Tower Bridge: The image that comes to mind with the name of London is Tower Bridge or London Bridge, known as the icon of London. Every country has one or two popular places whose pictures let people know which country you have visited. Tower Bridge is one such structure in front of which everyone takes a picture and says we are London now. Many people think traveling to London is a waste if you don’t see it. Tower Bridge, seen in movies and stills, gives a different thrill when you see it with your own eyes. This bridge over the River Thames symbolizes royal London’s nobility and is one of the oldest structures. The bridge’s architectural style is impressive, and you must take a boat ride under the bridge to get the best view. It is a box girder bridge made of concrete and iron; however, London’s first Roman founders built an earlier wooden bridge over the River Thames. Although there are many beautiful, exceptional, and unique bridges in the world, none is as famous as London’s Tower Bridge which has occupied a different place worldwide for ages and years. Every day many visitors from all over the world come to see this bridge. The prominent feature of this beautiful bridge is its two massive towers. The beauty of this beautiful bridge is different at the time of day and night. The gentle afternoon breeze and the fantastic view of the breeze will make for a lovely time. Another good way to enjoy this bridge is to sit and drink the famous British “afternoon tea” at one of the numerous cafes on both sides. Moreover, if you want to enter the bridge tower, you will have to spend 12.30 euros, giving you access to the walkway, glass floor, and engine room. It is open daily to the public and visitors from 9.30 am to 6 pm. I saw it from a distance due to the massive crowd in the ticket line.
London Eye: One of London’s signature tourist attractions is the London Eye. The world’s giant Ferris wheel can be seen from any part of London. You have to go around to see the extent of its appeal to tourists. The London Eye was built in 1999 on one side of the River Thames, known as the heart of London. All visitors must maintain a serial to board this round ride. At the top of the 135-meter-high spherical London Eye, you can see the entire city of London in a 360-degree panoramic view of up to 25 km. That is why it is named London Eye. Around 15,000 tourists climb here daily in a total of 32 capsules to see the entire city from a bird’s eye view. Each capsule of the London Eye weighs about 10 tons. The 32 capsules represent the 32 suburbs of Greater London, and each capsule can accommodate up to 25 visitors. Each capsule is air-conditioned and has benches for visitors to sit on. The area around the London Eye at night is filled with various lights. A red glow spread around the London Eye. As the lampposts around the River Thames below light up, the image of royal London changes. There are many small and big eateries near the London Eye; however, the prices are a bit high. If you want to enjoy this famous Ferris wheel, you have to buy a ticket online in advance for 30.50 euros, whereas instant tickets will cost 40 euros. Besides, to avoid the serial queue and enter directly, you must buy a ticket for 53 euros.
Palace of Westminster: It was once said that the sun never sets on the British Empire due to British rule over the world. The current parliament building of the British Empire that rules the world is full of nobility. The United Kingdom Parliament, or Westminster Palace, is just 1 km from Buckingham Palace. After the destruction of the Great Fire of 1834, the palace was rebuilt in the Gothic style of aesthetic architecture. Its eye-catching architecture makes it very attractive to tourists. Visitors can enter limited sections with permission, but there is tight security during the sessions. There are several sculptures inside the Palace of Westminster or the Parliament building.
Big Ben: One of London’s landmark icons, Big Ben or Elizabeth Tower, is next to the House of Parliament of the United Kingdom or the Palace of Westminster. The original name of this well-known and popular structure with a height of 315 feet was Clock Tower. At first, it was also known as Great Bell. Some believe that the Great Bell, the world’s largest-sounding quadrangular clock, is named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw the construction of the Great Bell. Some also believe Big Ben is named after English boxer and heavyweight champion Benjamin Conte. The ancient tower houses a giant clock whose hands have been ticking over the years. Weighing more than five tons, the numbers on the front of Big Ben are 2 feet (610 mm), and the minute hand is 1 foot (305 mm) long. This tower, with a height of about 16 floors, is one of the most popular selfie spots in the world.
I don’t understand how three weeks have passed. Now it’s time to return home, and my return flight to Dhaka is from here. I felt a little bit sad. Back to the busy life! I understood the mind; this is the rule. Nothing in the world lasts long; delighted things end quickly. My travel time has also come to an end. I had to leave the magic of one of the most attractive cities I have ever seen but returned with many memories that will no doubt stay with me for a long time. I have explored and learned a lot during my days in Europe. There is no end to seeing and knowing this. So I thought to myself, if I could get a further chance, I would again run to another European city. Until then, may the days of Europe shine in the jewels of memory. In this way, my Europe tour ends with a trip to London. In fact, it is impossible to present all the details of such a long journey, and I am not a writer also. I am just presenting as much as possible. Those who will go in the future may benefit a little by reading my experiences.
Cost:
I had to spend $470 to get a two-year UK visa. A flight ticket from Lisbon to London was $88. I was comfortable in a hotel dorm room for £32 a day, including tax in London. The transport system in London is excellent. You can quickly go from one place to another by train, bus, or plane, and depending on the need, there is a bus or train pass for one day or seven days, or one month. I didn’t need a pass because I intended to explore London on foot all day and cover as much of London as possible in seven days. London is one of the most luxurious cities in the world, where living and dining costs a little more than many cities. London has some of the best hotels in the world and some good mid-range hotels. Although you will get subcontinental food, the taste may be different.
Some Essential Tips for London Tour:
- Go to Europe during the soldering season (usually spring or fall is the soldering season) as it is less cold and sunny.
- Take the necessary measures keeping in mind when you will visit. If you go during winter, take a heavy jacket or warm clothes.
- A travel adapter should be taken with it; otherwise, there may be problems with charging the device at the hotel.
- The weather in London is never guaranteed as it can rain anytime, so it’s wise to have an umbrella.
- Doom-style rooms are the cheapest in Europe, as you have to share a room with strangers. While traveling alone, you can stay in these rooms without worrying about security and meet new friends while seeing new countries. Friends found in travel are as precious as gems found in the ground.
- You don’t need to hire anyone to travel to London; you can travel alone only using Google Maps. Placing the destination on the map will show you how far you have to walk, how far you have to go by train, or how far you have to go by bus. You can even know how often the bus or train is on Google Maps.
- Tap water is completely safe here. So you can drink without buying a bottle if needed.
- The most significant advantage of London is that there is free WiFi throughout the city. So you can go without buying a local SIM card, and WiFi can be connected everywhere on mobile.
- Millions of people visit the British Museum every year. The entry is free, but you have to wait long at the entrance. So take enough time.
- We should follow the laws wherever we go. Please play an essential role in protecting the environment by not littering and obeying traffic laws.