England Vacation: Miscellaneous Travel Tips

If you frequently go to England and a self-proclaimed seasoned traveler, the last thing you want is for this article to sound as if your mother knocks from your front door and as soon as she enters, she starts enumerating things that you should do while on an England vacation like a litany that never ends. But if you are like most guys out there who is traveling to England for the first time, then you probably still would mind your mother barging to your house but consider this article helpful. Here are the things you should know before going to England:

Hotels in London
When you visit England, do not spend all your nights in London if you have plans to visit other places. London hotels are outrageously expensive. Even the grungiest hotels cost $150 a night. Do not accept travel package that includes nights in London and day tours outside the city.

No hotels upon arrival or at least on the first few hours
If you are on an overnight flight, you will arrive in London early morning. Instead of checking in a hotel and paying the full amount for a few hours, you can stay, rest and wash up at the airport.

Guided Tours
If it is available, take guided tours at most attractions, especially if it is your first visit.

Public Manners
British people are in general, well-mannered, polite and self-disciplined. Basic respect is expected.

Privacy
You can observe this in parks and other public places: British people keep their distance from one another. This is to respect someone else's privacy and space. If you are on a train, on a bus or in a public attraction, keep these in mind. It is also impolite to stare at other people.

Bed and Breakfast
B&Bs are the England's version of America's Motels. They are relatively cheaper compared to hotels. B&Bs are clean, convenient, comfortable and hospitable. Be ready to share bathrooms with other guests.

Food
Before you call the manager or storm the kitchen, you have to understand that English cooks food differently from what Americans understand. So always remember that…

England, unlike other European countries, is not known for their food.

"Salad" doesn't mean something with mayonnaise. "Salad" means something with greens. So when you order a "shrimp salad", don't expect to get "shrimp with mayonnaise", instead, expect shrimp with tossed green salad.

Butter is used in most sandwiches instead of mayonnaise; eggs are fried in the in oil until crisp and brown; toasts are crisps all throughout, but cooled; sausages are like hot dogs, bready and mild; bacon is soft, similar to Canadian bacon; baked beans are considered breakfast food.

Safety and security
Unlike the usual neighborhood in the United States, England is a very safe place. You can roam around anywhere, anytime of the day without having to worry a bit. The worst crime you can ever experience, if you will experience a crime (I am not wishing that you do) is pickpocketing. To be safe, do not flaunt your wealth. If you feel uncomfortable to the place, trust your gut and turn around.

Queues
It might be an obsession but a good one, English people like to form orderly queues in everything they that needs to be queued on and they expect tourists to practice it. Jumping ahead of your turn is a no-no.

England Vacation Guide

Here is the basic information you need to know on your England vacation:

Arrival and Departure
When arriving or departing to and from England, you will probably land at the Heathrow Airport, the largest airport and one of the busiest airports in the world. It is located 15 miles (24km) west of central London; or at London Gatwick Airport, the second largest airport in the England, which is 28 miles (45km) south of central London. (No departure tax.)

Both airports are connected to London by an underground railway network. The city can also be reached by taxi that is available outside each airport's terminal.

Flight to England
It takes more than 8 hours if you are traveling from New York and longer if you are departing from central U.S., the mid-west, the southern Atlantic state, or the west coast.

Time to visit
The best time to visit England is during the months of July to September, when the weather is at its best and daylight hours are the longest. However, this is also the time when tourists visit England so the rates are higher, the streets are more crowded and the queues are longer. Low season is from November to March. If you do not mind the chilling cold of England winter and would like to take advantage of the cheaper rates, then take your pick from these months. Shoulder season is from April to June and the month of October.

Where to go
England may be a small country but it offers a lot of attractions, museums and world renowned sights that you should not miss visiting. Visit some of the following sites: the Buckingham Palace, the Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the National Gallery, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, St. Paul's Cathedral, Sir John Soane's Museum, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, Notting Hill, the Trafalgar Square and the Admiralty Arch, among others.

Where to stay
Hotels are abundantly available especially in major cities such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Liverpool. However, hotels in these cities are very expensive especially during the high season. Premium price is paid for rooms with bathrooms.

For a budget traveler, Bed and Breakfasts are the preferred choice. They are cheap, clean, convenient, comfortable and hospitable. Bathrooms are often shared with other guests but the rooms are generally comfortable.

