Primary Safety Tips for Tourists Travelling to London

May 14th, 2012 abhinav

Although, London is quite a safe city in terms of holiday destination still there are chances for a misshappening to occur especially, if you are new to the city. Each year, millions of tourists come and visit the capital city for holiday and business reasons. Though, the city provides hands full of safety measures, it is important for tourists even to adopt some sensible precautions when it is the matter of being safe.

Here are few tips which can guide you through a safe journey to enjoy your holiday in London to the fullest. Whether you are a local or a first time business or leisure traveller, London has same safety rules defined for its citizens and guests too.

Travel Safety Tips to London:

  • Be aware of what is going around you. Be alert
  • Try to avoid walking alone at night
  • For safety while crossing the road, ensure you use designated crossings. Take note of the signs at the signal and cross only when the green man is showing
  • Avoid wearing headphones as they reduce awareness of your surroundings

Safe Public Transport:

Transport for London website proves really beneficial as we talk about London’s public transport for tourists.

  • Before leaving for anywhere, you must plan your route in order to avoid any confusions
  • For travelling with the city, one must only use either black cabs or registered mini-cabs as these are safe.

Keeping Your Belongings Safe:

  • Your bag should not be left unattended anywhere in the capital city as it may lead to security alert
  • Secure your handbag with Chelsea clips under the table if any
  • Keep your gadgets out of sight inside your pocket when you are not using them
  • Record details of your electronic serial numbers
  • If your valuables are lost, immediately inform London police about it

Medical Emergencies:

Whether you are travelling for a holiday or for business reasons, you never know when a medical emergency strikes. In that case, one must call 999 or 112 for an ambulance.

Staying Safe in Restaurants and London Bars:

Through, restaurants and bars in the capital city are a favourite place for travellers to visit; you need to take care of some necessary things.

  • You must keep your property out of sight
  • There are venues that have Chelsea clips under the table for safety of your briefcase or handbags
  • Don’t accept any drinks from strangers
  • Don’t leave your drink unattended
  • Look out for friends, as don’t let anyone roam around here and there alone

Travelling to another country for a holiday is just like moving to an absolute another neighbourhood.

Organic Restaurants – A Better Choice for your Next Meal

May 9th, 2012 abhinav

These days’ foodies are looking for a better dining experience to break the monotony. Organic food is known to be healthier than any other normal food, as it does not involve any synthetic inputs. Thus, organic restaurants are topping the charts now-a-days when it comes to eat out. These eating out joints serve you with a better dining experience along with an entertaining atmosphere too.

When you are hungry and looking out for an altogether different food, just try something non-synthetic at any of the organic restaurants in London. The food at these places is known to be of superior quality than a traditional restaurant. The popularity of organic restaurants is immensely increasing in the capital city of London. Both Londoners and tourists at the same time are getting attracted towards it.

To meet this high demands of organic food lovers, London has got some favourite organic restaurants in store for both locals and travellers alike.

The River Cafe:

This is a much-admired restaurant that serves an immense range of rustic Italian dishes. It includes lobsters, ravioli, turbot etc. Guests can also select from a sumptuous vegetarian menu. It is a Michelin star restaurant serving Italian cuisine with great emphasis laid on the finest ingredients along with an all Italian wine list.

Waterhouse:

This is an ethical restaurant in which power comes through hydro and solar energy. Here at the restaurants, the dishes are freshly prepared with seasonal, organic and fresh ingredients that are locally sourced.

Bumpkin:

This restaurant is all about seasonal British food which is quite authentic too. Breakfasts, lunches, evening teas and dinners can be arranged anytime at the Bumpkin. To get the taste of seasonal Britain, grab the best available at this organic restaurant in Notting Hill.

Amico Bio:

The concept of an eco-friendly restaurant is on the go with Amico Bio that specializes in serving organic Italian food that to all vegetarian. The dining room is quite cosy featuring a narrow fireplace. Vegetarians in London have never been happier as with the emergence of this organic vegetarian restaurant serving the best of Italian delicacies.

