TKJ Travel have two wonderful tours this year in September and October: 'Byways & Boudin: Montpellier and the Langudoc-Rousillon' in the superb south of France and a WW1 battlefields tour- 'Jimmy's Anzac Pilgrimage' . (go to our website www.juliereecetours.com.au to download both tours' itineraries) The Montpellier tour ends on Wednesday September 28 and Jimmy's Anzac tour begins on Monday October 3 thus creating a five day opportunity if you sign up for both tours. To that end my colleague Trevor Nottle and I have some suggestions...Trevor has 'Five things to do in Paris': go to : (https://trevornottle.wordpress.com/20…/…/01/first-blog-post/
However you may want to spend those 5 days in the iconic city of London. Here are some suggestions you may wish to embrace- some very popular and well known to the millions of tourists who visit this amazing city, and a few of the less traveled to sites which are quirky and totally delightful.
1. Hyde Park- Wellington's Arch-Green Park- Buckingham Palace-The Mall- Westminster: one of the best walks in London
London is an expensive city BUT there are many attractions that are not only FREE but capture the atmosphere and essence of this place. Begin your walk at the corner of Hyde Park - there is an underground station right on the corner - and explore the Australian War Memorial, a very special memorial which lists all those places that the members of the A.I.F enlisted from. Try to find your town or suburb's name on this unique structure and
in doing so you will gain an understanding of the enormity of the Great War in terms of the number of communities affected by this global conflict. From there walk across to the New Zealand memorial before walking through the Wellington Arch down onto Constitution Hill with the Buckingham Palace gardens on our right and to your left The Green Park. Your walk now takes you right to the most famous of all buildings, Buckingham Palace. If you time your arrival around 10.30 - 11.00 am you can be present for the Changing of The Guard at 11.30 usually daily depending on the time of the year. *every day in summer..alternate days early August to April* Your walk then takes you down the regal Mall the site of so many famous events such as Royal weddings and funerals, state visits and public celebrations such at the end of WW2. The end point of The Mall takes you to Trafalgar Square and Westminster. Here your camera will go mad as you recognise so much of this part of London ..Big Ben..Westminster Abbey.. the Houses of Parliament etc...and at this point you have spent NOTHING!
2. Thames walk along Southbank - from the London Eye to the Tower Bridge
Begin your walk at the London Eye ...be warned..in peak times you are advised to pre- book as the queues are very lengthy and time consuming. Allow approximately £20 but check with your agent or pre- book on the internet for the best deals. The Eye takes in all of the London vista and allows you to put all of its famous landmarks into perspective. BUT..if the day is very overcast or foggy it may pay you to do this when the weather improves. The Thames walk along the South Bank takes in other sites such as the reconstructed Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Drake's Golden Hinde replica ship and the HMS Belfast. The entrance cost to the Globe is worth every penny! This stretch of the banks of the Thames is full of eateries, bars and really great places to enjoy the London landscape. Before continuing to the Tower Bridge divert to a little known museum and food market not far from the Southwark Cathedral. The Borough Market is fantastic!! Full of produce, food stalls, and eating places, it features products from across all the farming regions of the UK. Tasting is encouraged and you are spoiled for choice when deciding what and where to eat- it's a fabulous place any time of the day but breakfast is the best! Not far from the Borough market is a quirky and lesser known of the many museums in London, The Old Operating Museum not far from London Bridge. A bit gruesome BUT fascinating. Your walk to the Tower Bridge then takes in the Hay's Galleria yet another eating hub full of cafes, bars, take away places to suit all budgets. If you include visits to the Eye and the Globe on this walk, you will need to allow full day to take in all this part of London has to offer. Part TWO of this blog will feature MUSEUMS/ MARKETS & A CRUISE UP THE THAMES...stay tuned....
