How to make the best of your first trip to England?
Planning for your first trip to England this year? We are here to help you. Travelling can be exciting and can inculcate anxiety in the same breath especially if it’s the first visiting a place. In traveling and in life there are some things that are under a person’s control and somethings beyond anyone’s control. What we have learned so far is to control the outcomes of the things that we can manipulate and let go of the things that can’t be controlled. With that nugget of wisdom let’s get started.
England is a huge country with a rich history and refreshing present. Although we are all for spontaneity, going where the wind takes you and throwing away any itinerary whatsoever, a little planning actually helps this spontaneity. Starting with the destinations you might have in mind; we are not saying sticking to only places you have written down but getting a general idea of popular destinations and then work your way around them.
Look at this list of most sought-after destinations on England;
• Bournemouth
• Brighton
• Bristol
• Coventry
• Hayes
• Isle of Wight
• Liverpool
• London
• Manchester
• Nottingham
• Sheffield
• Torquay
• West Drayton
• Windermere
Why location of airports matter?
Did you know every single place mentioned on this list? Yes? Good for you. If your answer is No then now you do. Next thing is to pin point one destination first and then looking at the nearest airport. Why should you do that? Well like we mentioned earlier that England is a huge country and therefore has many airports, located at different parts of the country. Let’s say the first destination on your mind is London, then you should check if your airport is closest to London or not. This will save a lot of unnecessary time and travelling. Because we promised to make your first trip to England a whole lot convenient, we have compiled a list of most popular international airports in England. All of these airports operate commercial flights to England.
East Midlands Airport (EMA)
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Luton Airport (LTN)
Stansted Airport (STN)
While we are at it should we take a look at COVID-19 Travel Restrictions?
From January 04 2021, the government has reimposed a nationwide lockdown.
Certain areas in United Kingdom have specific travel regulations. Visit the CDC website to check the areas and regulations.
All passengers are subjected to 10-day isolation. Exemptions are given to Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Manx.
All passengers need to submit negative COVID-19 PCR, antigen or LAMP test results taken 3 days prior to departure. Exemptions are given to passengers arriving from Common Travel Areas and to children aged below 11.
All passengers on flights and on public transport must cover their faces and practice social distance rules.
All passengers traveling need to submit “Public Health Passenger Locator Form” upon arrival.
Fine wine, dine and budgeting
Now that the boring parts of travelling are done and dusted, let’s talk about the fun part. What to do when you first taste England air. When in doubt, eat. Fill your stomach with yummy delicacies at a local café. You will be surprised how much you learn about a place from its locals. There is nothing that brings people closer than a shared meal. Order Fish and Chips and engage in a light hearted conversation with the waiter. Budget your expenses in a such a way that you are not missing out on anything. If trying expensive meals is more important than staying at a luxurious hotel, then look for budget-friendly hotels and hostels. It is also important to look for the flight in budget, so for this I would recommend that your should choose American Airlines Reservations. I always booked flight in my budget. Similarly, if you wish to see historical sites and landmarks spread all over England than keep a check on commuting expenses. Take advantage of the rail system in England. It doesn’t matter how much planning you do; some events will go contrary to your beliefs. Leave space for them and enjoy the uncertainty.