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European Vacations -
United Kingdom Vacation Packages &
Travel Info |
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Overview |
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The ongoing celebration of London’s
dazzling history combines with 21st
Century hospitality to engage and
entertain visitors from around the
world. From the arts to sports; from
fashion to film to finance, London
offers the world traveler a
multitude of options. The only
problem is choosing what to see
first!
Some seven million Londoners live in
the greater London area, a parcel of
land that covers more than 609
square miles. Actually, The City
Center of London is just 1 mile
square, but fans out into many
picturesque villages, boroughs, and
corporations that add to its
historical significance and its
charm.
As Europe’s largest city, London is
host to more than 25 millions
visitors a year; yet, it is never
too crowded to be enjoyable. There
is always time for tea and a
leisurely stroll through London’s
famous parks and gardens. Popular
destinations abound, including
theatres, concert halls, shops,
restaurants, sports venues, world
famous landmarks, and hundreds of
restaurants with cuisine from around
the world. Festivals and musical,
theatrical, and sporting events
occur year round.
London offers the best of British
food, fashion and cultural pursuits,
but its multicultural population
gives it an international flair, as
well. Nearly 40 ethnic groups with
populations of 10,000 or more call
London home. Together with a
multitude of visitors from around
the globe, they give the city its
vibrant mix of languages, dress,
festivals, and lively street life.
Family activities hold a top
priority in London. A fondness for
children is reflected in the wide
variety of attractions that will
appeal to any youngster. Among these
are zoos, rides, arcades, museums,
theatres, and musical attractions,
to name a few.
Millions of visitors from around the
globe can attest to the continuing
popularity of shopping at Harrods,
visiting the Tower of London, seeing
London Bridge, and touring
Buckingham Palace and the Parliament
building. Relive the glory days of
the vast expanse of the British
Empire, while enjoying the animals
native to those regions at the
London Zoo. Spend a day strolling
through the British Museum and
marveling at some of its 6 million
exhibited items; tour Westminster
Abbey, and the Royal parks and
gardens.
Evenings begin with dinners at
fabulous restaurants found in dozens
of ethnic neighborhoods across
London and continue with an evening
at the theatre or the London
Symphony and perhaps a late night
stop in a neighborhood pub for a
snack and a local brew before the
last bell sounds.
Numerous guided and self-guided
tours emanate from London to the
surrounding countryside, serving
destinations such as Greenwich
Observatory, Stratford-on-Avon and
farther on to western England,
Scotland, and Wales. Many visitors
also plan a quick round-trip on the
"Chunnel", the undersea rail service
connecting England with France. No
visit to London would be complete
without a ride on the famous
"double-decker" buses.
The Princess Diana Memorial Walk
charts a 7-mile path that links a
number of London's parks. It begins
in Kensington Gardens and continues
through Hyde Park, Green Park and
St. James' Park, taking in Spencer
House and Buckingham Palace along
the way.
It would take a lifetime to see
everything that London has to offer.
Perhaps that is why so many visitors
regard each trip to London as a
"once in a lifetime experience" and
return often to continue their
explorations of its many facets. |
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Facts |
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Population: 7.2 million
Time Zone: England follows Greenwich
mean time (5 hr. ahead of Eastern
Standard Time), For most of the
year, including summer, Britain is 5
hours ahead of the time observed in
the eastern United States. Due to
Daylight-saving time practices in
the two nations, there's a brief
period (about a week) in autumn when
Britain is only 4 hours ahead of New
York, and a brief period in spring
when it is 6 hours ahead of New
York.
Area: 609 sq. miles
Telephone Area Code: 020
When to Visit: British summertime
lasting (roughly) from the end of
March to the end of October is the
time when most tourists visit. Rates
are lower during the winter months.
Rain is heaviest in November (2 1/2
in. on average). Evenings are cool,
even in summer. In the winter, it is
customary for the British to keep
their thermostats about 10° below
the American comfort level.
National Holidays:
New Year's Day Jan. 1
Good Friday (Varies: it is the
Friday before Easter)
May Day First Monday in May
Whitsun Bank Holiday last Mon. in
May
Bank Holiday last Monday in August
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec.
24 and 25
Boxing Day December 26
New Year's Eve Dec. 31
Area Codes : The country code for
England is 44. The area code for
London is 020.
Business Hours : Business hours are
Monday through Friday from 9am to
5pm. In general, stores are open
Monday through Saturday from 9am to
5:30pm. In country towns, there is
usually an early closing day (often
on Wed or Thurs), when the shops
close at 1pm.
Drugstores : In Britain, they're
called "chemists." Every police
station in the country has a list of
emergency chemists. Dial "0" (zero)
and ask the operator for the local
police, who will give you the name
of one nearest you.
