Travel Guide London with travel tips for London
London, like most tourist destinations, has a lot to offer in terms of price and experience. The capital of both England and the United Kingdom is home to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Rich in culture and one of the world's most sought after business locations, the largest urban area in the European Union offers much more to its visitors than just fish and chips.
History
Settled by the Romans in AD 43 and first name Londinium, the city existed a mere seventeen years before Queen Boudica burned it to the ground. Ludenwich, or present day City of Westminster, appeared in the 600s after it was settled by the Anglo Saxons some 1,000 yards away from the Roman city. In the 1100s, the city was a hub of commercial trading and its population reached an astounding 100,000 people some two hundred years later. Plague and fire spread through the city in the 17th century but failed to stop it from being the largest city in the world from 1831 to 1925. Bringing in 15 billion pounds in tourist revenue, London remains a favorite vacation spot for both domestic and overseas visitors.
Art & Museums
The Victoria and Albert Museum, also known as the V&A, was founded in 1852 and named after Prince Albert and Queen Victoria. It houses 5000 years of art in its 145 galleries containing ceramics, glass, textiles, jewelry, furniture, drawings and paintings and offers free admission to its visitors.
The Natural History Museum and Science Museum remain crowd pleasers and are located within minutes from the V&A on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, London.
Nightlife
No trip to London would be complete without visiting one of the city's many pubs. Grab a pint of your favorite lager and strike up a conversation with one of the many blokes hanging out and watching a soccer match on the telly. If nightclubs are more your speed, try visiting one of the trendy spots located on the West End. A strict dress code and big cover charge are the only downfalls to club hopping in the most chic part of the city.
How to get there
Almost every major airline in the world makes stops in London via Heathrow Airport and visitors delight in the variety of modes of transportation offered throughout the city. Double decker buses, the Tube (underground subway system), and black taxi cabs are both charming and economical.