by Felicia Franken 

* Dutch, Felicia is Hotelmanagement student in Amsterdam and made exchange in England.

The capital of England is beautiful in many different ways. From its impressive Houses of Parliament to an alternative area as Camden Town. If your young or old, there is something to do for everyone! Let's make a walk through some of these amazing places.

Covert Garden

Covent garden is a good starting point if you would like to see the main attractions of the city centre. Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between Charing Cross Road and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as "Covent Garden". The district is divided by two areas. In the north are more independent shops while you can find the big brands in the south. Furthermore there are many street performers, theatres and entertainment facilities. Perfect for a coffee to start with!

Somerset House

Walk further past the Somerset House to the River Thames. This river flows through southern England and is the longest river in England. On the other side of the river you will see the Eye, which is a Ferris wheel and is beautifully decorated with different colours of light at night. A must see in London is off course the Big Ben. Many people think this is the tower itself but its actually the clock in the Elisabeth Tower. You will find it at the Houses of Parliament which holds the British parliament.

Big Ben

If you follow Whitehall you will find Downing Street 10, the house of the prime minister. At the end of Whitehall you'll find Trafalgar Square whit its amazing National Gallery. The museum (free entry) contains paintings of artists as Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh. Even if you're not interested in art, the building itself is worth the visit.

Trafalgar Square

On the other side of Trafalgar Square, you will enter the centre of West End. It contains many tourists attractions, shops, businesses and entertainment venues (including many different theatres). Musicals as 'The Lion King' and 'Les Miserables' are both sold out every night year after year. If you want to visit a musical for cheap, go to one of the last minute musical tickets stands. They sell the last tickets of almost every show. But watch out, because sometimes it seems a cheap deal, but you will have a restrict view seat and then you can't see much!

 "Les Miserables"

If you like to go out, take your money! There are many amazing clubs near Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square but with high entry fees (especially for guys) and high drinking prices. But it is a great experience. Everyone is all dressed up with high heels and dresses. If you were sneakers as a guy, they probably won't even let you in. If you would like to have a good night out without spending all your money, there are plenty of pubs. Favourite are the typical Irish pubs with many local Irish people, Irish beers and Irish band to perform live.

Piccadilly Circus

If you have more time in London, there are enough things to do. Do you like to shop? Oxford Street is the second largest shopping street in the world (with 5th avenue in NY on the 1st place)! You will find all the biggest brands and many department stores as Selfridges and Debenhams. Turn at Oxford Circus on Regent Street. This street with spectacular buildings has more shops including the oldest toy store in the world divided over 7 floors; Hamleys. If you have a bit more money to spend, go to Bond Street (next to Oxford Street) with shops as Gucci and Chanel.

Hamleys

Maybe you're lucky and you're in London on a beautiful sunny day. If you're tired off all the shopping and sightseeing, rest in one the many parks in the centre. The largest is Hyde Park were many people spent their days off. Even concerts will be hold in the summer. Next to Hyde Park is Kensington Gardens. Both parks are next to two really expensive areas of London, Mayfair and Kensington. Make a walk through Mayfair to see the rarest cars you can imagine. In Kensington you will find Harrods, another amazing department store. Furthermore there are many museums as the Science Museum and the National History Museum. Both are free to enter and are really worth the visit.

Camden Town

One of the districts you must see is Camden Town. It's near the London Zoo, and a real upcoming tourist spot. It is an alternative area with many homemade shops. There is a huge market in the old horse stables with items from all over the world. Buy some cheap souvenirs for friends and family at home and buy something nice for yourself off course! The atmosphere is really relaxed but try not to go in the weekend because then it will be crowded with tourists.

There are so many things to do, that I could fill a book. I think one of the best advice I can give is to get lost. Just throw away your map and walk through small streets and become one of the locals. And if you really get lost, then there are enough signs to find your way back.