London Overview

World-class fashion and theater, unrivaled music and clubbing, and a stunning, eclectic array of bars and restaurants are all wrapped up in a city built on historical grandeur. London is chic, royal, cutting-edge, ever-changing, and always fascinating.

Districts

The various and diverse "villages" of London reflect the full spectrum of the city's residents. From exclusively elite establishments to downright dingy dives, tourist-drenched terrain and home-grown habitation, there’s something for every visitor. As Dr Johnson said back in the 18th century: "If you're tired of London, you're tired of life."

Entertainment

Art is alive and kicking in London. The injection of new British vitality spearheaded by Damien Hirst and the proliferation of hip, trendy, and increasingly famous young British artists merely add to the wealth of more traditional art that London has to offer. Cinema is centered in Leicester Square, where most of the mainstream chains have their flagship theaters. Museums are abundant and of excellent quality.

Rock/Pop/Jazz music is everywhere in London. Camden is always bubbling with Indie vibes. The Brixton Academy is an excellent place to see bands on the verge of stadium-sized fame, and Borderline is good for bands on the verge of Brixton Academy-sized fame. For Jazz you can't beat the legendary Ronnie Scott's. Nightclubs, too, come in as many flavors, shapes, sizes, and styles as there are people to fill them. The better-known clubs tend to be around the Leicester Square/Charing Cross Road area.

Soho is practically pedestrianized (often by sheer weight of numbers) and is packed full of character-filled pubs, cafes, bars, and restaurants. It's also home to London's lively gay scene. Do be warned, however, just about every other establishment is a sex shop. Islington is vibrant and hip, with a café/bar scene that induces time-wasting and people-watching. Camden has a friendly, underground kind of feel. There are loads of live music venues here including the Jazz Café. There's also a massive trendy market on weekends.

Dining and Drinking

Londoners are spoiled for choice when it comes to dining out. You can pick almost any country in the world and its cuisine can be sampled here in the capital. Take your pick from Korean to Burmese, Argentine steak to Vegan, Malaysian to Mauritian, Modern British to Hungarian - what an epicurean feast! Food is the new hedonistic pleasure, with food halls emerging as trendy hang-outs, chefs becoming TV stars, and cookery books turning into hot bestsellers. Naturally every area and every other road in London has a place to eat.

Hotels are also a good bet for eating out, since they have a pleasant touch of luxury, tip-top service, and tables that are often available at the last minute. Afternoon teas are an English tradition that cannot be missed - scones, clotted cream, and leaf tea in silver teapots. The Dorchester and Brown's are among the great hotels serving tea from 3pm.

You can even find good food at Internet cafés, mushrooming all over the capital. Many public houses, besides pumping real ale, are metamorphosing into gastro-pubs. With such a fabulous choice, standards are truly very high. London is truly terrific on a global scale.

Where To Stay

For easy access to the city's attractions, shops and different neighborhoods, consider these five major areas in central London: Mayfair & Marylebone, Paddington & Bayswater, Notting Hill, Knightsbridge & South Kensington, and Covent Garden & Bloomsbury.

Mayfair & Marylebone is probably the most expensive area. It encompasses Marble Arch and Baker Street, going on to exclusive Piccadilly and Park Lane.

Paddington & Bayswater are extremely touristy but have a wide range of hotels and restaurants. Paddington station has a direct train to Heathrow airport, which runs every quarter of an hour and takes just 15 minutes. Hyde Park is within a few minutes walk and the main shopping district of Oxford Street is a short bus ride away.

Notting Hill is popular with the young and famous. High Street Kensington, close to the Kensington Palace and Gardens, offers a quaint and quiet atmosphere along with great shopping.

Knightsbridge & South Kensington is another pricey district within walking distance of Harrods department store, Harvey Nichols, and Sloane Street - a veritable shopping paradise. The Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum are also nearby. Not surprisingly, this area is home to a wide range of hotels.

Bloomsbury & Covent Garden hotels are well positioned for theater goers and shopping addicts, as well as for visitors to the British Museum. This area is practical for business travelers, as it is close to Holborn and not far from the City.

Did You Know?

A boy throwing a match into hay inside a bakery started the Great London Fire in 1666.

Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz; square three-pin plugs are standard
Time Zone: GMT +0
Country dialing code: 44

Orientation/Geography

London is a sprawling capital city of dynamic interconnected districts (villages) that combined act as the political and cultural center of Great Britain. The ultra modish urban playground located in southeastern England continues to shed its ancient stereotypes and pave the way for new trends in theater, music, finance and, yes, even gastronomy.


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