subject: Places You Cannot Miss In London [print this page] London is getting ready for the Summer Olympic Games of 2012. But there is no reason to wait for the games, before visiting the capital of Great Britain. The city has interesting sights, great shopping, superb nightlife; and actually also very good food.
The London Eye is the newest sight; and also one of the most interesting ones. The Ferris wheel is 135 meter (443 feet) high and can be found between Waterloo and Westminster Bridge. It was opened by Tony Blair for the new millennium. But some technical problems made it impossible to use until March 2000.
The 32 cabins on the wheel have room for 25 persons each. It is a very popular attraction; and because one rotation takes about half an hour, you can expect long queues in the high season. But the view from the top over the central London (including Big Ben and the House of Parliament) is worth the waiting.
In the opposite end of the timeline is Tower of London. The royal fortress has a 900 year old and bloody history. Many people have walked through the Traitors Gate; but few of them have returned. Torture, rats, and not least executions killed a lot of the prisoners.
Today there are no rats, torture or executions. And the place is more popular to visit. At exactly 9.52 the Ceremony of the Keys takes place. Here the keys of the fortress are handed over from the head of the guards to the head of the night watchmen.
You can see many interesting places on a Tower of London tour; including the royal apartment and the dungeons. But what most people find most exciting is the Jewel House with the British crown jewels. Here you can see the scepter of the sovereign with the worlds largest diamond Star of Africa.
Other interesting sight in London includes the 106 meter (348 feet) high Big Ben, the St. Pauls Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. Do also take a stroll in Hyde Park and see all the famous art treasures in British Museum.
The sights are great in London, but the most interesting thing to do is people watching. In London you find both from businessmen with bowler hats and stiff upper lips and punkers with cock's combs and noses full of safety pins.
Have you heard that English food is not worth eating? And do you think to have to eat fish and chips all day? Well, it does not have to be this way. Famous cooks like Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey have restaurants in London. If you like cheaper options, it is also possible. The city is a melting pot of multi-ethnic populations, so you can find cheap restaurants with exotic food from all around the world.
For shopping visit the famous department store Harrods; they brag about that they can provide everything. If you are looking for something for your home, you can find wallpaper and fabric in Designers Guild and minimalistic, Japanese design in Muji. Make the kids happy with a visit to the six story toyshop Hamleys of Regent Street.
by: Morten Elm
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