[Idyllchat] Increased Cost of European Travel

[CW Sprawls]

Eleanor Fleming wrote:

> Is anyone out there concerned, as I am, about the falling dollar and  
> plans made to travel to Europe this summer and early fall?  We have  
> made arrangements to travel to Germany (Rhine/Bavarian Castle  
> Sampler) stopping in London for 3 days on the way in late August- 
> Early September. Do any of you who have been to Europe recently have  
> any hints for minimizing our expenses.
> Ellie  
>
My husband and I have been using B&Bs in London for the past several 
years, and while they too have gone up some, at least they aren't as 
expensive as hotels.  This August on our way to my husband's teaching 
assignment in Trieste, Italy, we too will stop off in London for two 
nights, and we have decided this time to just stay at our favorite B&B 
close to the Gatwick airport, where we will fly into and also out of on 
Easy-Jet, and ride the Gatwick Express into the city for the two days. 
That way we won't have to schlep our bags onto a train or even into a 
taxi, since Joseph or Mary pick us up at the terminal free!   I just now 
checked the rates at the  Gable-End B&B in Horley, and they are the same 
as last year--but alas the dollar to pound rate is much worse, so they 
will be $120 for a double room.  But where in London could you do that 
well??  It is a nice and convenient place with excellent service, a good 
breakfast, and only  about 5 minutes away from the airport--yet 
quiet!    An excellent neighborhood pub-restaurant is a short two or 
three block walk away.  Website is http://www.gable-end.com/  If they 
are full, there are dozens of similar B&Bs in the same neighborhood.

Charlotte Sprawls