Olly has sold the cowboy evening to me! In fact I'll probably opt for all the optional excursions as I don't like to miss out on anything. Having said that I am still debating the Universal Studios one but suspect I'll want to go, especially if everyone else is going!

Thanks Mick for the offer of a lift back, not sure of my arrangements yet but I will let you know nearer the time. It's very good of you to offer, thanks again.

Bye for now

Victoria

Anyone booked Route 66 in October ?

Hi Mick. I'm Maureen. Booked for October. Flying from Newcastle Sunday. JY booked me in Arora. Looking forward to it.

I was thinking about driving down. Then thought about the train down. Then I thought I'd be very tired and wanted to get home as quick as possible so opted to fly instead.

I'm easy with which hotel to stay in the night before. Would be nice to meet up with fellow travellers the night before if possible. Pity we can't find anymore going on our trip in this community.

Paul

Hi Paul

I'm Maureen. Booked on Route 66. Flying from Newcastle day before. JY booked me in Arora. Looking forward to it.

The Branson trip sounds great. As you know I love live music like yourself so it's right up our street. Nice to see that we can pay in dollars too.

To be totally honest I'd be up for most things while I'm over there.

Paul

I've looked on google maps to see where your hotel is and it's not too far away from where we are staying. We are going to the Three Magpies Pub on Bath Road the night before for a meal and a drink or 2 if you fancy meeting up with a few of your fellow route 66'ers. If not we will see you at terminal 5 in the morning.

Are you up for the Chicago night out that Mick has suggested? Should be a great night.

Paul

Anyone booked Route 66 in October ?

Hi Mick. I'm Maureen. Booked for October. Flying from Newcastle Sunday. JY booked me in Arora. Looking forward to it.

Hi Maureen,

A few of us are staying over the night before, at least 2 maybe more at the Park Inn which is just up the road (Bath Road). We are planning to go for a meal at pub over the road called "The Three Magpies", if you are at your hotel early enough you are more than welcome to join us.

I've stayed at the Arora previously and think it would be less than a mile from our hotel and the pub, just turn left outside the main entrance. If you google map it you'll see both hotels and the pub.

Also remember service buses are free along bath road and immediate area.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/pdf/heathrowterminals123-13970.pdf 

Also if you've read previous comments on this post you'll see we are planning a Blues Club in Chicago (probably after eating in a Irish Pub), think a few will go so if you fancy that again you would be more than welcome.

Mick

Hello and welcome Maureen.

I've looked on google maps to see where your hotel is and it's not too far away from where we are staying. We are going to the Three Magpies Pub on Bath Road the night before for a meal and a drink or 2 if you fancy meeting up with a few of your fellow route 66'ers. If not we will see you at terminal 5 in the morning.

Are you up for the Chicago night out that Mick has suggested? Should be a great night.

Paul

Don't know my flight time from Newcastle yet but would like to come to pub if timing is ok. Definately interested in Chicago night out.

Maureen

Glad to hear that you're up for the night out in Chicago. With a bit of luck there will be loads of us and even the tour guide. Route 66 is all about music and what a great way to start off our trip.

If you make it to the Three Magpies that will be great. We will post on here a time to meet there nearer the time. Again with a little luck there will be a few of us there too.

Paul

Looking forward to meeting you on the October trip. I will be staying somewhere at Heathrow the night before, just got to get around to booking it. Only 15 weeks to go which means a big bill to pay soon and sort out the packing! Just read a review which suggests travelling light - not sure that will be an easy task!!

Kay

Both Mick and myself are staying at the Park Inn and we are going for a meal at the Three Magpies the night before we travel. If you are staying at this hotel or one close by do you want to meet up with a few others the night before?

I've read the post about travelling light. Not sure how you can do this when you're away for 16 days. I'm all paid up now and ive just got my optional excursions to pay for. 15 weeks will soon pass now. I booked this trip when it first came available last September and the time has passed very slowly. Now I guess with only 15 weeks to go it should go a lot quicker.

Look forward to meeting you either the night before or at the airport.

