Tuesday, June 29, 2010

London - England At It's Best

By Mark Walters

New York City has been described as the city that never sleeps, but you could easily apply the moniker to London as well. Since London was first a city, it has been teeming with life and anything you could possibly want to do can be done in the city's center. A city so rich in tradition, activities, and history needs more than a cursory glance of course, but much of what the city has to offer can be experienced in a few day's time.

In fact, the history of London is a good place to start. The city's history is rooted in everything from medieval times gone by to the crown jewels of the monarchy. It does not matter if you are a history buff or if you have not opened a book since elementary school social studies. London's rich, full history is sure to interest everyone. A trip to London is not complete without a trip to the world-famous Madame Tussauds wax museum to visit the almost unsettlingly lifelike wax denizens inside. Be also sure to enter the London Dungeon to encounter the terrible dark side of the city. You will be able to see and learn about a side of London that few outside of the UK know about.

The Tower of London is home to the crown jewels, and has been the scene for countless mysterious and fantastic tales. Bringing together art and history, you can see portraits of Britain's most famous people throughout the centuries at the National Portrait Gallery. Then there is the British Museum, which houses one of the best archaeological collections of artifacts that you will find anywhere in the world. There are numerous small museums and art galleries sprinkled around the city center too, so be sure to leave some time spare in your schedule as you will undoubtedly come across some places that you will not be able to resist popping into.

Oxford Street is the ideal place for the experienced shopper. If shopping is too strenuous, Hyde Park is found nearby to bring the peace and quiet of the country right into the city. Portobello Market is one of many outdoor markets and is located northeast of the park. Nestled inside all of the hustle and bustle are quiet, charming side streets full of London's past. Here you can find gems such as Covent Gardens. For a bird's eye view of all that the city center has to offer, you can head over to the London eye. From above, you can see an overview of the wonders of the city.

As for the evening, you should start your night at one of London's thousands of pubs, enjoying the local beers on tap with a group of friends. As midnight approaches, things really start to getting going in London's countless dance clubs. Whatever your musical preferences, you will not be disappointed, as London provides it all - techno, trance, hip-hop and Latin to name just a few. Of course, if it is a football or rugby night, you have a great opportunity to watch a game before starting your festivities, as London is home to lots of teams.

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