LONDON
From hostel world.com
1. London is one of Europe's largest cities
London has a population of 7.5 million people and covers 600 square miles which makes it one of Europe's largest cities. Over 270 nationalities live there and between them they speak over 250 languages, more than any other city in the world.
2. For travelling the 'Tube' buy a 'travel card' or an 'Oyster Card'
London's underground, better known as the 'Tube' transports over 1 billion people around the English capital every year. There are 12 lines in operation and because many of the city's top attractions have their own stops, you'll definitely use it at some stage.
For buying tickets you should buy one of these two:
Off-peak travelcard for zones 1 and 2: Costing just over £5, this will permit you unlimited travel on the tube within zones 1 and 2, which should be enough for any visitor to the city
Oyster Card: These can be picked up at tube stations. They cost £3 and work on a pay as you go basis. Each journey then costs £1.50, but there is a 'capping' scheme where once you use a certain amount, it will stop taking money off your card. They make travelling on the tube cheaper, easier and quicker.
For buying tickets you should buy one of these two:
Off-peak travelcard for zones 1 and 2: Costing just over £5, this will permit you unlimited travel on the tube within zones 1 and 2, which should be enough for any visitor to the city
Oyster Card: These can be picked up at tube stations. They cost £3 and work on a pay as you go basis. Each journey then costs £1.50, but there is a 'capping' scheme where once you use a certain amount, it will stop taking money off your card. They make travelling on the tube cheaper, easier and quicker.
3. Many of the world's most instantly recognizable landmarks are here
Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Buckinham Palace, Tower Bridge and more landmarks can be found in London. A great way to see lots of them in a short space of time is by going on a walk up the Thames from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge. First you'll see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, then the London Eye, while further down the river you'll see St Paul's Cathedral, the Gherkin Building, Tate Modern, Tower of London and, of course, Tower Bridge.
4. The city's top museums and galleries are free
Many of London's top museums and galleries are free. This includes the Natural History Museum and Science Museum on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, and the Victoria and Albert Museum around the corner from here on Cromwell Road. Closer to the West End are the National Portrait Gallery on St Martin's Place behind Trafalgar Square, along with the National Gallery which is actually on Trafalgar Square. The famous Tate Modern is also free, while the most popular of all is the British Museum on Great Russell Street which has over 7 million artifacts.
5. There are lots of parks to chill out in
As London is such a busy city, it's good to know there are lots of parks to chill out in. The biggest and best known is Hyde Park which is full of lakes and fountains, and is where you will find the famous ‘Speakers Corner' where people come to speak their mind on all subjects every Sunday morning. Other parks worth checking out are St James's Park and Green Park in front of Buckingham Palace, and Regents Park and Primrose Hill up in North London.
6. This is one of the best cities in the world for shopping
Some of the best known streets for shopping in London are Carnaby Street, Regent Street and Oxford Street. The famous department store Harrods can be found in Knightsbridge, while bargains can be found at the markets in Camden Town.
