London
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London is the capital of Great Britain, a stronghold of English traditions, the largest tourist destination. London attracts tourists like a magnet. There is a reason for everyone to go to London for the weekend. Someone is leaving for London to see a red double-decker bus, a red telephone booth, the Queen's guards in their fur helmets in the corners of Buckingham Palace, wax figures in Madame Tussauds, the Tower or Big Ben.
The royalism can be felt in everything: the vastness of the Tower and Westminster Abbey, the solemn ceremony at Buckingham Palace, the number and size of local museums and galleries, and the majestic Thames.
London is absolutely unique. Here, red double-decker buses and specially designed taxis sweep the streets. London has the world’s oldest tube station, Tower Bridge, red telephone booths and police bobbies in their helmets. “Conservative” London can be very funny. Its nightlife has legends and celebrations in London are considered the funniest and craziest in all of Europe. Countless pubs, restaurants and expensive nightclubs buzz until the morning. To make yourself known as a Londoner, buy a ticket to London.
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What to visit in London?
Probably most people go on a city tour, visiting Big Ben, Westminster, the London Eye and many many other places. There are dozens of parks, museums, monuments in London, even every day of the week.
It is worth starting from the center. Almost all of London’s most interesting places are collected from the Thames Beaches logic. The city is set on the banks of the largest river on the island. Every meter in the Westminster area has a spirit for millennia. If you want to explore traditional London, you should start your journey either from Trafalgar Square and head south to Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, or alternatively start from Vauxhall Bridge and head along the Thames to Westminster. Experienced tourists say that London’s tourist center is small meaning you can reach all the famous attractions on foot.
Many come to London for football. And for good reason. For the British, football is a sacred thing. Want to feel the spirit of crazy oneness in a football game and feel like a real fan? So go to the game! Do you dream of a unique view over London? Jump into the cabin that crosses the Thames along the Emirates cable car. Under no circumstances should London fans fail to experience this. The passenger cable car connects Greenwich with the Royal Victoria Dock. Attend music festivals! Londoners are fond of music festivals. In addition to music, treat yourself to English snacks, meals and traditional drinks such as ... lager, Alella and beer!
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Nightlife
London's nightlife impresses even the hardened. Conservatism and restraint in no way prevent the British from spending the night on the dance floor until the morning. Nowhere are there as many pubs and clubs as in London! London’s main club venues - Soho and Leicester Square - are waiting to be heard throughout the week. Want to try something really cool and fashionable - go away from the center, for example to Hoxton or Shoreditch in East London or Brixton or Clapham in the south of the city. You will understand the fantastic club life of London, its unusual pubs and bars, world famous clubs and great night shades.
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Shopping
London attracts tourists not only with its history and culture but also with the opportunity to fill their suitcases with shopping! London is one of the fashion capitals of the world, as are Milan and Paris. Find yourself shopping in the western part of the city and you can’t be surprised at the amount of shopping. In other parts of the city you will also find shopping malls, shops and markets and perhaps at lower prices.
The main shopping streets are Oxford Street, which sells European elite brands, Regent Street, where you will find everything from big department stores to small toy stores, Carnaby Street and fashionable youth clothing, King’s Road and indie shops and avant-garde boutiques. Picadilly is known for its department stores, bookstores and souvenir shops. Knightsbridge is full of expensive department stores and boutiques and Covent Garden has affordable clothing and shoes from popular brands.
In central London, virtually all shops are open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm, with large shopping centers closing later - around 8pm to 9pm. In most tourist areas, shops can be opened on Sundays. The street market opens - to Portobello, Borough, Brick Lane and Covent Garden.
The British capital can’t be called affordable, but that doesn’t diminish shopaholists ’love of the city. And you can always hit at a time of discount sales. Discount sales are in London twice a year, in winter and summer. The winter season for discounts starts at the end of November and often lasts until almost spring. After Christmas, however, there is quite a bit left on the shelves, albeit at very low prices. After Christmas, prices will be reduced by 50-70% and by the new year up to 90%.
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Good to know
Airport: London Heathrow Airport and Gatwick
Flight time: approx. 3 h
Distance to airport: 30-40 minutes (Heathrow, 25 km)
Language: English
Time difference: -2
Population: about 8.9 million
Passport: A valid passport must be carried on the trip
Currency: British Pound (GBP)
Tip: General gives about 5 to 10% of the invoice amount.
Water: tap water to drink, but bottled water is recommended
Electricity: voltage 220 - 230 V. Adapter required.
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Things to do in London
The sightseeing bus can also work well, but it is also worth taking the time to get to know the city life in peace as it is.
The life of a true Londoner takes place in two places outside the office: a local pub and a park. In addition to all the things you do in London, you should have a pint or two of beer in the pub. In London, you should check out the English pub - if not for British food or drink for that atmosphere. Pubs are lively in the evenings on weekdays, especially on Fridays. Pubs are divided into those where “just drink”, where “drink and eat” and where “drink and dance”.
There are also parks everywhere in London - there is hardly another capital with the same amount of green space. One of the most famous parks is Hyde Park. In the park, you can be on the same foot, on boats, fishing, showing your speaker at Shakespeare, eating breakfast on the grass or riding a horse.
Have you dreamed of seeing Buckingham Palace or visiting the apartment of Prince William and Catherine Middleton? You can see all the most significant places in the British Crown. From the meadows of Green Park, it is interesting to see the entrance to Buckingham Palace. Witness the change of guard at Buckingham Palace, which takes place daily at 11.30am in the spring and summer and in the autumn and winter - every other day. Schedules are marked on a large tablet near the palace. If you want to photograph the ceremony, you should sit by the palace fence well in advance.
“Greenwich Mean Time” is located in London. Greenwich is also an area in the Greenwich district of London. There is the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, the Royal House with art exhibitions and the famous "Cutty Sark" - one of the most famous ships of the 19th century. Nevertheless, this place became famous because of its time zone.
Don’t forget to take a ride on London’s famous “double-decker” red double-decker bus - and sit in the best location on the second floor.
3 facts about London
1. London’s famous Big Ben is not a tower, contrary to popular belief. "Big Ben" is a clock mounted on the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament in London. The tower is called "Elizabeth".
2. The zero meridian passes through London. It is also called Greenwich, the name of the district of the city of Greenwich. It also acts as a vertical equator, dividing the globe into the western and eastern hemispheres.
3. There are two types of taxis in London - ordinary and traditional special taxis. To get a taxi driver's license in London, you have to pass a very demanding exam, where you have to know just about every street in London. Therefore, drivers do not use maps or navigators. See for yourself!