Sign in with Facebook"When a man tires of London, he is tired of life" London by Dabs
London Travel Guide: 26,554 reviews and 43,845 photos
2011 had me visiting London three times, thanks to having my credit card earn me miles on British Airways, I usually fly through London when I travel to Europe. I may need to get dual citizenship!
My 17th trip was in July 2011, my 17 year old niece's 1st visit to Europe
My 16th visit to London was just a couple of days in June 2011 on our way back from Euromeet in Macedonia and a few days in Bulgaria, we ate fish & chips, spent Saturday morning in a fruitless search for the wedding gnomes and a visit to Portobello and Camden Markets before heading to Windsor so my husband could swim in a race in the Thames.
My 15th visit was in April/May 2011 for the royal wedding, when Courtney (Paris92) said she was going, I jumped on the chance to visit one of my favorite cities and witness a bit of royal history.
Well, it's partly the fact that we accumulate miles on British Airways, many of our trips have been stopovers on the way to somewhere else in Europe and London is a free add on. Partly it's because there's no language barrier, museums, theater, transportation, menus are all in English.
But it's certainly more than that, London is truly my favorite city in the world, a place that I will never tire of. London was my destination on my first trip outside of North America and has been luring me back ever since, always with the promise of a new secret place to discover or a favorite to revisit. Plus I've met some of the loveliest people in London, they always make me feel welcome when I come back, Jen (Jenniflower) and Jo (jo104) have been lovely enough to arrange several VT meetings and outings on my various visits and it's always grand to see the two lovely South African lasses!
Since we tend to stop in London on our way to or from somewhere else, I finally planned two trips to London as birthday presents to myself where I didn't leave the UK, one in July/August 2004 and August 2005. Since then I've traveled to just the UK in January 2006 and January 2007 and with just a short 3 days in Paris on our July/August 2008 trip.
London visits
July 2011-a trip combined with Paris, my niece's 1st trip to Europe
June 2011-a couple of days tacked onto our visit to Macedonia
April/May 2011-a week visit for the royal wedding of William & Kate
September 2010-5 days after visiting Ireland for Jo's Treasure Hunt and Open House weekend
May 2009-stop on the way back from Ukraine
July/August 2008-accompanied by husband, niece, nephew and sister in law
January 2008-2nd visit with Kat (keida84)
May 2007-stop on the way to Venice and Slovenia
January 2006-big VT meeting in London in honor of Kat's 1st visit-see photos from the big meeting over on myGreater London page,
August 2005-stop on the way back from Budapest with hubby
August 2004-1/2 solo, 1/2 with hubby
May 2003-stop on our trip to Poland
July 2002-combined with a trip to Iceland
September 2000-stop on our way to France and Belgium
September 1999-combined with trip to Paris and Loire Valley
March 1995-visit with my husband
February 1988-solo trip, my very 1st trip overseas
Surely with the dismal exchange rate, some North American travelers may be scared off traveling to London. But with a little research there are all kinds of ways to save some money without compromising on the quality of the visit.
London has loads of terrific museums whether you are interested in art, science, or history and they are almost all free.
If you are traveling with a group of 2 people or more, there are all kinds of discounts at the castles, at many of the other attractions or on dining, the best offers are the 2 for 1 offers valid if you have a paper travelcard. If you are traveling with 3 or more people, there are some groupd discounts for train travel outside of London.
Priceline is the only way I book hotels in London, I get 4* hotels for a lot less than booking direct, my most recent stay was $75US + tax.
Theater tickets can be purchased even cheaper than you would find in NYC or Chicago at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square and usually with great seats.
London is a melting pot of different ethnic groups and you can find almost any type of food in London, most of the ethnic food is quite reasonably priced and available all over London. Most of our meals were under £10 or less per person, many of our lunches were under £5 per person.
And finally, some vouchers for restaurants, shopping, attractions and more
- Pros:Wonderful history, architecture, and I can read the signs at the museums!
- Cons:17 trips and I still have dozens of places left to visit
- In a nutshell:How can someone not love London????
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Priceline-Finsbury/Islington
Hotels
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I had a really difficult time bidding on Priceline for my July 2011 visit, I never did get a room for the 5 days on the... more travel advice
Lloyd's of London
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The 1st thing I think of when I think of Lloyd's of London is oddly David Lee Roth (the original lead singer of Van... more travel advice
Monument-great views of London
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I'm not sure why I've never visited the Monument before, if it's in Europe, has nice views and lots of steps, you can... more travel advice
Modern hotel near Westminster Bridge
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Normally I would bid on Priceline to get a hotel in London but for 1 weekend night on a bank holiday and at the end of... more travel advice
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Comments (55)
Ok, back again as promised :-) I really, really love your London page! I am planning my first trip to UK for next year, and your page has been very helpful. I have added a lot of them to my VT trip planner! Especially thanks for the description of the Eurostar train. Also the ticket booth, tips about oyster card, and so many off the beaten path things that I had never heard about before!
And thank you for visiting my new Hong Kong page - I only just started building it :-)
Kristi, I cannot believe you have about twice the number of tips I have on the place I live. Memo to self - must try harder! Regards, fergy.
I go to London all the time and still haven't seen half the things! I know what you mean:) Dawn
Thanks for your great and interesting tips and pictures, Kristi!.. When will I have the chance of paying a visit there I wonder...
checking out some london restuarants for vt'er Colin's birthday dinner he doesn't like spice
Spend a few hours in Sheppard's Bush market and see how the other half live... And see why people who grew up there say London is the most depressing place on earth. :/ Did you ever see a BBC show called "North & South"?
Highlights of London this summer: churches, pubs, and Kenwood! And Highgate Villiage is lovely.
Great language tip!
I didn't even know that one could still get in the garden! I used to go up there for tea with my aunt, when I was a kid. Must go again.
A great page! The triathlon must have been some experience! And RyanAir, yes I also hate the fact that they keep switching gates all the time.But don't blame the staff, their working conditions are not good at all, neither is the pay.
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