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Derry, Ireland: A Car Hire Treasure In A City

Also called Londonderry, Derry is situated in the Northern Ireland which it was considered the second city and after Cork, Dublin, and Belfast. It is considered the fourth city in Ireland.

Close to the county of Donegal, Derry is situated in the bank of majestic River Foyle and considered as the oldest occupied land in the island of Ireland.

The two lands separated by River Foyle are connected by two large bridges such as Craivagon Bridge which is the oldest while Foyle Bridge is the most recently constructed. River Foyle is split up into two main vicinities: the Waterside and the Derry side/ the City side.

Dominantly nationalist and where most travelers go, the City side is located in the west of River Foyle. It contains the City Centre, the Guildhall, the City Wall, and Bogside which are all tourist attractions. Bringing your own vehicle or a car hire Derry is not suitable for the place, for it is small and more appropriate for pedestrians.

The waterside, on the other hand, is situated in the east of the river. While nationalist stays in the city, unionist resides on the east side.

Most tourist travel by airplane because they are more relaxed and it is faster when compared to other means of transportation. Located 7 miles north east of Derry if you take the main A2 Derry to the road of Coleraine, the city of Derry Airport caters for seven places such as: Liverpool, Bristol, Nothingham, Dublin, Glasgow, Prestwick, and London.

If you haven’t book for any car hire Derry airport, it is not a problem since most of the place you’ll be heading to is just a bridge away.

The Northern Ireland Railways provide daily trains heading to and from Belfast night and day. The journey will take over 2 hours from Belfast and Derry and vice-versa.

When you acquire a car rental Ireland and have plans of driving thorough Derry with our own vehicle, there are three ways to get there.

If you are coming from Belfast International Airport, just take the main road M2 to Templepatrick from the airport and follow the signs that will lead you to the road heading Derry.

If you’ll be coming from Belfast, you can already head straight to M2. You have two options of what road to take: either A6 (via Dungiven) or the Antrim Coast (you’ll pass the Giant’s Causeway).

If you’re from Dublin, take the M1 and follow the signs leading to Derry and Ardee. Afterwards, take N32 that is connected to N2. Continue N2 through Carrickmacross and Monaghan until you reach A5.Straight and drive northwards using Strabane and Omagh and soon you will arrive at Derry.

You will be using most of your time in adventure and exploration when you travel in Derry. All the sites tell the history of Derry, Ireland from Medieval up to the present. The City walls that walk of the past are very well-preserved today. Ireland considered it the “best-preserved” in the country.

Coming from the nationalist standpoint, the murals in Bogside is known as “Free Derry corner” where events about the towns past are all kept in one wall painting for everyone to see.

Enjoy your summer and be adventurous. Try spending it in Derry, Ireland where history comes alive.

When traveling in Ireland avail yourself of Car Rental Ireland . You can visit the city of Derry and see it in a Car Hire Derry or a Car Hire Derry Airport

London hotels are ideal bases for exploring the city further. Could Spitalfields be a Covent Garden-beating market?

London hotels will usually have a flyer for Covent Garden in their reception. And deservedly so. With a colourful range of street performances, it’s a real crowd pleaser. But is it much of a market these days? With its pricey boutique stalls and crowds of tourists, Covent Garden is far from its roots as a thriving flower, fruit and vegetable market.

Spitalfields is in London’s East End close to the widest range of cheap hotels in London. For hundreds of years this area has been a melting pot of peoples where East meets West in a rich mix of cultures from East End music halls to the vibrancy of Banglatown and the enduring infamy of Jack the Ripper.

The name Spitalfields comes from a shortening of the phrase ‘hospital fields’ referring to “The New Hospital of St Mary without Bishopgate” (the priory and hospital of St. Mary’s Spittel) that was founded there in 1197. Spitalfields was built on trades such as clock making, silk weaving, leather goods and a bustling fruit and vegetable market where traditional East End barrow boys hawked their wares.

Nearly twenty years of work has gone into the Spitalfields regeneration programme. Many historic streets in the area have undergone restoration, new public spaces have been created and the retailers and restaurants carefully selected to create one of London’s most vibrant areas.

The market is made up of the Spitalfields Traders Market, Old Spitalfields Market, Spitalfields Arts Market and a buzzing community of independent shops and stalls. The centrepiece and focal point of the area is Crispin Place. This building, with its magnificent cathedral-like glass canopy, houses the Traders Market where you can browse and shop no matter what the British weather throws at you.

