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Britain’s Beautiful Beaches
Are you one of those people who doesn’t know how to vacation anywhere other than the Balearic or Greek Islands? If so, you are missing out on the rest of the world. And though they may not make the cover of tourist brochures or be a favorite with mass tourism, there are also paradisiacal beaches in some of the cooler areas of the globe. One such place is Britain. Yes, the land where it rains all day, of which we are only ever shown grey pictures, deserted beaches, and people in dark suits. But the reality is very different. Though it may well be true that London gets its share of rainfall being the capital of a country with rather cold average temperatures, it does get very warm there in the summer months, and especially in the daytime. And you don’t really need to go swimming at night now, do you? There are two coasts in Great Britain worth noting for their beauty. First off is the Jurassic Coast, stretching from East Devon to East Dorset, in southern of England. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 153 km long stretch of coast is characterized by its high cliffs and eventful geological history, both of which translate into breathtaking views over the English Channel. One of its better-known beaches is Durdle Door, popular for its natural beauty and its limestone arch that doesn’t leave anyone cold. Lulworth Cove, a small seashell-shaped bay, and the White Cliffs of Dover, towering up to 110 meters over the ocean, are some other popular spots. Durdle Door Our second pick is the...
6 Top Reasons to Travel to London
Whether on your first visit, or whether you know the Tube map like the back of your hand, traveling to London is always a joy. The truth is that England’s capital has an air of magic about it that envelops you from the minute you step out of the plane. But if you remain unconvinced, here is our list of reasons that make London that must-see that we can never get enough of. 1. Because you will learn the true meaning of the word POLITE Stereotypes abound for good reason, and they often hold a certain degree of truth in them. Such is the case of the British and their polite, refined manners. But it just so happens to be one of those stereotypes we are amply grateful for when visiting the city. You feel it right away: people offering to help you buy train tickets; waiters giving you their full attention and best smile; and people making way for complete strangers on escalators, so those in a rush can get through. Small gestures that make life a little more pleasant- an example we should all take home. 2. Because you will discover that all the world’s a stage And not in vain did William Shakespeare grow up in this land. The high value Londoners’ place on general culture and art deserves full admiration. Wherever you go, art is ubiquitous in any of its myriad forms. From the world-famous West End musicals, flooding city streets with posters and fliers prompting you to go to the show, to the street performances of Covent Garden and Portobello Road, passing through the...
A Charles Dickens Tour and “A Christmas Carol”
Christmas is about being a child again. Feeling like a child full of wonder with a head full of hopes and dreams. It was precisely for such children that Charles Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol” in 1843. You’re more than likely already familiar with the book. Are you a fan of Dickens? Want to learn more about him? He was so successful that after his death, many different versions of his most famous work created. To step back into his time period, the first thing we need to do is travel to London.
The Thames below Your Feet
If you’re thinking about visiting London soon, don’t miss the opportunity to view the Thames below your feet thanks to a new glass walkway with a stunning view from one of the most famous bridges in the world: the Tower Bridge in London. Following in the footsteps of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the famous London Bridge has now also unveiled a glass walkway with views from 42 meters above the Thames. At 11 meters long and 1.8 meters wide, it allows visitors to enjoy a new perspective of the drawbridge and its traffic, including the city’s iconic red buses and numerous pedestrians, as well as the views of the River Thames and the boats that ply its waters daily. Access to the gateway is included in the regular ticket price of visiting the popular bridge (10 euros /8 pounds), which is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm from October to March and 10 am to 5:30 pm from April to September. This new attraction is located on the west side of Tower Bridge, and a second walkway with identical dimensions is planned for the east side. The opening of this gateway coincides with the 120th anniversary of the opening of the iconic bridge, which was designed by Horace Jones and John Wolfe Barry and receives more than 600,000 visitors...
Literary Pubs in London
If writers in olden times met in taverns to chat and exchange ideas and opinions, it’s now their legacy that remains in these establishments. Some parts of the history of literature have been forged in the pubs we are going to tell you about, and many are located in London. With something for everyone, we’ll start our “Route of Books and Drinks” in the British capital. If we want to talk about literature in connection with London pubs, we must, of course, discuss the Cheshire Cheese. With its dark lighting, wooden interior and low ceilings, it’s definitely worth visiting. Built in 1666, it was frequented by the “cursed poets” and the Rhymers Club, including Ernest Dowson and Lionel Johnson (who is said to have died there after falling off a stool). And, of course, Oscar Wilde and Charles Dickens are also said to have been seen there on occasion. What secrets do the tables and chairs guard? The only way to find out is to visit. In Northumberland Street you’ll find the Sherlock Holmes pub, which, as you might imagine, has been designed and decorated in the style of a detective novel. On the first floor there is a replica of the room where Dr. Watson kept his books and bottles. And among the many things that will inspire you on this Sherlock Holmes path is a portrait of the author overlooking one of the rooms of this curious London venue. Then there’s the Fitzroy Tavern (16 Charlotte Street), where Dylan Thomas used to get drunk and write poetry on the coasters. Other literary greats that passed through include...
