[SSfp_Saulo]

I've spent a few days of vacation at London since my trips to England were to Leatherhead and just for work, never really got to know the city.

You can read a small report here: http://saulosilvaphoto.com/2/post/20...ort-fresh.html
And a "review" of Iron Maiden's beer here: http://saulosilvaphoto.com/2/post/20...dens-beer.html

I avoided spending too much time at some tourists attractions like Tower Bridge and London Eye (which I didn't happen to take the ride), I also didn't visit Buckingham Palace because I was too busy going to Abbey Road, Wembley, Liverpool, Wimbledon, Battersea Power Station, Hammersmith... no museums too, basically I planned to go to places with musical history.

It is a large city which needs other trips. July will be too packed with tourists, so I will try September when there's still good light. Oh, yes, I was originally going to Gfinity but they cancelled the SC2 venue right after I had everything setup. When I tried to buy the tickets, venue was no longer in calendar.

[Philosopher]

Sounds like you had a good trip!

Read your review of The Trooper, can't wait to try and find it here in Australia to give it a try. Probably gonna be super expensive here!

[mGGNemesis]

Sounds like u had a great trip ^_^

[Eddie]

Sounds awesome Saulo! Especially since you did some non-traditional stuff, music history themed, etc.

I'll be heading over to the UK in 3 weeks, keen to experience the sights first hand

I'll try and remember to check out the Trooper beer!

[SSfp_Saulo]

Eddie, you can find The Trooper here: http://www.ironmaidenbeer.com/find-beer/stockists
If you already know the zip code of where you are staying, it will list retailers around that location. It is not so common that you will find at any pub, but if you go to big retailers like Sainsbury, it is guaranteed. Or Robinsons directly.

A few advices for your commuting there. You will most likely be using buses and/or trains. Each trip is 4,8 pounds (yes, you read it right), but a travel card, which lasts the whole day, is 12 pounds and you can use it in a number of zones and buses. There are other cards that last longer and will save you $$$ in the long run.

Most common attractions are along the green metro line (District Line), it includes most central stations if you are coming from an airport. Victoria if you come from Gatwick, Hammersmith if you come from Heathrow. Don't remember the one from Stansted.

From the airport to its respective train station you can take a bus, that costs around 12 pounds, takes a million years to arrive due to traffic and are not readily available. Or you can take the express train which costs 20 pounds. You will need another one to return, but if you buy the return trip together, it will cost 35 pounds (save 5).

Food and drink are generally not expensive. If you go to KFC you will spend like 4 pounds, and if you want to go healthier, restaurants will normally start at 8 pounds and go to the stratosphere depending on where you decide to eat. Italian and Thai food are good deals. Alcohol, anything out of Norway I consider cheap. In London half a liter of a good local beer will cost you 2 pounds, here it will be 4x more for a bad beer, so yeah, we are screwed up.

If you are comfortable exploring the train stations with a travel card, I don't recommend buying the ticket for the tour buses, it will cost you AT LEAST 30 pounds (probably more in July). Get a tour booklet from the agents and see what you can do by trains (most likely everything). If you want to do the Thames River boat ride, which I will post a video soon, check the prices just for it (Westminster station), excluding the bus. I don't know how much it costs to go up in London Eye.

In packed train stations, keep your backpack in your sight, too many tourists so you never know. If you are going to stay in Europe for a bit longer, let me know your destinations, I can try to setup a quick trip so we can meet. IIRC, you would go to Stockholm too?

[freeedom]

awesome report... I need to take a trip soon, been itchin' to get away, work just has been so busy. Maybe London, maybe Australia!

Quick Comments

SSfp_Saulo:

You will NOT regret London. That's one busy and diverse city. What are you waiting for? :P