Travel Book to London, Essay Example

Arrival in London During Christmas Season

London is brilliantly decorated during this time of year. The streets are full of people shopping, and it appears that everyone is excited about the upcoming holidays. During this season, there is much to do in London, ranging from exploring the shops to purchase holiday gifts to finding a cozy restaurant to enjoy an evening meal. A Lady in London suggests, “UK luxury leather goods maker Tusting has been inspired by the British royal family this year, with Princess Charlotte entering the world and Queen Elizabeth becoming Britain’s longest reigning monarch”. The goods available in Tusting are of high quality, and appear to be suitable for individuals that travel frequently. When visiting London, it would be valuable to pick up a Tusting bag to accommodate all of the Christmas shopping you will be encouraged to do.

A Lady in London also advertises that, “Eating London offers off-the-beaten path walking food tours through two of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods”. Therefore, it is recommended that tourists get a taste of the city by participating in this tour. The London streets smell of freshly made food, so it will be challenging to avoid such an offer when visiting. Locals and tourists alike appear to enjoy the flavors of traditional British food, which is available at a variety of pubs and traditional restaurants throughout the city.

A Historical Tour of the City

According to Fodors Travel Guide, “If London contained only landmarks such as Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, it would still rank as one of the world’s great destinations, but Britain’s capital is much more”. The city is filled with more tourist destinations and local attractions than one would assume when first entering the city. Each building appears to have a unique look and history that could be traced back to the origins of the city, as it was established by the Romans and then later occupied by the Saxons and Danes. While travelling the city, it is important to remember that each building has historical significance. The Tower of London is such as site. According to Fodors, “Today’s Tower has seen everything, as a palace, barracks, a mint for producing coins, an archive, an armory, and the Royal Menagerie”. Rumors also state that this location is haunted. This is a worthwhile destination because it perfectly captures the historic charm of London, while offering a connection of the building to the modern world. When visiting the Tower of London, it becomes easier to imagine the daily lives of the individuals that have been in it throughout history.

The Roman Baths

A little known fact about London is that even though the Romans established the city, many of their initial structures are present today. The most well preserved structure is the Roman baths, which have not seen running water for centuries. However, we can look at the ruins of these sites and imagine what the lives of Romans might have been like during their inhabitation of London. According to Local Histories, “The Romans founded London about 50 AD”. Therefore, the structures that are frequently visited by locals and tourists alike are approximately 2000 years old. These bathhouses were considered to be the center of social life for the Romans, in addition to the recreational enjoyment that group bathing brought about. When looking at this ancient structure, it is easy to understand the skill that went into their construction.

Getting Around the City

Since London is a major city, it is important to consider that it is challenging for newcomers to become accustomed to the busy streets filled with traffic and the people rushing to get to and from work. During peak hours, there is a surcharge that is issued for people that use personal vehicles instead of public transportation. Therefore, it is important for travellers to become more aware of the public transportation options they have available to them. Not only will this help avoid the surcharge, public transportation is more reliable during times with heavy traffic.

The London underground is the most popular transportation option. This train system connects passengers to destinations throughout the city, and maps are widely available both outside and within the system. Locals will famously remind you to “Mind the gap!” however, as there is often a large gap between the train in the platform. Be sure to step carefully. The London public transit system also offers a series of buses to shuttle passengers from the train. If the underground does not travel to a destination of interest, be sure to check the bus schedule to get to your destination in a timely manner. On the other hand, if time is of the essence, it is important to consider that, “Travel time savings undoubtedly constitute one of the main benefits that motorists can obtain as a result of any congestion charging scheme”. Thus, renting a car or taking a cab is also a viable option, but it is important to consider whether doing so is truly necessary depending on the accessibility of the destination and cost of travel.