London and then some: Why England's capital is a destination and a gateway
(ARA) - London is one of the world's top travel destinations for many reasons. It manages to combine incredibly rich history with an avant-garde, fearlessly forward-thinking attitude when it comes to fashion, art and culture. It's a perfect place for people to go on their first trip abroad if they're uncomfortable with speaking another language. But for more experienced travelers, it offers the appeal of a vibrant city and the opportunity to travel further at incredibly low prices.
It's a good idea to get a mix of both the old and the new on your trip to London. You can see hundreds of years' worth of buildings by touring the city, from the Tower of London to Royal Albert Hall to "the Gherkin," the distinctive building at 30 St. Mary Axe. Visit ancient treasures in the British Museum and then take in the daring work of contemporary artists at the Tate Modern, one of the leading modern art museums in the world. Similarly, London hotels run the gamut from the antique to the ultramodern.
If you're interested in widening the scope of your trip into Europe, there's no better place to start than London. Its major airports can accommodate a lot of traffic, which means almost unbelievable rates on airline tickets, both coming to and leaving from London. Just be aware that on some smaller airlines, restrictions on baggage might be more stringent.
Some quick trips you might want to consider rolling into your trip to London are:
* Ireland - It's just a quick hop to the Emerald Isle. Fly into Dublin and revel in its lively culture. It's a city that is packed with young people, so expect high-energy nightlife, a great music scene and count on meeting a couple of new friends by the end of the night in any of the city's characteristic pubs.
* Spain - If it's a bit dreary in London, consider flying to the popular sunny spots in one of Londoners' favorite getaway countries. There's something in Spain to fit every mood: the quirky stylishness of Barcelona, the elegant grandeur of Madrid or the 24-hour beach parties of Ibiza.
* Italy - You'd be hard pressed to find a more romantically beautiful country than Italy, which accounts for its perennial popularity with tourists. You can fly into Milan for a stylish getaway, Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and to head into the heart of Tuscany, or to Rome to see the birthplace of Western civilization - and also get some really good gelato.
* The Netherlands - Don't let Amsterdam's reputation for activities of dubious legality turn you away. Look beyond the Red Light District (it's easy to avoid) and you'll discover a charming, genteel city with delights around every corner. Stroll the canals, pick up some bargain blooms at the floating flower market and picnic under the stately beeches in the sprawling Vondelpark - you'll fall in love with the city in no time. Just be sure to heed the bike bells and step out of the way for the city's famous two-wheeled traffic.
There are enough cheap flights to go just about anywhere, but if you have your sights set on a visit to Paris, consider a different mode of transportation. The Eurostar train takes you from London to France under the English Channel, and in just a few hours, you can be standing at the foot of the Eiffel Tower or strolling down the Champs Elysees. To start booking your trip to Europe, check Web sites like Travelocity.com to book hotels and get the best rates on airfare.
Courtesy of ARAcontent