London Travel Guide

London travel guide – About this Page

London Travel Guide – On this page, you would find things to do in London, London days, London attractions and sightseeing, events, theaters, tours, restaurants and hotels in London. Plan your trip to London with useful information for the traveler. The entire information is fully researched and shared by an experienced traveler.

London travel guide – About London

London is a common stop on most backpacking trips, European vacations, or two-week vacations. Everyone wants to come to London! People are drawn to images of pubs, museums, history, attractions, theater, and diverse cultures. I mean it’s London. It is a great name. How can you not go, right? The only problem with London is that it is very, very expensive; You can consume your budget if you are not careful. Fortunately, there are tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.

London travel guide – Top 5 places to visit in London

1. Visit Big Ben and the House of Parliament

Although you can’t go up to the bell tower, you can see this gothic structure from the street and take tours of the Parliament (get there early or you can book tickets online). Visits to Parliament cost £ 25.50 ($ 33 ​​USD). The best view of the tower is from the opposite side of the river near the London Eye.

2. Visit the Tower of London and Tower Bridge

Built-in 1070 by William the Conqueror, the tower expanded many times over the years. Weapons and armor were made here and all coins were made here until 1810. Now, it houses the famous crown jewels.

It is located within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is separated from the eastern edge of the square mile of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill.

The White Tower, which gives its name to the entire castle, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and was a resentful symbol of oppression, inflicted in London by the new ruling elite.

A great palace early in its history, it served as a royal residence. In general, the Tower is a complex of several buildings located within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat. There were several phases of expansion, mainly under the kings Ricardo I, Enrique III, and Eduardo I in centuries XII and XIII. The general design established in the late 13th century remains despite subsequent activity at the site.

The changing of the guard at the Tower of London takes place every day at 9:30 pm and is free. Tickets for the Tower cost £ 25 ($ 32.50 USD).

3. See Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is only open to the public during the summer, but you can join the crowd and watch the Changing of the Guard at 11:30 am from May through the end of July. However, entrance to the palace is not cheap, with tickets costing £ 49 ($ 63 USD). However, you can visit the state rooms only for £ 26.50 ($ 34.50 USD).

4. See Westminster Abbey

You can see the tombs of 17 monarchs dating from Henry III here. Other famous people buried here include Charles Darwin, Sir Issac Newton, Aphra Behn, and Charles Dickens. It costs £ 21 ($ 29 USD) if you buy online (£ 23 / $ 30 USD if you buy at the door), but you can visit it for free if you go during a service.

5. Hang out in Trafalgar Square

Take in the many pristine fountains and see some of the famous landmarks, such as the Nelson Column (a five-meter statue built to honor Admiral Nelson after being the victor at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805). A lot of people just hang out here, making it a good place to people watch.

London travel guide – Some Other places to visit and surf in London

1. Go visit museums

London has more museums than you can see on a visit, and many of them are free. From Tate to the City Museum, the National Gallery, and the Historical Museum, you can spend days here without spending a dime! At the Natural History Museum, you will find more than 80 million items, including specimens collected by Charles Darwin. It also has a large collection of fossils, making it a fun and educational stop if you are traveling with children. The Victoria and Albert Museum (named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert) is another of my favorites. It is home to more than 2,000 works of art that cover more than 3,000 years of human history.

2. Have some food at Borough Market

With more food stalls than you can imagine, Borough Market has something for every diner. It is home to some of the best British and international produce and dishes. Come here hungry and leave satisfied. I already ate? Nibbles on the free samples that are distributed in most stalls. Open for lunch on Monday and Tuesday, all day from Wednesday to Saturday, and closed on Sunday. Crowds are terrible on Saturdays, but if that’s the only day you can fit in, I’d go anyway.

3. Enjoy the theater

London is known for its famous theater scene. Catch a show while you’re here and see some of the shows that make London famous. Tickets can be quite cheap, and something is played every night (check out TKTS for discounted tickets to shows in the West End). Otherwise, attend a Shakespeare show at The Globe in South London – tickets start from £ 7 ($ 10 USD).

