London trip (2 Viewers)

[tuw]

Hey - never been to London and I'm down to only needing a hotel. I usually stay Hiltons but dam they look expensive.

Any suggestions about areas to stay? I just want to be near the action leading up to the game and such, but not necessarily near Wembley.
Also, should I stick with name brand hotels only? I don't want something weird... just something I'm used to. Gotta concentrate on turning brits into Who Dats.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Try www.accorhotels.co.uk ......they are a big chain in Europe. All of their hotels will be clean, have all the basic faciltites you need and more importantly all will be close to public transport. Best advice is to get a hotel near to a tube stop, the London Underground is the biggest in the world so you'll have no problems getting to any part of the city.

One thing to bear in mind, hotel rooms in Europe are nowhere near the size of those in the states and in a city where land is precious don't be expecting a huge room space when you get.

 

[garda]

we are flying into heathrow and I have a rented an apt. for the week near Paddington.

 

[Saint Greg]

Got my passport today so i'm all set. I did not however get my birth certificate back. Anyone know if they send it back seperately? I fear mine would be difficult to replace since I was born in Italy.

 

[Myndi]

I am just now catching up on all the post. I am going to London for the game too. Leaving on Oct 22 and coming back on Oct 29th. I am staying at the Hilton Trafalgar.

I plan on renting an international cell phone for the week. Any other ideas how we can meet up with others? Online I'm guessing. I am bringing my laptop, but would love to hang out with other Saints fans while I am there.

 

[Bourbon]

Myndi - that sounds like a good plan. I'll have a laptop too and we can all arrange to meet up somewhere.

I'm also interested in watching the LSU/Georgia game on Saturday. I'm hoping to find somewhere to watch it - otherwise I'm prepared to use Slingbox if anyone else is interested in watching.

 

[Myndi]

Myndi - that sounds like a good plan. I'll have a laptop too and we can all arrange to meet up somewhere.

I'm also interested in watching the LSU/Georgia game on Saturday. I'm hoping to find somewhere to watch it - otherwise I'm prepared to use Slingbox if anyone else is interested in watching.

I have been on a mission to find ESPN in London!! No luck yet!

 

[Dragon]

The official tailgating party

Just received this from NFL UK

NFLUK is excited to announce that there will be a free New Orleans-themed Tailgate Party at Wembley Stadium from 11:00am to 4:00pm prior to this year’s International Series game between the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers at Wembley Stadium on Sunday October 26th. The Tailgate Party is open to all International Series Game ticket holders
To apply for your tickets for this fantastic event, all you need to do is email tailgateuk@nfl.com and include your name and Ticketmaster order number. You can find your Ticketmaster order number in the Ticket confirmation email you received from customer.services@ticketmaster.co.uk following your ticket purchase. Your code should be in the following formats: 27-23972/UK4 or 52/86573.>>
Click here to see an example of how Ticketmaster’s order number would be presented on your confirmation email.>>
If your application is granted, you will receive the same number of Tailgate Party tickets as your Ticketmaster order for the Game. Tailgate tickets will be sent out in the same package as your Game tickets in early-October

The 20,000 person party will be the biggest organized tailgate event ever to take place in the UK, and will include New Orleans-based jazz bands, NFL Experience games and a Mardi Gras parade.

