United Kingdom

LONDON
I don’t think I can even begin to attempt to describe London. There are so many things to do, see, eat and watch. After studying in Spain for almost two months, visiting a city where English was spoken was such a relief. Personally, London was like a weekend at home for my friends and I. It is very easy to get caught up in London, but remember it is quite expensive. Checking the balance of your account when your return home can possibly even make J.K. Rowling cry. Brace yourself and remember the Pound and Dollar are not equal.

What to See/Do:

Trafalgar Square
It's the heart of visitors' London, packed with tour buses and tourist. Check out the National Gallery, which has an impressive art collection. Famous paintings include Cézanne's The Bathers and van Eyck's Arnolfini Wedding. Entry is FREE. Also the National Portrait Gallery is close and a great place to see portraits from the Middle Ages.

House of Parliament and Big Ben

“This my lady, is where law is made. ” A quote from the Big Bus Tour guide, instructing my friends and I on the incredible House of Parliament. The neo-Gothic structure is breathtaking. The building includes the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Make sure to ask the guards if the house is open to visitors. If not, just stand outside and take in this wonderful structure.
When you’re finished, head over to Big Ben on Downing Street. Surprisingly, Big Ben is not that big. However, everyone should have a picture in front of it.

Buckingham Palace

“All hail to the Queen.” Since Americans cannot fully understand the fascination with royalty, (No, the Kennedys do not measure up) you often find yourself stopping over at Buckingham Palace simply as a formality. Make sure to check and see which day the palace doors are open to visitors. Be aware that since September 11th, admissions is strict and usually leaves one standing out in the cold, uh I mean the rain. However, outside is where one can see the changing of the guards that happens just about every hour on the hour.

Shop Till You Drop and Grab a Bottle of Beer

Well, this IS London. Home of some of the best shopping with the highest price tags (Can you say Burberry or Harrods?) Aside from the great shops there are bars and pubs. However, London is similar to Los Angeles with strict drinking policies and codes. Bars generally close at midnight with clubs closing not to long after. So start early and bring money for those expensive black cabs.

Covent Gardens
Once a vegetable field attached to Westminster Abbey, Covent Garden is now home to many tourists and locals out for a nice day of shopping. . There are endless designer boutiques, gift and clothes shops, hip bars and restaurants surrounding the car-free square. This is a great place to catch some of London’s infamous street theater and just to hang out with your friends.

* Check out this beautiful day. This was our first day in London and we could not have been any more lucky with the weather. This picture was taken from the lovely seats of the Big Bus Tour. We were the ULTIMATE tourists and proud of it!

Where to Stay:

Much of your time will be in the streets, not inside your room. Therefore, put your money down at a place that is safe and reasonably price. Here are a few:

City of London

36-38 Carter Lane, EC4V 5AB (7236 4965/fax 7236 7681). St Paul's tube/ Blackfriars tube/rail.
Beds 195.
Reception open 7am-11pm daily; 24hr access.
Rates (incl breakfast) £21.50-£27.80; £19.90-£23.70 under-18s.

Earl's Court

38 Bolton Gardens, Earl's Court, SW5 0AQ (7373 7083/fax 7835 2034). Earl's Court tube.
Beds 154.
Reception open 7.30am-10pm daily; 24hr access.
Rates (incl breakfast) £21.80; £18.50 under-18s; (bed only) £18.50; £16.50 under-18s.

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