4. Stroll down Brick Lane

On Sunday, this little street and the parking lot become a great place to buy cheap food. You can get a wide variety of foods here, spend the day at the open-air market, or enjoy excellent local curries. It is a popular place with locals and has the best food in London. This street is also a great place to bring a camera, as its walls are basically a gallery for London’s best graffiti artists.

5. Ride the London Eye

The London Eye is basically a 500-foot-tall Ferris wheel and has become the UK’s most popular paid visitor attraction. It is across Parliament Street and offers you great views of London, especially on a clear day.

When it opened to the public in 2000, it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. Its height was surpassed by the Star of Nanchang at 160 meters (525 feet) in 2006, the Singapore Flyer at 165 meters (541 feet) in 2008 and the High Roller (Las Vegas) at 167 meters (547.9 feet) in 2014 Supported by a single-sided A-frame, unlike the tallest wheels in Nanchang and Singapore, its operators describe the Eye as “the tallest cantilevered observation wheel in the world.”

But honestly, for £ 27 ($ 35 USD), it’s better to spend that money on other attractions.

6. Visit the London dungeon

The London Dungeon calls itself “the world’s most chillingly famous horror attraction.” Covering 2,000 years of London’s gruesome history, it’s a morbid but interesting museum to see about England’s past. Although you will learn about popular torture methods in old England, to be honest, this place has become an “amusement park” attraction. But if you like things like escape rooms and terrifying boating, you’ll enjoy it. Ticket prices start from £ 24 ($ 31 USD).

7. See the Cathedral of Saint Paul

St. Paul’s is an impressive cathedral with a world-famous dome. Inside you’ll find sparkling mosaics and elaborate stone carvings. You can also go up to the Whispering Gallery or higher up to the Stone Gallery or Golden Gallery to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding London. Admission is £ 24 ($ 31 USD) when you buy online, which is cheaper than the London Eye and with equally stunning views.

8. Explore Covent Garden

Covent Garden is a fun place to hang out, with plenty of quirky stalls, street musicians, an art market, and a selection of unusual pubs and cafes. Covent Garden is also within walking distance of all the great musicals, making it a great place to spend a few hours before watching a show. Also, visit the Covent Garden market – it opened in the 1830s and is another good market to grab a bite to eat and shop at some of the craft stalls here. It is open Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm.

9. Go to the Shakespeare balloon

An integral part of England’s history, the Globe Theater is a must-see for Shakespeare lovers. The performances here are considered an almost perfect replica of Elizabethan staging practices. You can even sit across from where the servants did, to yell and tease! The theater has an open roof, so bundle up in winter. Tickets start from £ 7 ($ 9 USD).

10. Explore Camden Market

This place houses more than 1,000 shops, stalls, cafes, restaurants, bars, street musicians, and everything in between. It is hugely popular and is busier on weekends, particularly on Sundays, drawing crowds from Camden Town. Camden Market is actually made up of many separate markets, so you can literally wander around for hours and not see it all.

11. See the Royal Observatory

Since its $ 17 million renovations, this observatory has now been divided into two sections. The northern half is dedicated to time, while the southern half is dedicated to astronomy. In the meridian courtyard, you can actually stand on either side of the meridian line that extends to both sides of Earth’s two hemispheres. The Peter Harrison Planetarium is also located here. It is £ 24 ($ 31 USD) to visit.

12. walk around the thread

In the 12th century, wealthy nobles built elegant houses and gardens along the Thames’ coast (the lock), making it one of the most prestigious places to live, even now. Walk here and you will enjoy a great display of wealth and beauty. It was named “the best street in Europe” by Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli in the 19th century. Here there are also many nice little shops and pubs.

13. Drink beer in Ye Olde’s Cheshire cheese

This old pub has been around since the great fire of 1666 (and there has been a pub in this place since 1538). It’s surprisingly big inside, and in winter, fireplaces keep pub visitors warm. When you walk in, you feel like you’ve really gone back in time. Famous literary geniuses like Charles Dickens, RL Stevenson, Mark Twain, Oliver Goldsmith, and others used to frequent (and write about) this particular pub.

14. See Churchill’s War Rooms

Located below the Treasury building in the Whitehall area of ​​Westminster, Churchill’s war rooms include the government command center during World War II and a museum on the life of Winston Churchill. The centerpiece of the entire venue is an interactive table that allows visitors to access digitized material from the Churchill archives. If you are like me and a great nerd in history, this is one of the best attractions in the city and I highly recommend you visit. The price is worth it! Admission is £ 22 ($ 29 USD).

