Whether you arrive in London via the underground or inside one
of the city's ubiquitous black taxicabs, you will immediately be
greeted by a deep sense of history and met with the unique vibrancy
of this incredible destination.
In its dark and troubled past, the city of London has survived
Roman occupancy, sackings from the Celts, Romans, Vikings and
Saxons, a Norman invasion, two great fires, the bubonic plague,
Nazi bombings, the Spice Girls and Damien Hirst.
But the London of today promises something for everyone. The
London Eye lifts visitors high above the river into vistas that
stretch tight across the fading skies. Further down on the South
Bank, the Tate Modern contains one of the world's most incredible
collections of Modern Art, while the city's 30,000 stores and
boutiques will exhaust even the most avid shopper, and its 6,000
restaurants are only too eager to demonstrate why Britons revere
their chefs as celebrities.
For those interested in exploring the country's heritage, the
Tower of London is an excellent starting point. First constructed
in the 11th century, the Tower has been rebuilt several times as
later monarchs have left their mark. Still one of London's biggest
attractions, and a great celebration of pomp that is free to all
visitors is the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, which
happens daily.
As the great dome of St Paul's reflects the colours of the
setting sun, London comes alive with an unrivalled nightlife. For
those up for something more thrilling than dinner and the theatre,
London has a vast number of bars and nightclubs catering to all
tastes.
Getting around: London's legendary Tube network remains the
quickest and easiest way to get around the city, though it is best
avoided during rush hour. The famous red buses are a more pleasant,
if slower, way to get around. One-, three-, and seven-day
Travelcards are good options for tourists; they can be used on
buses and the underground and can be bought at any newsagent.
Oyster cards, a reusable, discounted, pay-as-you-go option, are now
available to overseas visitors, but they must be purchased
beforehand online or from overseas travel agents. The ubiquitous
black cabs are excellent but very expensive; minicabs are cheaper
but must be ordered in advance. Illegal minicabs tout for business
around London's theatres and nightspots; they are often the only
option late at night but should not be taken by single women or
those who don't know the way home. London's main attractions are
fairly close to one another; many are situated along the River
Thames, and if the weather is nice, walking or taking a riverboat
are good options. Driving is not a good option in central London,
as parking is difficult to find and very expensive, and those who
park illegally are faced with steep fines at best. A 'congestion
charge' is also payable by those driving into central London from
Monday to Friday between 7am and 6.30pm. However, driving is the
only option for those wanting to explore the countryside. Car
rental companies require the driver to be over 25, have a full
driving license, and hold a credit card. For more information,
visit www.tfl.gov.uk






