The airport now handles over seven million passengers a year and is served by sixteen different airlines including Monarch, EasyJet, Ryan Air, Thompson and Thomas Cook.

There are dozens of hotels offering accommodation near the airport and finding the right one is no easy task. The lowest price does not always mean the cheapest place to stay. There are hidden extras like Internet charges, transfers or taxis to the airport. Many of the hotels are close enough to the terminal to walk. That's fine if the weather is good - which is sometimes is - but finding a taxi for the short distance can be a problem.

There may be a shuttle bus service. But it does stop at the hotel where you are staying? Or is the timing such that you have to spend too much time at the airport before your flight?

Many people select hotels in the town of Luton because they find the accommodation more comfortable and the taxi fare worth the benefit of staying somewhere where there is something to do on the night before the flight.

Some of the hotels offer a free breakfast which may be limited to a roll and coffee or a more elaborate meal. It may take you an hour to sort through the various options but it could be time well spent. There is good accommodation and some very disappointing rooms.

For many people this is the first night of their vacation - or the start of an important business meeting in Europe. Learn from the experiences of others. Most people get a little edgy before a flight. Don't make things worse by spending the night before in a place that was cheap and uncomfortable.

Eurostar's move to St Pancras International cuts journey times between London, Paris and Brussels by at least 20 minutes, creating an even more attractive alternative to short-haul flights. The new station, (pictured on the left) together with next door King's Cross and nearby Euston, can be accessed by rail from both north and south of the capital, with connections to seven mainline services and six London Underground lines.

Eurostar has so far received more than 1.2 million bookings for travel on the 186-mph train. City centre-to-city centre journeys between London and Brussels now take just 1 hour 51 minutes non-stop, London to Paris 2 hours 15 minutes, and London to Lille is one hour and 20 minutes. 

St Pancras International (see it as it was on the right) has been restored to its full 19th century glory and boasts fine shopping, fine dining and the Europe's longest champagne bar, which runs for 97 meters right alongside the new Eurostar platforms. 

One way fares between London and Paris start as low as £59. The train operators say that high speed links to France and Belgium are just the beginning. They say that plans are already underway to provide Eurostar services to Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland.

Sounds a little stupid perhaps but these shows have intrigued the British for generations. Here are some of the shows that are headed for the capital soon.

Peter Pan, the story of the boy never grew up opens at the Millfield Theatre on November 30 and runs through January 6, It stars Henry Winkler.

Cinderella opens at the Theatre Royal Stratford East on December 1 and runs until January 19.  Will Cinderella go to the ball to meet her Prince Charming, despite the wicked efforts of her smelly, nasty step-sisters?

Dick Whittington is the pantomime at the Greenwich Theatre with Dick Whittington and his loyal cat bounding around the capital to seek their fortune and defeat the evil King Rat.

Aladdin is at the Broadway Theatre Catford. This is a classic tale from the Arabian Nights. It runs from December 15 until January 6.

Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs is the panto at the New Wimbledon Theatre from December 7 until January 20. Ho Ho and off to work we go.

Jack and the Beanstalk comes to the stage at the Barbican Centre on Silk Street in the City from December 1 until January 12. Super site for golden eggs to be laid. Suzanne Shaw plays Princess Melody. She is joined by popular comic actors Mel Giedroyc as Fairy Liquid and Steve Furst.

A Christmas Carol at the The Rayne Theatre opens on December 3 until January 12. Bah humbug.  

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is also offered at the Beck Theatre on Grand Road, Hayes from December 14 until January 6.

Puss In Boots is offered at the Glaxo Smithkline Sports and Social Club
in Greenford from January 10 until January 12. The Holy Cross Players presents an all new version of this classic, and sadly neglected, pantomime.

Aladdin at the South London Theatre runs from December 4 until December 16. The theater, on Norwood High Street, says this will be South London's biggest and brightest pantomime as Aladdin and his friends find the lamp, defeat the evil Vizier Abanazer and bring freedom to the people of Peking.

The British monarch's message was delivered Thursday, October 25 by British ambassador Quinton Mark Quayle.  Praising the close relations between two royal institutions, Queen Elizabeth said she hoped the Thai king would recover soon and fully perform his duties again.  

The 76-room hotel is a converted Grade II listed Georgian town house with a rich history. At the beginning of the 19th Century it was used as a school for young ladies and subsequently it has been a private house and a convent for the Dominican Sisters. It has been operating as a hotel since 1970 and many of the original period features remain, including a large 18th Century fireplace in the Welcombe lounge.

All rooms have a private bath or shower, TV, hairdryer, trouser press and tea and coffee making facilities and free Internet access.. Two rooms are specifically designed for wheelchair and easy access.

The hotel is a few minutes walk from Harpenden Station which is on the Thameslink Line. Journey time to King's Cross is 26 minutes.

If you are driving from London exit M1 at Junction J9, take third exit off slip road and follow A5183 signs for Harpenden (approx 2 miles). Take first exit at roundabout for B487 Harpenden (approx 2 miles) take first exit onto A1081 into Harpenden 600 yards, at next roundabout take third exit, the hotel is 200 yards on left.

There are 444 rooms and suites all tastefully furnished with modern bathrooms with bath and shower, minibar, cable TV, Internet access and a work desk. Room service is available any time.

You are close to excellent shopping and an easy taxi ride to the theater district. The hotel has a theater desk capable of finding space in the most popular shows. The afternoon tea here is to be enjoyed as is the fitness center. And if you have to fly off Paddington Station is nearby with fast trains to Heathrow Airport.

It is expected that more than 55,000 athletes, officials and media, 500,000 spectators and 120,000 staff and volunteers will be traveling to the Games each day. About 240,000 people an hour will be able to arrive at the Olympic Park by train, with one train operating every 15 seconds.

A Gastro pub, with an authentic atmosphere, wooden tables and church like pews forcing you to sit in the correct posture, serving delicious plates of home-made burgers, ‘Confit of Duck’ and a delicate list of fine wines. As all gastro pubs the platters come at a little more expensive than regular pubs but all that can be forgotten with the first delectable bite of your meal.

Lots Road is a stones throw away (10-15min walk) from the wonderous Kings Road and the Fulham Road both are lined with shops, house the latest and greatest from the world of Fashion - thats right Ladies, wallets at the ready....
The Lots Road Pub is accessable from Sloane Sqaure and Fulham Broadway tube stations, but it is best to get the Bus no. 11 stops at the end of the road and C3 goes straight to Chelsea Harbour (the entrance is opposite the Lots Road Pub).

The main event of the weekend was an actual Hawaiian-style luau on Saturday night at Trader Vic’s, replete three bands, two DJs, one suckling pig per table and plenty of gleeful imbibers clad in loud floral-print aloha wear.

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