15. Explore Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, head to Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens for a little break. Hyde Park is the most famous park in London. Originally Henry VII’s private hunting ground, it opened to the public in 1637 and is a great place to stroll, have a picnic, or see one of the many events that are organized here throughout the year. Kensington Gardens is a Royal Garden in London and is home to the Serpentine Galleries and Kensington Palace. The park and gardens cover almost 250 acres!.

16. Take a walking tour

London is a megacity full of lots of walking tours. From free tours to special tours, paid tours, literary tours, and quirky tea tours, London has it all, including many free tours. Free London Tours and New Europe Walking Tours are some of my favorite companies. If you’re looking for more detailed and specific tours, check out Take Walks. They have a series of affordable group tours for 15 people or less that last approximately three hours.

17. Take a tour of Jack the Ripper

Every night, you’ll find tons of people in the East End learning about Jack the Ripper on a ridiculous number of similar tours. My favorite is the original Jack the Ripper Tour. Get Mick as your guide; He is obsessed with Jack the Ripper (he even wrote a pretty decent book on the subject) and will fill you with arcane knowledge. Very lively too! Tours start from £ 15 ($ 19.50 USD).

18. Blackheath, London

Blackheath is an area of south-east London, England, which runs along the border of the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the London Borough of Lewisham. It is located 1 mile northeast of Lewisham, 1.5 miles south of Greenwich, and 6.7 miles southeast of Charing Cross, the traditional center of London. The area southwest of your station and in your neighborhood is called Lee Park.

To the west is the central public green area which is Heather and Greenwich Park, where London’s main tourist attractions are located, including the Greenwich Observatory and the Greenwich Prime Meridian. Blackheath train station is south of the heather.

Its vicinity: North of Vanbrugh Park is also known as St John’s Blackheath and, despite forming a projection, it has facilities beyond its traditional reach that goes by the name of health.

London travel guide – List of bridges in London

List of Bridges in London lists the main bridges within Greater London or within the influence of London. Most of these are river crossings and the best known are those on the other side of the River Thames. Various bridges on other rivers have given areas of London their name, particularly where the entire river has become underground. Other bridges are high-level rail or road crossings through other streets.

• London Bridge
• Southwark Bridge
• Millennium Bridge
• Blackfriars Bridge
• Cannon Street Railway Bridge
• Waterloo Bridge
• Hungerford Bridge and Golden Jubilee Bridges
• Westminster Bridge
• Blackfriars Railway Bridge
• Lambeth Bridge
• Vauxhall Bridge
• Battersea Bridge
• Grosvenor Bridge
• Chelsea Bridge
• Battersea Railway Bridge
• Wandsworth Bridge
• Fulham Railway Bridge and Footbridge
• Putney Bridge
• Albert Bridge
• Hammersmith Bridge
• Barnes Railway Bridge and Footbridge
• Chiswick Bridge
• Kew Railway Bridge
• Kew Bridge
• Tower Bridge
• Richmond Lock and Footbridge
• Twickenham Bridge
• Richmond Railway Bridge
• Richmond Bridge
• Teddington Lock Footbridges
• Hampton Court Bridge
• Kingston Railway Bridge
• Kingston Bridge

London travel guide – Travel expenses

Hostel Prices

During the high season, you can find dorms with 10 or more beds for around £ 15 ($ 20 USD) per night, no matter where you are in the city. Rooms with 4-8 beds cost around £ 25 ($ 32 USD) per night. Out of season, prices tend to be around £ 14 ($ 18 USD) per night for larger bedrooms and around £ 21 ($ 27 USD) per night for dorms with 4-8 beds. A basic double private room with a shared bathroom for two people costs around £ 77 ($ 100 USD) per night in high season. In the low season, prices are almost the same.

Budget Hotel Prices

Rates per night for a budget two-star hotel room with a private bathroom start at around £ 70 ($ 90 USD) in high season. In the low season, economy rooms start from about £ 54 ($ 70 USD). There are many accommodation options in London. A shared room (such as a bed in a bedroom) averages £ 15 ($ 20 USD) per night, while a private room costs around £ 46 ($ 60 USD) per night. An entire apartment averages around £ 138 ($ 180 USD) per night.