There’s a real buzz here and a wealth of market stalls you just don’t get at Covent Garden – from jewel-encrusted vintage boots to that rare vinyl you’ve been hunting for, from art deco sofas to hand-carved toy trains… there’s something for everyone and so many things you won’t find anywhere else.

The same goes for the food on offer at the Fine Food Market. Tuck into a hearty steak & Guinness pie handmade from fresh British steak braised slowly with vegetables and a decent glug of proper Guinness. Or, for the perfect vegetarian meal, homemade falafels with all the trimmings.

And there’s always something going on… you could join in some tea dances with a quick foxtrot or even some free Tango lessons, listen to a free open air concert or maybe even get the chance to try some British specialities such as a classic G&T with a twist (infused with plum) or grab a slice of spit-roasted whole suckling pig.

Spitalfields is open all year round – come rain or shine. Market stalls are open 10am–4pm Tuesday to Friday and 9am–5pm on Sundays (the busiest day). It’s close to Liverpool Street Station, Aldgate tube station and many hotels in London. UK markets are thriving again!

Cheap London Hotels?affordable Place to Stay in an Expensive City

London, the biggest city in Britain and in Europe, is in the southeast of England. It is the first city in the world to have an underground railway. Not only this, but London has many attractions that can attract anyone towards it. The house to so many tourists’ attractions is one of the major tourists’ destinations and wide network of hotels ranging from star hotels to cheap London hotels. Such hotels suit people on budget, who want to enjoy their trip without much expenditure.

Cheap hotels London provide all the basic needs that are required for comfortable stay. They offer several types of discounts to children, senior citizens and to people on extended stay. These hotels make a great accommodation as lodging in these hotels means revealing the exquisite beauty of London at much cheaper price.
The center of city is well known for its old charm as it is the center of significant movements and events of the past. It houses four world heritage sites. The central London includes the city of Westminster, the city of London, Kensington and Chelsea, Euston road and the city road. All these districts are the major spots of museums, theaters, libraries, corporate building, universities and other important recreational facilities. These major attractions for tourists led to the emergence of central London hotels.

Some of the major tourists destinations that have attracted tourists across the world are:-

Houses of parliament- it is also known as the palace of Westminster that is the seat of two parliamentary houses, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. It is the residence of king’s of England. There are number of small gardens surrounding the palace of Westminster. St. Paul’s cathedral- it is the second largest dome in the world and considered to be one of the most visited sites in London. It is built in Indo-Gothic style of architecture. The stained glass of the western window is indeed marvelous and reflection observed during sunset through the window is truly ethereal. The tower of London- it was built to defend London against intruders. Originally, it was called The White Tower, as it was built out of white stone. The tower also displays a collection of jewelry, as was used by kings to impress his subjects. Buckingham palace- it is one of the major tourists’ attractions in London. It is the busy administrative headquarters of the monarchy, which houses the day to day activities of the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh and their family. It is one of the major art collection in the world today.

Museums and Galleries in London: The Global City Where History Meets Art!

London sets the trends and the world follows, whether it be politics or the arts, the phenomenon remains the same. As a global player with nothing to prove, London’s dominance on the world stage is never questioned. Perhaps it is due to its rich melting pot of cultures, its innate vibrancy or its enviable heritage in the history books. Whatever the reason, like any world city, the British capital stays one step ahead of the game in reinventing, rejuvenating and redefining itself. Home to some of the world’s most illustrious museums and art galleries, it’s easy to see why. The city’s impressive collection of museums include the Museum of London, The British Museum, The Victoria and Albert Museum, London Transport Museum and The National Maritime Museum in addition to the Imperial War Museum.

Those with a flair for natural history and the Jurassic era should head down to London’s Natural History Museum which not only houses giant skeletal remains of the colossal creatures but also a breathtaking replica of a blue whale. Britain’s oceanic voyages are exhaustively documented at the National Maritime Museum where visitors can acquaint themselves with the work and lives of the world’s pioneering explorers and their vessels, navigation tools and methods. With a collection of over 40 galleries and 2000 interactive exhibits it is difficult to rival The Science Museum which displays the scientific progress of humankind in the past thee centuries. Automobile and transport fanatics should definitely drop by at the London Transport Museum which traces this enterprising city’s journey to modern transport from classic carriages and the iconic double-decker buses.

