London is a modern and avant-garde capital which, however, has nothing to envy to any other major city in the world in terms of history. You can get lost in the many museums, attend the most beautiful art performances, go to clubs and pubs or simply walk along the streets traveled by the greats of the past. If you have chosen it for shopping, you will find markets, shops and malls of all kinds everywhere, but at any time of the year you could also come across the opening party of a temporary shop on the banks of the Thames. One thing that you can do at any day or time of course by organizing yourself is a Hop on hop off london tour that will make you discover London in a simple and comfortable way.
Start at Covent Garden
Immerse yourself in bustling London in this pedestrianized West End area. On sunny days, street performers continue to entertain passers-by and restaurants set up outdoor seating, making Covent Garden a particularly picturesque and welcoming place. Covent Garden Market sells everything from antiques, arts and crafts to fresh food.
You will also find restaurants of all kinds, with the most famous chains and clubs with a chic and trendy atmosphere, as well as others of lower quality, aimed mainly at the most inexperienced tourists. You will be spoiled for choice. If you are not planning to have lunch or dinner, stop at one of the tables and have a drink while watching the lively crowd around you. One of the best places to enjoy the view is the Punch & Judy Pub Terrace.
Go shopping on Oxford Street
Oxford Street is the most elegant shopping district in all of England. Here you will find prestigious shops, with many of the most exclusive brands in the country, but also elegant department stores with a long tradition, such as Selfridges and Debenhams. However, there are stalls where you can buy cheap souvenirs.
To discover all the secrets of this shopper’s paradise, take the tube to Tottenham Court Road station and walk along Oxford Street to the end of Marble Arch. If you want to shop for young fashion take a short detour and head to the famous Carnaby Street , not far away. Oxford Street is particularly picturesque during the holiday season, with its sumptuous lights and the most imaginatively decorated shop windows.
Witness the Changing of the Guard
Buckingham Palace is the Queen’s residence and you should definitely not miss it at stops along the way if you are visiting London for the first time. The best time to admire this imposing palace is when the guards take turns guarding its entrance. Exact times may vary, but are usually around 11am, every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
The ceremony is performed with great solemnity, often in the presence of an orchestra playing as soldiers march in front of a crowd of spectators. On summer days it can be difficult to find a spot with a nice view, so it is recommended that you arrive early to sit down early and take the best photos.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum offers a fun and interactive exhibit on the evolution of the natural world from the age of the dinosaurs to the present day. With a large collection of real dinosaur skeletons and artifacts, the museum presents a fascinating insight into the evolution of the miracle of life on our planet. An exciting experience that never ceases to thrill visitors.
Particularly family oriented, the museum is divided into 4 sections, the most popular of which is the earthquake simulator. A real moonstone is exhibited in the rooms dedicated to geology. Even the building itself, looking more like a cathedral than a museum, welcomes the public with an imposing and majestic atmosphere. The exhibits are very diverse and vast, and admission is free.
Dinner and drink at the Shard
With a height of over 300 meters, an all-glass facade and a shape reminiscent of a monumental tip of ice, The Shard stands out flawlessly and clearly visible from all parts of London. From the top of the viewing platform, the spectacle is even more extraordinary, and if you are lucky enough to stay at the Shangri-La Hotel, which occupies floors 34-52, you can enjoy your meal or an aperitif in front of the hotel. A London show that lights up below you.
Among the various restaurants and cocktail bars of this futuristic skyscraper, the Aqua Shard serves contemporary English cuisine. To end the evening with a final drink, choose the glass windows with stunning views of the Gong bar on the 52nd floor.
