EUROPE
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| PIC: London is so close to Europe you can reach out and touch it! |
It may appear a weird thing to say about a city you love, but one of London's best assets is the ability to get away!
Easy and affordable access to the rest of Europe (as well as the likes of Africa and the Middle East) is a major part of London's appeal.
Easy and affordable access to the rest of Europe (as well as the likes of Africa and the Middle East) is a major part of London's appeal.
ICONIC SIGHTS
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| PIC: 'Big Ben' and the Houses of Parliament. Many people think 'Big Ben' is the clock, but it is actually the bell in the tower. The tower itself is to be renamed "Elizabeth Tower" in honour of her majesty Queen Elizabeth. |
London is full of iconic sights. Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus, just to name a few!
When you live in London, all those sights that you grew up seeing on television or on postcards, are all in your backyard!
PUB CULTURE
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| PIC: the bar of a typical London pub! |
Pubs are not just a part of life in London, life revolves around them!
In the cold of winter, there's nothing better than popping into a cosy pub with a crackling fire to have an ale, a pub meal and, perhaps, watch a game of football.
When the sun is shining, settling into one of the city's many beer gardens to enjoy a refreshing cider or jug of Pimms is a unique pleasure!
In the cold of winter, there's nothing better than popping into a cosy pub with a crackling fire to have an ale, a pub meal and, perhaps, watch a game of football.
When the sun is shining, settling into one of the city's many beer gardens to enjoy a refreshing cider or jug of Pimms is a unique pleasure!
GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
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| PIC: Ancient Egyptian artefacts are just some of the many items you can see for free at the British Museum. |
London is home to many museums and galleries that house some of the most amazing artworks and artefacts in the world.
The best part is that a lot of them are "free".
The National Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum and others allow visitors access for no cost, though a small donation is requested to go towards the upkeep of these facilities.
LIVE MUSIC
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| PIC: Florence Welch of "Florence and the Machine" entertains the crowd at Radio 1's "Hackney Weekend", a free festival held in London last weekend. |
London is constantly inundated with big music acts. There is never a shortage of the world's best artists in town, playing venues like the O2 Arena, the Hammersmith Apollo or one of the summer festivals the city hosts.
There are also thriving local music scenes in a variety of different neighbourhoods across the city.
There are also thriving local music scenes in a variety of different neighbourhoods across the city.
THE TUBE
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| PIC: The Underground is an iconic part of London life. |
Okay, sometimes it can be frustrating, squishy, delayed and poorly ventilated, but most of the time "the tube" is an extremely efficient and easily-navigated method of getting from A to B.
SUNNY LONDON
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| PIC: With the sun out, local residents gather in parks like Clapham Common (above) to soak it up. |
The British capital is not renowned for its sunny weather, but, when the sun does come out, the city really comes alive.
Londoners love to make the most of their time in the sun, so when it shines, the city's parks and other outdoor areas play host to impromptu outdoor parties!
THE CLUB SCENE
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| PIC: Clubbers and DJs engage at 'Ministry of Sound' |
The British capital is one of the world's premier clubbing destinations.
The world's best DJs are regular visitors to, if not residents of, London, playing regularly at clubs such as 'Ministry of Sound', 'Fabric' and 'XOYO'.
A definite plus is that the big clubs are inclusive rather than exclusive. Its not only about the big clubs, however, as there are many mid-size and smaller clubs that offer a great night's clubbing as well.
MULTI-CULTURALISM
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| PIC: 'Notting Hill Carnival' is an example of how multi- culturalism has added to the London experience. |
As part of the Euro-zone, London has, naturally, become home to many people from all over the continent.
Immigration has also brought in many people from elsewhere on the globe, particularly the subcontinent, Africa and the Caribbean.
There are, of course, also, many people, like myself, from the Antipodes.
Whilst never losing its quintessential English-ness, the melting pot it has become gives London a real cosmopolitan, multicultural vibe.
London is the world's city and this is reflected in the cultural experiences, cuisine and the people you have a chance to meet here.
Immigration has also brought in many people from elsewhere on the globe, particularly the subcontinent, Africa and the Caribbean.
There are, of course, also, many people, like myself, from the Antipodes.
Whilst never losing its quintessential English-ness, the melting pot it has become gives London a real cosmopolitan, multicultural vibe.
London is the world's city and this is reflected in the cultural experiences, cuisine and the people you have a chance to meet here.
THE THAMES
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| PIC: Boats follow the Queen's flotilla down the Thames as part of Elizabeth II's recent Jubilee celebrations. |
So, it may not be the prettiest body of water in the world. It's not Lake Geneva. And its certainly no Tahitian beach. Its probably not even as nice as its Parisian counterpart, the Seine. But Londoner's love it!
The city's life-source is always a hive of activity, as it was when people gathered by it recently when the Queen's flotilla passed by as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
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Feedback is appreciated - and don't forget you can follow this blog on Twitter: @EuroTravelBlog
The city's life-source is always a hive of activity, as it was when people gathered by it recently when the Queen's flotilla passed by as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
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Feedback is appreciated - and don't forget you can follow this blog on Twitter: @EuroTravelBlog