But if it’s antiquities and culture one is interested in, there’s no venue quite like The British Museum. Established in 1753 this monumental museum houses over seven million exhibition pieces. Home to one of the largest collections in the entire world, the museum’s contents originate from all corners of the globe, tracking cultural evolution over the centuries. Its various departments consist of Greek and Roman Antiquities, Ancient Egypt and Sudan, Middle East, Africa, Oceania and the Americas as well as a Department of Prints and Drawings, Coins and Medals, a Department of Prehistory and Europe, Department of Conservation, Documentation and Science and extensive libraries and archives. Key exhibits include the famed Rosetta Stone of Egypt, the limestone bust of Amenhotep the Third, Mausoleum of Halikarnassos, the Parthenon Marbles and the drawing collections of Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael.

The Museum of London deals with the evolution of the city from prehistoric periods to its contemporary achievements.

The Victoria and Albert Museum on the other hand is devoted to the areas of design and the decorative arts and proudly displays 4.5 million items as a part of its permanent collection. Constructed in 1852 and spread out over 12.5 acres, the museum consists of 145 galleries boasting collections from America, North Africa, Asia and Europe.

London is also a veritable treasure trove for art lovers. As the base for renowned galleries such as Tate Modern, Hayward Gallery, the National Gallery, Serpentine Gallery, the Wallace Collection, National Portrait Gallery, Royal Academy, Somerset House, Whitechapel Gallery, Guildhall Gallery, Tate Britain and Dulwich Picture Gallery the city is also home to the St Petersberg Hermitage galleries among many others.

The Tate Modern gallery is truly in a league of its own as it has the globe’s largest collection of modern art as well as the most extensive collection of J. M. W. Turner anywhere. Exploring the artist’s popular themes, evolution, early works and watercolour creations, the museum has devoted several galleries to this iconic master. Other highlights include the works of Carl Andre, Ayres, Francis Bacon and Georg Baselitz to name a few.

The National Gallery houses over 2300 Western European art pieces dating back from the middle ages to the beginning of the 20th century including the works of such greats as Velázquez, Eyck, and Van Gogh, Vermeer, Botticelli, Monet, Rembrandt and Cézanne and many more.The Wallace collection is a hub of pre-1900 art and some of the finest collections of 18th century paintings, porcelain and furnishings while the National Portrait Gallery presents portraits of world leaders, historical figures and royals in a chic setting.

Visitors on the lookout for a luxury London hotel will be more than satisfied with The Langham London which provides top class services and well-appointed accommodations. With its hospitable atmosphere and comprehensive staff, guests could not ask for more than this esteemed London hotel.

Car Hire London City Airport

London, the UK’s buzzing capital of culture, fashion and commerce is one of Europe’s most popular city break destinations and it’s easy to see why. You may think you know the ins and outs of London but car hire will change your mind. Hiring a car in London not only allows you to escape crowded Tube stations and packed double-deckers, it also gives you the option of exploring a number of other lively and historic cities on day-trip excursions. Whether you choose to discover the charms of Shakespeare’s Stratford Upon Avon or Jane Austen’s Bath, you’ll find car hire allows you to enjoy London and its beautiful surrounding cities at a pace that suits you. The following is a guide to the best sights of London and beyond.

London City Airport Mini Guide:

London City Airport is situated 16km from the city’s West End district. The airport is an important base for a number of international airlines including British Airways, Air France, VLM Airlines and budget carrier CityJet.

Things To See/Do in London:

With so many of its attractions famous the world-over it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what you want to see and do first in London, especially if you haven’t got much time. Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Cathedral and Big Ben are all guaranteed to top the list of camera toting tourists. Meanwhile, excellent museums like The Tate and British Museum vie for your undivided attention too. A hire car allows you to explore every option open to you- glitzy West End Musicals, ancient World Heritage sites, country manors and trendy shopping streets-the choice is yours!

Eating Out in London:

London is a truly multicultural city, where it’s possible to sample food from just about anywhere in the world. Whether you’re craving spicy fare from the far flung reaches of Southeast Asia, authentic Italian pizza and pasta, elegant French cuisine or good old-fashioned pub grub, you’ll always find something to silence hunger pangs in London. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, it’s worth sampling local London specialities such as pie and mash, jellied eels and meat pies. Meanwhile, the full English breakfast (Fried bacon, sausages, fried bread, fried egg, baked beans, black pudding and fried tomato) is the perfect fuel for a day of sightseeing around London.

