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In-Air Entertainment Enhancements


Remember just a few years ago, when all that was available in flight was a tiny movie screen way up forward on a bulkhead? You could get the sound with earphones and severe eyestrain trying to make out the movie.

You could also choose to listen to music by plugging in earphones to an armrest. Of course, you had no control of what the airline decided to broadcast. Today, everything has improved, and keeps on evolving.

Some airlines, including United and British Airways, now offer a large library of movies, videos, games and audio music that play constantly on the back of the seat screen in front of you. Of course, you can opt to take along your own iPod, iBook, DVD player, laptop and other portable electronic digital devices and choose from their virtually endless entertainment and other  menus.

Speaking of menus, many airlines plan to lend out pre-programmed individual iPads to passengers as they board. In addition to offering choices for entertainment and reading, there will be digital menus listed. All they’ll require is for the passenger to tap in orders for food, drink, information and other services from flight attendants. If it weren't for the groping security check-in, flying could once again actually be a pleasant journey.
London, England: Ways To Get Around The Busy City PDF Print E-mail


We love everything about London, and visit often. There’s so much do there, Shakespeare at the Globe, Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Houses of Parliament, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and many, many other historic and fun sites.

With all of those wonderful things to experience in such a big city, getting around London can be a challenge for visitors. Let’s examine the best ways.

Walk: Do some homework before you get to London. When you check in to your hotel, ask for a city map and a briefing of sites you plan to visit.

Many are within walking distance. For example, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square are short strolls apart. In you want your hotel to be nearby, within a mile are the Marriott London County Hall, Thistle Westminster Hotel and Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.

Sign up to gather with other tourists for a scheduled walking tour. Agencies provide experienced guides who conduct interesting tours, complete with colorful descriptions.

Bus: Those bright red, double-decker London buses are great for short inner city runs. Use the Tube/Underground subway system to get around many areas of the big, traffic-jammed city. Some London day passes for bus and Tube rides also offers free entry to the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, a Thames River Boat Cruise and half-dozen more attractions.

The Tube choices: While it’s convenient to get quickly to outer reaches of the city, the subway system in London is a complicated seven-zone puzzle. Tube ticket booth people are very patient, and carefully explain the system to tourists. For example, the Oyster card is an all-inclusive Tube bargain.

Taxi: The famed London black cabs are the most comfortable way to get around London. They provide door-to-door  service, often with Cockney conversation. It’s the only way to travel when you’ve celebrated into the wee hours, and public transportation schedules get unreliable.

For a typical 25-minute ride, the cost is about $40. To London’s  Heathrow Airport from central London, a 45-minute taxi ride is about $100. If you don’t need door-to-door service, train fare from London to the airport is about $20.

 
 
 
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