More than Meets "The Eye"
After New York, London is probably Savvy Navigator’s second-favorite city, and the vibe of the city is quite similar. A financial and cultural capitol of Europe, long-gone is the reputation of bad food and warm beer. There’s a lot going on in this city and, like NYC, planning a visit can be overwhelming. Steeped in history and tradition, today’s London is the synthesis of taking the best of the past, incorporating into the present, while building for the future. While seeming stodgy on the surface, the city today is quite welcoming.
Sleep — flanking the river Thames in this one hundred and twenty year old English Edwardian luxury, The Savoy.
Experience — being a member of the audience in a BBC TV Show Taping.
Splurge — on a black tie evening at London’s Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Enjoy a two course meal in the Amphitheater restaurant before settling down for a night of incredible musical entertainment with some of the world’s most accomplished performing artists.
Eat — at The Berkeley in Knightsbridge. Run by Marcus Weiring, former business partner of Gordon Ramsey, The Berkeley boasts a rooftop pool, fashion-themed tea and gourmet dining.
Afternoon Tea — Also on the banks of the Thames, afternoon tea in the lobby of the Corinthia Hotel is not to be missed.
Drink — from a choice of nearly 200 beers at London’s Euston Tap, an inconspicuous but character-filled bar right in the heart of the city. The space is snug, but you won’t notice that a few beers in to their mighty impressive menu…
Savor — the feel of London by strolling through the historic Hyde Park. Stop and smell the roses at the magnificent rose garden or sneak a peak at the Royals as you stroll past Buckingham Palace. Home to the famous Speakers Corner, where anyone can stand upon his or her proverbial soapbox and speak on any matter.
Visit — the Borough Market in Central London, one of the oldest markets in the country, and delight in the sights and smells of food from all over the world.
See — just about the whole of London from a height of 135m during a ride on the London Eye. Observe the world-famous landmarks and the hustle and bustle of this economic super city from one of the specially designed pods, boasting 360 degree views.
Shop — at Selfridges, the famous Department Store with the finest in everything from tea and ties to toys and tailored suits. Locals prefer Selfridges to it’s main competitor, Harrod’s, too!
Know — more about the beautiful world we live in by visiting London’s Natural History Museum, home to one of the world’s most impressive collections.
London Guidebooks:
1. Fabsearch operates in cities around the world and provides the ultimate travel and event guide from local trendsetters.
2. Afar takes all the hassle out of planning your trip by putting it all in one place. Plan where you want to stay, eat, drink, shop and be merry then save your itinerary to your smartphone. The site also comes with pre-planned excursions ranging from 1 day in the City to three or more.
3. JustLuxe is a city guide for those with a discerning taste. Featuring reviews, previews and news on the most exclusive events, restaurants, bars, clubs and theaters in London.
4. The official tourism site for the City of London, visitlondon.com is well known for their Top 10 lists in categories such as ‘Art Exhibitions’, ‘Photo Spots’, ‘Film Locations’ and more.
5. With customizable lists and the ability to buy discounted event tickets onsite, Timeout’s London guide is as comprehensive as it gets.
London, indisputably one of the world’s greatest cities, holds an abundance of culture and charm of days gone by under the rule of the Royals within this, the capital, of the United Kingdom. Arriving into London's Heathrow Airport most certainly sets the tone and tempo for the vastness that is Britain’s most populous megalopolis.
The sprawling complexity of London can be properly observed from the great heights reached by the Millennium Wheel - or London Eye - on the South Bank of the River Thames. It offers all who ride upon it a taste of the array of things to do and see, dynamic and cosmopolitan in their essence. As the clock strikes the hour on Big Ben at The Palace of Westminster, so the Changing of the Guard takes place at Buckingham Palace and world famous museums such as the Tate Modern Southbank and National Gallery in Trafalgar Square open their doors, free of charge, to all those eager to discover the exhibitions and artifacts housed within. All this while an array of monumental icons stand scattered along the banks of the iconic River Thames.
The Royal Borough of Greenwich is so much more than the symbolic ‘home of time’ – the World Heritage Site also reigns as the most picturesque and historically rich part of the city. The whimsical chaos of the shopping district Camden Town is an experience not to be missed, however a rapid train ride on the London Underground or Tube will have you land slapdash in the middle of the infamous Oxford Street where 'high street' shopping can be experienced by patrons first hand. One can also opt for the more favored and convivial black cab, or even a red double decker bus that offers a more traditional mode of transport with which to explore.
The UNESCO Royal Botanical Gardens, or Kew Gardens, is an exotically historical landscape that is home to the largest botanical collection of conserved and living plants in the world. For those looking for nighttime entertainment, The City comes alive when the sun goes down as live concerts and operas roar to life in Leicester Square and the infamous Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, to name but two of the exciting entertainment options emphasizing the dynamic nature of London Town. Piccadilly Circus 
illuminates with continually alternating video displays and neon signs plastered across the outer walls of the street corner building as it masquerades as Britain’s very own Times Square.
Whether your preference is to slip into a pub and become acquainted with a welcoming Englishman as you knock back a pint or two, or perhaps indulge in the famous past time of a freshly brewed cup of tea accompanied by a delicious freshly baked scone towered with clotted cream, London has it (and more) in abundance.