Shopping at its Best under the Best British Designer Labels

May 4th, 2012 abhinav

When we talk about London in terms of shopping, the capital city has several distinct shopping streets and retail areas. Many of them feature their own specialities and themes ranging from luxury goods to various designer clothing, accessories and homeware etc. UK has produced some of the best British designers and the capital city is a great place to find them all.

While travelling to the capital city, you can actually get plenty of options by big fashion labels. As far as shopping in London is concerned, the capital city offers you the best of everything. Here are some of the designer labels that a shopper in the capital must be interested in:

Lulu Guinness:

Lulu Guinness is a great option to head to for those looking out for eccentric handbags and accessories. This luxury boutique in Knightsbridge can be looked up for the stylish ones. The designs are just like mini pieces of art. It’s not necessary that you have to go to its exclusive store, as you can look for this brand even in major department stores.

Burberry:

Burberry is known to be a high profile British brand. Since years, the brand has maintained its panache offering variety of stylish clothing lines for both men and women. Burberry is not only about clothing, but it is a lavish label that brands wallets, handbags, purses and even umbrellas. Harry Potter, Kate Moss, Emma Watson are associated as the face of this brand.

Paul Smith:

He is the king in British men’s fashion label that celebrates classic British tailoring with a twist.He is the one that specialises in modern British fashion for both men, women and children too. Other than clothing, this British designer specialises in fabulous range of accessories including shoes, bags and belts etc.

Stella McCartney:

She is Britain’s hottest celebrity designer that has gone from strength to strength. The brand is now associates with designing the 2012 Olympic kit.

Stephen Jones:

This British designer specialises in ready-made and bespoke hats that are well designed for variety of occasions including cowboy hats, berets, cocktails hats and baseball caps.

Vivienne Westwood:

Travellers are surely going to love this famous flagship store where you can shop for the latest fashions from one of the most creative and famous designer. This designer has been creating amazing clothes since ages now and those looking out for something exclusive, must land up at the Vivienne Westwood store.

Get Ready to Witness an Annual Arts Festival in the City of London

April 30th, 2012 abhinav

Event Date: 24th June to 27th July2012

The City of London Festival is a captivating one and is held annually in the City of London, England. This arts festival takes place for about two to three weeks in every June and July.Itis majorly geared in the direction of classical music, but also includes programmes offering world music, opera, jazz, film screenings, guided tours and lectures. Every year, thousands of travellers visit the city to enjoy this breath taking event in London.

The City of London festival is held openly in the City’s Streets, gardens and well known London squares. The City of London is worth for hosting such an eventful festival, as the place is rich with stunning modern and ancient spaces and buildings that make it a unique place to be. Moreover, the place is well served with excellent transport links thus, encouraging audiences to attend events.

This time the City of London Festival is going to held from 24th June to 27th July2012 at 60 magnificent venues across the capital city. The festival this time will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. An electric plan is createdfor the diamond jubilee event in the city that includes installations, exhibitions of visual arts, film screenings, walks, architecture and music, drama and poetry too.

Festival Events and Venues:

The festival hosts several indoor and outdoor performances. About 150 events will take place at around 60 venues in London. The venues include

  • Mansion House
  • Guildhall Yard
  • Hampstead Heath
  • St Paul’s Cathedral
  • Goldsmith’s Hall
  • New Street Square
  • Paternoster Square
  • Merchant Taylor’s Hall

The festival entertains all people whether tourists or Londoners.Outstanding artists from all across the globe perform world class events in quite an eye-catching environment.As far as venues are concerned, no festival in the country has so many venues at its disposal than the City of London.

Anyone and everyone can attend as the festival has something in store for everyone. Age is no bar to attend the vivacious City of London 2012 festival.

