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10 • April 2016 • COAST • www.coast-magazine.com APRÈS For an affordable, off-season vacation, visit the land of the Brits By Katie Pesznecker I nternational travel can be daunting – but it doesn’t have to be. For a relatively easy overseas trip, consider London, a fasci- nating place steeped in history, teeming with culture and offering up endless diversions. I visited in February and amassed some tips and tricks from that excursion. WHEN TO GO I toured during the off-season, which has its advantages. See- ing Stonehenge? No lines, amazing viewing! I was in and out of the Crown Jewels exhibit at the Tower in 15 minutes flat, where the line (or “queue,” as the Brits say) can be a couple hours in peak times. Temperatures hovered in the 40s and 50s, but that’s no big thing to an Alaskan. Expect kinder climates but way more people in summer months. BEFORE YOU LEAVE Download the app “Citymapper.” Load and save addresses for the airport, locations you expect to visit, and for the place you are staying. Alert your banks you’ll be using your cards overseas. And obviously, make sure your passport is updated. WHAT TO PACK Sturdy, supportive shoes; portable chargers for your phone (for taking photos and occasional Wi-Fi access); an umbrella, gloves, and good scarf (it gets windy!); power outlet adapters. GETTING THERE Nearly every card-carrying Alaskan carries an Alaska Airlines Visa, which is great news for London traveling. I booked my ticket for 60K Alaska Air miles on Delta Airlines, with just one stop in Seattle, then a 10-hour direct flight over the Canada and Greenland to Heathrow’s bustling Terminal 4. Total travel time from Anchorage to London is less than 16 hours, which is pretty descent for a Europe trip. Delta takes care of its over- seas passengers. Flights include several complimentary food services, free alcoholic beverages and free movies. ESCAPING THE AIRPORT Customs, customarily, takes an hour on average. Once through, use Heathrow’s free Wi-Fi and your newly loaded Citymapper app to figure out the best route to your hotel. This app is foolproof – the easiest navigational aid I’ve ever used. Select where you are, where you’re going, when you’re leaving, and it tells you where to go, where to stand, what train or bus to get on and off, and how long it will take. As the British would say, it’s bloody brilliant. LONDON IS YOUR OYSTER Nearly no one uses cabs in London; they’re far too expensive, and hard to get. You will walk a lot, but you will take busses and trains. The cheapest and best and in some cases only way to use busses and the various Tubes (i.e. the subway) and trains, you need an Oys- ter Card. You can buy one in advance online, or buy it at the Tube cashier window at Heathrow. Put 30 pounds on it to start, and add money as needed. WHERE TO STAY Kensington and Chelsea is convenient for Heathrow connections and is an ideally placed location for accessing the city, serviced by several major bus and Tube lines. The Tower of London was an easy 20-minute Tube ride. Picadilly Circus was about the same by bus. I chose the Royal Garden Hotel, on the edge of Hyde Park and within view of Kensington Palace. Using Booking.com to reserve hotels, you can save hundreds of dollars on their rotating daily deals. ABOUT MONEY Most major credit cards work fine, but will include a foreign percentage fee. So upon arrival, get cash (the British Pound) from an ATM. The exchange rate is fair, and you’ll want cash for small purchases or the inevitable and inconvenient moments when, for whatever reason, your card doesn’t work. London is calling KATIE PESZNECKER One mustn’t miss high tea if visiting London.