We like to take full advantage of cheap airfares, so we plan holidays in advance. For example, the family’s summer vacation to New York is already planned and paid-for. We’ve never been to America, but friends say there’s nothing like it.
We’re excited! My husband Geoff takes charge of all the details, and that’s a relief for me. I worry about things like Gatwick Parking unless he takes over! He’s already researched the average daily temperatures for each day we’ll visit the Big Apple. Ask him all about why New York is called that, because I fall into fits of laughter as he tosses me a red or chartreuse apple.
The British Pound – US Dollar exchange rate favours travel from London to New York. Photo Credit: Sam Hakes
Gemma, our eight year old, wants to visit New York because of history lessons. Her teacher told her about how America’s states were once British territories, and she’s fascinated. We’re walking downtown to get the feel of the old cobblestones and eighteenth century English taverns. Kelly, who’s seven, is eager to take a drive to New England. Her face is ever so serious as she articulates “New England.” She whispered a question into her dad’s ear, sounding for all the world like Hermione Grainger: “Is New England a miniature of this country?” He shakes his head and silently mouths, “No, dear.” According to a vacation book Gemma took out from the library–called “The Rough Guide to New York”–we can easily take a train from mid-town New York to the glorious “New England” in less than one hour. Kelly giggles that the first stop in “Connect-i-cut” is “Greenwich,” named for Greenwich, England!
We’re learning American and British history this summer. Photo Credit: K Rosseel
That’s one of the best reasons to take the kids on an important summer vacation. We can unwind a bit, explore a brand new country, and talk about our own wonderful city of London and the Kingdom of Great Britain. The kids will never learn history in the classroom as they will on our adventure. We’re going to walk the city on foot, from top to bottom. It’s only 13.4 miles–of course, we won’t walk the entire island in one day and everyone’s bringing very sensible and comfortable shoes. I can’t wait to walk through Times Square and buy some tickets to a show. Friends tell me that Broadway is less expensive than West End shows.
Broadway tickets, especially through TKTS, save London vacationers money. Photo Credit: K Connors
One thing I refuse to worry about is airport parking with BCP — there’s no need to worry with excellent parking facilities at Gatwick and Geoff in charge!
