Audio guide advantages — London

My wife and I visited London in April ’07 for the 11th time. On our first trip, in 1984, we were with a hosted group. We learned that we prefer to have the freedom to explore in more detail, so we have been traveling independently ever since.

At Westminster Abbey, the group entrance is on the north side; however, independents enter at the front, where you can either pick up a map and wander on your own or rent an excellent audio guide for £5.

These guides provide directions, basic information and lots of optional detail, but be sure to get a map as well. There are many features, like chapels, tombs, art and nooks and crannies, that are little known but well worth exploring. We were thoroughly fascinated for nearly three hours, and I know that we didn’t play all of the optional information that was on the audio guide.

We didn’t encounter groups until we were 50 feet from the exit. Granted, you will encounter congestion on your visit, but having an audio guide lets you step aside for a breather and resume when it’s convenient.

At the Tower of London, only Warders are allowed to be guides, and during our visit each of their groups appeared to have 40 people or more. Instead, we rented an audio guide for £5 at the gift shop and got to explore to suit ourselves. Allow plenty of time, because there is much more information on the audio guide than you will get on a tour with a Warder.

We were a little disappointed with the jewelry collection, which is probably the most popular attraction. On our first trip, in 1984, we were able to view small jewelry items in display cases. The sheer numbers of people now make this impossible. You move through rooms with serpentines and view projections of the small items on screens. You wind up at a marvelous display of crowns in a long glass case, but you’re on a moving walkway.

The last few years, more audio guides have been appearing in many places and they are improving with time. Many are exceptional and well worth the cost, but you must budget enough time to get the most out of them.

CHARLES GREEN

West Des Moines, IA