I had some time on my hands today at lunch so I thought I would check on the price of tickets to Africa. A friend had told me that the best price she could find was with Delta Airlines. I have to admit that I was skeptical about that: Delta Airlines has not been, in my experience, the best at anything.
But I checked them out regardless. I am willing to travel with just about anybody so long as they’re inexpensive. The best price I could find on their website was somewhere around $2500.00 not including taxes. That’s a bit higher than I’d budgeted for – but if I had to, I could do it.
I don’t remember how I got there, but somehow I ended up on the website for CheapTickets.com and figured I’d check them out while I was at it.
I found a ticket for $1002.00 not including taxes!
You can bet your bottom dollar that I bought that ticket right then and there! My final price turned out to be $1,763.17 with all the taxes and travel insurance tagged on to the price. Still – come on: that much of a difference?
And they’re good airlines, too. I’m traveling on Alaska Airlines from here to Seattle, then switching over to British Airways from Seattle to London and then on to Nairobi.
Best of all is that I get a 20-hour layover in London! Of course some of that will be spent sleeping – but some of it can be used to do some sightseeing!
Does anybody have any suggestions? Where should I go, with limited time & money? What should I absolutely not miss?
I’m so excited!
I’ve paid my deposit on the expedition. I’ve got my tickets taken care of. Now all I need to do are reserve some hotels, get my visa for Africa, and take care of the inoculations!
Ruth you can't miss London Zoo!!! It's the best.
ReplyDeleteJana
Since you won't have a lot of time on your hand, I would suggest keeping it simple, I know you would enjoy Kew Gardens but maybe November is not the right time of year nor is it that easy to get there quickly, you would also enjoy the Museum of Natural History (one of my favourites) but I am not so sure you should spend the time you have in London in a museum, at least not of Natural History. It'll be easier to show you on a map on Saturday but taking Piccadilly line (the one that's connecting Heathrow) to Piccadilly Circus, check out Piccadilly Circus and walk over to Leicester Square (2 minutes) and then on to Covent Garden which has a lovely covert market w/ arts and artist and everything (5 minute walk). another 5 minute walk from there would be Trafalgar Square w/ the statue of Nelson and the National Gallery and a view of Big Ben and parts of the Houses of Parliament residing over the Thames ... close to Covent Garden towards Summerset House you could take a qhick peek at one of the most interesting "bridges" ever, the bridge connects two buildings of the London School of Dance something which are on opposite sites of this little street and is built out of rotating square steel frames and glass ... I have a picture somewhere ... going north from Piccadilly Circus you will pass Hamleys (toys) and get to Oxford Circus and Oxofrd Road - shopping!!! And come to think of it, if you want to do the MUST of Japanese Sightseeing - go to Harrods and don't forget to buy a green and gold reusable shopping bag, the tradtional Harrods heavy duty vinyl souvenir bag ... before I get too carried away, let's talk Saturday ...
ReplyDeleteAnne
Hi, Ruth
ReplyDeleteI haven’t been to London other than the airport. Been to Cambridge and other outlying areas, so I’m afraid I’m not too much help. If it were Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Vienna, Budapest, Rome, Florence, Sienna, etc., then I could be of help. But London, no. I suppose you might want to take a look at what the weather’s doing and pick two to five things to do depending on your energy level. Shop, see St. Paul’s, see something modern, eat well, don’t get lost. There: should be a fun day.
Bill
Awesome! With that much time in London you can do all kinds of stuff. The first on my list would be to go see a show.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
Since you are coming to Seattle let me know when and if you have the layover time I could come visit you at the airport.
ReplyDelete