London
London was one of my European destinations that I definitely wanted to experience. Although I knew the city was very expensive, I decided to stay at least two nights there. And it was more than worth it.
Arrival & First Impressions
At first I was really surprised by how far the airports are from the city center. Although I had bought a cheap flight ticket, I still had to buy an additional ticket into the city — that is simply part of the deal in London.
Compared to Prague I found London to be very multicultural, cosmopolitan, and lively. I had a special inner feeling because I knew so much about London from English textbooks. Yet the city struck me quite differently — more modern and vibrant, not as old-fashioned as I had imagined it before.
Sights
I naturally wanted to experience all the typical things there. Buckingham Palace was right at the top of my list, along with the large parks and many impressive buildings of the city. London has an incredible density of historical monuments and modern landmarks alike — you could walk through the streets for days and keep discovering something new.
I was particularly impressed by London Bridge. It is not only an impressive structure but also a symbol of the history of this city, which for centuries was the center of a world empire.
Food & Culture
Of course I had to try a classic English breakfast — eggs with bacon and a typical English tea. That is simply a must in London.
For lunch there were Fish and Chips — and they were really very tasty! Despite all the clichés about British food I have to say: if you order the right things, you can eat excellently in London. The city is expensive, no question — but the experience of walking through this lively, cosmopolitan metropolis and feeling its history was worth every penny.
