One of the world’s largest capitals, London has a lot to offer and touring it in one day might seem absurd but with an early start and a bit of stamina it can be done. As you would expect you won’t be able to see everything London has to offer in 24 hours but you couldn’t do it in 365 days either.
First on you list should be Westminster Abbey, if you can get there for 9.30 you will beat the rush and be able to walk round in peace. The Abbey is a shrine of the nation and most of the countries Kings and Queens have been crowned there and many buried there as well.
Home to the country’s government since the 11th century, The Houses of Parliament are a truly astonishing landmark and has been the focal point of some of the political highs and lows of the last millennia. The houses are guarded over by ‘Big Ben’, the world’s most prominent timepiece; you could even set your watch to it.
Following the political theme you can head to Downing Street, in the past you could walk right up to the door of number 10 but now due to security issues you will be fortunate to see someone important getting past the masses of policemen and security officials. Other than that it’s not exactly palatial but worth seeing nevertheless.
If you continue north you will reach the hub of London, Trafalgar Square. Home to Nelson’s tower it is the scene to many a demonstration. Once plagued by pigeons, each year thousands of party goers descend on this square to ring in the New Year’s Eve.
On the boarder of the square you can enter the National Gallery, home of the masterpieces of Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Rembrandt among many. Huge galleries run across 8 centuries of some of the world’s most celebrated art and you need to devote at least an hour to this.
Just north of Trafalgar square is Covent Garden. England’s most historic market it was designed by Inigo Jones in 1633 and home to a variety of stalls and talented street performers.
By now you may be getting a bit peckish so why not step into Covent Garden’s very own ‘Porters English Restaurant’ where you can enjoy real traditional English pub food. Owned and run by the Earl of Bradford it’s an ideal stop off for your busy day.
A quick ride on the tube, which is a must in its self, will get you to Charing Cross Station; from here you can take a short stroll to Buckingham Palace. This place doesn’t really need any explanation and depending on the time of year you may be able to go inside but beware that this will involve queuing and will take a lot of time out of your day. If you get the timing right you may be able to catch the changing of the guards but don’t plan your day around it as there is plenty more to see.
Another short journey on the tube will bring you to the Tower of London, for over 900 years it has been a palace, a royal mint and most famously, a prison. Hundreds of well known English traitors have been beheaded there and it’s the capital of British blood and gore. It is well worth taking one of the hour long guided tours by one of the classic Beefeaters and this will bring the tower to life.
As your legs begin to weaken, head over to ‘The Salisbury’, a popular Art Nouveau Pub in the heart of the theatre district. You can enjoy a wide range of drinks and some distinctly home cooked pies without breaking the bank.
An enjoyable way to spend the evening is to go along to one of the many shows on offer, whether it’s a big West-End musical or a classic Shakespeare production at the Globe you wont be disappointed and it would be a great way to relax and take the weight of your feet.
If you are looking for a central London hotel, then stop by Astor Court for affordable luxury single, double, triple and twinhotel rooms in the centre of the capital.
There is enough to do in London for an entire lifetime and any tourist is in for a cultural banquet. Although regarded as one of the priciest places in the world, there are plenty of activities on offer for free. Some of Britain’s most popular art galleries are in London and the majority are free; these galleries offer a diverse range of art from priceless classics to contemporary installations. If you’re concerned about fitting everything into one weekend, don’t worry as most public art galleries have late opening hours.
While exploring London there are many sights to see such as the changing of the guard at 11.30am every day at Buckingham Palace. Don’t forget the Royal parks which provide a green oasis in the bustle of London with Regent’s Park and St James’ Park being amongst the most popular.
Trafalgar Square would complete any visit to London, a popular tourist attraction which is also the main focus for many political demonstrations. Every December, the Norwegians donate a huge Christmas tree to thank Britain for freedom from the Nazis.
