The most exciting capital of Europe !
London is one of the most spectacular cities in Europe. There are so many tourist attractions that you can also guarantee that your trip there will be too short. Some of the “Must-Do’s” should not be missed out on:
So, for example the London Eye. It is the biggest “Ferris Wheel” in the whole world. From the top you will be able to enjoy a spectacular over the whole city. On a good day you can see miles around. The “Big Wheel” was built in 1999 as a monument for the year 2000 and since then has been a main attraction in the city. You will find it on Westminster Bridge Road, directly on the River Thames which can be easily reached in your car hire.
A further symbol which is probably the most famous in London can be found in close proximity to the London Eye- on the other side of the River. Here, you will find the world famous Bell Tower of “Big Ben”. “Big Ben” is actually the heaviest of the 5 bells located inside the tower and not the bell tower itself. The bell “Big Ben” weighs 13.5 tonnes in total. The bell tower as well as “Big Ben” belongs to the Palace of Westminster- an impressive complex of buildings that have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The monumental palace has been built in stately neo-gothic style and today is the headquarters of the British Parliament- this is were its second name the “Houses of Parliament” originates from. In earlier years, the Queens of Britain resided here. From here you will also reach the Palace when you travel in your car hire from the London Eye along New York Road in a southerly direction- then turn right into Bridge Street.
Sightseeing in London
The British Museum is certainly the most important museum in England and is one of the most important museums in the world. The museum began as a private collection at the end of the 18th century. Today, the museum with its in total approximately six million exhibitions (!) provides visitors with an insight into the cultural history of humanity. Some of the most famous pieces are the Rosetta Stone, the sculptures of the Parthenon and the Portland Vase. There is also a library which is part of the museum- that holds approximately 350,000 volumes. In the reading room which has an impressive domed roof- you will find approximately 25,000 of the 350,000 volumes. You will find the British Museum in the district of Bloombury, in Great Russell Street. In order to reach the museum from the Palace of Westminster- in your car rental follow the River Thames in a northerly direction, then turn into Northumberland Avenue, then right into Charing Cross Road- then follow this road until you can turn right into Great Russell Street. The journey shouldn’t take you any longer than 10 minutes.
Madame Tussaud’s Waxworks is also world famous. Here, you will find many current as well as former celebrities modelled in wax that look deceptively real. The museum that was once opened by the founder in 1835 and whose name the waxworks originates from, Marie Tussaud is today one of the worlds most popular attractions. There are branches in many diverse cities from Shanghai to Amsterdam, from New York to the new branch opened in Berlin in 2008. You will find Madame Tussauds in Marylebone Road, south of Regent’s Park. From Great Russell Street, if you travelin your car hire in an easterly direction to Southampton Row. Once you reach here, turn left into Woburn Place and follow this road in a northerly direction. When you reach Euston Road, turn left again and follow the street until you reach Marylebone Road.
Buckingham Palace is just as traditional as the Palace of Westminster which is today main residence of the British Royal family. Every other day at 11.30am you will find a performance of a special type that you should definitely not miss out on. The traditional “Changing of the Queen’s Royal Guard” is one of the main attractions of London- it lasts about 45 minutes and is always a good turn out in good and bad weather!