London Bus Tours – See the Capital from a Different View Onboard

April 26th, 2012 abhinav

The capital city of London is worth visiting to experience the best of sightseeing. The city offers variety of options to tourists to have a great time out for yourself and your family. One brilliant option to that is to sit back and relax while onboard on a London bus. There are companies in London offering fascinating bus tours and most of them let you jump on and off at various points. London bus tours are kind of an ideal way to make the most of your London trip as a holidaymaker.

There are varieties of options to choose from. Being a tourist especially a leisure traveller, there is a lot to see and visit in the capital city. You can select the tour as per your interest to make the most of it. Here are some of the dazzling preferences:

The Original London Sightseeing Tour:

This tour runs quite frequently, as all first time travellers to the capital city are quite interested in taking up this tour. This hop-on and hop-off tour make you ride on a red coloured traditional open top bus. Live English commentary runs along the entire tour. You can enjoy a free boat trip or a walking tour to London.

The Ghost Bus Tours:

Those who are fond of running chill down their spines must take up ghostly bus tours. Other than a classic route master bus tour, enjoy the scariest tour of the capital city. The bus has a creepy conductor who reveals several haunted places. Get ready to witness London’s shadowy past.

Vintage Bus Tours:

Vintage double-decker buses are quite popular in London and tourists must not miss a ride on those. How can someone coming to London for the first miss a visit to the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Changing of the Guard ceremony? A ride on a vintage bus make you know London in a better way.

Brit Movie Tours:

These special tours for movie buffs make you visit your favourite London locations from your desired movies. You can actually see those places where Harry Potter, James Bond, Harry Potter and other Hollywood movies are being made.

Big Bus Tours:

London features a Big Bus Company which offers three different sightseeing tours on open buses. Live commentaries are on the go. You can even have a recorded commentary in eight different languages.

Entertaining Toddler Friendly Attractions to Visit in London

April 19th, 2012 abhinav

London is a vibrant city offering loads of attractions for sightseers. Tourists travel to this vibrant cosmopolitan generally for a leisurely break and most of them travel along with their families. The capital offers everything to suit all kinds of travellers including your little ones. Those who think that London is not the place for kids are mistaken as the city features plenty of vivacious options for them including museums, zoo, planetariums and numerous other toddler friendly attractions.

These attractions will surely keep your child entertained throughout his holiday. Here are a list of some must visit ones:

Kid’s Zone at National Army Museum:

This fabulous play area is for children under ten years within the famous National Army Museum. The play area offers cool surroundings where your child can explore in a safe and cooperative environment. Those who want their kids to experience adventure, this is the place for them to be as in this play time your kids can dress like soldiers, crawl through tunnels, scale rock climbing walls and do a lot many things.

London Zoo:

Zoo is usually kid’s favourite place to visit especially children under 3 as they can go free. Your child can indulge into various live events going on as they can actually see monkey and birds out of their cages.

Coram’s Fields:

This is anexceptional seven acre playground in Central London.The environment in which your little one plays is quite stimulating and safe. The best part about this kid friendly attraction is that adults are only allowed to enter the Coram’s field if accompanied by a child. A team of trained staff is always there to ensure everything goes off well.

Kew Gardens:

Kew Gardens is an ultimate place for a family day out in London.

Mudlarks – Museum of London Docklands:

Museum of London Docklands has got an interesting area, Mudlarks which is an interactive play area for children below the age of 12. It accompanies a soft play section for those under 5. This museum features everything themed around life.

Natural History Museum:

This fabulous Victorian building houses great things of the natural world and is renowned for its dinosaur skeletons. Kids who have that dinosaur’s fixation would really enjoy their visit to the Natural History Museum.

Museum of Childhood:

Museum of Childhood in East London features free entry offering a free buggy park in the lobby area. Staff at the entrance and exit points makes sure that no child escapes. Rocking horses at the museum have a long queue of children waiting for their turn to come. Your child can have fun in the indoor sandpit and funny mirrors area, thus remembering his childhood.

