Stupid Questions (newbie traveler)

hi. i'm scrambling to find the cheapest flight and lodging for a may
trip to norfolk, england. i really don't know the first thing about
traveling. i live in providence, rhode island, USA. i am hoping to
stay in a b&b for a week in norfolk, england and also find the
cheapest flight or package possible. i have gone on expedia and a few
other online travel companies...but it still looks like it's going to
be more than i'm willing to spend. expedia says $940.00 for 2 tickets
(flight only, round trip)...i think i was on some weird internet
company last night that said 590.00$ for the same thing...but i could
have been halucinating..it was like 3:00am
anyway, here are my main questions: (i hope you all can help)

1) what's the better deal, bed and breakfast or hotel?

2) when using an internet company like expedia or hotwire, in most
cases, is it better to combine flight and lodging or book lodging
seperate?

3) are there certain days of the week that are cheaper to depart or
return on than others?

4) are internet agencies the cheapest way to go?

5)what exactly are hostels like in the uk?

6) do you have any general thrifty advice for staying in england?

7) am i leaving out any important questions?


thank you all. sorry for my ignorance.
jessica

On 16 Mar 2004 14:04:35 -0800, (jessicandle)
wrote:

hi. i'm scrambling to find the cheapest flight and lodging for a may
trip to norfolk, england. i really don't know the first thing about
traveling. i live in providence, rhode island, USA. i am hoping to
stay in a b&b for a week in norfolk, england and also find the
cheapest flight or package possible. i have gone on expedia and a few
other online travel companies...but it still looks like it's going to
be more than i'm willing to spend. expedia says $940.00 for 2 tickets
(flight only, round trip)...i think i was on some weird internet
company last night that said 590.00$ for the same thing...but i could
have been halucinating..it was like 3:00am
anyway, here are my main questions: (i hope you all can help)

1) what's the better deal, bed and breakfast or hotel?
B&B generally.

2) when using an internet company like expedia or hotwire, in most
cases, is it better to combine flight and lodging or book lodging
seperate?

Flight only.
3) are there certain days of the week that are cheaper to depart or
return on than others?
Sometimes

4) are internet agencies the cheapest way to go?
Yes but you gotta click, click, click.
If you see a good deal Grab It!
Thing are in flux all the time.
Also always check the Airlines site-they may have a better deal than
any middleman.
www.ticketspinner.com

5)what exactly are hostels like in the uk?

6) do you have any general thrifty advice for staying in england?

7) am i leaving out any important questions?


thank you all. sorry for my ignorance.
jessica

Taking a moment's reflection, jessicandle mused:
|
| 5)what exactly are hostels like in the uk?

It depends. Most are acceptable, and some are exceptional. Generally
cheaper than B&Bs.

| 6) do you have any general thrifty advice for staying in england?

Buy food at the grocery store ... save eating in restaurants for special
occasions.

| 7) am i leaving out any important questions?

Probably. But, once you're there you'll realized some of the things you
focused on were unimportant, and some things you never thought of. Just
make sure your basic needs will be met, and then let everything else fall
into place once you get there.

"jessicandle" wrote in message
om...
hi. i'm scrambling to find the cheapest flight and lodging for a may
trip to norfolk, england. i really don't know the first thing about
traveling. i live in providence, rhode island, USA. i am hoping to
stay in a b&b for a week in norfolk, england and also find the
cheapest flight or package possible. i have gone on expedia and a few
other online travel companies...but it still looks like it's going to
be more than i'm willing to spend. expedia says $940.00 for 2 tickets
(flight only, round trip)...i think i was on some weird internet
company last night that said 590.00$ for the same thing...but i could
have been halucinating..it was like 3:00am
anyway, here are my main questions: (i hope you all can help)

1) what's the better deal, bed and breakfast or hotel?

I would stay in a hostel (Youth Hostel Association) instead. I stay in
loads of hotels for work and I don't think the extras are worth the extra
money. YHA can book ahead for you too so that your bed is reserved for when
you arrive at the next hostel. You need to join the YHA to be allowed to
stay at their hostels but it is only around GBP12. I stayed in the YHA
Helvelyn in the Lake District (Cumbria, far north west England) and it cost
GBP10.60 per night. It was a beautiful cottage at the base of Helvelyn
peak.

2) when using an internet company like expedia or hotwire, in most
cases, is it better to combine flight and lodging or book lodging
seperate?

Sorry, not up on the US sites.
3) are there certain days of the week that are cheaper to depart or
return on than others?

Check out when the UK holidays are. School holidays and Bank Holidays are
more expensive with the UK school summer holidays the most. For hotels,
weekdays are cheaper than weekends, usually.

4) are internet agencies the cheapest way to go?

I would say yes.

5)what exactly are hostels like in the uk?

Pretty good. I have stayed in hostels in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand,
Czech Republic and the UK and would say that the UK ones were on average
better although you do get some awesome ones in the big cities in Aus and
NZ.

6) do you have any general thrifty advice for staying in england?

Go to a big supermarket like Asda (Walmart), Tesco, Safeway or Sainsbury's
to get your food. Try to avoid the "Metro" versions of these. They are in
the business areas of the cities and have inflated prices. Never shop at
motorway service stations, train stations, etc as they will be alot more
expensive than a supermarket. Check out www.tesco.com for an idea of prices
and compare that to a hotel menu when you get here!

7) am i leaving out any important questions?

Try to see some of the other parts of the UK. I live in Cornwall just
outside Newquay on the north coast of the south west penninsula. It is
truly beautiful. Also of note are the Lake District (you'll need a car) and
some of the older cities like York, Cirencester, Bath, Stratford Upon Avon
and Ludlow. There are also some amazing places in Wales and Scotland, too,
if you fancy the trek. Hope this is of some use. Have a great time
whatever you decide to do ;-) Cheers and beers, Rufus
thank you all. sorry for my ignorance.
jessica