London travel guide – Food price

You can eat cheaply in London if you stick to street food and food vendors (plus many of the hostels have free breakfast). You can find fish and chips or a kebab for around £ 5 ($ 6.50 USD) each. Indian and Asian food can be purchased for between £ 6-10 ($ 8-13 USD) for lunch. You can buy pizza, burritos, and sandwiches for between £ 5-9 ($ 6.50-12 USD). McMeal costs around £ 5 ($ 6.50 USD). For a mid-range meal in a pub or restaurant, you can expect to pay between £ 12-16 ($ 16-21 USD) for the main course like pasta or vegetarian food. Fish or meat will cost a little more than around £ 18 ($ 23 USD) per plate.

A pint of beer can cost up to £ 6 ($ 8 USD). You can find tons of high-end restaurants in London, but be prepared to spend a lot. Expect to pay at least £ 70 ($ 91 USD) for a three-course menu. A glass of wine is £ 6 ($ 8 USD). A week of basic groceries (fruits, vegetables, pasta, chicken, sandwiches) will cost around £ 45 ($ 58.50 USD).

The best places to buy cheap groceries are Lidl, Aldi, and Sainsbury’s. Another great way to save money is to get the Taste Card. The club card of this restaurant offers a 50% discount in thousands of restaurants, as well as two-for-one special offers. It really can be worth it, especially on those good meals you’ll want to have. You can only live with fish and chips for so long.

London travel guide – Backpacker Suggested Budgets London

If you are a backpacker to London, expect to spend around £ 46 ($ 60 USD) per day. This budget will cover a hostel dorm, public transportation, street food, and cooking your own meals, and mostly free attractions. If you travel during the shoulder season, you can cut this budget by a few dollars each day for accommodation. A mid-range budget of around £ 100 ($ 130 USD) will cover a stay in a private Airbnb room, most meals, public transportation, and approximately one paid attraction per day. With a luxury budget of about £ 361 ($ 470 USD) or more per day, you can get a great four-star hotel, eat in good restaurants, have a few drinks, and take a few taxis. You will also enjoy a tour or some attractions.

The sky is the limit! If you come in low season, you will save around 25% in hotels. You can use the chart below to get an idea of ​​how much you need to budget on a daily basis, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind that these are daily averages: some days you will spend more, some days you will spend less (you can spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of ​​how to budget. Prices are in USD.

London travel guide – Tips to save money

London is one of the most expensive countries in the world. But, thanks to free museums, cheap pubs, and hostels, there are many ways to cut your costs and save money here. You can fill your day with lots of activities and never spend a dime! Here are my main ways to save money when visiting London:

Visit all the museums for free

Most of London’s museums are free – the London Museum, the British History Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum are great. Fill your British story without spending a penny! The National Gallery and the Tate Modern are also free and are some of my favorites. Buy an Oyster card: This prepaid card can save you approximately 50% on every meter. If you plan to use the tube a lot, get this card! If you leave and have more on the card, they will also refund your balance!

People look at the markets

Sunday is market day in London. There’s Camden Market, Portobello Market, Flower Market, and a million other options. People watch, take great photos and enjoy local London life without spending a penny.

Watch the changing of the guard

the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is at 11:30 am and the guards on horseback at Whitehall change at 11:00 am These are both free and interesting to watch as you watch the real British flare.

Just walk and explore

London is a huge city and there are beautiful historical buildings everywhere. I walked for four hours and barely made a dent in the route I was going to take (hence the need to get the Oyster card). However, once you walk in and out of the tourist area around the Thames, you will get to see London as the locals do. You can pick up free maps of walking routes around the capital at any of London’s tourist information stores.

Last-minute theater tickets

You can get last-minute theater tickets from the official booth in Leicester Square. Availability varies daily, so be sure to get there early.

Attend small theatrical performances

London is famous for its theater. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money to see The Lion King or Les Miserables, watch smaller shows and comedy nights at theaters like Leicester Square Theater, where prices can start at around £ 10 ($ 13 USD).

