As for restaurants, that depends highly on what you like. Rules at 35 Maiden Lane has excellent but pricey meat dishes and is the oldest restaurant in London—they opened in 1798! If you're lucky they'll have fresh game from their estate in the Pennines. Tea at the exclusive Savoy hotel is quite an experience too, but also pricey. Afghan Kitchen at 35 Islington Green is cheap, filling, with no atmosphere, but excellent food you will have a hard time finding anywhere else. For some of the best fish and chips, go to the oldest chippery in town, the Rock and Sole Plaice, at 47 Endell St.

I'll be making some other restaurant and site suggestions to other people, so skim through all the questions for some more ideas.

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Murphy, N.C.: Hello, Sean. I need to find inexpensive airfare from London (Heathrow) to Paris (Chas. D'G) leaving London on November 24, 2007 and returning November 30, 2007. What suggestions can you offer?

Most Sincerely,
Connie

Sean McLachlan: Connie, there are plenty of budget carriers flying from Heathrow to Paris. EasyJet, Ryanair, and bmi are good bets. There are plenty more. You might also want to try Eurostar, a train traveling from the center of London to the center of Paris. It's more expensive, but more convenient and since you won't have to get to/from the airport, the price may not be all that different. Shop around!

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Gainesville, Fla.: My fiancee and I are backpacking through Europe over winter break and we'll be starting in London on December 16. We are both college students so its important for us to stay on a budget, especially in the more expensive cities like London. Can you recommend a hostel that has the best mix of location/price/quality? We've heard and read good things about Palmer's Lodge. Also, we'd love any affordable dining recommendations, we want to avoid the "touristy" places as much as possible. Finally, how would you recommend getting from London to Paris? Eurostar will cost nearly double a flight on EasyJet ($114 USD vs $59 USD, both final prices after taxes/fees) for the both of us although logistically it would be much easier.

Sean McLachlan: Your best bet for cheap accommodation are youth hostels. You'll usually have to share a room with other backpackers, but you'll save lots of money. My favorites are the YHA Holland House in Holland Park, and the Astor Museum Inn right next to the British Museum at 27 Montague St.

There are plenty of budget carriers flying from London to Paris. EasyJet, Ryanair, bmi are good bets. There are plenty more. Try to avoid flying out of Luton, since that's far from London and expensive to get to. You want Heathrow or Gatwick airports. Also factor in your travel cost/time to and from the airports. Since Eurostar takes you from city center to city center, it may not be much more expensive, and it will be more convenient.

I have never stayed at Palmer's Lodge (too many hotels in London to cover them all!) but I make some more suggestions for cheap accommodation in reply to the other questions. For good dining options, also see the answers to other questions. Congratulations on your engagement!

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