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London, England

London is a world in itself. With 7.2 million inhabitants (of which 2.8 are in the centre), it covers 64 square miles (that is one and a half times the size of Paris) and has a myriad of areas that each have their own atmosphere. The its historical centre, the City unfolds around the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. On the north bank, the atmosphere is that of Wall Street; on the south bank, old factories have been transformed into museums (Tate Modern), places for wine tasting (Vinopolis), and the gourmet market of Borough Market attracts all gourmets at the end of the week.

Further west, Soho, Covent Garden and Leicester Square form the thrilling centre of the capital. There are theaters, concert halls and trendy shopping boutiques. The north of Soho is bordered by Oxford Street; which ends at Hyde Park. With its large concentration of department stores, it forms a kind of equivalent to the Grands Boulevards of Paris. The luxurious neighbourhoods of the British bourgeoisie, Kensington and Chelsea are very pleasant to explore on foot, along streets shaded by trees and lined with elegant Victorian houses.

In these neighbourhoods, London is white: a striking contrast with the red brick façades which make up the rest of the city. But there is also a post-modernist London, whose iron and glass achievements give a new look to the capital: a must to discover while strolling on the banks of the Thames. Unmissable stops : the Gherkin, the City Hall and Canary Wharf.

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The proximity.
The cultural richness (museums, exhibitions).
The events (sales, festivals).

cons

The cost of living (London is the most expensive capital in Europe).
The climate is often gloomy.

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United Kingdom, All you need to know!

Visit London

To see

The national museums, whose permanent collections are exhibited free to visitors.
- The National Gallery for lovers of paintings (Charing Cross subway).
- The British Museum for Egyptian or Greco-Roman antiquities (Holborn subway).
- The Natural History Museum for the skeletons of dinosaurs and collections of gems (South Kensington subway).

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To do

- A tour on the London Eye, the Ferris wheel built for the beginning of the year 2000. Spectacular, but without danger, because it rises 135 meters above the ground in capsules with transparent walls.
- A walk on foot along the upgraded banks of the Thames. For example, start at the foot of the Tower of London and continue in the direction of the Docks district.

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To think about

On Leicester Square there is a ticket booth where you can buy tickets for half the price for performances the same evening. This is the Half Price Ticket Booth, now called Tkts. The booth is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Come as soon as it opens to have the best choice.

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To avoid

- Travelling by car in London. The congestion charge (about £10 per day) is prohibitive.
- Buy tickets for the subway one at a time (approximately £4.70). Choose to buy deals for the day or for the week, or even the Oyster card that is rechargeable at will.
- Staying outside the city centre (zones 1-2). As the city is so vast, you will spend an hour or more per trip on public transport.

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To try

- An afternoon tea : served in the hotels, pubs and cafes. The most chic: the Ritz on Piccadilly. Quite expensive (about £40 per person) but the room, decorated with frescoes and gilt, is beautiful and the service is worthy of a royal palace. Several times being possible, book in advance on the Internet, www.theritzlondon.com.
- "Fusion" cuisine : trendy food in London which combines Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Western flavours. A must to try, for example at Cocoon, on Regent Street, www.cocoon-restaurants.com (about £20 a dish).

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To bring back

- For gourmet specialties, the food department of the Harrods department store (Knightsbridge subway) and the Borough market (metro London Bridge). Don't forget, the latter is only open on Friday afternoons and all on a Saturday. - For clothing and accessories, visit the markets (indooror on the street) north of London (Brick Lane, Spitalfields, Portobello, Camden Road). - For prestige shopping, visit the shops on Sloane Street (Knightsbridge subway).

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Generator Hostel London

Score 10/10

Marie-Jacqueline Ballagh 29/06/2011 : "Cheap, friendly hostel ideally situated just a few minutes walk from mainline stations in the delightful Bloomsbury area."

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Corus Hotel Hyde Park

Score 9/10

joyce clay 02/05/2011 : "This hotel was excellent value. Twin rooms adequate. Hyde Park opposite a wonderful location.Breakfast was continental/full english excellen"

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MILLENNIUM GLOUCESTER

Score 9/10

joyce clay 02/05/2011 : "This hotel was excellent value for money. Very clean, friendly staff who couldn't do enough for you. The food, breakfast was fresh & perfect"

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