Taking a motorhome to London 2012

April 12th, 2012 abhinav

With the London Olympics will come a clamour for accommodation in the capital city, so if you are planning to go to a few events during London 2012, hiring a motorhome would be a cost effective option. The costs of hiring a motorhome for seven days are on par with typical London accommodation prices with the added benefit of being able to have your own creature comforts and space.

The London councils do have limitations on where you can park a motorhome, so it is advisable to park on the outer edges of London and take a tube or overground train to your Olympic destination. With that in mind, here’s a handy motorhome driver’s guide to where to park and ride for the Olympics.

Crystal Palace Caravan Club Site
Ideal for North Greenwich Arena, featuring Artistic Gymnastics, Trampoline, Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball. Crystal Palace Parade, SE19 1UA. Telephone: 020 8778 7155.
Train+Tube – Crystal Palace train to Canada Water, then Jubilee line to North Greenwich. Or it’s a 52 minute cycle ride. North Greenwich station is next door to the Arena.

Abbey Wood Caravan Club Site is in the south east of London and is suitable for getting to events at Greenwich Park (which will host equestrian events for Olympics and Paralympics as well as combined running and shooting of the Modern Pentathlon event) and the Royal Artillery Barracks (hosting shooting and archery events).
London, SE2 0LS. Telephone: 020 8311 7708.
Train: To get to the Royal Artillery Barracks, take a train from Abbey Wood to Woolwich station – just two stops, or take a 4 mile bike ride.
Train: To get to Greenwich Park, take a train from Abbey Wood to Maze Hill or Blackheath.

There are a few campsites in the Waltham Cross and Lee Valley area that are well placed for the Lee Valley White Water Centre (where you can watch canoe slalom). You can also travel into central London for the main events in the Olympic park. Some campsites have limited availability and some are running shuttles. Call for info.

The Elms Caravan and Camping Site
Loughton, IG10 4AW. Telephone: 020 8502 5652.
Tube: Loughton underground station is just a short distance from The Elms and only seven stops, approx. 18 minutes to the Olympic Park and the main stadium. Within the park is the aquatic centre and the stop before is the velodrome. You can change at Stratford for the Docklands Light Railway which will take you to Greenwich for the Equestrian and Show Jumping and Excel for the Table Tennis.

Theobalds Park
Waltham Cross, EN7 5HS. Telephone: 01992 620604.
Driving or cycling: From Theobalds Park to the Lee Valley White Water Centre is 3.5 miles.

Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park
Edmonton, N9 0AS. Telephone: 020 8803 6900.
Train: Brimsdown above ground station is five minutes away from Waltham Cross station, or a 17 minute cycle ride.

Lee Valley Campsite
Chingford, E4 7RA. Telephone: 020 8529 5689.
Cycling or driving: 3.2 miles to the White Water Centre.

Some camps are running shuttles to nearest stations with access to Stratford, or direct to the Olympic park. Here are two other sites worth checking for availability.
camping 2012 games (based in Brentford area just inside the M25); 2012 camping (running a shuttle to Lee Valley Olympic Park).

This article was compiled by . Motorhome hire in July and August starts from £800.

Experience the Greatest Chelsea Flower Show in London

April 9th, 2012 abhinav

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is officially known as the Great Spring Show. This vibrant event full of bright flowers is held every year for five days in the month of May. The venue for this event is the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Chelsea, London.

Date of the Event: 22nd to 26th May 2012

Venue: Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London

This show is one of the most eminent and much awaited shows in the United Kingdom. The show attracts guests from all across the globe. Every year, the grounds of the Royal Hospital are completely transformed into a small garden.

This world famous gardening show celebrates the highest quality horticulture. Other popular features include the gardens intended by some of the leading names in the industry, and the centrepiece of the floral marquee. In the recent past, the Chelsea Flower Show has become a vital place to observe trends of planting new varieties.

Every year, around 157,000 visitors attend this show. For the ones who are planning to witness this year’s show must purchase tickets in advance. Every year, new plants are launched at the show and the popularity of the older ones are reviewed. Other than looking at the flowers there are several other facilities to make your day more interesting and enjoyable.

