On the footsteps of the Templars: trip to the southwest of England, UK

I will try to describe this trip on the road, short but definitely intense and full of emotions. I will avoid the historical cases to stop instead of traveling on those characteristics that I consider more interesting for other travelers. Are obviously available for required depth of any kind.
Autombile
I was genuinely worried about driving on the left. And I got a car with automatic transmission to avoid the problem of change with his left hand. I must say that the first 2 / 3 hours are not easy especially intersections, roundabouts roundabouts ... that bad! Cabbage is not easy, we arrived at night and take the car even without having a lot of traffic (to follow) was an experience ... but other than the first round where we risked being taken by a truck the rest went pretty smooth. I must say that even after a couple of days I passed!
Add to that fear I also made the optional insurance super CRWD "or the total Kasko without excess. Ok. My car was a Focus with 8000 miles, 1.6 petrol, leased to Hertz.
Some tips on driving:
1) The British did not plan to be calm and do not drive. Run, as in Italy. Are more environmentally friendly this is, but certainly if you go see the plans behind that impatient ... even if they do not reach flash as we
2) Buying petrol on the motorway is not easy. Petrol stations are infrequent. Better get out near a small town and do the full
3) Petrol around € 1.16 per liter
4) Pay more parking! We got down near Canterbury, to take a picture and after two minutes we had the traffic warden who was writing. After a special whining and the classic phrase "I did not know I do not read English well," took pity and gave us the subscriber 75 LST fine
5) All parking areas are free. All, even at night and in the countryside
6) Pay the parking meter is sometimes a business: you must first enter the license number (sometimes even partially) because they are afraid that the tickets are passed each other. Sometimes it pays with the CC and are usually facilitated stops short or very long. These averages are the most penalized. Some examples:
Others Hour: 70 p
b. Two hours: 2 LST
c. 4 hours: 4 LST
d. From 18.00 9.00 6 / 7 pounds
7) In all we drove 763 km to LST 60 Gas
8) Last but not least: the highways are free!

Sleep
All chosen on the internet. I tried to maintain this standard normal (or luxury or hostel) I've gotten on average with about seventy euros per night for a double with breakfast included.

Meals
If you go in pubs, especially in small centers during dinner there recently with the dug out. There are also menu with two courses of 10 LST. We say that the prices, thanks to the euro, are much more than our reach.

TOM TOM
Without I would have cried. Difficult to navigate, especially in towns. You are focused on traffic (which could be chaotic) and the guide. Also read the map I saw her really hard.

 

Staines

We arrive at Heathrow with Alitalia flight. Punctual. Take the car (the Hertz bus passes outside Terminal 2, which, taking all other arrivals terminal to the parking lot). At zero withdrawal explanations of the car but the keys and many greetings. We head to Staines on the Thames to a local 20in Km by APT. There are staying at the Mercure Thames Lodge (50 € per night without breakfast). Say stop technique. Staines offers nothing interesting except the River Thames which runs right beside the hotel. Carina the location, but the hotel has a level of cleanliness bad, really bad. Our room also overlooked the parking lot (private and not free, a rarity) and was on the ground floor that night with windows closed. Eating was difficult because we got to 23 and McDonald's was also closed. We encountered one that made the pizzas to be delivered at home and we arranged. Dining at the hotel!

Salisbury

Time is not good. Cool about 19 degrees and cloudy. We stop to take some photos to the Thames and head towards Stonehenge. Quiet street, highway for long stretches. About an hour and a half, we always proceed with great caution and within the limits (there are lots of cameras pointed them to me also the TOM TOM). Stonehenge is disappointing because the park is crossed by state. And then you lose the mystical atmosphere that one expects to find. Parking is charged 3 LST and faces at Stonehenge. To join you pay about 8 to 3 LST LST are discounted parking. But do not make the mistake of entering because in reality everything is visible (and believe me well) from the road. You can make your photos with ease. In fact I will tell you more: avoid the parking fee because later (about 200 meters) there are narrow streets where you can park for free (they all do!). So disappointing ... also raining as well and then we leave, heading towards Salisbury.
The medieval town is very pretty. Beautiful Salisbury Cathedral. Admission is free you only pay if you want to climb the spire. It 'very nice also lit at night and it's worth having a ride. Maintained and in perfect English style course, the gardens surrounding the cathedral. We stayed at B & Bred Pembroke (http://www.pembrokearms.co.uk/). Beloved, we went because the previous hotel casino on the reservation and has sent us here with apologies. Just to let you know that housing costs LST 140 per night excluding breakfast! We actually paid 90LST with breakfast. But I do not own them is: small rooms and the limit of asphyxiation but very nice. Staff polite and friendly, breakfast discreet but would not say rich nor cured. Free Parking.