Day Trips/Events in London:

London is an excellent base from which to explore some of England’s most scenic locations. Worthy day trips include the Georgian city of Bath, the setting for countless period dramas. Brighton, the cheeky Victorian seaside town is another easy excursion, while the world-famous university cities of Oxford and Cambridge are also within a short driving distance from London city centre.

The locals of London love to have a good time. Fortunately, with an events calendar teeming with sporting events and colourful festivals they have an events calendar that provides plenty of excuses. Calendar highlights include June/July’s Wimbledon Championships, March’s London/Cambridge Boat Race, May’s Chelsea Flower Show, August’s Notting Hill Carnival and September’s Thames Festival.

Fiona writes for Argus Car Hire and Car Hire London City Airport

Touring The City Of London By Car

The City of London has a variety of attractions and is the perfect destination to hire a car and tour the city streets in the comfort of your own transport. Car hire companies are plentiful and offer touring of England’s capital at an affordable price. With many museums and historical attractions as well as wide open spaces the city of London is a widely visited tourist destination.


Of the many historical attractions Hampton Court Palace is an intriguing insight into how the royalty have lived whilst in the capital. Travelling to the palace by car is advisable as the attraction boasts a large amount of parking, for those who have families a hire car is a valid alternative to traipsing across London on public transport with family in tow.


The palace itself allows visitors to travel back in time and see the splendour of the state rooms as well as the opulent gardens. For children there is a maze that will keep youngsters entertained while parents can relax in the pleasant surroundings of the grounds. The many live displays of medieval cooking are as interesting as they are entertaining and give some idea of the work involved looking after the royal entourage.


Using a hire car allows for some unique experiences, of which driving down the tree lined Mall is one; while here it is also possible to see the changing of the guard. Heading a little further from the City of London opens up further discoveries; Kenwood house is a great day out and perfect for those using a car hire service. It has lavishly decorated libraries as well as an art collection that includes paintings by Rembrandt, Turner and Gainsborough.


Heading to the south west of London in your hire car is highly advisable. Here lies Kew Gardens; situated by the side of the River Thames it offers stunning views as well as six impressive glass houses and has been declared a world heritage sight. It is surely the horticultural gem of the city of London with some of the rarest plants in the world; a must for any budding gardeners.


Car hire in the city is ideal for fitting everything into your stay, with so many attractions it is practically impossible to see all the city of London has to offer. One attraction in the city which is worthy of note is Madame Tussaud’s, this world famous waxwork museum gives visitors the chance to see celebrities up close from contemporary stars such as David Beckham and Kylie Minogue as well as such past superstars as Muhammed Ali and Henry VIII.


If you have time to take your hire car to Regent’s Park, London Zoo is well worth a visit; ideal for the family it gives an up close view to the animals of wild Africa. If nature is your thing, do not think that London will not fulfil your requirements, the London Wetlands Centre allows visitors to escape the stress of the city and view some of Britain’s domestic wildlife. A birdwatchers paradise it has hides giving great experiences of viewing more than 180 different species of birds.


The best way to see the city of London is to use a car hire service; it allows stress free touring of this fascinating city and also keeps you safe and in comfort while you see the sights. There is no way that you will see all London has to offer in one trip but after your first visit you will return frequently.

City of Westminster London – Useful Guide to Hotels, Restaurants, Taxis and Places of Interest

City of Westminster London – Guide to Hotels, Restaurants, Taxis and Places of Interest

Where to stay:

There are a wide range of hotels which are ideally located for the City of Westminster, a selection are listed below:

London Marriott Hotel County Hall ***** (0.2Km)
London County Hall Westminster Bridge Road London
On the South Bank, overlooking Big Ben and the River Thames, this historic hotel features luxury bedding, spectacular views, fine cuisine and the largest spa/health club complex of any hotel in London.

Park Plaza County Hall **** (0.2Km)
1 Addington Street London
Ideal for family getaways, this brand new 4 star deluxe hotel is located on the doorstep of the London Eye and is minutes away from many of London’s favourite tourist attractions including Big Ben.

Days Hotel Waterloo *** (0.5Km)
54 Kennington Road London
This London hotel is a 10-minute walk from Waterloo International Station and the London Eye. There is a 24-hour bar for guests, good-value rooms and an on-site restaurant.

