London is a city you must visit at least once in your life. It is an energetic city, where things happen, where fashions come to life, where you feel constantly on the move.
Recommendations on what to do or see in this city is not easy: it offers such a variety of options- fashion, architecture, art, music – that the experience can only be subjective.
One of the things that I appreciate the most about London are its many parks, real urban oases, and the use that is made of them: there is no sunny day that the English do not use for a picnic in the open air, to play some sport, to take the dog for a walk or just to relax surrounded by greenery. They are very well cared for and pleasant in any season, but in autumn and spring their colors strike straight at the heart. Among my favorites are Regent’s park, in the northern part of which (Primrose Hill) there is a small hill from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the London skyline – perfect for watching the sunset at the end of the day – and Richmond Park, where you can admire nothing less than 630 deers and fallow deers living free and wandering undisturbed in this park.
Coming to London and not entering at least one museum is a real shame, especially as most of them allow you to visit the permanent collections utterly free of charge. A must for me is the Tate Modern for modern art enthusiasts, the Natural History Museum for animal lovers – but worth a visit just for the stunning architecture of the building that houses it, the National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square for art and photo exhibitions.
London has temporarily “lost” one of its most famous landmarks, the Big Ben is currently covered because of the restoration work (and will be until 2021). I suggest a walk to Southbank and Westminster and, if the day allows, I recommend taking the boat from Waterloo to Greenwich. Once a detached village, then incorporated in the city of London, here you can visit Queen’s House, Old Royal Naval College, the observatory with the homonymous meridian, its beautiful park. But it is the boat ride that I prefer: along the way there are views of Westminster, Tower Bridge, the “City” and its skyscrapers that I find fascinating.
Not only “traditional” culture, but London is also the home of hipsters and East London is their temple. Shoreditch is among the liveliest and most exciting areas of this part of the city, full of independent shops, healthy and super unstable bars and great restaurants, among my favorites: Andina, a Peruvian and Dishoom cuisine of Bombay. On Saturday morning I recommend a trip to Broadway Market, among vintage stalls, street food, and graffiti and on Sunday morning brunch on Columbia Road and walk to the flower market.
And finally a great classic: to see a play or a musical in Shaftesbury is something special in my opinion. The theatrical programming of this city is among the most interesting in Europe, large and small productions, here you can find shows suitable for any need.
The desire to travel is a feeling that unites all, something that we would like to be free to do always, an escape from everyday life and all the duties that this entails.
If everything you’ve read has made you want to leave, Expedia.it, in the days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, will offer you the opportunity to do so by taking advantage of discounts and offers.
Places, however, are limited, so start thinking immediately where to go, save your wishes on ‘My Lists‘ and be ready: the special sale for Black Friday on Expedia.it will open at 9:00 a.m. on November 23rd. And if you don’t make it in time, there’s always the Cyber Monday.
Article e Photos: Giulia Dini