Electricity : British electricity is
240 volts AC (50 cycles), roughly
twice the voltage in North America,
which is 115 to 120 volts AC (60
cycles). American plugs do not fit
British wall outlets. Always bring
suitable transformers and/or
adapters : if you plug an American
appliance directly into a European
electrical outlet without a
transformer, you'll destroy your
appliance and possibly start a fire.
Tape recorders, VCRs, and other
devices with motors intended to
revolve at a fixed number of
revolutions per minute probably
won't work properly even with
transformers.
Emergencies : Dial 999 for police,
fire, or ambulance. Give your name,
address, and telephone number and
state the nature of the emergency.
In England, pubs can legally be open
Monday through Saturday from 11am to
11pm, and on Sunday from noon to
10:30pm. Premises with a restaurant
license can continue serving until
midnight (11:30pm Sun), provided the
sale of alcohol accompanies a table
meal.
Police : Dial 999
Taxes : To encourage energy
conservation, the British government
levies a 25% tax on gasoline
(petrol). There is also a 17.5%
national value-added tax (VAT) that
is added to all hotel and restaurant
bills and is included in the price
of many items you purchase. This can
be refunded if you shop at stores
that participate in the Retail
Export Scheme (signs are posted in
the window).
In October 1994, Britain imposed a
departure tax. It is included in the
price of your ticket.
Telephone : To call England from
North America, dial 011
(international code), 44 (Britain's
country code), the local area codes,
and the seven-digit local phone
number. For calls within the same
city or town, the local number is
all you need. For directory
assistance in London, dial 142; for
the rest of Britain, 192.
Tipping : For cab drivers, add about
10% to 15% to the fare on the meter.
However, if the driver loads or
unloads your luggage, add something
extra.
Currency: Britain's decimal monetary
system is based on the pound (£),
which is made up of 100 pence
(written as "p"). Pounds are also
called quid by Britons. There are £1
and £2 coins, as well as coins of
50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p.
Banknotes come in denominations of
£5, £10, £20, and £50.
The Euro: Since the euro's
inception, the U.S. dollar and the
euro have traded almost on par
(i.e., $1 approximately equals 1€).
Getting There
By Air
Long-haul international flights are
usually routed through Heathrow and
Gatwick airports. The city's other
three airports—London City, Luton
and Stansted—are used primarily for
regional flights and hops to the
Continent.
Gatwick Airport
One of London's major international
airports, Gatwick (LGW) is 28 miles
south of the city center, off the
M23. It's a 70-minute drive in
normal conditions, but allow extra
time for traffic delays.
There are two terminals, north and
south, so it's wise to double-check
which one your flight is departing
from (the newer north terminal is
reached by taking a short train ride
on an unmanned overhead railway. )
Though extremely busy, the second
busiest airport in the U.K. after
Heathrow, Gatwick provides a
streamlined experience for
travelers.
Gatwick Connecting Transportation
Gatwick Express trains are the
fastest way into the city. The
journey to Victoria Station takes
about half an hour, and trains
depart every 15 minutes (less
frequently between about midnight
and 6 am).
Hotel courtesy vans and the Hotelink
shuttle are available for arriving
passengers. Flightline and Jetlink
buses operate between the airport
and Victoria Coach Station.
Heathrow Airport
Expanded in stages since its
beginnings as a Royal Air Force
strip in the 1940s, Heathrow (LHR)
is London's busiest airport and the
world’s fourth busiest. It is
located 15 miles west of the city,
off the M4 motorway. The drive takes
50 minutes in normal traffic, but
allow at least 90 minutes if you're
catching a flight out
Heathrow Connecting Transportation
The Heathrow Express runs high-speed
trains every 15 minutes to
Paddington Station. The journey
takes about 15 minutes . One other
benefit: Some airlines let you check
your bags at Paddington before your
return trip, saving time at the
airport. Phone 0845-600-1515. If you
don't take the train, the next best
option is the Tube. The Piccadilly
line serves all four of Heathrow's
terminals. Hotel courtesy vans and
taxis are readily available.
Bus
Most national and international
coaches arrive at Victoria Coach
Station, about 400 yds. south of
Victoria Station. 164 Buckingham
Palace Road, SW1. For schedule
information, call 020-7730-3466.
The bus lines to know are National
Express (extensive service
throughout Britain) and Eurolines
(daily departures to the Continent),
which share the same phone number
Phone 0870-580-8080.
Public Transportation
For information and advice on
reaching your destination by bus,
light rail, Tube or water taxi, call
the London Transport Authority's
24-hour information line. Phone
020-7222-1234, Free public transport
maps are available from information
offices at train and Tube stations.
Buses—Although contemporary-style
buses are becoming more common, most
London buses are still of the red
double-decker variety. Buy tickets
on board, except in some parts of
central London where new ticket
machines have been introduced
alongside bus stops. area. Although
there's not much to see once you get
there, the train (which runs on an
elevated rail) offers an impressive
view of the city
Subway—The London Underground,
otherwise known as the Tube, is the
system of subways in London and out
to the suburbs.