Brighton

After breakfast we head south towards the coast. Southampton go past without stopping on their way to Portsmouth. Important port area where the Titanic was built, the town was raped during the war with several bombings and today everything seems very new but rather anonymous. We parked at a multi-storey covered parking near the port (4 LST for 4 hours) and we entered the historic port area where there are some ships to visit, museums and even the possibility of excursions by boat in the harbor. We decided to visit the famous HMS Victory ship commanded by Admiral Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar. The visit was very interesting even if the ticket (12 LST) not exactly affordable. The price includes a museum (rather than anonymous). The ship was still pretty hard and there is also a guide in Italian (incredible).
We stopped to eat along the harbor in a nice pub and then we left for the final stage of the day was Brighton, the "English Riviera". It was a beautiful day although very windy and not hot. We find a little 'hard work (although the TomTom because some hotels do not mark the house) our Hotel Sea Spray (http://www.seaspraybrighton.co.uk/) about 70 € for a double with breakfast. This hotel is really nice with a gentle lady who will have to explain what force and what to see or do in Brighton. Unable to resist is too kind. Warning No. 1: If you arrive after 21 write them because otherwise you will find closed (no opening night). Warning No. 2: If you are claustrophobic you go there because the rooms are truly Lilliputian to the limits of survival. Also difficult to open your bags and move in the bathroom business. Further disadvantage: the room very hot and angry seagulls who have harshly awakened at 4:30 in the morning!
Brighton is nice but really under siege. The beach is pebbles (small rocks but) the sea quite rough but with so many young people at risk of being sfranti rocks bathed. There is a large pier (Brighton Pier) above where there is a huge amusement park open until very late in the evening. There is a relic of the old Pier which caught fire. The wreck lies in water for several decades and has become almost a monument. Along the beach, dozens of bars, restaurants, pockets, pubs ... so true chaos in the evening. There is a very nice promenade to walk. Carina too pedestrian for a while 'shopping but also because the local focus for dinner in Brighton. You can eat fish and seafood or meat in a pub. The important thing is that you do it soon because the 21 ... it becomes difficult to sit down because they do not accept more guests. If you later (or you do not want to eat at 6 pm) then folded on Brighton Pier, whose kiosks are open until 23 (some even longer).
Pavillon disappointing. They were doing renovation work but the thing that struck me most lsciato (say negatively) is that the gardens is truly the social problems with kids sitting and drinking beer (and smoke marijuana) or making their needs behind the bushes . At night the area becomes not recommended because it is truly a receptacle for stragglers. I did not like and why we decided not to stop the next day to visit the inside (close to 17).