Novotel London Waterloo *** (0.6Km)
113 Lambeth Rd London
The Novotel London Waterloo is ideally located in the city centre, close to Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament.

Thistle Royal Horseguards **** (0.8Km)
2 Whitehall Court Whitehall London
This landmark hotel takes centre stage in an area of London renowned for its glorious pageantry. Located in a quiet area of Whitehall, on the banks of the River Thames, opposite the famous London Eye.

City of Westminster Accommodation can be booked with popular hotel booking website VicinityHotels.com

Nearest Airports:

London City Airport 11.9km

Biggin Hill 21.5km

Northolt 21.7km

London Heathrow Airport 23.7km

London Gatwick Airport 39.5km

Taxis:

Virgin Limobike – 020 7930 0814

O & A Global Services – 020 7407 9707

West End Car Services – 020 7734 8970

Elondon Cars – 020 7494 4004

Westminster Cars – 020 7630 0630

Restaurants:

Rajdoot – 020 7928 7684 0.2km

Sino Thai Restaurant – 020 7401 9702 0.2km

4 Regions – 020 7928 0988 0.4km

Shinos Italian Restaurant Bar & Grill – 020 7401 6514 0.4km

Solomon-Soul Farinto – 020 7401 3655 0.4km

La Barca Ristorante – 020 7261 9221 0.4km

Imperial Tandoori – 020 7928 4153 0.4km

Perdonis – 020 7928 6846 0.4km

Da Vincis – 020 7928 8099 0.5km

Thai Pavillion (East) – 020 7582 6333 0.5km

Caprini – 020 7928 6645 0.6km

Peoples Palace The – 020 7928 9999 0.6km

Hispaniola The – 020 7839 3011 0.8km

Places of Interest:

Old Vic Theatre 0.6km

Young Vic theatre 0.7km

British Film Institute (BFI) 0.7km

National Theatre 0.8km

Somerset House (Museum) 1.2km

Hermitage Rooms (Museum) 1.2km

Tate Britain (Museum) 1.2km

National Gallery (Museum) 1.3km

Gilbert Collection (Museum) 1.3km

Courtauld Institute of Art (Museum) 1.3km

National Portrait Gallery (Museum) 1.3km

London Transport Museum (Museum) 1.4km

Her Majesty’s Theatre 1.4km

Haymarket Theatre 1.4km

Theatre Royal Drury Lane 1.4km

Tate Modern (Museum) 1.5km

Cleaver Square Park 1.5km

R. Twining & Company Limited (Museum) 1.5km

Prince Henry’s Room (Museum) 1.6km

Globe Theatre 1.7km

City Breaks in the Uk: London, Manchester and Birmingham

London: home of great Britannia

London has so much to offer, it’s a year-round popular destination and one of the greatest cities in the world to visit. Its historical streets and buildings will take you to another world. Modern day London is so culturally diverse it makes a magical place to visit. Visit the traditional London with ceremony and royalty, enjoy a show at the theatre or shop till you drop. There is always something more to do in London.

Transport: how to get there and around:

London has 3 airports based in and around the city. Ferries are a popular way to travel from mainland Europe and Ireland, although the Channel Tunnel cuts travel time to 30 minutes from France. Once you are in London you will be spoilt for choice, there are excellent bus, coach, rail and underground train systems to get you around.

Weather

British weather is unpredictable and is often the topic of conversation. It is better to be prepared for anything, although generally the climate is temperate. Summer temperatures range from 14-30 degrees Celsius, winter can plunge to 1-5 deg C. Winter days are shorter and darker, frost and snow are also common occurrences.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in London.

Attractions & Events

London has something to offer all year round, you are spoilt for choice with the regular plays and shows, concerts and sporting events. There are a few special events you may want to see. For classic music buffs you can visit to the Royal Albert Hall in August for the proms, for sporty tennis fans there is the Wimbledon Tournament in May,

For those that enjoy pageantry you can enjoy the trooping of the colour in April to celebrate the Queens birthday. All year round you can see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace at 11.30am, this happens everyday in the summer time and in winter every other day.

Birmingham: the heart of England

Historically Birmingham is a ‘city of a thousand trades’, today it is a lively hub of attractions. The heart of England has an array of music, theatre and performing arts to offer such as the famous Birmingham Royal Ballet and Symphony Orchestra.

