London calling – an entire world in one city
Visit London, England’s capital city, and you are calling on one of the most visited cities in the world . Why? It simply has something for all tastes – the ceremony, the history, the culture, architecture and art.
Arriving in England usually means a goal to visit London. With a majority of international flights landing at Heathrow, London is a default starting point for many people traveling Northern Europe or starting a backpacking trip around the world.
Additionally, it is the most popular European and worldwide destination. Not much can be said about London that hasn’t already been said in a million travel sites and books.
My first experience solo in London was as a 17 year, fresh out of school and beginning my gap year. I was as green as they come – a total newbie. But it was the best place to start my travels.
As an English speaker, surrounded by semi-familiar things, it was a great place to begin flexing my minuscule travel muscles at the time. One thing I’ll never forget is some cockney guy stopping me on the sidewalk and saying, “Hold it there”. Next thing he was snapping photographs. I was totally confused.
Getting ripped off one my first visit to London
“All’right, young fella, that’ll be twenty quid”
I was such an innocent -didn’t even realize I was being conned. Afraid to say no, I didn’t have twenty pounds on me. So, I said as much. And stupidly explained I only have traveler’s cheques. I ended up paying probably £50 for photos I never saw at the time.
6 weeks later I got a frantic call from my parents asking if I was alright. Apparently, the photographer had sent 1 photograph to the address I provided, with no explanation, just the photograph. What my parents saw was a grainy black and white photo of me standing against a nondescript wall looking like a hostage.
So, my first travel scam and I fell for it. I hated London for a month or so, mainly because of the thieving &*%$ who took my £50. But I warmed to it over time and quickly it became my happy place.
London offers so much to young and old alike. It is a great city one of the worlds top destinations to visit. For the younger crowd, it is an adventurous destination with pubs, clubs and chill-out cafes.
For the older traveler, the sheer culture and history of the city will mesmerize. The shows on West End are comparable to any Broadway show and the shopping, though expensive, is excellent.
What makes the London different?
What is so different about London to the classic European cities across the channel? It is a city imbued with tradition.
No doubt a lot of the profile of London and the UK in general, is very much to do with the Royal family and the accompanying pomp and ceremony.
It is this culture of tradition that fascinates foreigners and draws them to this relatively small but immensely powerful island nation in the Atlantic ocean.
But what really makes this city so unique, I think, is the sincere multi-ethnicity of the inhabitants. Back in the day, you’d find a lot of West Caribbean nationals, Irish, Nigerians, Pakistani’s and Indians.
Now it is literally a world in one, with pretty much every ethnic group well represented.
Lots of Russians and Eastern Europeans, for sure. I think actually, I may have heard more Russian spoken in the city in recent times than I would expect to hear in mainland Europe.
In fact, walk down a street and you’d have trouble actually identifying where you were, save for some distinct British accents and the architecture.
Due to WWII and the massive bombing damage that was done to the city, London represents its diverse inhabitants with a nonsensical layout of low-cost housing in supposedly upmarket areas. It is a mish-mash of class echelons.
Visit London and you have to be excited.It is not just the Royals, the pubs or Harrods. It has so many layers of culture, identifiable in its own right but blended into this cocktail of sounds, sights, and senses.
Key Places to see and experience when you visit London
- The London Eye
- Shakespeare’s Globe
- Hyde Park
- Madame Tussauds
- Regents Park
- Harrods
- Markets & Bazaars
- Regent Street
- 10 Downing Street
- London Pubs
- Tower of London
- Oxford Street
- Covent Garden
- The Museums
- Canary Wharf
- London Bridge
- River Thames Boat Ride
- St Paul’s Cathedral
- Open top bus tours
- Visit Camden Market
Note*** When you plan for travel to London, take into account everything. Check on weather, obviously, but also consider things like voltage outlets, adapters and anything that will make your transition from country to country smooth and problem-free.
Transport around Central London
Certainly, the cheapest, most cost effective way to get around London is to get yourself The London Oyster Card.
This is a fully rechargeable card usable on transport for London. As an option, you can also buy the London Pass + Travel package, which includes a sightseeing pass (London Pass) and the pre-paid Oyster Card(travelcard).
Believe me when I tell you there is nothing more frustrating then having to purchase all your transport tickets daily – and it is way more expensive to do it that way. The card makes life easy.
You will get access to all London Transport Networks, able to travel anytime of the day as well as any day of the week within Central London
- Buses
- Docklands Light Rail
- Overground Trains
- London Underground (Tube)
You can book it online easily, create a profile and a log in to easily top up and have the card mailed home before your trip and put all those stresses of transport budget away. Oyster Card Sign Up
When to go
London is one of those cities you can visit anytime. Just make sure you pack an umbrella.
Obviously, if you are looking for enjoying a possible sunny day in the parks, the best time to go would be from March to May.
Also, bear in mind that airfares take a fast rise from late March .
The September months sees the temps drop but you will never but at a loss of things to do.
Places to visit in the world
Ever chosen so-called places of interest, been bored silly and afterward asked yourself what you were thinking? There are some great thought processes that will make sure you never do that again. Find that ideal destination with these tricks…
How much does it cost to visit London?
Budget Hotel: £50-180 (The lower end costs will mean less frills and more distance from the central city)
Food
Some hostels/hotels will offer you a continental breakfast – but don’t bank on it.
For 3 square meals a day in London, you can estimate £20 per day on the scrimp end – food stalls, street vendors, McDonald’s etc. If you would like some more fancy fair (read normal) that will be around £40-60 per day
Want a beer? In a pub, £3.50- £6.00. Rather buy it at a supermarket – it’ll be £1.00-2.00
£ 80-120: Suggested Daily Budget for ‘economical’ travel (Low end hotels, food from stalls and 1 meal in a non-tourist restaurant etc)
Where to next?
With the constant marketing of the “Chunnel”, a trip from London to Paris seems synonymous these days. So, let’s travel to Paris