London

Question of the week: What do you think distinguishes London from any other cosmopolitan city and makes it worth visiting a second time?

"It is impossible to see not all, but most, of London’s treasures in one visit as the city is so overwhelmingly filled with exciting places and events. London is not a static city but a bustling centre that is constantly evolving; chances are, when you get here a second time, there will be numerous places to see or events to visit that were not here the first time around!"- Christina

* Photo by MykReeve, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London

Question of the week: What do you think distinguishes London from any other cosmopolitan city and makes it worth visiting a second time?

"I think – and this is a personal opinion without objective evidence – but I think the balance of past, present and future is what makes London so special – two thousand years of history, not preserved in aspic, but rubbing up alongside new development, new communities, new ways of life. Not even the history stands still – there are constantly new discoveries and new interpretations and presentations of London’s past. Whatever your area of interest, there’s always something new to come back for, as well as a goodly chance that your old favorite will still be here. "- Miss Alice

* Photo by ThisParticularGreg, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

What to do...again

Question of the week: If you only had two weeks left in London, what would you make sure to visit or see again?

"I would go visit the museums one last time. There aren't many cities that offer free entrance to the museums, and, well, I would make sure to go on my museum round one last time. Most importantly, I would have a walk around the centre of the city--watch people, cross the street with the characteristically round, lit globes showing the way on each pedestrian crossing, sit by the Thames with a cup of coffee, and take mental photos that would eventually morph into positive memories."- Christina

* Photo by xjyxjy, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

What to do...again

Question of the week: If you only had two weeks left in London, what would you make sure to visit or see again?

"One of my favorite places is the Tower of London - I know that it seems expensive, but it's one of the oldest castles in England, there are Beefeaters, ravens and the crown jewels. What more could you want?"- Kris

* Photo by mbrand, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

What to do...again

Question of the week: If you only had two weeks left in London, what would you make sure to visit or see again?

"A performance at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre."- Prof Kucich

* Photo by I am I.A.M., used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

What to do...again

Question of the week: If you only had two weeks left in London, what would you make sure to visit or see again?

"That’s a tough one, because it all depends on where you’ve already been, and what’s important to you… Personally, I’d be trying to squeeze in as much as possible – dinner in places that do good food *and* have something unique about them, studying at the Bishopsgate Institute or The British Museum, going to one of the lidos or up to Hampstead Heath to swim instead of a regular gym visit. I’d want to prioritize things that are very London specific – gigs and readings and events as well as historic sites and beautiful buildings – and if you can score some more double-value things at the same time, grab them with both hands – head up to Rough Trade East and explore Brick Lane and Spitalsfield Market.

I’d also put a premium on enjoying my regular locals before I had to leave – I’d probably spend my last day in London having lunch and tea at my local cafes, a final pilgrimage to Foyles and the British Museum, walk the familiar route down the river to Tower Hill, and hop on the DLR so I could admire the views on my way to Pudding Mill Lane for a final glimpse of the Olympic Park, and then walk home talking lots of photos of those very ordinary details that you tend not think about! "- Miss Alice

* Photo by J. A. Alcaide, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Outdoor London

Question of the week: Can you recommend a cafe or pub with an outdoor patio or rooftop terrace that you think is worth seeing?

"I like terraces and patios as long as there isn't too much street traffic. Considering that London is mostly made up of street-side restaurants, pubs, and cafes, it is a bit more challenging to find a tranquil outdoor space where the sound of the bus doesn't serve as your background music. For this reason, I recommend Covent Garden. Though crowded, the centre provides a great variety of little restaurants and cafes where you can sit, relax, and watch the pedestrian traffic instead of the car traffic!"- Christina

* Photo by Tilemahos_E, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Outdoor London

Question of the week: Can you recommend a cafe or pub with an outdoor patio or rooftop terrace that you think is worth seeing?

"Have you found the cafe in St. James' Park? There is seating, or take your goodies and have a picnic by the lake!"- Kris

* Photo by Alex Akopyan, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Outdoor London

Question of the week: Can you recommend a cafe or pub with an outdoor patio or rooftop terrace that you think is worth seeing?

"The Lamb, on Lamb’s Conduit Street, one of the best pubs in London, and even better, my local!"- Prof Kucich

* Photo by Cian O'Donovan, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Outdoor London

Question of the week: Can you recommend a cafe or pub with an outdoor patio or rooftop terrace that you think is worth seeing?

