London is so cliché, which is exactly why it makes the perfect first stop to Europe. There is something about the way it orients you to the rest of the continent, sort of like a sampler. In this city, I did what a classic tourist would do.
We stayed at Z-hotel in london, which is close to the Buckingham palace and Victoria station. When we arrived at Victoria station, I was surprised at the amount of buses. I couldn’t find the hotel. It was at the Lower Belgrave Street, but I was wrongfully wandering at the Belgrave road. I was impressed by the British guy who helped us and googled on his cellphone our hotel address. But the real savior was the street cleaner who knows the london roads by heart. He was able to immediately point out my mistake!
See the Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace is the home of the Queen in London. If the queen is inside, the queen’s flag is also up, if the queen is out of town, the union jack is up. Now the latter happens in the summer when the queen goes out of town and tourists are able to tour the inside of the Buckingham Palace. I am amazed about how the English love their royalty, specifically their Queen. A British once said the best thing about the Queen is that she is a quiet queen. She is not on social media, you don’t see her on the news with an opinion on something.
During mornings, there is the much hyped changing of the guards. Where the guards change shifts and make a show out of it. Nice to see it at least maybe once. I found myself looking through the Buckingham palace railings, looking at movements I don’t understand.
After that we walked at St. James park and watched the ducks in the pond. The brits really love their parks.
Get a picture with the clock tower.
Of course you have to. It is London’s most iconic landmark. Unfortunately, the Big Ben is closed for renovation, much to my friend’s chagrin when we got there. Haha. This is expected to be completed by the year 2021. It is a fact for Elizabethian structures even the houses they need maintenance.
Check out the Tower Bridge
Crossing the Thames river, the tower bridge is a London landmark, and second to the Big ben, seeing the Tower Bridge is like saying: “London!”. Many people get confused with the tower bridge and London bridge. You can get a picture from the Thames river side in the area of the Tower of London.
See the Tower of London.
The tower of London is a white fortress clouded by dark history of imprisonment and execution. It has a list of famous prisoners of the crown like: Anne Boleyn (from The other Boleyn girl), Lady Jane Grey (the nine days queen of England) and Sir Walter Raleigh. There are many ravens in the area which would give you the goosebumps. There is a legend that if the ravens leave the tower, it will fall. (ooh) The tower of London also houses the crown jewels. If that is not interesting to you, check out their knight armor and you can see the sizes of the kings. (Even their 5th appendage needs protection) Hahaha
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Ride the hop on hop off bus
With the many places to see in London, a hop on hop off bus is worth it. In both of my London visits, I have tried the Original Bus Tour London. They have different line colors leading to different places. Purchasing the ticket ahead of time is possible online and is usually cheaper. If you were not able to do this, you can head at the ticket office which is found near Trafalgar square (and is easily accessible by the tube Charing Cross).
Visit a museum.
The entrance to British museums are free! The first time and the second time I went to London, we went inside the British museum. It houses all sorts, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Japanese, Chinese. There are some exhibits that would require an entrance fee, though. Other museums you can visit are the Tate Modern, National History Museum, National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery. Great city.
Visit the Westminister Abbey
During my first time in london, we thought the House of the Parliament was the Westminister Abbey. So as we walked through the gate, we were stopped by security. But then they pointed at a simple looking gothic building which seemed short of its reputation. This church is the burial place of famous British people, and a wedding venue of many famous royals.
Ride the London Eye
Uh, the great thing about riding the London Eye is that you can tell everyone you have seen all of London! I rode the London Eye at twilight, so it was beginning to be dark.
Visit the famous 221-B Baker Street
221B Baker Street is the address of the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. Despite his being fictional in nature, his popularity led him to the actual ownership of this address. Hahahaha. I haven’t been inside the house museum, just at the door. 🙂
Shop till you drop at Oxford Street.
This one is the thing I enjoyed most about London! We took the tube to the West Oxford station, then we started walking and shopping until we reached the East Oxford station. Retail therapy day.
People watching at Trafalgar square.
This public square is vast, with lots of people, statues and fountains. It is surrounded by streets with access to tourist information haha, restaurants, shops, the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. There is a big public WC underneath too. It also has a statue of Admiral Nelson, a British hero who defeated Napoleon in his many wars. The British are very good with commemorating people who saved their country. 🙂
Take a day trip to Stonehenge!
Why not take a day trip to the most enigmatic,most famous prehistoric monument in Europe? The purpose stonehenge served is a favorite theme of Natgeo/ Discovery channel shows.
So it is true. Nothing falls like London Rain.
XXXxxx, Gayle
When she gets lost 