7. It's got some really cool neighborhoods
Suburbs mentioned in the video are:
Covent Garden: Home to lots of trendy clothes shops and restaurants. (Tube: Covent Garden)
Soho: Full of bars and restaurants, and the city's gay quarter. (Tubes: Piccadilly Circus / Tottenham Court Road)
Camden Town: More like a big town than a big city due to its lock, markets, eclectic clothes shops and tattoo parlours. (Tube: Camden Town)
Notting Hill: Extremely popular since the 1999 movie of the same name. Its main thoroughfare is Portobello Road which is lined with cafes and antique shops. You can even visit the shop where Hugh Grant's character worked in the film. (Tubes: Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove)
7. It's got some really cool neighborhoods
Suburbs mentioned in the video are:
Covent Garden: Home to lots of trendy clothes shops and restaurants. (Tube: Covent Garden)
Soho: Full of bars and restaurants, and the city's gay quarter. (Tubes: Piccadilly Circus / Tottenham Court Road)
Camden Town: More like a big town than a big city due to its lock, markets, eclectic clothes shops and tattoo parlours. (Tube: Camden Town)
Notting Hill: Extremely popular since the 1999 movie of the same name. Its main thoroughfare is Portobello Road which is lined with cafes and antique shops. You can even visit the shop where Hugh Grant's character worked in the film. (Tubes: Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove)
8. You have to try some local specialties when eating out
Two famous local specialties are:
Fish and chips: This speaks for itself! There all sorts of fish to try, but for authentic ‘fish and chips' try cod. A great place to try it is The Golden Hind (73 Marylebone Lane; Tube: Bond St) off the top of Oxford Street
Sausage and mash: This is sausage and mashed potatoes. Sausages are generally made from pork although there are lots of variations. To try this visit the S & M Cafe (48 Brushfield Street; Tube: Liverpool Street) in the east end of the city centre
Fish and chips: This speaks for itself! There all sorts of fish to try, but for authentic ‘fish and chips' try cod. A great place to try it is The Golden Hind (73 Marylebone Lane; Tube: Bond St) off the top of Oxford Street
Sausage and mash: This is sausage and mashed potatoes. Sausages are generally made from pork although there are lots of variations. To try this visit the S & M Cafe (48 Brushfield Street; Tube: Liverpool Street) in the east end of the city centre
9. Shop around when looking for discounted theatre tickets
Along with New York's Broadway, London's West End is the most famous theatre district in the world. The best known place to get discounted tickets is the TKTS Booth in Leicester Square but shop around other booths, also around Leicester Square, along with ones around Piccadilly Circus.
10. Go east rather than west for nightlife
Even though there are loads of bars around Piccadilly Circus and Soho in the West End, you should check out some of areas east of the city for bars like Shoreditch and Hoxton.
Big Chill Bar (Dray Walk, off Brick Lane; Tube Liverpool Street, Aldgate East): One of London's coolest bars and has different DJs every night of the week.
Jam and Kick Near the corner of Shoreditch High Street and Old Street and always busy on weekends.Bluu (1 Hoxton Square; Tube: Old St): On the site of the old Blue Note jazz club and the best bar around Hoxton Square.
1. Paris is broken up into 20 arrondissements
Big Chill Bar (Dray Walk, off Brick Lane; Tube Liverpool Street, Aldgate East): One of London's coolest bars and has different DJs every night of the week.
Jam and Kick Near the corner of Shoreditch High Street and Old Street and always busy on weekends.Bluu (1 Hoxton Square; Tube: Old St): On the site of the old Blue Note jazz club and the best bar around Hoxton Square.
PARIS:
Each one has its own characteristics and neighborhoods, and varies in size. When walking around the city, to see what arrondissement you're in, simply look at the streets signs.
2. You can get around by Metro, RER, or 'Velib' bikeThese are three very good ways to get around the French capital.
Metro: . The city's metro underground system is extremely efficient and, because there are stops everywhere, you're never far from a station.
RER: The RER is operated by larger trains has extremely conveniently locations throughout the city.
'Velib' bike: These are public bikes all over the city. To rent them you need to give your credit card details as security and pay €1 as subscription per day.
Metro: . The city's metro underground system is extremely efficient and, because there are stops everywhere, you're never far from a station.
RER: The RER is operated by larger trains has extremely conveniently locations throughout the city.
'Velib' bike: These are public bikes all over the city. To rent them you need to give your credit card details as security and pay €1 as subscription per day.
3. There are lots of green areas to chill out in
As France is the capital of France, it's a very busy city. But there are lots of green areas to relax in when it gets busy:
Jardin du Tuileries: This park in front of Musee du Louvre has a lake and fountain for relaxing around.
Parc du Champ de Mars: A great place to relax right under the Eiffel Tower.
Jardin de Trocadero: Small gardens either side of a fountain across the river from the Eiffel Tower.
Jardin de Luxembourg: Located in the 5th Arrondissement, these are Paris' best-known gardens. Is also home to Palais du Luxembourg, one of the city's most beautiful buildings.
As France is the capital of France, it's a very busy city. But there are lots of green areas to relax in when it gets busy:
Jardin du Tuileries: This park in front of Musee du Louvre has a lake and fountain for relaxing around.
Parc du Champ de Mars: A great place to relax right under the Eiffel Tower.
Jardin de Trocadero: Small gardens either side of a fountain across the river from the Eiffel Tower.
