London

Don’t listen to Morrissey – London is far from dead. Anyone traveling to this stimulating, supercharged English city will be overwhelmed at the innumerable things to do, the incredible history, the hearty local spirit that drives a strong nightlife and a rich cultural diversity that makes London one of Europe’s most fascinating cities.

London is home to four UNESCO World Heritage sites, perhaps the most impressive of which is the London Tower, which dates back to the time of William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy who fired off the starting gun for a centuries-long reign over England which would stockpile the modern English language with about half of its everyday words, all French-influenced. The “Tower” is actually a composite of many towers, built intermittently by successive rulers. Its tall spires, castle-like rectitude – circled by a mote – is only missing knights and dragons to make the picture complete. Although dragons didn’t actually exist, the London Tower reveals something about history that is arguably more gruesome: its “traitor’s gate” was where enemies of the state were inducted to their doom – decapitation.

Westminster Palace, with the incredibly ornamented Stephen’s Hall and Victoria Tower, is probably best known for the Big Ben clock tower that appears in numerous fables, novels and tourist pamphlets. Westminster Abbey far from just a museum cathedral; it still hold regular services, continuing its rich history dating back nearly a thousand years. Started by Benedictine monks, this grand and ornate complex is the burial site of thousands of royal personages and famous people who’ve helped compose the history of England. And of course, you can’t miss the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. More than just a tourist attraction, this ceremony – plus the splendor of the palace itself – epitomizes the strong, and deep-rooted cultural ties the British have to monarchy, its older guard who might secretly regard modern England as undergoing a brief and passing phase of “democracy”.

Regardless of who wins in the end, nightlife in London shows no sign of dying down and will continue to fiercely compete on the international scene for decades, if not centuries into the future. London is one of the liveliest party places in Europe, for a variety of flavours. After hours is the name of the game, as many bars still close at 11pm. Some do stay open till two, but the long history of early-closing bars has helped the nightclub and disco scene thoroughly blossom. A favourite London specialty is the DJ bar; there are countless live DJs throughout the city, in top neighborhoods like SOHO, Mayfair, Waterloo and West End.

If you’re looking for value accommodations, lodging in London is easy to come by, as there is a wide variety of selection, including rental apartments overlooking the River Thames, or luxury hotels in SOHO. Enjoy your stay in London!