Skip Taxis

Taxis are incredibly expensive in London and will take you to your budget just by taking them once. I stayed outside when the subway closed one night and the taxi to my hotel cost £ 31 ($ 40 USD)! If you start taking taxis everywhere, you’ll end up spending hundreds of dollars a day, so keep this in mind.

Dominate the night bus

In London, the tube closes around 12:30 am To avoid taking expensive taxis, be sure to get a map of the night bus routes so you can return to your hotel/hostel cheaply. These buses run throughout the city and into the suburbs. You can also use your Oyster card on these buses. In fact, buses are always the cheapest public transportation option!

Take a free walking tour

London, like any major city in Europe, has a wide range of free walking tours throughout the city. For a historical view of the city, try New Europe, and for unusual tours, try Free Tours by Foot.

Get the Taste card

Another great way to save money is to get the Taste card. The club card of this restaurant offers a 50% discount in thousands of restaurants, as well as two-for-one special offers. It really can be worth it, especially on those good meals you’ll want to have. You can only live with fish and chips for so long.

Get the London Pass

If you get the London Pass, you can enjoy access to more than 80 London attractions, such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and St Paul’s Cathedral. A day pass costs £ 75 ($ 98 USD), a two-day pass costs £ 99 ($ ​​129 USD), and a three-day pass costs £ 125 ($ 163 USD). You can also get a six-day pass for £ 169 ($ 168 USD). This pass is a good saving, and you plan to do a lot of sightseeing!

London travel guide – Where to stay in London?

Hostels in London

While the city can be expensive, its popularity means that there are many hostels in the city. Here are some hostels where you can stay:

• Astor Museum Hostel
• Astor Hyde Park Hostel
• Astor Kensington Hostel
• The Walrus Bar and Hostel
• SoHoste
• Wombats Hostel London

Premier Inn Hotels in London

If you are a premium traveler or heading for a business trip you can opt for the following Hotels in the city. These hotels provide excellent services and are best suited for any business trip.

• Clayton Hotel City of London – Hotel in Whitechapel, London
• Camden Enterprise Hotel – Hotel in Camden, London
• Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity Covent Garden – Hotel in Westminster Borough, London
• The Ned – Hotel in City of London, London
• Novotel London Canary Wharf – Hotel in Canary Wharf and Docklands, London
• Montcalm Royal London House-City of London
• Hotel in Islington, London
• citizenM London Shoreditch – Hotel in Hackney, London
• citizenM Tower of London – Hotel in Tower Hill, London
• Intercontinental London – Hotel in Greenwich, London
• Hilton London Bankside – Hotel in Southwark, London

London travel guide – How to get around?

London has excellent public transport, and getting a travel pass is cheaper than buying individual tickets all the time. A one-way fare on the subway will cost you £ 4.90 ($ 6.35 USD), but getting a Visitor Oyster Card will reduce fares to £ 2.40 ($ 3.10 USD) per trip. No matter how many trips you make per day, your Oyster card will be capped at £ 7 ($ 9.10 USD). This is applicable to all public transport, including buses and trams. The Visitor Oyster Card costs £ 5 ($ 6.50 USD), and then you choose how much credit to add to your card. The bus system in London also uses the Oyster card and costs £ 1.50 ($ 1.95 USD) per trip.

However, one day of unlimited bus or tram travel will cost a maximum of £ 4.50 ($ 5.85 USD). The London tram system works the same way as the bus system, with trips costing £ 1.50 ($ 1.95 USD) each way and an unlimited day of travel costing no more than £ 4.50 / $ 5.85 USD (only on buses and trams). Plus, you can take unlimited free buses or trams within an hour of starting your initial trip.

Bicycle : London’s public bicycle sharing program is Santander Cycles, and you can find docking stations throughout the city. You can rent a bike for as little as £ 2 ($ 2.60 USD).

Note, however, that London is not the most bike-friendly city in the world. Taxis: Taxis are everywhere and cost around £ 6 ($ 7.80 USD) for a mile, but the price decreases as you go. For example, a six-mile trip will cost you around £ 24 ($ 31.20 USD) (but more during peak hours). You can also use an application like “mytaxi” to order your trip. Given how expensive they are, do not take one unless absolutely necessary.

London travel guide – When to go London?

