London is getting ready for the Summer Olympic Games of 2012. But there is no reason to wait for the games, before visiting the capital of Great Britain. The city has interesting sights, great shopping, superb nightlife; and actually also very good food.
The London Eye is the newest sight; and also one of the most interesting ones. The Ferris wheel is 135 meter (443 feet) high and can be found between Waterloo and Westminster Bridge. It was opened by Tony Blair for the new millennium. But some technical problems made it impossible to use until March 2000.
The wheel is a very popular attraction. And with only 32 cabins (for 25 persons each), and a half an hour rotation, the queues can be long in the high season. But when you see the view over the central London and spot the Big Ben and the House of Parliament, you will find the waiting time worth the trouble.
A much older sight is the Tower of London. Its history is 900 years old and very bloody. When the prisoners walked through the Traitors Gate, they shouldnt expect to get out alive. Most of them were killed by torture or rats; or just executed.
Today the rats have gone; and the torture and executions stopped. And the prisoners have been replaced with tourists watching all the ceremonies. One of the most exciting is the Ceremony of the Keys. At exactly 9.52 pm the head of the guards hands over the keys to the head of the night watchmen.
You can see many interesting places on a Tower of London tour; including the royal apartment and the dungeons. But what most people find most exciting is the Jewel House with the British crown jewels. Here you can see the scepter of the sovereign with the worlds largest diamond Star of Africa.
Other must see sights are St. Pauls Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and the 106 meter (348 feet) high Big Ben. For a relaxing stroll visit the centrally placed Hyde Park. And if you are interested in art, you should visit British Museum.
The sights are great in London, but the most interesting thing to do is people watching. In London you find both from businessmen with bowler hats and stiff upper lips and punkers with cock's combs and noses full of safety pins.
Do you think it is impossible to find great food in London? Well, it is not; and you do not have to eat fish and chips. Both Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver have restaurants in London, so you can find superb food. But it does not have to be expensive. London is a melting pot of multi-ethnic populations, so it is also possible to find cheap and exotic food in many of the international restaurants in the city.
You can also find great shopping in London. A good place to start is the Harrods; the famous department which brags about their ability to provide everything you can think about. In Designers Guild you can find wallpaper and fabric for you home and in Muji, you can buy minimalistic, Japanese design. If you bring kid, they will love you for taking them to the toyshop Hamleys of Regent Street; six story paradise for children.
The London Eye is the newest sight; and also one of the most interesting ones. The Ferris wheel is 135 meter (443 feet) high and can be found between Waterloo and Westminster Bridge. It was opened by Tony Blair for the new millennium. But some technical problems made it impossible to use until March 2000.
The wheel is a very popular attraction. And with only 32 cabins (for 25 persons each), and a half an hour rotation, the queues can be long in the high season. But when you see the view over the central London and spot the Big Ben and the House of Parliament, you will find the waiting time worth the trouble.
A much older sight is the Tower of London. Its history is 900 years old and very bloody. When the prisoners walked through the Traitors Gate, they shouldnt expect to get out alive. Most of them were killed by torture or rats; or just executed.
Today the rats have gone; and the torture and executions stopped. And the prisoners have been replaced with tourists watching all the ceremonies. One of the most exciting is the Ceremony of the Keys. At exactly 9.52 pm the head of the guards hands over the keys to the head of the night watchmen.
You can see many interesting places on a Tower of London tour; including the royal apartment and the dungeons. But what most people find most exciting is the Jewel House with the British crown jewels. Here you can see the scepter of the sovereign with the worlds largest diamond Star of Africa.
Other must see sights are St. Pauls Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and the 106 meter (348 feet) high Big Ben. For a relaxing stroll visit the centrally placed Hyde Park. And if you are interested in art, you should visit British Museum.
The sights are great in London, but the most interesting thing to do is people watching. In London you find both from businessmen with bowler hats and stiff upper lips and punkers with cock's combs and noses full of safety pins.
Do you think it is impossible to find great food in London? Well, it is not; and you do not have to eat fish and chips. Both Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver have restaurants in London, so you can find superb food. But it does not have to be expensive. London is a melting pot of multi-ethnic populations, so it is also possible to find cheap and exotic food in many of the international restaurants in the city.
You can also find great shopping in London. A good place to start is the Harrods; the famous department which brags about their ability to provide everything you can think about. In Designers Guild you can find wallpaper and fabric for you home and in Muji, you can buy minimalistic, Japanese design. If you bring kid, they will love you for taking them to the toyshop Hamleys of Regent Street; six story paradise for children.
About the Author:
Martin Elmer is the editor of Storbyrejser. Here you can also read about London sevaerdigheder.
