I invite you to do one small quick exercise: scroll through your Facebook newsfeed and you are most likely to find at least one person who is blissfully roaming the charming streets of London, which makes me very jealous. London has become such a common destination, and now that I have been there I understand why.
It is a city for everyone no matter what age you are, what beliefs you have, what kind of person you are and what lifestyle you lead. There is literally something for everyone and there is always something to discover — a new street, a new pub, a new restaurant or a new shop. In my short stay there I have gathered some reasons why you should visit the "Old Smoke’ at least once in your life.
1. The famous sites
The Tower Bridge, the haunting Tower of London, Westminster Palace, Marble Arch, the beautiful squares; the list is endless. There is something to see everywhere you turn your head. Even the architecture of the stores and the shops are a pleasant sight to see, let alone all the wonderful famous landmarks we so often hear about. At night everything seems to become more magical and mesmerizing. There are few things which give me the same liberating feeling as walking across Tower Bridge at night in the bitter cold overlooking the Thames — I promise you, the rest of the World will become irrelevant.
Besides if you get tired of the hustle and bustle of the city you can always have stroll in one of the many picturesque parks you can find through the city. I have been to Regent’s Park and to St. James Park and they are both blissful to look at and have a stroll through. In addition, you can also spot a little adorable squirrel if you’re lucky enough, which is a bonus to the beauty of the parks.
2. Shopping
One does not simply go to London and not go shopping; it takes an awful lot of will power which most of us lack. Shopping in London made me go loco! I was walking along Oxford Street in a sort of trance and in 6 hours I only managed to cover half of one floor at Westfield. There is everything you could ever imagine, something for everyone. My favourite two places are H&M and River Island. I feel like a kid who has just been given candy in there. There is also Primark, which can come in handy if you are lost or feeling homesick. Why? Because it is like a mini Maltese hub in there, like a "Malta goes London’ kind of thing (Maltese swearing included of course!).
3. The pubs and the food
Three words about pubs: I love them, and if it is a London pub, then I love it even more. London is home to approximately 4,500 pubs. If you walk along Circle Line crawl for instance you will find about 27 pubs. No matter how cold it is you won’t pass up on a beer. Besides, the atmosphere is lovely and so warm.
Then there is the food, the glorious food. You name it; London has it because the city offers food from different nationalities all over the world. If you are there however make sure to grab some local fish and chips, it is mouthwatering.
4. It is home to the QUEEN!
Most of you will probably say they don’t care if it’s home to the Queen. But let’s face it, most of you were still probably glued to your television sets when William and Kate tied the knot, gossiping about Kate’s dress and were just as curious about what the royal baby will be named. Besides, you might even bump into Prince Harry, not bad aye? He’ll be wearing clothes though, London is no Vegas. However, joking apart, Buckingham Palace is one stunning sight to see, it is beautiful and it will stun you at how majestic it is more than you have every imagined it and it is sort of funny you’ll be standing little far away from the Queen you so much hear about back at home.
5. The life-saving tube
The glorious London Underground, there is nothing quite like it. To make the above mentioned easier to enjoy, the transport in London is amazing. The tube is fascinating and truly a beauty in how it works. One time I lost the train for a split of a second. While I was ranting about it, not a minute had passed that another train came. Bliss — there is no other way to describe it. Besides, once you understand the tube map you will realize how painfully simple it is. You’ll also be back home chanting the words "Mind the Gap’ wearing a t-shirt with the logo of the Underground on it.
So ladies and gentlemen, even though I have not met Prince Harry (I managed to spot a squirel though which may be equally adorable) those were my main reasons why you should visit London at least once in your life. It however is by no means an exhaustive list; there are tonnes of other things which make the city a fabolous desitination. I was told for instance that Camden Town is also a beauty to go visit. That’s pretty great, I now have an extra excuse to go visit the "Old Smoke’ again.