Getting around

• Renting a car – If you are traveling as a group and planning to explore the country side, then renting a car is a good choice. But pass on car rental option if you will spend most of your time in the city.

Note: The driver seat is at the right hand side of the vehicle.

• Bus, taxi and the Tube –Busses, taxis and trains are the most popular means to get around the city. London is popular for its double-decker busses. All cities and towns have bus services as well. All cities have taxi services. Taking the underground railways system in London (or what is commonly referred to as the Tube) is a good experience. Suburban rail services are available in Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and the cities in Newcastle and South Yorkshire. Tram routes are available in south London.

• Boats – Commuter and leisure boat services are available on the River Thames.

England Vacation Budget Hotels

London being England's capital is regarded to be the most urban place in the entire United Kingdom. It leads in terms of the cultural center, business, and financial aspects so it is no doubt a major global city that is known all over the world. It keeps four of the world's heritage sites and is very much developed. This then makes London one of the frequently visited destinations of tourists all year round. This prime city houses several parks, sightseeing tours, palaces, gardens, and towers. Due to these attractions, London makes it a point to provide convenient accommodations with complete amenities and facilities to the tourists. Thus, going on an England vacation is never a problem.

A Misleading Piece of Information

These days, there is a circulating piece of detail that says London is the most expensive city that the world has ever known. This is a misleading piece of information, so to speak. Going to England for a vacation is said to be a distant dream for many people because they will have to raise enough money to fund their trip. The good news is that there is an available budget tour to this majestic city. Thus, don't listen to those who try to discourage you. With your concerted time, effort, and patience in researching, you will spot that great opportunity to have fun in London, England.

Budget Hotels Available for You

The availability of the budget hotels and tours in London rooted from the government's aim of inviting more tourists from all over the world to let them see the wonders that this popular city of England has in store for them. Living by the tagline "Winning – a Tourism Strategy for 2012 and Beyond", London has started promoting budget tour packages and cheap hotel accommodations to invite people from all over the world with varying incomes to come and visit the city.

The hotels in London range from the star rated ones up to the very cheap hotel accommodations to fit the preferences and budget of each and every traveler. You will surely feel at home because of the coziness, warm welcome, and efficient service provided by the staffs. The amenities and facilities employed in the hotels will also definitely satiate your needs.

From the airport, the hotels are easily accessible since most of them are located in the nearby area. The beautiful gardens are perfect for watching the sunset or sunrise, the restaurants are best for dining, the bars are the places to be to spend the night with music and drinking, the pool areas are perfect for basking under the sun, and the spas and saunas will definitely promote your own wellness. Hotel maps are provided by various shops and cultural centers so you will never get lost.

Booking Your Hotel

It is highly advised that you book your accommodation at least a month prior to your travel date. Through this, you will be able to shop around for the cheapest quotes and grab the best deals. Online booking is one of the methods that you may use. Also, you may book through the travel agencies which can also assist you with your itineraries. So whether you are in England for a vacation or a business trip, you can never go wrong with these budget hotels.

An England vacation is no longer a distant dream. You can make it happen because of the affordable rates of the hotels!

England Vacation – When to Take the Trip

Picking the right time to visit England is as important as any other factors that go within your travel planning. So, if you are unsure on when to schedule your England vacation, here are the things you should know:

Unlike some European countries that experience chilling winter and hot summer, England has a moderate climate and temperatures that rarely fall to 23F or rise above 86F. Meaning to say, anytime is a good time to visit the country.

But like any European countries, the perfect time to visit England is always during summer, when the weather is the warmest and the extra hours of daylight are experienced. In England, summer months run from July to September. These months bring lots of tourists into the country. During the high season hotel rooms are often fully-booked and very expensive. Vacation packages are plentiful. All attractions, museums and theaters are open but long queues are expected.

Winter months, from November to March, are the least popular time to visit England. But this doesn't mean that England provide less enjoyment. Again, temperatures in England rarely fall to 23F so roaming around the city is still possible. If you want to take advantage of the cheaper rates, then this is also the best time for you. Hotels are not fully-booked (except the Christmas season) so walk-in clients can be accommodated. Streets are less crowded and while some small resorts and shops are closed for the low season, indoor attractions, theaters and museums remain often remain opened to keep visitors occupied.

