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Visiting London

Getting to London is easy. The city is served by four huge airports that receive hundreds of international flights each day. Getting around London, on the other hand, can take a little bit of getting used to. Luckily for visitors, the quite affable guys at Transport for London provide a fairly decent transport service that includes the Underground Network, Thames Ferries, and Boris Johnson’s Free Bikes.

It is well known that the British have a peculiar preoccupation with how the weather is. It is no coincidence that the weather in general is the most talked about subject in the UK. Though sources are unconfirmed, it is reported that Queen Elizabeth herself first met Prince Philip over a chat about the weather.

Come Rain or Shine

Though London is often reported to be a cold and rainy city it is not wholly true, however if your visit is in either April or November you might be inclined to disagree. In London, as with the rest of the British Isles, the weather dictates the mood of the country quite dramatically. There is a general consensus in the UK that the weather in never quite right. If temperatures climb above 15 Celsius, it is too hot. On the other hand, when it drops below 12 Celsius, it is too cold.

Along with other London customs like drinking tea, and queuing, a chat about the weather is always welcome and, in some cases, expected.

Learning the Lingo

Another amazing thing about London is the sheer amount of languages which are widely spoken within the bounds of the city. There are over 300 languages in common use throughout London which can be attributed to the city’s rich cultural diversity.

The oldest and most prevalent of London language is that spoken by a Cockney. A true Cockney should be born within the peal of the Bow Bells and really refers to those that live in the East End. Cockney Rhyming Slang is as British as Hugh Grant though I’m not so sure he ever told her to “Get your plates of meat off the Cain and Abel” (take your feet off the table).

Seeing the Big Ten

London is one of the world’s top tourist cities because it is filled with things that people want to see, simple as that. The Houses of Parliament are tremendous; Buckingham Palace is a must-see, the Tower of London holds a precious slice of British history, the London Eye is a modern icon, Trafalgar Square marks the centre of England, Tower Bridge is an impressive as when it was built, the British Museum holds some of the worlds most valuable treasures, and The National Gallery, Tate Modern, and the Victoria & Albert Museum showcase some of the most impressive collections on the planet.

Add to that the fact London is now considered to be the gastronomic centre of Europe with many Michelin star chefs heading up restaurants, it sees yearly events like the Notting Hill Carnival, and London Fashion Week then you come close understanding just what an amazing city London is.

Swap you Dollars for Pounds

Despite recent tendencies towards the Euro throughout Europe, the UK still uses its own currency: the pound. The pound is divided into one hundred pennies and notes come in £5, £10, £20 and £50 denominations. If you spend wisely, your pounds can go further than you might think in London. The cost of a London trip depends largely on how you choose to spend your time.

Choose between public transport with an Oyster Card or take Black Cabs, visit free museums or ride the London Eye, eat the highest quality street food at Borough Market or dine at The Ritz. Make your own London trip and do it your own way.

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Visiting London