Canterbury

Come to Eastburn. We welcome the kind lady and go to the cliffs of Beachy Head just before Eastbourne. Are similar to those chalk cliffs of Dover High a little less and maybe less spectacular ... but we sincerely liked it because there are the classic low lights with red and white stripes ... enchanting. Strong wind day but quite nice. Arrived at Beachy Head car park in the numerous (fee) along the way and let the rich walk or stop to contemplate the jump of 150 meters that separates you from the sea. Be careful because the edges are macabre crosses in memory of the insane acts of a few unfortunates ... Beachy Head is indeed popular spot for suicides (or aspiring). Continue because the stage today is long and we get the 14 in Dover. Looking for somewhere to eat and find a pub really sad but we did eat (with waiting 40 minutes) to 2.75 LST head! Crazy, like being inside the house of an English family. Would go to the pub called Falstaff and is in Ladywell 8.
Obviously you have to choose between Dover Cliffs and Castle. We opted for the reefs because the castle could also see from the outside (very characteristic and well kept and well worth a visit inside, there were over 20 years ago and I have positive memories).
The cliffs have an access fee (£ 5 but I might remember wrong) to park the car. The center closes at 17:00 but the bar is closed before 19:00. There is a long walk of over 2 hours. Obviously you can choose where to stop ... keep in mind that after about 2 miles there is a beautiful white lighthouse and a normal pace takes about 45 minutes (one way). The walk is really invigorating and exciting: the green hills, meadows, chalk cliffs over 200 meters high, ferries to Dover and Calais, the French bank seen across the English Channel. Incredible really nice. Even if the wind really fool you. After two hours back to do some photos from Castle Hill which overlooks it and then have to go past 7 pm at Canterbury where we booked our accommodation. Is just over 20 miles: arrived in Canterbury to find the hotel was a truly difficult. It is called Canterbury Cathedral Lodge (http://www.canterburycathedrallodge.org/) Cathedral Precinct address read but how could we know that the hotel was just inside the border of England's most famous cathedral??
So I leave aside the 30 minutes of a desperate search: you go Burgate St (pedestrian street leading to the cathedral). The entrance door to the Cathedral is guarded by a policeman, but you do not worry: Ask and it will be opened. You can access the cloister where the police take your car and the data will show the car park (opposite the Cathedral). The property is within the perimeter of the Cathedral and then the only accommodation that you can admire the building from your room or a coffee bevendovi wonderful private garden. Hotel Specialties:
1) Cost of 65 LST room with continental breakfast
2) The cost also includes the price for access to the Cathedral. Indeed enter the cloister and then in the Cathedral coast LST 7.5 head and then save 15 LST. Also you can easily turn when the Cathedral and the Cloister especially close to 21 ... the door is bolted, but in reality you can safely turn to you who are residents
3) Enter and exit the door closed is as easy to see a special license that will give the girl at the desk
4) Free Parking is wonderful because we have asked and received can leave the car until the 13th day after saving a few pounds
5) The hotel is not bad even if the sore point of the room is that the bed had a hand against the wall and then you had to climb out the other person! But the location was so perfect that you can not make any accusation
6) PC Joint Internet PC with free internet in the library. The hotel is in fact a former student residence, University of Canterbury. Beautiful beautiful beautiful.
Canterbury is very pretty. Very traditional style homes with many tutors, very well maintained. Beautiful pedestrian area, and beautiful manicured gardens. If you feel like you can also ride in a punt along the canals that pass through Canterbury, appeared to be very romantic. I would not mind the price but it seemed a town that is accessible. To eat (here there are times you eat even up to 23, a rarity in the realm of His Majesty) I suggest in the main square opposite the pub Buttermarket access to the Cathedral. Cute, with outdoor seating in a medieval setting with good food and wonderful. Excellent cider (Bulmers) is the apple pear. It is a little wine alcohol (4.5 °) produced by fermentation of crisp apples and pears. Sold in half-liter bottles is usually served in a pint of ice. Costa 3.65 LST (not just say) but it is really refreshing. The label says not to overdo it and do not drink more than 4 units per day (2 liters!). I got drunk that night he was 3 and not at all shiny!
Later in the evening the center of Canterbury has given us the impression of being quite insecure I do not know what to tell you exactly but there were many police around and above several tipsy boys running around screaming ... perhaps this gave the impression unsafe but it is something that we only noticed here. We went around midnight but we were just quiet. Mah.

