London

London; A City With A Past

The Heartbeat of Europe is, without a doubt, none other than exciting London. Filled with history, this beautiful metropolis is a solid square mile, dubbing it The Square Mile by locals. You don’t have to spend much time here getting your sight-seeing done. On every corner of every street is a story, most much older than the United States. Many of the wonders of the city are in movies and television shows all the time, but the real majesty of the city gets absorbed through the cobblestone ground under your feet.

High above the busy streets of London soars the London Eye. The most unique Ferris wheel you will have the pleasure of riding, this tourist attraction takes you hundreds of feet over London in a room that looks out over the River Thames. The view is exquisite and the memories you take away last a lifetime.

You may have heard that the Queen’s Guard are very serious and all that, but did you know that they will shout at you if you get in their way? Quite the amusing experience if you happen to witness it. Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London are close by and you can take a tour of them both. The Tower of London has a rather dark past, but you get to see the crown jewels and walk amongst some of Britain’s most thrilling history.

The food in London is sublime. With so many choices to choose from, it is quite difficult to pick a favorite, but the thought is that you must hit as many as you can before you leave. So eat up.

In every great city, there is a famous park. In London, this is Hyde Park. In this picturesque botanical wonder hides Speaker’s Corner. A place of freedom of speech without persecution, it is a must see. Go and soak up a bit of profanity, or get into a debate about Thatcher. All in good fun, of course. Also, there is a beautiful Memorial Fountain for Princess Diana at which you can pay your respects. If you like riding horses, there is also a horse riding area with trails around the park. There is truly something for everyone here.

In every nook and cranny in the city, someone famous (or infamous) has an homage (usually a sign) to their presence.  You walk down the streets on the shoulders of Dickens, Churchill, Shakespeare and King George VI. Their spirits guide you down pathways and share their history in ways no tour guide could express. Walk down Abbey Road with The Beatles. Smell the flowers of Kensington Garden with Peter Pan. Take this city and make it part of your soul. The memories the streets carry give London a truly unique experience for any traveler.