Friday 5 April 2013


LONDON TOUR TIPS

The English writer Samuel Johnson famously said, "You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." More than two centuries have passed since Johnson's era, but his words still ring true. Life in London is invigorating, and travelers find that one visit isn't enough to experience everything this two-millennia-old city has to offer.
Here, the antiquated clasps hands with the contemporary. You'll find the historic Tower of London and the avant-garde Tate Modern both considered must-sees. Shakespeare's sonnets are still being uttered by actors who don modern garb. Londoners most certainly still revere the royals, but they also rock out to Coldplay and Lily Allen. And while they still sip tea, they now drink Starbucks, too. A current leader in everything from politics and banking to fashion and music, London's culture compass is always attuned to what's next.
The best way to get around London is the rapid-transit London Underground, labeled the "Tube." You can even take the Tube from London Heathrow Airport (LHR)—one of the world's busiest airports—into the city center. This widespread and efficient system stretches throughout London and beyond, and it is relatively easy to navigate. Buying an Oyster card will further simplify your travel since it can be used on the Underground system, as well as on city buses and other forms of transportation. Visitors should also bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes since meandering is the most atmospheric way to traverse the city.