August 13, 2012

“LONDON AZ” — THE PERFECT WAY TO FIND YOUR WAY WHEN OUT FOR A STROLL

Filed under: Travel hints,Travel Magazines — tmooresr @ 12:08 pm

I am a very experienced traveler to London;  I have had a wonderful home in London for most of my life, and I either own or lease over 53 London flats for our London visitors.  But, I am never without a pocket size LONDON AZ GUIDE.  I use it mostly for my frequent walks.  Over the years, I have placed a copy in most of the flats for visitors (and ask they remain there for future visitors–Hm!) because I understand what it is like being a first-time visitor in a large European city.  Copies of LONDON AZ are for sale in every corner postcard / magazine shop, and it is one of the first items I suggest a visit acquires.  A copy can be purchased on line in US dollars here in the US, or on line from Britain;  I am attaching several places to acquire.  I recently bought a copy at Barnes and Noble in Salt Lake City as a small gift for friends who were off to London for their first trip to one of the greatest cities on earth–certainly my favorite.  Often I enjoy being LOST only because I discover “serendipities” which really make my day.  But when I need to reach somewhere very quickly, I check the LONDON A/Z for shortcuts.  For whatever reason, I suggest every visitor to London have a copy of this important paperback travel assistance.  I am not much for fold-out maps that open up like table cloths while I am standing on a street corer–only to be embarrassed when a Pole or Albanian comes up and asks if I need help.  Easier and better to have a pocket edition of LONDON A/Z.  Amen to that.

Find the street in the listing and then check the page!  BINGO–you re there.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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http://www.londonconnection.com

June 29, 2012

“THE LONDON PASS” ALLOWS ENTRANCES TO 55 SITES FREE AND DISCOUNTS TO OTHERS. IT’S A GREAT DEAL *** CHECK IT OUT ***

Filed under: Travel hints — tmooresr @ 12:55 am

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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http://www.londonconnection.com

March 31, 2012

TRAVEL HINTS: AN EXPERIENCED TRAVELER SAYS TAKE OLD COMFORTABLE SHOES

Filed under: Travel hints — tmooresr @ 2:19 am

Yesterday, one of our clients visiting London called me on my personal mobile.  I had worked with the family to arrange an itinerary which would reach the three layers of their group:  grandfather, parents, and 2 teenage sons.  The family has planned carefully, and will benefit a great deal from their trip.  They have a flat that will give them space and is centrally located so the grandfather can walk on his own during the day, and the younger members of the family can visit all of London’s major sites without public transportation.  The focus was on “exploring” and “walking” to really get a sense for this amazing city.  As an aside, I asked the carefully-planning mother if they are all taking the right shoes for a week of being on their feet.  Her answer floored me:  THE BOYS ARE THINKING OF WEARING THEIR FLIP FLOPS.  She followed up with a second statement that she was going to buy the boys new tennis shoes and perhaps a pair of dress shoes if they decide to go to a nice restaurant.  I didn’t say anything until I felt she was finished commenting.  I then made my first comment:  CAN YOU IMAGE WALKING FOR 9 DAYS ON LONDON’S WET COBBLESTONE STREETS IN FLIP FLOPS?  Dead silence.  She then told me that she didn’t know if she could get the boys out of them.  I responded that their feet will be so abused and beaten after a few hours that they will be home soaking their red, blistered feet .  She chuckled and got my point straight away.  She inquired about how I pack.  I told her very directly that I travel with three pairs of shoes:  my old reliable walking shoes (now about 9 years old), a pair of black dress shoes for evenings, and a pair of comfortable tennis shoes which I wear when it is raining.  I seal my leather shoes and keep them polished, and they are the most reliable and comfortable shoes imaginable.  They are like my camera:  they are never very far away from each other.  Flip flops have no place in London!  Imagine the scene of two big husky American boys in the National Gallery or in the Wallace Collection with their flip flops clicking away!  It just doesn’t work.  Experienced travelers have learned long ago that their old reliable shoes which are well broken in are the shoes to take–not fancy but very appreciated;  never take a new pair of leather shoes, thinking you will break them in on the trip!  Ouch!  You must think I am “mad” writing this article, but if I can stop one hopeful and excited traveler from making the wrong shoe selection, it will have been worth it.  Remember, your FEET CARRY THE TRIP.  Protect them!

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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http://www.londonconnection.com

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