London Baby Yeah!

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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London, the capital city of England, has long been one of the world''s most popular holiday destinations. The reasons for this aren''t hard to work out: the city is a buzzing, vibrant metropolis with a huge range of attractions. Another explanation lies in its welcoming multicultural atmosphere: over 300 languages are spoken within the city limits.

When it comes to getting to and from London there are numerous available options. The city has three major airports (Gatwick, Luton and Heathrow) each of which are well served by trains, taxis and tubes. This means getting from the airport to your destination within London is extremely easy; getting around the city itself will also pose no challenge.

One piece of advice is to consider buying an oyster card. These are like transportation credit-cards: you load them up with money at various locations around London (tube-stations, train stations, even some shops). You can then swipe them when you get on a London train, bus or tube-station; it will charge you for your journey and you don''t have to worry about faffing around with tickets and change.

London''s hotels ...
... are also as varied as you''d expect from such a major holiday destination. For the traveller on a budget hostels like Hyde Park Hostel or Piccacadily Backpackers provide cheap, centrally located accommodation. A particular bonus of staying in hostels is also provided by the social aspect; lots of people of a similar age staying together practically ensures that you''ll be able to find someone to explore the city with if you''re travelling alone.

Alternatively, seekers of luxury should consider venues like 51 Buckingham Gate or Brown''s A Rocco Forte Hotel. Of course, if you''re truly looking for a fantastic and prestigious location then the Ritz Hotel, with its exceptional room service, famous afternoon tea and brilliant bars is the only choice.

One of London''s biggest selling points is its shopping venues. Harrods is probably the biggest and the best of these. Its food-hall provides a wealth of delicacies to tempt even the most discerning taste-buds: Sushi, fresh fruit and vegetables, luxury Belgian chocolates, caviar and a whole host of other options. Even if you can''t afford the goods sold at Harrods browsing through the high-end make-up and perfume aisles (watch out for freebies), trying on designer clothes or playing with the toys are all great ways to get a bit of luxury in your day.

For a more affordable shopping venue then Oxford Street is a great one-stop venue. Its filled with all the usual high-street stores, though do be advised that it is often very busy on weekends. For something a bit different Portobello Road sells lots of antiques and Convent Garden mixes fantastic , unusual shops with truly entertaining street performances.

London''s other attractions are numerous and varied. The London Dungeons will entertain and scare the kids in equal measure, whilst the Tower of London is a fascinating stop for history lovers. If you''re looking to get away from the city for a bit a green spaces like Hyde Park or Hampstead Heath will provide a beautiful, peaceful spot to relax on your holiday. Bonny Kominek is a city expert and freelance writer. They recommend Octopus travel for London hotels.