This post is about London, one of the world’s major International cities. With two major airports (Heathrow and Gatwick) and two smaller ones (Luton and Stansted), there is no shortage of flights to and from here from all over the globe. Once in the city, the famous red double decker buses will take you anywhere you need to go within the city limits – and some of these run all night. The also famous “tube” looks like a birds nest when you see it drawn on a map – it is a well developed metro connecting all major parts of the city.
First time visitors should start their trip along the River Thames. Many of London’s most famous attractions are scattered about or near its river banks – including instantly recognizable icons such as the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, London Eye, Westminster Abbey and within walking distance of the river, the Buckingham Palace.
A once a year event that is worth while attending is a “search for historical items” dig, organized by the City of London’s Archeological Society. This free event occurs in July every year” during low tide along the banks of the Thames River between the Tower and London Bridges. It’s a rare opportunity to legally look for and keep artifacts – this is an activity that is enjoyable for all ages.
After touring some of London’s highlights, perhaps it is time for some relaxation?! From Bangkok to Buenos Aires – we always seek out spas – there are a number of spa breaks in the UK worth checking out.
While we have visited the UK a number of times – we have yet to visit Scotland. There is no better time for Scotland Spa breaks than after landing after a long International flight while recovering from jet lag. A good massage, spa and then a long sleep and then we are ready to tour!
And we have heard that when visiting Scotland be sure to dress appropriately depending on where and when you visit – you might hear the phrase in reference to the Scottish weather – “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes!”
It looks like most of the flights to Scotland arrive in Glascow – from there we would rent a car and head out to some of Ireland’s famous countryside and castles. Yet we would not miss some of Scotland’s well-known towns while working our way up north including Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness.
For more information about London visit the official visitors guide: www.visitlondon.com
and for Scotland, visit: www.visitscotland.com
Here’s a couple of tips for London (where I grew up): rent a ‘Boris Bike’ to get around, and download the app to find bike stations. It’s a great way to see the city. Also use the river for transport with a day pass on the Thames Clipper. You can take this to Greenwich and then cross the river using the Foot Tunnel – which is an amazing experience. And in the summer, visit a Lido (open air pool) for some relief from the noise and bustle in an Art Deco oasis. Enjoy