London

I've been to London twice.  The first time was in 2010 when I spent two nights in Russell Square.  Two nights isn't even dipping your toes in the water when it comes to seeing annd experiencing London.  The second time was more recent - the beginning of my 'All of Europe' trip.  I spent two weeks in London.  I wanted to see everything I could while also having a taste of living in London, but there was a problem with my plan:  the human body has limits!

My plan for my two week stay was ambitious: see everything I hadn't seen on my first trip (which was pretty much everything!).  Every day I'd go out and try to visit 2-3 sights, find something different to eat for dinner and then figure out something to do in the evening.  I was able to maintain this pace for a few days, but eventually I just couldn't keep it up.  Pushing through crowds, riding packed trains, the tube during the after work rush, too many drinks in Shoreditch, freezing weather, strangely hot weather, and miles and miles of walking eventually take their toll.

At the end of my two weeks I felt pretty happy with how my time was spent even though I didn't quite get to see everything I wanted to see.  I was tired, and ready to move on to something new.  London is a very busy place and I was looking forward to a bit slower pace.  That said, I am also looking forward to going back and spending more time in London - potentially even living there.

Highlights

Walking

Walking around London is one of the best ways to experience the city (although I'm of the opinion that walking is the best way to experience every city).  Walking along the river from the Houses of Parliament to the Tower Bridge while crisscrossing back and forth across the river is a great way to see quite a number of the main sights and to get a good feel for central London.

Shakespeare at the Globe

The beautiful and faithfully constructed Globe Theatre is a work of art.  To go to a live play as a 'Groundling' is something anyone that enjoys Shakespeare or the history of theatre should do.

Windsor Castle

While not actually in London, Windsor is only a short 40 minute train ride away.  A beautiful and impressive castle which shows off the Norman-style castle building, an absolutely incredible Chapel dedicated to St George, and a fantastic collection of Imperial war booty.  I wanted to see it (obviously) before I arrived in England, but if I had known more about it before I got there it would've been on my must see list.

Football

I am a football addict.  I read about football daily and I watch games and highlights as often as possible.  I went to two games in London:  Chelsea vs. Tottenham (Premier League) and Crystal Palace vs. Peterborough (Championship).  The two games offered vastly different experiences and both were incredibly good fun.  If only Chelsea had won!

Westminster Abbey

I didn't go to the abbey on my most recent trip to London, but the abbey still resonates with me even though its been 3 years since I last visited.  The number of famous kings, scientists and writers buried there is humbling and when you consider the historical importance of all the events that have happened there - it is first on my must see list of London.

Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre

A great play in a great venue.  Not much else to say!

Places Visited

• Westminster Abbey
• Big Ben
• Houses of Parliament
• Buckingham Palace
•  Russell Square
• St. James' Park
• London Eye
• Southwark
• Tate Modern
•  As You Like It @ The Globe
• Trafalgar Square
• National Gallery
• Chelsea
• Stamford Bridge
• St. Paul's Cathedral
• Tower of London
• Shoreditch
• Tower Bridge
• London Bridge
•  Museum of London
•  British Museum
• River Trip from the Houses of Parliament to Greenwich
•  National Maritime Museum
•  Greenwich
•  Royal Observatory
•  Greenwich Park
•  The Phantom of the Opera @ Her Majesty's Theatre
•  South Ealing
•  Hammersmith
•  Battersea Park
• Hyde Park