"No one’s going to be surprised if I come up with suggestions facing the river, are they? Head east on the north bank to find the Prospect of Whitby, and on the south side of the river, The Mayflower in Rotherhithe – both have history and river view patios to recommend them – and The Mayflower does an excellent Sunday lunch."- Miss Alice

* Photo by Fabiana Zonca, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Easter in London

Question of the week: Are there any Easter-related activities you would like to recommend?

"If it's a reasonably warm day, I suggest you spend the day outdoors as much as possible. Whether you are following the massive London Easter Egg-Hunt or relaxing at a nearby park with some food, or watching the boat race by the Thames, Easter is (hopefully) meant to be an outdoor occasion!"- Christina

* Photo by barryskeates, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Easter in London

Question of the week: Are there any Easter-related activities you would like to recommend?

"Check out The Old Vic Tunnels, which is planning to host an underground Victorian Era Easter theme park."- Prof Kucich

* Photo by guioconnor, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Easter in London

Question of the week: Are there any Easter-related activities you would like to recommend?

"Check out Strictly Easter Ballroom on Friday, 6 April. There are lessons for everyone, demonstrations, music, and it's all Free! "- Kris

* Photo by ktylerconk, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Easter in London

Question of the week: Are there any Easter-related activities you would like to recommend?

"The passion play staged in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday is always a huge event. Maybe balance out the crowds there with a visit to one of London’s City Farms, for some Easter-time chicks, lambs, and donkeys, and a breath of fresh air. Mudchute Park is a good bet for all of the above."- Miss Alice

* Photo by tomaszd, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Countdown to the Olympics

Question of the week:
Do you have any tips on how to go about seeing the Olympic Park by foot, or coach, or public transport?

"The DLR – Docklands Light Railway – offers some great opportunities to get close to the Olympic park. If you’re coming from Docklands, or from Tower Hill, the section from Pudding Mill Lane to Stratford runs right alongside the park, with some great views of the main stadium, and your only chance to see the beautiful Aquatics Centre “end on”, and so glimpse the wave form of the main building, which is hidden by the temporary “wings” from any other angle. The platforms at both Pudding Mill Lane and Stratford are high enough to give you good views, too. If you change at Stratford for the other DLR line, you can ride right through the middle of the park, to Stratford International DLR station – one of five new stations in east London created for the games. To be honest, you don’t get the most scenic views from the train – up close and personal with the side of the Waterpolo venue, and then underground for a spell – but when you come up the escalators at the station, you’re right at the gates of the Athlete’s Village. It might not be as flashy as the main stadium, but it’s an interesting development, none the less, and a big part of the legacy planning. It’s going to be the “greenest” large scale new residential development in Europe when it’s finished! What you can see rather depends on the building work going on - there’s a floating population of porta-cabins and cranes which sometimes block the view, but look out for the green roofs, and the panels from the Parthenon friezes on some of the buildings. "- Miss Alice

* Photo by Andy Wilkes, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Countdown to the Olympics

Question of the week: “Do you have any tips on how to go about seeing the Olympic Park by foot, or coach, or public transport?”

"The View Tube, located on the Greenway at Pudding Mill Lane has some of the best views going! This social enterprise project offers a café and garden, to go along with the view, as well as information and artistic responses to the park. You can even hire a bike to help you explore the area that way. (The other main viewing platform is from the other side of the park, in John Lewis in the Westfield Stratford City development – the contrast of settings is quite noticeable!)"- Miss Alice

* Photo by Andy Wilkes, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Countdown to the Olympics

Question of the week: “Do you have any tips on how to go about seeing the Olympic Park by foot, or coach, or public transport?”

"To continue from yesterday’s recommendation, you also have the option of buying a ticket for a 1.30pm tour from www.visitbritainshop.com which slightly differs from the 11am tour.

The afternoon group can meet at Leyton Underground Station at 1.30pm for an approximate 1.45pm start which would end at, approximately, 4pm. This is a much more extensive walk, and comfortable shoes and energy are essential! So, for any of you who like to add exercise into your daily routine, you can both exercise and view the Olympic Park on one go! This particular guided tour will get a closer view of the Athletes Village and the Velodrome.

The only remaining tour of this type is this coming Saturday, 31st May. So, if you want, make sure you sign up quickly if any spots are still available! The price is still at £9 per person."- Christina

* Photo by STML, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Countdown to the Olympics

Question of the week: “Do you have any tips on how to go about seeing the Olympic Park by foot, or coach, or public transport?”