The ABCs of London: Part II
Notting Hill : Many people know this beautiful area of London from the film starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, but Notting Hill is also worth visiting for its world famous Carnival and alternative shops. Oyster Card: This is a must if you travel around London by public transport and don’t want to pay a fortune. Money can be added to the blue card, which allows you to travel by subway or bus without paying the full price. Pubs: The pubs of London, and England in general, are where people congregate to socialize. Some are older and others modern, but they all offer good beer and a pleasant atmosphere. And they’re quintessentiallly British. Queen: The Queen of England is one of the country’s most key figures and the most important representative of Britain. You can find all kinds of souvenirs with her face on them, especially if you like rather tacky items. River: The Thames zigzags across the city of London and is a large part of of its image. There are also famous bridges (Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Millennium Bridge…) and the heated regatta held between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Shard: This 87-storey building was completed in 2012 and is the tallest building in the European Union at an impressive 306 meters. It stands above the other skyscrapers in the city and is an icon of modernity in the historic city. vía George Rex Taxi: Taxis in London are an icon of the city. They are black, spacious vehicles that can take you rapidly from one place to another. The drivers are very talkative and know the...
London ABC part I
Buckingham Palace: The Queen’s palace is a place that no visitor to London can miss. You can visit some rooms inside the palace, but if you come with the intention to meet the Queen for a cup of tea, you’ll be disappointed. Bus: There´s nothing more symbolic in London that its red double-decker buses. Other famous symbols of the British capital include its picturesque phone booths and black taxis. Riding a double-decker bus is a must in London. via jimmyharris Downing Street: This is the street where the British Prime Minister lives, in the number 10 to be more precise. This street used to be open to the public but closed at the moment. However, you can still visit the street entrance. Eye: The London Eye is the famous ferris wheel on the banks of the river, which provides its visitors with an incomparable view of the city. The total height of the wheel is 135 meters and a full rotation takes about half an hour. It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe and receives about 3.5 million visitors a year. Fish and Chips: Although more typical of coastal cities, no one can go to England without eating this traditional dish. Fish and chips are nothing but crispy fried cod with fries. Anyone who has not tried is missing a lot! Globe: William Shakespeare was born in the beautiful town of Stratford upon Avon, two hours from London, but it was in the English capital, where the theaters displayed his works. The Globe is a wooden theater that recreates the theaters exactly how they were at Shakespeare´s time....
The London Metro: Key Stations and Interesting Facts
The Metro, “The Underground” or “The Tube” in the British capital lacks nothing that any of its neighboring countries has. With more than 350 stations, it is worth a tour in and of itself. One could almost say that it isn’t necessary to go outside to get to know the map of London. It is the world´s oldest metro, and its first line (the Metropolitan Line) was constructed in 1863. via Nick-K (Nikos Koutoulas) The lines of the “London Underground” Here are some interesting facts: The Central Line, starting in West Ruislip and ending in Epping, is the longest in existence. In fact, the London Underground is the third most extensive subway system that has ever been built, after Beijing and Shanghai. The most popular route, which is also full of tourists, is the one from Leicester Square to Covent Garden on the famous Picadilly Line, but that journey is actually so short that you could easily walk. To give you an idea, it takes about 20 seconds to travel (so about 250 meters). Why not stop at each of the stations? All of the Metro stops have escalators, but one really stands out above the rest. I’m talking about Angel, the Northern Line, which boasts a height of almost 60 meters and more than 160 steps. And if you’re a data geek, you’ll be interested to know that the moving escalators cover a distance equal to around the world twice a week. There are 426 across the entire network. Yes, they go up and up. And when you leave a train car, you’ll hear a sentence that...
Rare, fun and quirky London Museums
If you were expecting us to talk about the wonderful museums of art or natural history that occupy the streets of London, you are wrong. Today we want to talk about the non-traditional museums. Photo by Matt From London The Fan Museum This is a very unique museum located at number 12 Crooms Hill, Greenwich. It opens from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11am to 5pm. On Sundays it opens at 12. You don’t want to miss the permanent exhibition of all kinds of fans: from all ages, from all places and for all occasions. Then you can walk around the store to treat yourself or buy a souvenir. Museum of brands, packaging and advertising If a tomato can, by the hand of the great Andy Warhol, is elevated to the altars of arts, is there anything else we should be impressed of? This is a museum to enjoy all kinds of objects that in a way or another have become symbols or icons in the consumer society that started growing during the fifties. Located in Notting Hill (at number 2 Colville Mews), it opens from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. and on Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. Be aware of the special opening hours during Easter, Christmas and holidays. Firefighters Museum of London This is an essential place to visit if you are traveling with children in the delightful British capital. Here you will discover how firefighters are essential to support our communities. There is a great permanent exhibition that shows a historical journey that includes elements as antique trucks, colorful clothes and...