The months of April, May, June and October are considered shoulder season. If you don't like the high season crowd and the low season temperatures, then this is the best time for you to visit. Weather is also pleasant during these times. Attractive deals such as cheaper flights, discount rooms and cheaper vacation packages are also available.

Weather
No matter what time of the year, British weather can change from warm and sunny to cool and rainy in a matter of hours or even in a matter of minutes. As British people often say, "If you do not like the weather, just wait 5 minutes and it will change."

In general though, summers are warm during the day and cold during the night with temperatures that range from the low 60s to the high 70s or 80s. Winters are cold but are still comfortable with temperatures that range from the low 30s to the high 40s. Springs and Autumns (Falls) have varying weather with temperatures that range from the low 40s but sometimes 50s or 60s. Northern England is colder than the southern regions.

Important Dates
Attractions are busiest during holidays, including a week in mid-February and mid-October, 2 weeks at Easter and Christmas, mid-July to the first week of September, Crowd is at the highest during the summer months and the holidays such as Christmas Day, Boxing Day (December 26), Good Friday, Easter Monday, New Year's Day and May Day.

British people, just like other Europeans take their vacation in August.

Booking
As was mentioned earlier, walk-in clients can be accommodated during winter except the Christmas season. In general, booking should be made 2 months prior to your travel though you can also get last minute deals.

England Vacation – Travel Facts

Small details can be overlooked when preparing for an England vacation. Here, we will discuss important things that seem to be unimportant but are crucial to know:

Capital City (Largest Cities)
London (Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle)

Travel requirements
Citizens of the United States as well as Australia and Canada do not need visas. Passports are only needed when traveling to England.

Time Zone and Time Difference
GMT – Greenwich Meridian Time. Daylight Saving time is observed from the last Saturday of March to the last Saturday of October. England is 5 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight time and 6 hours ahead of Central Daylight time.

Official Language
English

Telephone Code
Country code: 44 (England)
City code: 20 (London)

Voltage requirement
220 Volts

Numbers
Do not confuse yourself with the way they write number digits. Commas are used instead of period; while periods are used instead of commas. So if you see 1.000 euros, it means one thousand (1000) euros and 1,50 kilometers should be read as one and a half (1 1/5) kilometers.

Measurements
Remember: 1lb. is roughly around 0.5 kilogram; 1 mile is roughly around 1.6 kilometers; and 1 pint is about 0.5 liter.

Money
England still uses its local currency (pound) but euros are also accepted. One pound is equivalent to 100 pence (p). Coins are at 5p, 10p, 20p, and 50p. 1 pound coins are also in circulation. 5 pound is the lowest paper money. Be careful when using the local currency even if it is in the decimal system. One pound is roughly equivalent to 2 U.S. dollars. (Check for the current exchange rate before leaving.)

Weather
England experiences temperate climate throughout the year. Almost half of the year is overcast. Rain showers should be expected anytime because of the prevailing wind from the south-west. Always bring a rain coat or an umbrella even if you are visiting in summer. Unlike other countries, summers in England are not very warm, with temperatures that rarely go beyond 80F.  It is much colder during winter but still comfortable. Winter temperatures rarely go down to 30F. Weather during spring and fall are still pleasant. Northern England is relatively cooler than southern England. East is the driest region of England. Before leaving, check England weather forecast for the duration of your trip.

Transportation
Cities and town are connected with motorways. Bus services are available to bring you from one place to another. Taxi services are available in major cities. London's underground railway system, or more commonly called, the 'tube' is the nerve of the city. Suburban railway system is available in Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and the cities in Newcastle and South Yorkshire.

Local Customs
English are polite, punctual and self-disciplined. And they expect others, even tourists, to act accordingly. It is impolite to stare at other people. Shaking hands when meeting people are customary. Kissing and hugging as a sign of greeting should be limited to close friends and relatives. Although locals dress casually out of work, you are expected to wear a jacket on more formal occasions and restaurants. It is also customary to bring small gift, usually wine and flowers, when invited to a house for dinner.

Ten percent of the total amount of service should be given to cab drivers, railway porters, sightseeing guides and hairdressers.