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London: The Play is Not the Only Thing!

London, England, located in the southern portion of Great Britain, is a sprawling city of 7 million people spread out over 600 square miles. Even with its huge population and extreme girth, London still has a small-town feel about it. Maybe it is because buildings dating back five centuries are tucked among ultra-modern nouveau architecture. Maybe it is because Londoners have an appreciation for their history and culture that brings the massive city into close perspective. Maybe it is because the Underground system (tube) is so easy to use that no portion of the city seems unapproachable. Whatever the reason, London is filled with the sights, sounds, and attractions that make a vacationer giddy with excitement.

No symbol is more indicative of Great Britain than its Royal Family, and no symbol is more indicative of the Royal Family than Buckingham Palace. The palace is a combination of stately grandeur, reserved magnificence, and wondrous reflection that serves as a metaphor for London itself. The State Rooms, which are used for most of the royal functions, are open for public viewing for eight weeks in August and September, when the Royal Family is away. The Changing of the Guard, with all its pomp and ceremony, is witnessed by hundreds of tourists daily, and culminates in front of the palace.

Westminster Abbey has seen the crowning of nearly every British monarch since Christmas Day, 1066, the coronation of William the Conqueror. The church is a monument to the past, exhibiting a fantastic display of tombs, crypts, and statues honoring England's royalty and her famous sons and daughters. The full splendor of the Abbey is best seen during a Sunday ceremony, when the Westminster choir is accompanied by the same organ that was once played by Henry Purcell, a famous baroque chorister from the 1600s.

For a look back at the history of one of London's famous jails, visit the Tower of London, one of the royal castles, which sits along the banks of the Thames River. The Tower houses the Crown Jewels, the ornaments actually worn by the Queen at formal functions. The jewels are so valuable no insurance company will insure them. Tours of the Tower are offered by the 39 Yeoman Warders, more readily known as "Beefeaters", ex-servicemen dressed in the same garb worn by their predecessors since 1485. Hear tales of famous beheadings, murders, and ghosts that supposedly roam the Tower halls. Take special note of the ravens that wander through the Tower grounds. Rumor has it that if the ravens were to leave, the kingdom would fall. (Not to worry. The Raven's wings are clipped!) The Tower also has an impressive display of battlements used by British soldiers for over a thousand years.

Art and history go hand in hand. London is filled with some of the most impressive museums in the world. Located in Millbank, The Tate Gallery (just "The Tate" to those in the know) is Britain's leading museum of modern art. Well, "modern" is relative in Britain, since one of the collections date back to 1545, and include works by Hogarth, Reynolds, and Gainsborough. For a view of some of the most impressive treasures from around the globe, check out the British Museum in Bloomsbury. The facade of the museum resembles a Gothic cathedral, and the inside houses relics like the Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone, and the Magna Carta. The museum is divided into different galleries that highlight a particular region, era, or collection. Literary enthusiasts will love Dickens House, the only house in London still standing where Charles Dickens actually lived. The house appears exactly as it did during his occupation of the property, complete with first editions of his works, letters, and a tall clerk's desk where he supposedly composed Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickelby.

Along with the wonderful West End district, theatre lovers will want to visit Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, located in the South Bank district. The theatre is an exact replica of Shakespeare's open-roof Globe Theatre that was built in 1599 and burned in 1613. Sit on one of the wooden benches along the sides in the "bays." Or stand with the "groundlings", who watch performances from a carpet of filbert shells and clinker, just as they did nearly four centuries ago. Hiss at Iago. Yell out "play it again!" at Mercutio's Queen Mab speech. Don't be shy! Audience participation is part of the show.

For those with an appreciation of the macabre in history, several organizations take visitors through the streets once frequented by Jack the Ripper. These "Ripper Walks" visit the various spots in the Whitechapel section of London where victims were found, talk about possible suspects, and give a fascinating idea of how police work has changed since the 1880s when Jack was active. The tours usually end at one of London's many pubs, a fitting end to this harrowing journey!

For an interesting day trip from London, head south to the ancient town of Rye, which borders the southeast coast of Great Britain. The town's cobblestone streets twist and turn like an intricate maze. If you didn't know any better, you would assume you had stepped back in time to medieval England. The Rye Castle Museum, a stone fortification constructed around 1250, has been recently restored, and was originally the town jail. Close to Rye is where the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066.

