Travelling around London
Heard about the tube?  Get friendly with it.  This ingenious and expeditious underground metro-train system will take you everywhere and anywhere you need to go.  The buses in London are more reliable than the buses in New Zealand but you haven't experienced rush hour until you've seen London nine-to-fivers hit the roads!

Black cabs are a plenty but the cost of travelling in them can be exorbitant. Likewise, hiring a car is only really worthwhile for stays longer than a few weeks.  Be warned; the potential for navigation-frustration in London's rabbit warren of inner city roads and problematic postage-stamp parking could be more stress than it's worth for most lady-like temperaments.

Accommodation

When booking accommodation, I highly recommend staying at places that are located near a tube station - you will be grateful for the convenience. I stayed at three different hotels in London; the Thistle (Heathrow), the Marriot Maida Vale and Heathrow of which the latter came up trumps.  The beds at Heathrow were heaven on earth and I loved the endless room supply of an English favourite, Galaxy hot chocolate.  Other nice touches included the English Corner shop located inside the hotel for native sweet treats or trashy mags (another UK specialty), the downstairs bar and The. Best. Breakfast. In. The. Entire. World.  Ever.  It's a big call to make but it comes from a girl who never consumed more than a macchiato before midday her whole life until she encountered the gourmet buffet breakfast here.  It has to be seen to be believed.   You want it?  They have an endless supply of it.  I'll leave it at that.

Shopping

Shopping in London is best done during sales time.  It's manic, frantic and somewhat claustrophobic but oh my goodness it is worth it!  If you like to stomp the streets, good news, the best buys are all centred on Oxford Circus.  Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street, Leicester Square or my favourites; Soho/Chinatown and Covent Garden.  For cheap and chic celebrity favourite Topshop is a must visit, as is Primark, H&M and New Look especially at their flagship store in Marble Arch. New Look is worth stopping a visit if only to gaze at their unique futuristic shop interior.

Label lovers should try Selfridges on Oxford and ladies who lunch may prefer a trip to the 'Tiara Triangle' located on Brompton Cross and Fulham Street.  As the home of fashion houses such as Betty Jackson and Chanel it's the place to see, and be seen. Another place to drop your cash that is worth the extra mileage is the Portabello Market.  It's not just for bargain-hunting, I loved the atmosphere as well, and amongst the bustle and the barter you really feel adrift in a foreign land.

What to do and were to eat

It's cliché but I think a girls' day out in London-town is incomplete without tea and scones at Harrods.  When I wasn't enjoying high tea at Harrods, day or night my favourite place to eat in Covent Garden is PJ's Bar and Grill.  Their take on a salmon fillet with artichoke, asparagus and beurre blanc is melt-in-your-mouth amazing. The price is good with mains at around ten pounds being hard to beat.  Looking for traditional English fayre like bangers and mash?  Try the Punch and Judy Pub in Covent for a spot of the greasy spoon or for something a little flashy, play spot the celeb at the Ivy on West St.

Speaking of West, I seriously think stuff the stuffy Shakespeare or Broadway style boredom, if you want to see the West-End and the London stage at its finest; see a pantomime!  The English do them best and you can't help but be drawn into the mob mentality that is interactive theatre.  Otherwise Europe's newest and most advanced entertainment destination opened its doors to the 'O2' last year and will be the showground for the Olympics in 2012. Playing to host to megawatt superstars like Justin, Celine and now Tutankhamun in the museum bubble, this extraordinary former Millennium dome houses an exhibition space, 20,000 capacity arena, cinema complex and countless bars, restaurants and shops!

Finally for those who are aching for a club scene London will be your Mecca.  Seeking something big and commercial?  Then head to Pacha and Fabric.  If you seek a stylish crowd and edgier club experience there is The Key or for a classy, intimate and informal affair with regular open mic sessions (and beautiful food to accompany drinks) The Club Bar on Warwick Street beckons after work drinkers to start here and stay all night long.

Like most New Zealanders, I love London.  There is a history and mystery about the place that will reveal its true character if you take the time to scratch the surface of its cool exterior.  Don't be surprised if you don't want to go home.

Note for Shopaholics: You Can Claim a Tax Refund When Shopping in the UK!!

To be eligible for this rebate you must spend fewer than 365 days out of the two years prior to making the purchase living in the UK, and you must leave the EU within three months of making the purchase. The VAT tax refund scheme is called the Retail Export Scheme or Tax-Free Shopping. Not all shops participate in the scheme, and different shops will have different minimum purchase conditions (normally around £75 in any one shop).  On request, participating shops will give you a special form VAT 407. This must be presented with the goods and receipts to customs when you depart (VAT-free goods can't be posted or shipped home). After customs has certified the form, it should be returned to the shop for a refund which can take up to eight to ten weeks to come through.  17.5% is a substantial amount after converting your pounds to dollar and every bit counts when you are looking at your credit card repayments!

Article by Katy Thomas

Be first to comment this article

Only registered users can write comments.

Please login or register.