Live on stage will be a variety of famed lace>New Orleanslace> jazz to get the party in full swing..Also appearing at the Tailgate Party will be Saints’ cheerleaders, who will perform on stage for fans prior to taking the field.
In addition to the New Orleans-themed entertainment, there will be exciting food and drink options available to attendees. Authentic New Orleans recipes like jambalaya and étouffe will be on offer in addition to traditional football fare like hotdogs and hamburgers
Coors Light – the Official beer sponsor of the NFL -- will be providing a beer garden for NFL fans to meet-up and enjoy some ice cold,Rocky Mountain refreshment before kick-off of the big game between the Saints and Chargers.
Also available for fans attending the event will be a large Reebok NFL merchandise marquee, which will include an array of NFL gear including replica jerseys, caps, t-shirts, helmets, footballs and special commemorative International Series souvenirs.
If you want to spend time at the Tailgate Party sharpening your football skills there will be 11 NFL Experience games on site available to test your ability. Practice your throwing, blocking, catching, kicking, tackling and running with a variety of different fun games that will appeal to children and adults.
If playing football on screen is more your thing, then EA Sports will be there giving everyone an opportunity to play their latest and greatest NFL title: Madden NFL 09. There will also be a limited number of walk-up spots available to compete in the UKs Madden Challenge Finals, where you will have an opportunity to win great prizes -- including a Grand Prize trip to Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort and Spa in January 2009, to compete for a share of prizes totalling US$100,000 in the global Madden Challenge Finals!
The party gets underway at 11:00am, with three custom-designed Mardi Gras floats at 12:00pm which will arrive at the Tailgate site from the streets surrounding Wembley behind a rousing New Orleans marching band. Vibrantly coloured revelers on the floats will throw traditional New Orleans beads into the crowds to set the atmosphere alight and prepare fans for the big game in the stadium. Following behind the floats will be musicians including members of the Apache Mardi Gras Indian Tribe.
At 4:00pm the Tailgate Party will come to a close with the procession of the Mardi Gras floats from the Tailgate site into the stadium, where they will contribute to the pre-game entertainment
,

The entertainment will spill over into the streets surrounding Wembley, with musical entertainment on Olympic Way and at Wembley Stadium Station, as well as the passing of the Mardi Gras parade floats through the surrounding streets before their arrival at the Tailgate party

 

[theenglishsaint]

The rate from Priceline is a great deal. Unfortunately, the European version does not allow us to "make an offer".

 

[greenie]

I posted this on another thread a few days ago - then the thread went dead!

I wish that I could welcome all the Saints fans to my little pub in the Eastend of London as we are fans of all things New Orleans. But as I said - we are only little.


http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandb...iew-32111.html

Someone please tell me about Harrys Bar - this maybe something I could do.

 

[tuw]

I have been on a mission to find ESPN in London!! No luck yet!

Try here


http://www.thesportscafe.net/

They show sports from all over the world and should have no problem showing the game your after, the only obstacle would be the time difference but they are open till 3/4am on the weekends so i'm presuming that should be ok?

 

[Dragon]

K, you are right the hotels are so expensive. I was lucky to find something in Wembley for my sis and I. I recommend that anyone staying in London for over a week to look at short term flats (apt) to rent. I did that because it was cheaper than a hotel and also a bit bigger. Of course, it was easier to get the hotel in Wembley for the game so I wouldnt have to travel that day. Let me know if you need any help with your trip. This will be at least my 110th trip so I well schooled! And broke! LOL. Some people have other vices , mine is UK!

Anyone booking a flat be aware that there are a lot of scam artists targeting US customers seeking to rent an appartement in London.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...1-Fraud_Apartment_Rentals-London_England.html

 

[theenglishsaint]

Greenie, How do we find you on the Saturday afternoon from Central London.

 

[4saintspirit]

Just received this from NFL UK

I didnt get my tickets from ticketmaster -- got them from the saints -- so my confirmation is from them -- do I still get to go to the tailgate party?

 

[Dragon]

I didnt get my tickets from ticketmaster -- got them from the saints -- so my confirmation is from them -- do I still get to go to the tailgate party?

That question has been answered on NFKUK and as people were told to send their name and whatever confirmation no the've got to the above adresse. The tickets are First comr/first serve and I don't know if there is any left.

Try writing the above adresse, or send a PM to theenglishsaint - he has secured 100 tickets to the party. look at the updated london thread for further info.

 

[fenboy73]

http://www.colchestergladiators.org.uk/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=99

for those that were not successful in the "official" tailgate lottery!