Water Taxis—Boats carry passengers
from the center of London to
destinations along the Thames,
including Greenwich.
Docklands Light Railway—This rapid
transit system runs from the Tower
of London to the redeveloped
Docklands ower of London, Kew
Gardens, Hampton Court, Canary Wharf
and Bankside. A handful of boat
operators are used, and timetables
vary by route.
Taxi
Taxis are plentiful in London. Ask
the driver for an approximate fare
before getting in. Most will accept
credit cards.
Train
For information on train services,
phone 0845-748-4950. |
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Attractions |
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BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Open early August to late September.
For recorded information, 799-2331
18 rooms are available to view
including the Throne Room. The
famous changing of the Palace Guard
is at 1130am daily during the summer
months (on alternate days during the
rest of the year).
BRITISH MUSEUM
Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury
636-1555
Monday-Saturday 10am-5 pm, Sunday
2:30 to 6 pm. Guided tours
Monday-Saturday at 10:45 am,
94 galleries contain the world’s
finest collection of antiquities.
The depth of each gallery and the
variety of attractions is almost
overpowering.
HYDE PARK
298-2100
Closes at midnight.
Some 360 acres of landscaped park,
tree-lined avenues and lakes in the
heart of the city attract visitors
from around the world. Sunday
mornings find street-corner orators
is fine form at Speaker’s Corner
near Marble Arch.
LONDON PLANETARIUM
Marylebone Road
935-6861 (call for times, which vary
by season)
Travel on a journey to the stars,
guided by world-celebrated experts.
The Spirit of London ride is a
fascinating attraction and is
updated frequently.
CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURE AND
ZOO
Chessington, Surrey (one-half hour
from London’s Waterloo Station by
train)
This 65-acre theme park offers rides
and attractions galore.
Think...Disney and think all ages!
TROCADERO
Piccadilly Circus
This multi-attraction entertainment
complex is popular with everyone,
especially teenagers.
Call for times and prices, which
vary.
Planet Hollywood restaurant (phone
287-1000) offers dining amidst the
film world’s glamour.
Sega World (phone 734-2777) puts
video game players in the center of
the action.
Rock Circus (phone 734-7203)
portrays the royalty of rock stars
in wax.
Alien War (phone 437-2678) is a
multimedia monster experience.
Imaginator (phone 437-5723) offers
stomach-wrenching rides.
Virtual World (phone 494-1492) is a
virtual reality system second to
none.
LONDON WALL
London dates its history back to the
Roman Empire. The "London Wall" of
nursery rhyme survives to this day,
albeit in fragments. A self-guided
tour along the 1.5-mile walk is
aided by explanatory plaques along
the route. The walk stretches from
the Museum of London to the Tower of
London, offering unique history at
every step.
LONDON ZOO and REGENT’S PARK
Off Marylebone Road near Baker
Street.
722-3333
Open 7 am until dusk
The London Zoo, one of the world’s
great zoos, is found in Regent’s
Park. Zoo features include a
children’s zoo, a reptile house and
more. Other attractions in the Park
include a rose garden, a mosque,
areas for boating and tennis, and an
outdoor theatre.
LONDON AQUARIUM
967-8000
Monday-Friday 10 am-6 pm, Saturday
and Sunday 9:30 am-7: 30 pm
Over two million liters of water
house an incredible number and
variety of aquatic creatures.
Thousands of species are represented
in a number of extensive marine
habitats. The London Aquarium has
rightfully earned its reputation as
a world-class attraction.
MADAME TUSSAUD’S
Marylebone Road
935-6861
Daily 9 am-5: 30 pm
Wax statues of the world’s most
famous (and infamous) citizens
throughout history line the
galleries of this famous attraction.
Recent innovations include
interactive areas. Note: The popular
Chamber of Horrors (murderers in
history) may be too intense for some
younger children.
MUSEUM OF LONDON
London Wall, City of London
600-3699
Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm, Sunday
noon-6 pm
A visit to this attraction is like
reading the life story of London.
Various stages of London’s extensive
history are shown in the many rooms
and galleries.
LONDON DUNGEON
28-34 Tooley St.
403-0606
April-September daily 10 am-6 pm,
October-March closes 5:30 pm
Live actors and various realistic
tableaux recreate the hard and seamy
life of the underside of London in
its past days. Historic
representations of the tortures in
the Tower and Old Gaol join Jack the
Ripper. Not recommended for the
faint of heart or for younger
children.
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS
Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey (in the
West of London)
940-1171
Daily 9:30 am-5: 30 pm. Glasshouse
closes 4:45 pm
Many of the plants here were first
planted in the 17th and 18th
centuries, including more than a few
that were sent back home to London
from England’s colonies overseas.
The Gardens cover more than 300
acres and the world-famous hothouses
maintain a staggering variety of
warm-weather and tropical species.
Other attractions in the Gardens
include a pagoda, an aquatic gardens
and a scenic lake. |
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