In 2001, we went to London, England. It was my first time out of the country. And what a better place than London! For 7 days, we travelled all around London to the various sights and sounds of the city. Unfortunately, we went during the foot-and-mouth disease in England, so believe it or not, a lot of the countryside was closed to tourists.
But London itself had so much to offer newbies from America, from Buckingham Palace to local fish-and-chips.
There is so much history in London, and that is where to start. Such places as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Covent Garden, and so much more give you a real view of history.
At Buckingham Palace you
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But London itself had so much to offer newbies from America, from Buckingham Palace to local fish-and-chips.
There is so much history in London, and that is where to start. Such places as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Covent Garden, and so much more give you a real view of history.
At Buckingham Palace you can view the changing of the guard and the parade of guards during the day, while the Tower of London has the royal jewels on display, as well as crowns worn by all the royalty dating back many, many centuries.
And do not forget the modern life of London, from Picadilly Square to Victoria Station. The life is hustle-and-bustle, and all the newest fashions have arrived in this area.
Quick Tips:
* Make sure you have passes to ride the Tube, which connects you to all parts of London. There is no need to learn how to drive on the left side of road.
* Be careful of cars. They DO NOT stop for you, and being from the US, remember that traffic is on the opposite side - this affects pedestrians as well.
* The Convent Garden and Nottinghill areas have swap meets all the time. Check with your hotel. They helped us out.
* While in London, take a day or so out of your schedule and ride the CHUNNEL to Paris. We did, and it was well worth it. It is like a 4-hour ride (I think). Take it early in the morning, enjoy the day, and return late in the evening. It was a great idea.
Best Way To Get Around:
The absolute only way to travel is by the Tube (underground subway). We bought a pass before our trip, so all we did was swipe our card the whole week and rode wherever we wanted. Stops are available at all the major attractions.
Although I would suggest that, for fun, you take a taxi ride in the little black taxis.
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