Any time's a good time to plan a trip to Britain. (Clipart.com)

Any time's a good time to plan a trip to Britain. Right now is even better because the pound is down -- way down.

The day I filed this column, the pound was worth about $1.85. I've seen it nearly a dollar higher than that. In fact my wife and I used to joke that as soon as we booked a transatlantic flight the darn thing would jump.

Even with a puny pound, London -- the primary destination for many travellers -- is still expensive.

VisitBritain's new Essential London Package is one way to save a bit. If you order before May 31, it's $130 per person, a 15% saving over the cost of buying each item in it individually.

The package contains an Original London Sightseeing bus tour ticket (which also includes a Thames river cruise and some walking tours), an adult one-day London Sightseeing Pass granting free entry to more than 55 London attractions, and a Oyster Card (L20) for public transport. Visit visitbritaindirect.ca.

If you don't think you'll be in London long enough to use all the items in the package, then buy a Visitor Oyster Card separately. It's convenient -- you simply tap your card on readers in subway and train stations and on buses -- and it saves money because it automatically calculates the cheapest fare for a day's worth of trips. If there's money left on the card when you leave London, you can use it next time you're there or give it to someone to use when they go.

MORE LEISURE TRAVEL NEWS:

- VisitBritain has launched a new website -- visitbritainrocks.ca -- aimed at young, hip travellers. It offers the chance to win a trip for four to London -- the entry deadline is May 31 -- free British music downloads (a new, unreleased, British artist every week) and a new trip planner tool.

- Several Canadian tour operators have put together packages connected with Homecoming Scotland 2009, a year-long program of events marking the 250th anniversary of Scotland's national poet and icon, Robert Burns.

Royal Scottish Tours has a four-day package for The Gathering, the main event of Homecoming. Tourism promoters describe the July event as the largest coming together of Scotland's clans and Scotland's biggest ever Highland Games and Scottish Festival.

Ultimate Golf Vacations is pitching the St. Andrews Starter Package at rookie golfers, and The Great Canadian Travel Company Ltd. has Scottish Clan self-drive and Isle of Skye and Steam Train packages.

Many packages are valid until November 2009 and can be booked at cometoscotland.ca or through the tour company.

- BC Ferries' newest vessel, the MV Island Sky, has gone into service on the Earls Cove to Saltery Bay route. These new ferries are a treat. I sailed in February from Tswwassen to Nanaimo on the Coastal Inspiration, launched last June.

Weary from an early-morning flight to Vancouver, the feature I most appreciated was the quiet, comfortable lounge area at the stern with a view of the mountains -- and a coffee bar.