"To see the Olympic Park with a guided tour, starting 1st April, there will be a Daily Olympic Park as provided by www.visitbritainshop.com starting at 11am and another at 1.30pm. More details tomorrow on the 1.30pm tour.

If you want to catch the 11am tour, which is not as extensive and doesn’t get very close to the Velodrome, go to Bromley By Bow Underground Station at 10.45am where a tour guide will meet you (and anyone else who has booked) and walk you through Lower Lea valley and old mill paths and ends on a footpath where you can view the 2012 Olympic Park construction sight. This tour provides information on why Stratford was selected as the main site for the Olympics, venue specifics, athlete information, and what will happen to the site once the Games are over.

You must visit the website to book in advance! The price is at an affordable £9. Why not use this unique opportunity to witness the making of something as historical and grand as the Olympic Games?"- Christina

* Photo by Sum_of_Marc, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Sunny Saturday

Question of the week: “How do you like to spend a sunny Saturday in London?”

"If it's warm enough then there is only one place to go—Hampstead Heath! I like to take a Wordsworthian stroll around the Heath in the late morning, have a picnic on Parliament Hill for lunch, then a quick dip in the Mixed Ponds, followed by tea and scones at Kenwood House. The dream day!"-Jamie

* Photo by pj london, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Sunny Saturday

Question of the week: “How do you like to spend a sunny Saturday in London?”

"When the weather gets warmer, go for a swim in beautiful Hampstead Heath ponds. There is one pond for males, one for females, and one mixed, so you have options!"- Prof Kucich

* Photo by RachelH_, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Sunny Saturday

Question of the week: “How do you like to spend a sunny Saturday in London?”

"Out walking – almost any stretch of the Thames path has much to recommend it, or the Greenway as it runs up past the Olympic site, or exploring one of London’s parks: Crystal Palace in North London, and Nunhead Cemetery in South London both have satisfying hills to climb, and fantastic views back over the city to reward you.

The walk down the river from Conway Hall to Greenwich , for example, is a fantastic way to spend a day walking and talking and photographing with friends, and you can stop off at Borough market on the way to pick up a gourmet picnic."- Miss Alice

* Photo by Simon Welsh, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Sunny Saturday

Question of the week: “How do you like to spend a sunny Saturday in London?”

"Sunny Saturday:

My favourite way to spend a Saturday is to start slow, and head to the Real Food Market behind Royal Festival Hall for lunch. After seeing what's happening on the South Bank, I like to enjoy the weather and take a walk - it doesn't matter where. I'll likely take a couple of breaks along the way to sit and enjoy the view, a coffee, or a chapter or two in my book. Maybe I'll head to an area I haven't been to before, maybe I'll go somewhere familiar. Once I get tired, I head home. Nothing exciting, but I enjoy it!"- Kris

* Photo by Tomasz Tom Kulbowski, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Sunny Saturday

Question of the week: “How do you like to spend a sunny Saturday in London?”

"I usually spend the first part of a sunny Saturday shielding my sleepy eyes from the bright rays that creep through the window. It doesn’t take long, however, to get out of bed and prepare to get out in the sun and what better way to do that than at one of London’s glorious parks? Primrose Hill is one of my favourite picnic spots, along with St James’s. A park in London is the equivalent of a beach in any coastal city. Though there is no swimming, you will find people sunbathing, eating, socialising, playing all sorts of games, jogging, cycling, reading, and the list goes on and on. It’s a cheerful atmosphere, and the greenery all around you is mesmerizingly soothing as the bustling sounds of the city are muted by the vastness of green space."-Christina

* Photo by damo1977, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Spring Break 2012

The blog will be on break while many of you travel for Spring Break. We will be back next week, but in the meantime, we wish you safe travels and look forward to the second half of the semester!

* Photo by Stephan Geyer, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Shakespeare Festival

Question of the week: Spring sees numerous festivals in London. This Spring, in particular, the World Shakespeare Festival will host international theatre companies performing works of Shakespeare in different languages. Which international production would you be curious to see?

"Cymbeline in Japanese.

If I could see any of the World Shakespeare Festival productions, I would want to see Yukio Ninagawa's take on Cymbeline. Cymbeline is not performed as often as some of Shakespeare's other plays, so seeing it live at all is a treat - but Ninagawa uses Japanese cultural references to interesting effect when he stages Western dramas. Japan's formal and honour-based culture resonates with Shakespeare's 'historical' tragedies, and I'm sure that Cymbeline will be amazing."- Kris

* Photo by World of Good, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.