Maidstone

Go to the coast near the mouth of the Thames. The place is called Whitstable is famous for. ... Oysters! After the positive experience of British racing as we go is up to 10-12 km from Canterbury. The town is nice but parking is difficult because there are few seats and parking is permitted for up to two hours! Then you come back and make more money (among other things without being seen because it is not allowed!). We bet a very nice place to eat oysters at a good price (also reported by Lonely) but it was packed with tables taken up at 17.00 (!!!) and then we asked a shopkeeper to have no idea where to go. Be careful because the seats are nice but can be expensive. And then we went to sea in this place indicatoci. Decent prices (not low) but good food and excellent service, especially have been patient with us that there orientations, with the names of the fish in English ... we got oysters (6), half lobster and mussels + fries. Drank two beers for 50 LST. Oysters are also cheap along the harbor but we eat sitting on the sidewalk. We have paid the 6 oysters 05.07 LST but I saw that some of the vendors offered for half price. It was very hot (nearly 30 °) and there was a bright sun and then some were even brave the bathroom! We took a good ice cream to try a bit 'of refreshment (paid for the beauty of a cone type 2 LST McDonald's!). At about 15:30 we take the car and we strive to Maidstone, where to stay last night. The hotel is called Oakwood House (http://www.oakwoodhouse-kcc.com/) and is a beautiful estate just outside of town. It 's almost a castle, a wonderful park (I say really). Free parking and squirrels that run from tree to tree paradise. The only thing a little sad is that the structure is rather business and we believe we were the only tourists. The hotel offers several conference rooms and in the morning for breakfast we were the only ones not wearing a jacket and tie (!). However the cost is affordable € 65 a double with breakfast (rather painful). The room was quite large and comfortable but anonymous and bare. Great the bar until 22.30 allows you to take a drink or to eat small snacks. The boy is very kind and allowed us also to take a drink after closing. If it is a day you can enjoy your drink in the back garden is a marvel.
Maidstone is nice but not overwhelming. The evening becomes a bit sad because not very touristy but for the fact that within a few km's Leeds Castle (the reason for our visit). We are shooting aimlessly through the pedestrian area (after parking the car to pay of course) and there untapped in a Spanish restaurant (La Tasca). Huge, clean and quite busy. Why not? A paella and sangria. Expect a flood of time, almost an hour. We also carry the balls to pass the time (which of course then we pay!). Paella is not bad (not excellent but not bad) Sangria to be avoided (12 LST thrown!). Staff, however, very kind and happy hour until 21 with an offer to 10LST head with which you can order tapas as you like "or up to chewing.

Coming back home

Early morning breakfast (because the bar closes at 8:30!). Then we aim at Leeds Castle. I would not say anything but: Superb!. The beautiful park, with blacks swans, ducks beautiful gardens ... ... the entry costs 16 LST but it is a year and you can come enjoy the garden, micro attractions for children (aviaries, falconer, maze, a small path facilities Camel Trophy Style) and of course the Castle. Obviously, the castle is well taken (it belongs to a private foundation of the descendants of American tycoon who bought early '900) but not in a cause much surprise. Beautiful outside, with the pond, the drawbridge and then a huge golf course. Wanting the Castle can be rented for weddings (you can also officiate at a civil ceremony) and a beautiful white tent hosting the banquet. Of course I can not tell you the cost!
We do not realize but comes quickly at lunchtime. Moving immense garden is however facilitated by a train that takes you around to avoid doing kilometers. But above all not to die of heat (the day was even hotter, more than 31 °). Let's go to the parking lot (included in entry price) and go to a couple of miles away where we had seen a wonderful place to eat the last meal on earth British: The Park Gate Inn (http://www.vintageinn.co .uk / theparkgateinnhollingbourne /) A huge Tudor-style pub which is right on the road with ample parking and a very large garden equipped with benches and umbrellas. We try to put out but the heat is really excessive and opt to go inside. There is a promo with two dishes to choose for 9 LST and opt for a single dish (well for me and sausages and roast chicken for my girlfriend) and a nice salad of berries. Obviously cider inevitable but also a good coffee (I have to say, not being expressed was not bad). Let's go slowly towards Heathrow and apt as we approach the traffic lanes of the motorway and also increases ... we counted 4 for each direction plus the emergency of course! Always consider the time to bring the car to check out and then take the shuttle that goes back all the terminals until you reach your ... we spent a good hour. Regulator accordingly.
Without this ... there are still a bit 'of Mago and then we start with the flight of 20 to Rome. To soften the sadness a magnificent night view of Paris ... and then arrive in the oppressive heat of the capital. Good journey to all!