For a bit of sun and fun (if the weather permits), take a day and head northeast about 100 miles to the seaside town of Great Yarmouth. Pleasure Beach, a free amusement park, draws more than 1.5 million visitors a year. Also in Greater Yarmouth is the Maritime Museum, a facility dedicated to preserving Yarmouth's relationship with the sea.

London, England is a vibrant city with many faces. Fun and frivolity can be found in Piccadilly Circus. Great bargain hunting can be found in Notting Hill and Camden Town. Voice your opinion at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park. Visit Trafalgar Square and see the 145-foot tall statue of Admiral Nelson. Pubs, the lynchpin of British society, are plentiful and have imaginative names, great "pub grub", and eclectic patrons. A vacation in London will bring memories that will last long after you leave the "grand Old City."

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  1. 36 (flat 2) - 1st floor flat : 4 Luxury self catering apartments in a Victorian Terrace, in Central London — Property 97529

    Vacation Apartment rental in London area
    • Apartment
    • 2 bedrooms , sleeps 6
    • 2 bathrooms
    • downtown
    • internet access
    Up to 13.5% discount for Nov 2009
    S P E C I A L    O F F E R
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $1558 - $1804 per property per week

  2. South Bank...the New Heart of London — Property 212202

    Vacation Apartment rental in London area
    • Apartment
    • 2 bedrooms , sleeps 5
    • 2 bathrooms
    • downtown
    • garden
    5% discount
    S P E C I A L    O F F E R
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $1495 per property per week

  3. 1 Large double bedroom luxury apartment to rent in central London — Property 414268

    Vacation Apartment rental in London area
    • Apartment
    • 1 bedroom , sleeps 2
    • 1 bathroom
    • downtown
    • TV
    Late Deal!Reduced to £300p/w in November
    S P E C I A L    O F F E R
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $668 - $835 per property per week

  4. 2 Double bed luxury apartment to rent, central London by Olympic Village — Property 411781

    Vacation Apartment rental in London area
    • Apartment
    • 2 bedrooms , sleeps 4
    • 1 bathroom
    • downtown, town
    • TV
    Reduced to Only £300 in Dec for 4 nights
    S P E C I A L    O F F E R
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $752 - $960 per property per week

  5. Stunning, luxurious 2 bed/2 bath apartment in Central London-sleeps 4 - 6 — Property 412674

    Vacation Apartment rental in London area
    • Apartment
    • 2 bedrooms , sleeps 6
    • 2 bathrooms
    • downtown
    • garden
    Late Deal £500 Reduction in November
    S P E C I A L    O F F E R
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $1044 - $1294 per property per week

  6. Modern stylish living — Property 97292

    Vacation Apartment rental in London area
    • Apartment
    • 1 bedroom , sleeps 4
    • 1 bathroom
    • downtown
    • daily maid service
    £695 Very Special Offer: Superb Luxury
    S P E C I A L    O F F E R
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $1161 - $1503 per property per week

  7. Luxury Two Bedroom Riverfront Apartment in St Paul's, City of London — Property 428705

    Vacation Apartment rental in London area
    • Apartment
    • 2 bedrooms , sleeps 6
    • 2 bathrooms
    • downtown, village
    • internet access
    November Special
    S P E C I A L    O F F E R
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $1980 - $2640 per property per week

  8. 17 Staverton road
    Luxury air conditioned apartments,easy access to city centre,free internet!!! — Property 97143

    Vacation Apartment rental in London area
    • Apartment
    • 1 bedroom , sleeps 6
    • 1 bathroom
    • downtown
    • air-conditioning
    1 night free on every booking!!!
    S P E C I A L    O F F E R
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $1148 per property per week

  9. City, unique design loft
    Stunning location on the pulse of time, absolutely central, park, 130 m2, intern — Property 522607

    Vacation Apartment rental in London area
    • Apartment
    • 2 bedrooms , sleeps 5
    • 1 bathroom
    • downtown
    • internet access
    S P E C I A L    O F F E R
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $1670 - $2171 per property per week

  10. London West End - Covent Garden, Soho and British Museum — Property 53643

    Vacation Apartment rental in London area
    • Apartment
    • 1 bedroom , sleeps 2
    • 1 bathroom
    • downtown
    • internet access
    Last minute Winter discount
    S P E C I A L    O F F E R
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $951 - $1263 per property per week

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