London is not too cold, but it is notoriously cloudy and rainy. Summer is the peak tourist season, and temperatures are the warmest during this time, but rarely exceed 86 ° F (30 ° C). London is about to explode during this time, but the city offers a fantastic and lively atmosphere. People make the most of the warm weather, and there are constantly tons of events and festivals everywhere.

Spring (late March through June) and fall (September through November) are also great times to visit, as temperatures are mild and drier than other times throughout the year.

Winter lasts from December to February, and the tourist crowds will drop dramatically during this time. Temperatures rarely drop below 41 ° F (5 ° C), and prices are also slightly lower. Since it rains frequently here, pack a light jacket or an umbrella.

London travel guide – How to stay safe in London?

London is safe and the risk of violent crime is low. Scams and theft of wallets can occur around high traffic areas, especially in London around tourist attractions like the Tower of London. Pickpockets tend to work in teams, so stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Although there are no particularly seedy neighborhoods in London, avoid wandering around only at night. Stay on well-lit roads and avoid alleys. Always trust your instinct. If a taxi driver seems gloomy, stop the taxi and get out. If your hotel is seedier than you thought, go somewhere else. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and identification. As a general rule, if you don’t do something at home, don’t do it in London!

London travel guide – The best booking resources

These are some of the popular companies to use when you travel to London. They are included here because they constantly find deals, offer world-class customer service, and great value, and are generally better than their competitors.

Momondo

Momondo is a travel search site that finds and compares the best deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. The site offers free services, which means we never add reservation fees and never use cookies to inflate prices

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is another great flight search engine that searches many different airlines, including many of the budget airlines that the bigger sites lose. While I always start with Momondo, You can use this site to compare prices.

Airbnb

Airbnb is an excellent accommodation alternative to connect with owners who rent their houses or apartments. (If you’re new to Airbnb, get $ 35 off your first stay! )

Hostelworld

This is the best hostel accommodation site, with the largest inventory, the best search interface, and the widest availability.

Couchsurfing

This website allows you to stay on people’s sofas or in free rooms for free. It’s a great way to save money while meeting with locals who can tell you the ins and outs of your city. The site also lists events you can attend to meet people (even if you’re not staying with someone).

Booking.com

The best booking site that constantly offers the cheapest and lowest rates. They have a no down payment policy, an excellent interface, and the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they have always had the cheapest rates of all bookings.

Intrepid Travel

If you want to take a group tour of England, go with Intrepid Travel. They offer good small-group tours that use local operators and leave a small environmental footprint. If you go on tour with someone, go with them. And, as a reader of this site, you will get exclusive discounts by clicking on the link!

STA Travel

A good company for under-30s or students, STA Travel offers discounted airfare as well as travel passes that help you save on attractions.

The Man in Seat 61

This website is the ultimate guide to traveling by train to anywhere in the world. They have the most complete information on routes, schedules, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train ride or some epic train trip, check out this site.

Rome 2 Rio

This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B in the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or ship routes that can get you there and how much they cost.

Bla Bla Car

BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that allows you to share rides with tested local drivers when ordering gas. Just request a seat, they approve it and you’re done! It is a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Take Walks

A day trip company in Europe. What makes them so good is that they give you access to attractions and places you can’t find anywhere else. Your guides are great too!

Fat Tire Tours

If you want to see many sights in no time, take a bike tour with Fat Tire Tours. They use expert local guides and their tours are always fun and informative (they also have a great pub crawl in London!).

EatWith

This website allows you to eat homemade food with the locals. Locals post listings of special dinners and lunches you can sign up for. There is a fee (each sets their own price), but this is a great way to do something different, pick a local brain, and make a new friend.

World Nomads

This site offers inspiration, opportunities, and travel insurance to guide you enhance your curiosity, explore your journey, and travel bravely. You can buy all World Nomads travel insurance. They have excellent customer service, competitive prices, and deep coverage.

London travel guide – London Gear and Packing Guide

If you’re heading to London, here are some best suggestions for the best travel backpack and advice on what to pack.

