Planning a vacation

I will celebrate my 60th birthday in June.  For the past few months, I have thought about options on where to do.  The original plan was to fly to London in May for a few days, then head to Dubrovnik for a few days, travel by bus to see more of Montenegro, and perhaps make it to Albania, and the back to London and home. 


Unfortunately, that trip will not happen.  Perhaps next year.  Too costly, especially the airfare. Utterly astonished by how expensive it is to fly to London.  Only three airlines fly direct from D.C., to London: United Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.  Not a lot of competition.  I check the airlines' websites every day, and add Delta, American and USAir..   If I book American, I go on  British Airways.  USAir flies out of Philadelphia.  Done this route several times.  A good option because I don't have to travel out to Dulles.  DCA - Philadelphia -London. 


BA has an agreement with AARP, with a small discount for AARP members.  I have also tried CheapoAir (used it last year to book my flight to Belgrade) , Vayama, Expedia, AAA, among others. 


I hope to book the flight by next week. 


I will be in London for my birthday, which is the same day as the Trooping of the Colour.  Guess where I will be.  Meeting friends for dinner.  


Thanks to the horror of the airfare, I won't be eating out for most of my vacation.  Take out at Marks & Spencer, and eat in hotel room.  A few day trips are planned.  Sudeley Castle is at the top of my list.  Hardwick Hall, too, which is about two hours by train from London.


I tease my students about placing a tips jar on my desk when they come and ask me for something.