Holiday London: travel and accommodation guide
The lights never go out in London. There is so much to do in one holiday - so it’s best to plan, plan and then plan even more. You just cannot miss out on some of the world’s most famous sights and sites; Big Ben; the Tower of London; St Paul’s Cathedral; Buckingham Palace; tea at the Ritz or the grand sweep of gardens in Hyde Park. You can get around on organised day tours; try London’s famous transport system; or just hop aboard the London Eye in the sky, if you don’t have a lot of time. It is a gigantic observation tower and you get a bird’s eye view of 50 of London’s famous landmarks for $32 and free for kids under five. Once these sites are ticked off the list make sure you have a traditional British afternoon tea, or even better - a large, cool lager.
The Best Time To Go To London
London is always buzzing with festivals; celebrations and top-of-the-mark nightlife. But naturally, the weather is not always so hot. Well, during the warmer months from June to August there are many festivals such as Carnival and the Portobello markets in Notting Hill and if you want pubs, clubs and restaurants check out the West End. Oh, and while you’re there, and addicted to fashion, go splurge in Carnaby Street. It is a shop-a-holic’s paradise. If you go to London in the off-season; it is freezing but there are less tourists; cheaper deals; awesome shopping; gigs; exhibitions; theatres and the night life is just warming up. During the Christmas break tourism starts peaking again but it’s spectacular for any Aussie who has never had a white Christmas. Oh and you can’t miss the New Years Eve count down at Trafalgar Square
Accommodation in London
When it comes to accommodation in London’s peak seasons even the cheapest accommodation is expensive. You must book accommodation early, either through the Internet or by ‘phoning where you plan to stay directly. There are youth hostels everywhere in London, so check out organisations such as the YMCA. Another form of cheap accommodation can be found at the university halls during the summer break. But if you are on a very tight budget, try to find anyone you know in London to stay with – they’ll know all the best entertainment spots too. There are also many good deals to be found with self-contained apartments, house-sits and other accommodation options.
For those of you with “the sky’s-the-limit-wallets,” then London has got luxury-plus on offer. There are five star hotels that can cost up to $5000 per night, but for fun (and up $710 per night) book into the Portobello Hotel and ask for Room 16 where Kate Moss and Johnny Depp are said to have filled the Victorian bath with chilled champagne one steamy night.
Getting there and around London
There are regular flights to London from all international airports in Australia, but you must book early to get the cheap holiday deals. Once you land in Heathrow Airport things may start getting expensive. The famous London black cabs guarantees you a history-laden free “guide” behind the wheel, but the fares tend to be high. The London tube trains and red double-decker buses are much cheaper and in the case of the trains –much faster! The rail link from Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, for example, are much lighter on the wallet and in traffic snarled London, very much faster. If you are on a tight budget, hire- a-bike, not a car, as the fees can set your wallet on fire.
Book London Today
Get the ‘London Look’ today and book flights; holiday packages and accommodation as soon as possible. Make sure your passport is at least six months valid from when you arrive, and check visa and passport information regularly. London is a holiday destination you can not miss!