Transport: how to get there and around:

Birmingham is just 2 and a half hours drive from London and connected by the M40 motorway. Being in the centre of the country, Birmingham is well connected by rail and coach networks with most major UK cities. The International Airport also offers direct flights to destinations such as New York, Dubai and Chicago. Local buses can be boarded around the Bull Ring Centre and service the town well.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Birmingham.

Attractions & Events

Birmingham holds a number of regular events including comedy shows, live concerts and art exhibitions. If you are in the city during March you may want to join the large Irish population for the St Patrick’s Day Parade which is always a fun festival. If you are an art lover, during September you can visit the ArtsFest. With over 100,000 visitors annually it’s the largest UK free festival for arts.

Manchester: city of football and more

Manchester has more to offer than just the famous football teams. Manchester is a fashionable and lively city where you can enjoy shopping, clubs and restaurants. If history is more your taste you can discover the part of Manchester that dates back to Roman times.

Transport: how to get there and around:

You can reach Manchester in 3 hours by train from London Euston station. The coach is a more affordable alternative to the train, Manchester is served from a number of UK cities with the reliable National Express service. Domestic and International flights connect with Manchester International Airport. Once in Greater Manchester you can hop on a local bus, metro or train to get around.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Manchester.

Attractions & Events

There are events to enjoy all year round in Manchester. We have highlighted just a few for you to look out for. Music fans can enjoy the citywide Jazz festival in July, which specializes in contemporary Jazz from the north of England. For the flamboyant, the Gay Pride festival is an annual event taking place during 17-27 August. To enjoy the taste of the Manchester, there is a Food and Drink event in October. If you happen to be in the city in November and want to get into the Christmas spirit, head to Albert Square for the switching on of the Christmas Lights.

Extravagant City Break in London

London is so vast that would require a lot of time to explore it in-depth given the richness and diversity it has to offer. But there are some good news for a traveller wishing to spend a brief holiday, or a city break during the week end.

Firstly you can count on valid public transportations. Secondly get the LONDON A-Z, a pocket-sized map book available at any newsagent. You can find anything from events, night life, hot spots for young travellers, backpackers information, choice of entertainment from drag acts to comedy from dance clubs to classical music. There are some other informative magazines you can usually find for free in the hotels halls. If you are in London but don’t know where to go sleeping or you still don’t have an accommodation do not expect to find it cheap. London, with its Pounds can be very expensive even to a European citizen! Apart from hotels which can have 3 to 5 starts but still don’t reach that standard, there is an unlimited numbers of Bed and breakfast ( see for the B&B sign) at private homes. It has been a long tradition and London is the capital of BandB accommodation providers! Usually they are run by families that guest travellers in their own house to get an extra income. It’s a good option in order to get an insight of how a real Londoner lives. In this way it is also very easy to contract the price especially if you ask for continental breakfast and not English breakfast ( bacon and eggs…which can be quite strong at 8 am…): there could be a difference of 2-3 pound per person…And if you sum it all up, well, you might save enough for a dinner out!

There are many possible ways for you to book a B&B in London. Either you go to a tourist office at the very last minute while in London but you may not wish to risk for a last minute accommodation… or find online your perfect accommodation solution. There are quite a lot booking and informative sites: some of them only list the London BB and provide you with phone number but then you have to spend quite a fortune in international calls; some others allow you to book online directly and get your confirmation straight away (ex. Flashbooking.com) some others offer accommodation on request and it could take longer then expected. A list of cheap Bed and breakfast in London is provided by the mentioned website that is specialized in budget accommodation or lodging for families, international students and backpackers. Apart from B&B there are also youth hostels listed. Prices range very from 15 euros in a hostel to 33 euros per person in a double private room in a London B&B. The choice is up to you.

So, you got in London-UK, you got the A-Z map and some good city magazines, you got a cheap accommodation ( which will probably serve you only as a base to explore the city), now it’s time to get out and have fun!!! You might not want to spend the whole day in a museum especially if the day offer a sun beam through the fog… right? Here 3 nice things to do.

You can visit the Kew gardens with their historic green-houses. Very relaxing and interesting. Nice for kids as well and for photographers!! There is a vast assortment of flora gathered from around the world to admire and they often organize many special activities and tours for children ( ex: the ‘Cactus Trail, ‘Climbers and creepers’, etc. ) To get there use the Tube; stop: Kew Bridge. The Gardens are open every day EXCEPT Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. ( www.rbgkew.org.uk; email: info@kew.org or ph: +44 (20) 8332 5655 ) .

