Dover, Private Day Tour of London then Gatwick.

[mdmgso]

We are arriving at Dover on the Oceania Regatta on July 16, 2008 (Stockholm to London, July 2 departure). We would like to have a driver pick us up at the dock, take us to London for a day private tour, then drop us at our hotel at Gatwick. Another possibility is pick up in Dover, drop bags at the hotel at Gatwick, proceed to London for the tour, then take the train from Victoria Station to Gatwick.

Lots of questions:

1) Transportation and guide. Does any one have suggestions? So far we have heard from Woodford Chauffeur Cars and British Tours (Harry's Tours is already booked). The going rate appears to be from $800 to $1200 for up to six people. We will have too much luggage for public transportation.

2) Additional Persons. Is there anyone disembarking the Regatta who would like to join us? It won't be necessary for you to stay at Gatwick. The driver can drop you at your hotel in London.

3) Hotel at Gatwick. We are considering staying at the Sofitel Hotel in the North Terminal of the airport. Comments or suggestions?

Thanks

[handfordr]

We are arriving at Dover on the Oceania Regatta on July 16, 2008 (Stockholm to London, July 2 departure). We would like to have a driver pick us up at the dock, take us to London for a day private tour, then drop us at our hotel at Gatwick. Another possibility is pick up in Dover, drop bags at the hotel at Gatwick, proceed to London for the tour, then take the train from Victoria Station to Gatwick.

 

Lots of questions:

 

1) Transportation and guide. Does any one have suggestions? So far we have heard from Woodford Chauffeur Cars and British Tours (Harry's Tours is already booked). The going rate appears to be from $800 to $1200 for up to six people. We will have too much luggage for public transportation.

 

2) Additional Persons. Is there anyone disembarking the Regatta who would like to join us? It won't be necessary for you to stay at Gatwick. The driver can drop you at your hotel in London.

 

3) Hotel at Gatwick. We are considering staying at the Sofitel Hotel in the North Terminal of the airport. Comments or suggestions?

 

Thanks

 

The key aspect I think you need to establish is insurance on your luggage.

Harry of London Tours uses saloon cars as does Woodford. If you want more than an orientation tour, i.e. actually stop and visit places, the car will be left unattended in a public car park and a good chance your luggage is visible.

I would get written assurances your luggage is covered by the operators vehicle insurance, you'd be surprised how many are not covered for unattended cars.

[Globaliser]

3) Hotel at Gatwick. We are considering staying at the Sofitel Hotel in the North Terminal of the airport. Comments or suggestions?

This is a good place to be if you have a morning flight from Gatwick. Obviously it is very convenient indeed if your flight is from the North Terminal. But having now stayed there myself, I would actually recommend it even if you are flying from the South Terminal; notwithstanding that you have to take the shuttle train back to the South Terminal, I think it is still easier than the tortuous and less-than-pleasant walk through the car park to get to the South Terminal from the Hilton.

 

Obviously, you are going to pay extra for the convenience of being at one of the two real on-airport hotels. The only other on-airport place is the Yotel, which will not be to everyone's tastes. And everything else is off-airport, so you can't really just walk from the hotel to airline check-in.

[Globaliser]

2) Additional Persons. Is there anyone disembarking the Regatta who would like to join us? It won't be necessary for you to stay at Gatwick. The driver can drop you at your hotel in London.

You might want to be aware of the following:-

 

Ports of Call Posting Guidelines:-

Shore Excursion Shares

Posts looking for members to "share" your excursion, or posts mentioning that a few more spaces in a van are available and you should contact so and so, are not allowed. Please use the ROLL CALL thread for your ship’s sailing to find others willing to share your shore excursion tour costs.

**No Tour Share Posts, Please.:-

Please do not post looking for Tour Shares in our Ports of Call forums.

 

Locate the specific ROLL CALL for your ship's sailing and post it in there! Rule of thumb w/ tour shares: if you are starting a NEW THREAD for your tour share -- stop!

 

You will find the best response by posting in the ROLL CALL for your ship's sailing date -- these folks are sailing with you -- and may be just waiting for someone else to have a great idea for a tour!

**DO NOT POST HERE** until you've read the Rules for Posting in this Forum:-

• Tour Share type posts are not allowed. Tour shares may be posted in ROLL CALL for your ship's sailing.

[cwaj45]

You might want to get on Harry's waiting list. We've used him several times and he provides a wonderful tour.