Paul

Two of my JY hols have been US touring hols and don't think you need to travel light. i just pack what I need and rotate in my case, just take out what I need at each town or city and put the dirty stuff to the bottom. Can keep stuff folded so it just lifts in and out as you need.

I use a ruck sack for my luggage, handy for taking a few items on coach with you if needed.

Think the weight requirement with BA is 23kg for hold lugage.

Mick

Hi Kay & Paul,

Two of my JY hols have been US touring hols and don't think you need to travel light. i just pack what I need and rotate in my case, just take out what I need at each town or city and put the dirty stuff to the bottom. Can keep stuff folded so it just lifts in and out as you need.

I use a ruck sack for my luggage, handy for taking a few items on coach with you if needed.

Think the weight requirement with BA is 23kg for hold lugage.

Mick

ahhh this is one place left on this trip, so unsure if to book this or the new england and canada in fall, or rockie mountain, or golden west. how annoying!

Nicholas.

Thanks for the info on luggage. I've upgraded my flight and I believe Incan take 2 pieces of luggage both up top 23kgs. I doubt I will take 2 cases but I guess I will bring lots of gifts back. I'll be taking a messenger bag to keep my my camera and camcorder around. Will be taking my iPad too. I presume we can leave some off our stuff on the coach when we are visiting the various places. I also presume that there will be some laundry facilities at some places should we need to wash a few things.

Not long to go now

Paul.

Yes we'll have the same coach (and driver) full trip I would imagine, thats what happend on my other trips. I keep camera and other valuables in my hand luggage, usually take a change of clothes in there just in case the hold luggage gets delayed (never happend yet).

If other tours are anything to go by on the days we travel between locations we'll stop off a couple of times at places of intrest, all adds to the holiday.

Most hotels in the US will have laundry facilities but I've not used (others have) always manage to take plenty of clothes, one thing i do is take some carrier bags to put used stuff in to keep it seperate from my clean gear.

Been to the States a few times so don't tend to bring gifts nowadays but you need to allow for it with your luggage.

Mick

I guess the last place won't be there for long the route 66 trip has been very popular. All of the USA trips you mention sound great. Maybe you should list them in order of what you want to do the most. The route 66 trip is a very special 1 and so iconic. I know in our group a few of us are already friends through this community. I guess whichever trip you decide on will be a great 1.

Paul

Again some very good advice you have given me. This will be my first touring holiday as you can guess. I normally take too many clothes when I go on holiday as well but this trip is so different from what I normally do. It's good that we will have the same coach as we can leave some things on there while we visit the many places on our tour.

I've decided to book all the optional excursions. Might as well do as much as I can on this trip. The hotel in St Louis is out of town with not much nearby. Maybe we can arrange another night out somewhere if it's not too far away.

Not long to go now.

Paul

Just received my visa information pack this morning. All filled in and sent back. Now I can start to get a little more excited as the time is getting closer. Also reading about the optional excursions I still think I shall book them all including the 2 that are only bootable during the trip. Branson sounds like an exceptional evening out and I hope there will be enough numbers for this trip to go ahead. Also I fancy the dinner at Tam O'Shanters although it doesn't say where this place is.

Looking forward to everything about this trip and the days are counting down a lot faster now.

Paul.

Got my letter this morning with regards to the optional tours, there are 6 but two of which are only bookable in resort with the tour manager (need to take enough dollars for them). I've phoned JY and booked all the others, agree may as well do it if going all that way.

From what I hear a few of the hotels are out of town, had this before just got a few interested people and get a taxi. Did this in Flagstaff (same hotel) on "Parks & Canyons" last year and had a cracking night. All there is near the hotel is a American Diner (which we also did on other night we were there) which is ok but feeling we'll see a few of them on route 66.

Will research a few cities (and hotels) before we go, as said before know Chicago well and planning two cracking nights there, also been to St Louis and know a few good places, then of course Flagstaff as mentioned.

Taxis arn't a problem in American cities, seems to be loads available.

Mick