The best backpack for London

What is the best backpack to travel around London? I recommend the REI Flash 45 package. It is lightweight and comfortable, front-loading, and fits perfectly in the top compartment of an airplane. Size: 45-47L Straps: Thick and padded with compression technology that pulls the pack load up and in so it doesn’t feel so heavy. Features: removable top cap, large front pocket, hydration compatible, contoured hip belt If you want something different, check out my article on choosing the best travel backpack for other backpack suggestions.

London travel guide – Travel Packing items

Packing items For Men

Clothes

• 1 pair of jeans (heavy and don’t dry easily
• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 swimsuit
• 5 t-shirts
• 1 long-sleeved shirt
• 1 pair of flip flops
• 1 pair of slippers
• 6 pairs of socks
• 5 pairs of underpants
• 1 toothbrush
• 1 tube of toothpaste
• 1 razor
• 1 package of dental floss
• 1 small bottle of shampoo
• 1 small bottle of shower gel
• 1 towel
• Deodorant

Small medical kit (safety is important!)

• Band-aids
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antibacterial cream
• Earplugs
• Tylenol Hand sanitizer (germs = sick = bad vacation)
• Diverse A combination key or lock (security first)
• Zippered bags (prevents things from dripping or exploding)
• Plastic bags (ideal for washing clothes)
• Universal charger/adapter (this applies to all)
• LifeStraw (A bottle of water with a purifier. Tap water is safe to drink here. This is only to reduce the use of plastic bottles!)

Packing List for Women

• Clothes
• 1 swimsuit
• 1 pareo
• 1 pair of stretch jeans (easily wash and dry)
• 1 pair of leggings (if it’s cold, they can go under your jeans, otherwise with a dress or shirt)
• 2-3 long sleeve tops
• 2-3 t-shirts
• 3-4 spaghetti tops
• 1 light cardigan Toiletries
• 1 spray of dry shampoo and talcum powder (keeps hair long without grease between washes)
• 1 hairbrush Makeup you wear Hairbands and hair clips Feminine hygiene products

London Travel Guide – Suggested Reading

Notes from a Little Island, by Bill Bryson

It is quite impossible not to love anything that Bill Bryson writes. After spending nearly 20 years living in Britain, Bryson decides to return to the United States. (To quote: “I recently read that 3.7 million Americans believed they had been kidnapped by aliens at one time or another, so it was clear that my people needed me.”) But first, he begins a tour of his adoptive country, which offers hilarious social commentary about the nation Shakespeare brought us and the zebra crossings.

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen Jane Austen’s

The most popular novel is one of those classics you read and can never forget. It is famous for a reason. When Elizabeth Bennet meets an arrogant bachelor named Fitzwilliam Darcy, she immediately ignores him as being too cocky, and immediately ignores his good looks and charm. Elizabeth discovers that Darcy has become involved in the disastrous relationship of her friend Bingley and her sister Jane, further deepening her disdain. What follows is an excellent commentary on the snobbish life of England’s middle class and the dangers of judging someone at a first impression.

Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë

This is the only Emily Brontë novel, but its impact has stood the test of time. The story centers on Lockwood, the new tenant of Thrushcross Grange on the Yorkshire Downs who is forced to seek refuge one night in Wuthering Heights (his owner’s home). He soon discovers a love story between a gypsy orphan named Heathcliff and high-society Catherine Earnshaw. Eventually, she succumbs to social pressure and marries the well-educated Edgar Linton, and Heathcliff’s bitterness is projected onto the next generation. Somehow, the couple’s heirs must escape this painful legacy.

Sorry !: The English and Their Manners, by Henry Hitchings

The British are known for their courteous demeanor and the importance of proper manners, and this book by Henry Hitchings is an investigation into this phenomenon. It’s not just about keeping the doors open and keeping your elbows off the table, either – there’s a complete system for things like sexual conduct, hospitality, chivalry, online etiquette, and more. This is a fun and upbeat read about British manners and what it all says about English characters.

High Expectations, by Charles Dickens

An English reading list without Charles Dickens is not a reading list! The book is about the life course of the orphan Pip Pirrip, as he transforms from a poor boy who begs for the soup to the heir of a mysterious inheritance from an unknown person. Dickens takes us through Pirrip’s life as he abandons his apprenticeship to a blacksmith named Joe Gargery and then takes on a new station as an English knight. Dickens is a masterful storyteller.