Another quite and typical area of London where you can have lunch and do shopping is Covent Gardens. Events and celebrations are hold all through the year and the daily routine includes street entertainment performances seven days a week. Also, Covent Garden is the right place to find the hippest clothes shops! In the area there are many famous European theatres, museums, galleries too. So that in and around Covent Gardens there is always a lot to see and do!! Another fun thing and not too classic tour in Lodnon would be a visit to the London Zoo in Regent’s Park, NW1 (ph: +44 (20) 772233 33; www.londonzoo.co.uk) reachable with the Tube and stop at Camden Town. You will need to walk for 10 minutes only then to reach the entrance. Or the Natural History Museum ( Cromwell Road, SW7, ph. +44 (20) 794 250 00 www.nhm.ac.uk) Tube stop: South Kensington on District, Circle and Piccadilly lines.

Transforming London Into the “best Big City on Earth”

In spite of the UK’s emergence from recession lagging behind the rest of Europe, London is still an international business powerhouse. According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the financial services centre drives more than £200bn of revenue into the UK economy each year.

Although central London is booming with business activity, parts of the city are still struggling. Contrary to popular belief London’s streets aren’t paved with gold. The truth is – they sparkle with opportunity. The challenge for someone walking down hope street is understanding how to make the most of their potential in the current climate.

Chantél du Plooy takes a look at the capital’s prospects for jobs, housing and economic growth.

Looking ahead

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has been given the task to produce a planning strategy for the capital. The second draft of the strategy, called the London Plan, is currently open to public consultation.

In the foreword of the London Plan, the Mayor makes his aim for the city’s future perfectly clear: “I want London to be the best big city on earth.

”That means a place that brims with opportunity and talent and economic activity of all kinds, but also one where the pace of life can suddenly slow from one street to the next; where children can grow up in safety – where people can be seen walking or cycling with no purpose other than enjoyment.”

London’s future encompasses five elements: becoming the world’s capital of business, improving competitiveness, developing into a low carbon economy, extending Londoners’ opportunity and investing in the capital’s potential.

Through these five strategies, previously disadvantaged areas will become key focus points.
In East London alone, 333,800 homes will be built by 2031. In North East London, Harrow and Wealdstone will receive significant support in areas such as retail, industrial and housing developments.

Although the increase in housing will impact jobs in London there is a need for drastic job creation. The Mayor plans to tackle unemployment in the capital through combating skill shortages. He will address low skills through encouraging effective education, training and support for all.

Business confidence

The latest ONS figures unveiled that the UK GDP shrank by 0.4% in the third quarter. Even though we didn’t need any confirmation, we now know that we are in the longest recession since 1955.

But there is also good news for London. It was recently crowned the best city in Europe to locate a business. The European Cities Monitor report from Cushman & Wakefield has awarded London with this honour for the 20th consecutive year.

UK Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business, Lord Davies of Abersoch commented: “Since the collapse of Lehman Brothers just over a year ago, London has been through a pretty turbulent time. This year’s survey, however, is evidence that it has not lost its position as Europe’s and probably the world’s leading business and financial centre.

”Major corporates clearly still recognise that its critical mass of talent, facilities and infrastructure combine to deliver a compelling location for business.”

London is home to more than 30% of the world’s largest companies. The investment of over 500 foreign corporations like Coca-Cola, Canon and Virgin has created more than 11,000 London jobs between April 2008 and March 2009.

Regardless of the downturn in the current economy, business leaders in London remain positive. A recent report from London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) revealed that more than half (52%) of 185 London firms are confident about the city’s future.

”Businesses in the capital are increasingly confident about their own firm’s prospects and that of the wider economy,” LCCI chief executive Colin Stanbridge told BBC News.

The perfect host

London has already plunged deep into its pockets to get the capital ready for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Games. The event has created numerous jobs, infrastructure and business opportunities.

An international event of this magnitude creates an occasion for London to promote itself as a tourism, sport and leisure attraction; as well as an economic and business hub.

If the Olympic Games prove to be the billion pound success organisers expect, the capital might transform much quicker than anticipated.

It’s clear that while London is suffering, the Mayor isn’t sitting around helpless. Through proactive strategies and the help of Londoners, Britain’s capital will prosper.

Chantel is a regular contributor of career advice and jobs news for leading UK Job Board http://www.careersandjobsuk.com Link text

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