Friday, Aug. 22, 2008

Seeing the United Kingdom on the Cheap

With the Current Exchange Rate, Research Pays

By Leslie Rigoulot

Contributing Writer

If you’re planning a trip across the pond, you don’t have to break the bank. Visiting the United Kingdom on the cheap is actually do-able.

With the dollar sinking like the Titanic, it is easy to figure out the prices in the UK — just double it.

At the pub, a popular drink called Skrumpy Jack, what we call hard cider, is not $5; it is 5 pounds or $10. And pubs are generally cheaper than restaurants!

So if you can’t resist the siren call of the UK, here are suggestions for lessening the damage of the exchange rate.

First, get out of London.

Everything costs more in London, because that is where a lot of the best-known attractions are. So, see the countryside and save, save, save. The vast history of England, Wales and Scotland didn’t all happen in London, so there’s plenty to see.

Get the Great British Heritage Pass or join the National Trust Touring pass before you go.

Admission to 580 castles, gardens, mansions and homes are included in the four-, seven- or 15-day passes from the Great British Heritage folks. The National Trust is a private charity that oversees 300 historical buildings and gardens, and it also offers a seven- or 14-day pass. Take a look and determine which one encompasses the sights you want to see the most.

Research, research, research.

One Web site to see is www.VisitBritain.com, which is offering a free card that provides admission to varied events and places like Cardiff’s Summer Festival, The Dylan Thomas Center in Swansea, Wales and Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in Scotland. Besides, if you are doing either of the passes, you can incorporate the freebies for a great sightseeing vacation.

Make friends or get a time-share.

Trying to get a time-share exchange to the UK is like trying to lose weight.

It can be done; it just takes some effort.

Of course, your brother could marry into a British family like mine did, but that requires even more effort. So try the RCI time-share company early and often to get an exchange and don’t give up.

Eating out or in. Britannia may have ruled most of the world, but now its being taken over by restaurants from the farthest corners. Indian, Thai and Chinese restaurants populate every town, and the prices are usually more reasonable than the manor houses.

Some hotels offer a picnic lunch at a reasonable price, so if you are going to hike Snowdonia like Sir Edmund Hillary, bring lunch with you. Also, find out if the tip is already included in your tab.

It varies, and at those prices, you don’t want to pay twice!