Posted on 01/01/2014 1:24:59 PM PST by killermosquito
I will be making a short business trip to Cambridge and London, England (Feb 5-7 Cambridge, Saturday, Feb 8 in London). Then a slightly longer stay in Sophia, Bulgaria (Feb 9-15).
Freepers know everything. What should I do? What should I not do? Where should I eat? What places must I be sure to visit?
You have three London Premier League games to choose from on the 8th....
Chelsea v Newcastle United
Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton
Ditto
Tower, Westminster abbey, tea, fish and. Chips
The restaurants are great. If you have the money, go to Rules in the West End. Or see a show. If that’s not to you taste, go see the London Eye and take a ride. Walk through Piccadilly Circus or up Oxford Street or Regent Street - the Christmas lights are up. Harrods in Knightsbridge is fun. Buy some jam or preserves at Fortnam & Masons and bring it home to your family. Visit the Abbey and see where the great kings and queens are buried. The National Gallery on/in Trafalgar Square is an amazing art museum. Do yourself a favor and buy a map and/or a guide book. It is one of the most exciting cities in the world.
That’s ridiculous! No one should avoid London because of Muslims. I go there every year (except this year) and it’s perfectly OK to visit.
Aaahoo! Werewolves of London...
I am conservative in my POV and a monarchist at heart; being of United Empire Loyalist stock. Some of my ancestors supported George William Frederick, rather than George ‘what’s his name’ from Virginia, so this is why I am Canadian; my ancestors having been removed from ‘warmer climes’ to Nova Scotia and eventually, Ontario.
That said, the Canada (and the UK) that I cherish, have long disappeared (as has the US that I admired in many ways), replaced on all sides by socialists.
Two days,IMO,isn’t long enough to scratch the surface.The Palace,Parliament,Downing Street,Abbey Road,Tower of London,Portabello Road,Carnaby Street.....
I better keep quiet about my favorite jibe to Canadians (but I won’t): “Canada: Leading the world in being just north of the United States since 1776.”
rofl
More stupid comments!
Look on the internet for great restaurants. But you do want to avoid the lousy chain restaurants like Garfunkels in the West End. Try finding a gastro-pub for good food and an English atmosphere if you’re budget is tight. Of course, tea at the Ritz or the Worsley is excellent. I’d even recommend Richoux of London (I may have spelled that wrong) for a more budget-oriented tea. This is a great eating town.
The Imperial War Museum is wonderful. Housed in the former Bedlam Asylum.
London food is excellent. This is a tired, old trop and I’m so tired of refuting it.
It also has the best Indian food outside of India.
I own 50 books on English “cookery.” It’s not considered one of the great cuisines (but neither is Italian in the world of food “intellectuals”) but is delicious none the less.
Also, if you love theater, go to the National Theater on the South Bank. The greatest English-speaking theater in the world.
You have clearly never been to London. Or are just boring.
Walk by 10 Downing St so when you see it on TV you can say “I’ve been there”
Go by Buckingham Palace
Walk over the Tower Bridge, Tower of London is right there too.
Westminster, Scotland Yard and Big Ben are very close together, walk around that area - pop into Westminster.
Trafalgar & Piccadilly Square are close together
Take the Tube at least once to go between areas
Take a Cab to see these usual suspects too.
Then pick a couple of things you want to spend more time with.
Your internal clock will be off by 7 hrs or so and you’ll be awake later than usual - keep the Pub for later at night - last stop.
Personal preferences rule. I've only been to London five times. Can honestly say I don't ever think of the food when recalling fondest memories of the world class city. Agree Harrods is a terrific spot to browse.
Without a doubt the best way to get around London in a single day is to purchase a ticket for one of the big red bus tours. You can get on or off the buses as you like at all the important stops. It actually beats London’s public transportation system by miles. I think it is about $30 a day with current exchange rate. I don’t know if you can use Euros anymore in London, but British money is impressive to Americans in look and feel.
My favorites were Trafalgar Square, The Imperial War Museum, and I saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. The best exhibit of all was the Egyptology exhibits in the British Museum, but I have a special fascination for Ancient Egypt.
Also the location of the US Embassy was astonishing to me. It takes a huge amount of space in the most expensive real estate in London. If it was ever made available it would sell for tens of billions, I bet. The only location of a US Embassy which impressed me more was in Paris.
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