High Tea at the Savoy

By T. Howe
IAATC Member, Broomall, Pennsylvania
(c) Copyright 1998 - 2004

This was my first courier flight, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I didn't have to carry anything either way and I didn't meet anyone upon landing at Heathrow. For the return-trip, I just picked up my ticket at the American Airlines ticket counter where it had been left for me by <courier company>.

While in London I stayed with friends who are living there. Getting around wasn't difficult; I mostly rode the tube (the subway) and some buses. I got a bus-pass for the day. The best bargains to me were the museums. I enjoyed the British Museum best; there was no charge.

Among the dining delights I discovered were pizza and beer at Dickens Inn, St. Katherine's Dock; Henry's Bar near Piccadilly was lots of fun; the wine bar in Covent Garden had tables outside and the weather was great, but the high point of my visit was Afternoon Tea at The Savoy.

At œ16 per person (about US$25 each), High Tea at The Savoy is a once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing. We ended up getting it on the house, though, because they had overbooked the room and asked if we would leave early.

I had a great time on my trip and flying courier made it possible because I could never have afforded to pay fullfare.

* * *Walking Tours, Sight-Seeing Buses & Self-Guided London

By P. Mitchell
IAATC Member, Aptos, California
(c) Copyright 1998 - 2004

I was apprehensive at first, but <courier company>'s Shirley Castro was patient, efficient and put me at ease during preparation for my first courier flight from San Francisco to London. Stephen, the representative who met me at the airport, breezed me through check-in and I was off to London with my non-courier husband. At Heathrow I just followed <courier company>'s chart directing me to building #39 where packages were being unloaded. <courier company>'s "Bob" said he'd "bet his legs" I'd have nothing to carry on the flight home. He was right, and I got my deposit check immediately upon return.

While in London we revisited museums and art galleries, made day-trips to Bath, Cambridge and York, and tried some of the London Walks which charge œ4 for adults, œ3 for students. The walks were interesting and a great workout. We explored Southwark and found a beautiful Gothic cathedral with touches of ruined Norman. We passed the skeletal remains of Winchester Palace,which is now a museum but originally was a jail called "The Clink" _ origin of the generic term for lockups. We also saw Shakespeare's Globe Theater, currently being rebuilt. It is hoped that productions will resume by June of '1996.

We took a train to the Maze Hill stop for Greenwich and walked up to the observatory on the Prime Meridian. We toured the museum, walked down to Cutty Sark and the Trafalgar Tavern where we had an excellent dinner for œ27 (US$43). Returning to Westminster by boat (œ4.8) provided an attractive perspective of London.

We sometimes used Guide Friday buses which make regular circuits of the city while lecturers on board point out sights of interest and provide historical background. Tickets are œ6.50 (US$10.50) for adults with discounts for students and seniors, and are good for the day. Tourists can get on and off the buses at any stop. The ticket for each city includes a discount coupon for other cities.

By the time our two weeks had shrunk to a next-day departure it seemed a lot was left undone. Now I look forward to another courier trip.

* * *

Try London's College Clubs for Inexpensive Elegance

By S. Robinson
IAATC Member, Pam Beach, Florida.
(c) Copyright 1998 - 2004

The night before my departure from home to New York, <courier company> mistakenly double-booked couriers for the same flight. I did not act as a courier, but <courier company> still paid the $205 difference in airfare. It disappointed me not to see how the courier system works, but I was impressed by <courier company>'s "class act."

When in London, check out the college clubs. Often reciprocal clubs are located in the best areas and are very inexpensive, even for nonmembers. My brother and his wife stayed at the Caledonian (The Scot's Club), at Hyde Park Corner, a reciprocal of The Princeton Club.

I took a room at The Carlton Club, 69 St. James Street. A Tory stronghold, it is reciprocal with a Chicago club of my late husband's and is beautiful, lovely, elegant, fantastic! I paid under US$100 a night.

While in London, I saw Les Miserables; it was excellent. I found some good shopping at Covent Garden Market; cashmere sweaters, hand-painted ties, etc. are still not cheap, but priced better than at the big stores and the quality is the same. The take-out food stalls at Harrods provide fine food at manageable prices.

France was having a transportation strike when I decided to cross to Paris, so I took the Chunnel -- it is the way to go; 3 hours, very smooth and no airport hassle.