for me it is all about reducing my steps.  Don’t judge.)

 

Second, there is no trunk or glove box to put your sh*t in! 

I traveled two n’ a half hours today back from a business trip lugging 47 pounds of luggage.  (Yes, I weighed it.)  And now I can’t lift my arms high enough to get the wine glass to my mouth.  I’m using a crazy straw, People.  And that’s not just getting on and off the bus or train.  NooOooOo.  That’s getting on and off four frickin’ times, up and down stairs and escalators, along never endless corridors and trying to mind the damn gap.   Not to mention swiping my travel card (after digging it out of my purse with my teeth) to get through the gates holding that 47 pounds of sh*t and not getting injured.  

 Third, it’s just not comfortable!

Okay, I admit I can be a bit of a Princess from time to time.  (I’m practising for 50 when I get to be a full-on Diva all the time.  Be afraid.  Be very afraid.)  But, it’s just not comfy and even at times… icky.  Usually you are standing up and, I swear, the drivers are trying to see how many people they can throw from the vehicle.  I’ve strained muscles trying to just stay upright.  And then there are all the cooties.  You have to hold on for dear life to these metal poles or sit on these cloth seats.  And you can just imagine if they brought in one of those CSI lamps like they use on those hotel exposes.  It just gives me the heebie jeebies thinking about it, so I’ll move on quickly.  

 

Finally, there are… OTHER PEOPLE EVERYWHERE!!!!

I have a confession.  Sometimes, people just annoy the sh*t out of me.  I’ve seen people adults pick their nose, suck their thumbs, pick their teeth and then eat it, pick a scab and then smell their finger, clip their nails, get to second base… all sorts of crazy stuff.  It’s like they think they are invisible.  It’s all I can do not to curl up in the fetal position and suck MY thumb.  They are always in a much bigger hurry and you are really just in the way.  And oh my gawd, don’t even get me started on the frickin’ headphones with music so loud you can hear it over the train.  And it’s never Michael Buble?  WTH?  And then there are the people yelling never ending, unbelievable conversations into their cell phones.   They say the most stupid sh*t!  It’s usually in a language I don’t understand, but when it is in English every other word seems to be “f*ckin’” or “innit.”   And can I just put this out there?  If you are having a fag outside with your mate, don’t stand on either side of the frickin’ door!  I have actually had to duck under a cloud of smoke to get into a train station. 

::deep cleansing breath::

::deep cleansing gulp of wine from crazy straw::

Right.  So, I actually feel much better. (Don't mind the eyelid twitching.)

If you’ve read this far then you are a brave soul or possibly a psychology major.  I appreciate you allowing me this crazy tirade.  It really all had to be said.  

I promise that tomorrow we will return to our regularly scheduled programming.  I’m working on the Switzerland/Austria recaps and I promise to bring you raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens.  (But, let’s face it.  Roses have thorns and kittens have hairballs… and litter boxes.)

Do you want to hear something funny?  The other day when I was having a little princess moment, TE turned to me straight faced and with is dry, British humor said the following….  

Ah.  I see you’ve deployed the Princess Bubble.

Isn’t that hysterical?  And so true!  I can be such a nightmare sometimes.   

Have you deployed your Princess Bubble lately?

Xoxo

Selena

p.s.  You can't be offended by the pictures in this post.  It's art.  From a museum garden in Zurich.   And wasn't it less offensive that I used asterisks rather than vowels in all the curse words?  No?