CJC123

This is our first trip to England and am traveling in Feb with 2 pre-teen boys. I want to pack as little as poss. Wondering if Jeans / sneakers are ok? We are to be in London for 7 days, and other parts for the remainder of our last 4 days. We will be staying at the Landmark London Hotel. Any wisdom sould be great! Thank you in advance. CJ

Anonymous

Sure, jeans/sneakers will be OK.

If they have comfortable waterproof footgear, you should bring that, though, or spray waterproofing stuff (silicone?) on the sneakers, especially at the seams.

Jeans might not be best if you're going to a fancy restaurant for an evening theater performance, so if that's the case, take one pair of jeans and one other pair of pants. Jeans are a pain to wash out and take forever to dry, anyway, and in general aren't favored by most people who like to travel light.

CJC123

I was thinking cargo pants and maybe one pair of jeans for DH and Myself and boys. Maybe better to rethink that? Also heard silk unders are a very good idea?! Any other ideas?

Wayne

Though average temperatures in London are not below freezing in February, it will be cool and is likely to rain (mostly light) for some of those days. And for a day or two, the temperature can drop below freezing at that time of year. So be sure to take appropriate clothing such as a sweater and weatherproof jacket, plus some kind of waterproof hat, and of course an umbrella or two. Good luck.

Susan56

We have traveled to London as a family twice in the last 4 years, and both times in February. Jeans, sneakers and sweaters are fine! We never ate at fancy restaurants (the kids love pub food) but we did see a lot of theater. Jeans are fine at the theater - same as home (NY). Scarfs and gloves are a good idea as well. We found it chilly, but always warmer than the temperature at home. The only very nasty windy weather we encountered was at Stonehenge - but it was definitely worth the trip!

CJC123

Anyother info you can share Susan? I really want the kids to enjoy this trip! Being from the North East I am not worried about the weather. Just packing the minimum and catching the right sights. Thanks!

k_marie

CJC--

I think you'll enjoy reading the thread "Thrilled about going to London" by Stephanie who was planning a trip with her 11-year-old son.

Her enthusiasm for the experience with her son was infectious--the response from the posters here was most helpful and kind.

Wish I could post the link for you; maybe someone else will know how.

In the meantime, just do a search with the thread title at the top of this column.

Have fun! Enjoy London!

k_marie

Stephanie's trip report is "Thrilled to have gone to London."

Erin

This thread is right up David West's alley (did I get that right?) He has a website www.kidstolondon.com

I'll double check this and post back if I have posted in error- I'm a little feverish my my flu shot today! Sorry!

Erin

I meant, "from my flu shot today." See what I mean?

Susan56

CJC123 - My kids loved London. As I mentioned, we have taken them twice in the past 3 years. (by the way, the kids are now 13 and 16) Favorite sites are the following: Hampton Court Palace, Windsor, Victoria & Albert, British Museum, Greenwich, The Tower, (you should write away for tickets to the Ceremony of the Keys - we all loved it!), Imperial War Museum and Sir John Soames Museum. We dragged the kids to Portobello Road for the flea market and they were not too thrilled about it - we love it. My kids love theater and we have seen many shows in London. The kids are avid readers and they like the bookstores in the Charing Cross neighborhood. We have found many books that are not published yet in the states. The kids loved fish & chips and ate it at every pub! Stonehenge was also a hit; albeit very windy and chilly that day! My daughter liked the store "Accessorize", they sell very inexpensive jewelry and accessories. She also discoved the "bath bombs" at Lush. We have been ordering them via mail order ever since!My son (the 16 year old who is into rock 'n roll) loved Carnaby Street - he purchased tee shirts and posters. We stayed in Scala House, an apartment hotel. It was great because the kids could have breakfast at "home" and we also could stop off in the late afternoon for a break and snack at the apartment before heading out for the evening. Also, we could walk home from the theater at night. I checked out theater information on line and then called the individual theaters to purchase tickets. I know that I probably could have purchased half price tickets in London, but I did not bother becuase 1) the price was low compared to NY prices anyway, 2) I wanted to be able to pick good seats - I find that the kids are better theater go-ers if they have good seats, and 3) I did not want to waste precious vacation time standing in line for tickets. Let me know if you want more information - I should tell you that second to London, their favorite site is Rome - so get ready to travel! Susan

Ryn2691

Jeans are ok to wear, but IMO, not so OK to pack. They are heavy, and with the strict weight limits on baggage these days, packing a lot of jeans can get you into luggage weight difficulties. I usually pack cords or hiking pants for DS for overseas trips; they are just as sturdy for active boys, but pack much lighter. And yes, do bring the long underwear, preferably the sport kind, such as is sold for skiing. I've never been able to find silk longies for kids.

CJC123

Thanks so much for all the info!! The kids are getting their tickets under the Christmas tree and I am bursting already with the thought of their faces Christmas morning! I am trying to get everything planned/done while they are in school. I even have the teachers in on it! LOL I will be reading all this great advise often and taking lots notes! Thank you!!! Hopefully this will be the first of many wonderful overseas vacations.

PlanetBubbles

The new streatch jeans are much lighter and dry fast while still stylish. Usually overnight and maybe a touch up with your hairdryer in the crotch area. Yes, take a tiny cheap hairdryer, saves a lot of other packing and keeps one from getting colds from going out in the cold with wet hair. Never leave with wet underwear, it causes rashes. I find both light weight streach pants for less than $20 and a hair dryer for less than $15. I also have a small kit so I can plug in anywhere, which is important if you have any medical equiptment or other plug ins, cost about $7 bucks for a cheap one. On my hair dryer it even has a switch for other electricty types. Take one of your jeans black, or a light weight black skirt (or other favorite nutral color), and tights or long underwhere for winter if needed, silk works best. Then you can put any nicer top with them and it looks almost like dressing up if needed. I have a valour, light weight and drys fast, streatch top that looks like velvet. Just be sure and take a warm coat in the winter. One nice thing is if it has arms that are long and flexible enough for you to tie it around your waste, just in case it warms up. Don't worry about the shoes, it's always much better to be able to walk than to sit in the hotel nursing hurt feet.

matthew

"........and maybe a touch up with your hairdryer in the crotch area."

"Never leave with wet underwear, it causes rashes."

Erm, ah, well.

Thank you Bubbles, it's amazing what you learn on this site sometimes!?

BrimhamRocks

'Thrilled to have gone to London' thread...


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1330742

CJC123

"Thrilled about going and gone" are a great! Thanks for the info all.... Keep it coming!