How I did it: I've been planning to go to London for quite a while, and I finally got the opportunity. Going right before the Olympics meant expensive tickets and hotels, but the city was beautiful, lively and definitely worth it!

Things I loved:
The public transport system is very efficient and easy to understand. Especially loved the tube.
Lots of things to do and see.
Saw lots of great street performers.
Museums are just amazing, interactive and interesting, you feel like a curious kid there.
I just happened to go to Trafalgar sq. the same day there was World Pride. DESTINY, lol.
A very diverse, friendly, lively city.
Not that expensive. Prices of clothes and food are actually lower than here in my country. Eating out is a bit more expensive, though, but you guys make more money, too.

Things I didn’t love:
Travelcards only for zones 1-2 and 1-4, so if you live in the 3rd zone, but don’t cross to the 4th zone, you still have to buy the 1-4 zone one. Waste of money, really.
I had some trouble finding free, open wi-fi hotspots at times.
Well, I can’t say I’m a fan of a “traditional English breakfast”. At least not the way my hotel made it.

Lessons & tips: Soho and Covent Garden were probably my favorite parts of London. Pick a sunny day and visit them.
If it’s raining: Imperial War Museum, Science Musem, Serpentine Gallery or Tate Modern.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields give great free lunchtime concerts. Also try Foyle’s Ray’s Jazz [which I missed, because I wrote down the wrong date, FML].
If you need to go somewhere specific, get the full address, mark it on a map, get the contact phone, etc… The first day I only left with my phone and the area code, trusting wi-fi. Wi-fi stopped working. I almost got lost. 20 minutes left until my appointment, and nobody could tell me where I need to go just from the area code. Luckily, somebody let me use their computer.
I would get hot drinks in junk food shops. They seem to be the cheapest there. Starbucks and the like are crazy expensive. And I would grab a cheap snack in Tesco or M&S Food.
Get napkins and sunglasses for your way home. Leaving London will be the saddest, most heartbreaking thing you’ll do.

Resources: Google and more Google
Booking.com
Leaflets picked up in London

Jul 10, 2012, 06:10AM PDT | 2 comments | 20 cheers