Awards Categories:

There are several awards associated with it too under various categories. The award categories at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show are:

Hogg: Exhibits of Trees

Flora: Floral and other Garden exhibits

Lindley: Exhibits of special educational or scientific interest

Knightian: Exhibits of vegetables, including herbs

Grenfell: Exhibits of photographs, floristry, pictures and other floral arrangements

Grab the Most Desirable Footwear from Best Shoe Shops in London

April 5th, 2012 abhinav

Shopping in London is for sure among the finest in the world. The capital city has variety of stuff to ensemble every style and budget. Whether you want to spend on something really big or you want something that fits in your budget, London offers everything. The city is well known as a shopper’s paradise, ranging from large designer boutiques and luxury shopping to second hand and bargain shops.

Tourists those who travel to London with a perspective of shopping will not return dissatisfied. Women those who are crazy for footwear can buy amazing stuff from some best shoe shops in London. Whether you are looking for sneakers or in search for high heeled stilettos, the capital city is there to deliver some amazing footwears.

Harrods Shoe Salon:

Luxury is defined well by Harrods in London and the shoe department at the store is no exception. Women section is gleaming up with glass shelves and men’s selection is glamorous. Ladies can shop around for catchy labels ranging from Christian Louboutin to Charlotte Olympia. You can even get customised stuff.

Kurt Geiger:

Have you ever seen a shoe chandelier? It sounds amazing and you can actually see this at the very famous Kurt Geiger in London. Tourists can catch hold of this amazing shoe store as they stock their own KG ranges including other classy brands such as, Marc Jacobs and Prada for women to Paul Smith and Huge Boss for men. It has a flagship store in Covent Garden.

Church’s:

Church was one of the first shoe making company that distinguished between left and right feet and then accordingly made footwear. This classic shoe store in London has been there since ages now. Regent Street is worth a visit for this amazing footwear shop. Diplomats, politicians, celebrities and every other high official are a true investment.

Old Curiosity shop:

From this shoe store you are unlikely to be disappointed as it features all kinds of wonderful shoes. Daita Kimura, a Japanese designer creates exceptional handmade shoes for both men and women starting at around 200 pounds. Jazz shoe styles are the most desired.

Poste Mistress:

Are you in search for some reasonably priced quality footwear in a retro boudoir setting? Poste Mistress is one such place to go. A great selection of shoes is arranged on the shelves. Other than brands, it’s famous for casual footwear too.

 

A Bird’s Eye View: the London Eye

March 30th, 2012 abhinav

Visitors to London should make sure they pick up LondonEyeTickets so they can get a bird’s eye view of the marvellous city. The London Eye started a worldwide trend of cities building giant Ferris wheels as a premium way of seeing the lay of the land, and as usual, the original is still the best.

At 135 meters, the London Eye is the biggest Ferris wheel in Europe, and shows more than 3 million people the city’s views each year. It’s signature pods look something like alien spaceships, and the tower has been a welcome addition to London’s skyline since its construction back in 1999.

Also known as the Millennium wheel, the London eye serves an important symbolic purpose for the city, even if it is an otherwise unnecessary luxury. City’s come to be associated with their mammoth monuments and symbols – think the Statue of Liberty in New York, or the Eiffel tower in Paris. While these two monuments have much longer and richer histories, the Eye has already come a long way in performing this function for London. And while the Big Ben has been London’s symbolic tower for over 150 years, visitors are generally not able to go up and enjoy the views – the London Eye makes up for that.

The London Eye has a historical predecessor – the Great Wheel that was built for the Empire of India Exhibition in 1895. Reaching a height of 94 metres, the Great Wheel was active until it was demolished in 1907. During its service, it took some 2.5 million visitors above the city.

Visitors on a short stop in London should definitely make plans for a trip around the wheel. But fair warning: as London’s most popular tourist attraction, the queues for tickets can really use up valuable sightseeing time. To be safe, be sure to buy your London Eye ticket well in advance!

London Eye Tickets

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