The city is well known for street markets spotted around with plenty on offer, some of the most popular are Camden Market, Portobello Market and Greenwich Market. Each afternoon in Covent Garden Market, licensed street performers entertain the crowds with a variety of acts.
One of the most impressive holy attractions London has to offer is Westminster abbey; it does not charge those who wish to worship but it relies on the admission fees from visitors to cover operation costs. Each day at 5pm the Abbey choir sing the evensong which is a huge attraction.
Some of the finest restaurants in the world are on offer in London and these include French double Michelin star winning ‘L’Atelier de Jol Robucho’ or the more reasonably priced ‘Rhodes Twenty Four’, the flagship contemporary British restaurant of famous chef Gary Rhodes located on the 24th floor of tower 42.
If you are looking for a weekend break in London, then why not stay at Astor Court Hotel for a great value Central London hotel.
Traveling to the Gold Coast is a wonderful way to spend a holiday. Whether you are traveling from somewhere in Australia or from half way across the world, there are many reasons that one may be drawn to a holiday in this spectacular region. While on a Gold Coast holiday there are three keys to having the best possible experience.
Balance Your Time- The Gold Coast is a beautiful region, scenic and filled with things to do. Having the best possible holiday experience means balancing your lazy days on the beach with days filled with activities. It is a delicate balance, but one that will make for the best possible holiday. Be sure that the day you arrive and the one right before you leave are lazy beach days. Trying to accomplish too many activities is a mistake while visiting this region. Alternate activity days with beach days and you will have the best of both worlds.
Project In Advance- try to lay out the essential prospects of your travel considerably in advance. Utilize the web to reach the information you desire and to make bookings. The farther you set up matters in advance, the greater chance you will get everything you are looking for, and this will establish the most roaring holiday.
Knowing Right From Wrong In The Region- When ever you are traveling to an unfamiliar location it is important that you make your self aware of all the rules, traffic laws, and even beach rules of the area. It is also a wise idea to learn about the different terminology of things as well as the language that is spoken. By learning all this before you leave on your trip you will make for a much smoother holiday experience.
Whether you are looking for an adventurous holiday or a lazy, laid back beach holiday, the Gold Coast will not disappoint!
If you have decided that you would like to take a trip to the Gold Coast region of Australia, research on the internet may have you believing that the only place worth visiting in the region is Surfers Paradise. When you are searching activities in the Gold Coast it will appear that Surfers Paradise is the only area where things happen. Internet research makes it look like it is the only place in the region for surfing but this is very false. Although Surfers paradise is a touristy area to visit, there is much more to the Gold Coast region than this one area.
Surfers Paradise is a popular vacation spot located on the Gold Coast of Australia and while it is a most popular place for tourists to flock to, it is not the only place of interest on the Gold Coast, just the most attractive. The things that attract tourists are all the activities in and around the area. The shopping experiences, amusement parks, dining and nightlife are all draws of this area.
Like any tourist area, however, there are many different accommodations available in this region and so with all the things to do, it often gets top billing on the web. But while many unique visitors enjoy the congregation of tourists and excitement in this region, some prefer a more secluded holiday stay and will seek accommodations at one of the other less frequented beach areas on the Gold Coast, like Main Beach and Broad Beach .
Both of these beaches offer wonderful beach front resorts, and there is also much to do in the area of surfing or surfing lessons. In fact, Surfers Paradise is not the only area in the Gold Coast region that will provide you with a wonderful surfing experience, and some of these areas are the preferred surfing beaches to many area locals and visitors.
The Gold Coast is a very scenic place for a holiday, but if you are looking for a stay that is a little more relaxing and less active than head to Main or Broadbeach, and you will find that you can always take a day to spend in Surfer’s Paradise . It is a fun place to experience, but not everyone wants to stay in the heart of the action.
For the best value and selection in gold coast hotels, visit goldcoastinformation.com.au right away. Whether you are looking for surfers paradise hotels or any other location, check us out right away.