Jardin de Luxembourg: Located in the 5th Arrondissement, these are Paris' best-known gardens. Is also home to Palais du Luxembourg, one of the city's most beautiful buildings.
4. The main museums are free on the first Sunday of the month
If you haven't booked your trip to Paris just yet, here's a tip – plan your trip around the first Sunday of the month when the big museums are free. This includes Musee d'Orsasy, the Museum of Modern Art at the Pompidou Centre, and the best known of all, the Louvre. So if you visit even two of these in the one day you'll save yourself almost €20.5. The River Seine is an attraction in its own right. Dividing Paris in two, the River Seine is an attraction in its own right. Make sure to relax on its banks, admire the landmarks along it, and the bridges that cross it. The best way to appreciate it though is by going on one of the boat tours. But before booking yourself on to one shop around as some are open top, some aren't, and some are more expensive than others.
If you haven't booked your trip to Paris just yet, here's a tip – plan your trip around the first Sunday of the month when the big museums are free. This includes Musee d'Orsasy, the Museum of Modern Art at the Pompidou Centre, and the best known of all, the Louvre. So if you visit even two of these in the one day you'll save yourself almost €20.5. The River Seine is an attraction in its own right. Dividing Paris in two, the River Seine is an attraction in its own right. Make sure to relax on its banks, admire the landmarks along it, and the bridges that cross it. The best way to appreciate it though is by going on one of the boat tours. But before booking yourself on to one shop around as some are open top, some aren't, and some are more expensive than others.
6. It's got some cool neighborhoods
Paris has some really cool neighbourhoods.
The Latin Quarter: South of the Seine and full of narrow, pedestrianised streets.
The Right Bank: Also full of narrow streets, but things aren't as busy here.
Le Marais: This is Paris' gay quarter.
St Germain: A big yet extremely charming neighbourhood in the 6th and 7th arrondissements.
Montmartre: Probably the best-known neighbourhood and full of alternative shops and cafes.
Paris has some really cool neighbourhoods.
The Latin Quarter: South of the Seine and full of narrow, pedestrianised streets.
The Right Bank: Also full of narrow streets, but things aren't as busy here.
Le Marais: This is Paris' gay quarter.
St Germain: A big yet extremely charming neighbourhood in the 6th and 7th arrondissements.
Montmartre: Probably the best-known neighbourhood and full of alternative shops and cafes.
7. Parisians like to shop
Shopping is a popular past time in Paris and there are lots of good places to do it. The Champs Elysees has many recognisable brand names, as does Rue de Rivoli in the Right Bank. Also in the Right Bank are streets like Rue Saint Denis and Rue des Lombards where you will find more alternative shops. One of the city's most popular markets is Porte de Clignancourt which is held every Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Here you can pick up everything from CDs to clothes.
Shopping is a popular past time in Paris and there are lots of good places to do it. The Champs Elysees has many recognisable brand names, as does Rue de Rivoli in the Right Bank. Also in the Right Bank are streets like Rue Saint Denis and Rue des Lombards where you will find more alternative shops. One of the city's most popular markets is Porte de Clignancourt which is held every Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Here you can pick up everything from CDs to clothes.
8. Different areas are known for different cuisines
When it comes to eating out in Paris different areas are known for different cuisines:
Pletzl: The place to go for kosher food.
Latin Quarter: On streets such as Rue de la Huchette here you'll find lots of Greek restaurants. And rue Mouffetard & rue Pot de Fer are where to go for typical French cuisine.
Belleville: This area is in the northeast of the city and is full of Asian restaurants.
When it comes to eating out in Paris different areas are known for different cuisines:
Pletzl: The place to go for kosher food.
Latin Quarter: On streets such as Rue de la Huchette here you'll find lots of Greek restaurants. And rue Mouffetard & rue Pot de Fer are where to go for typical French cuisine.
Belleville: This area is in the northeast of the city and is full of Asian restaurants.
9. To socialise like a Parisian, don't go bar-hopping...
If you want to socialise like a true Parisian, instead of going bar-hopping for the night get some cheese and wine and sit down by the banks of the River Seine, such as Quai de la Tournelle behind the Notre Dame Cathedral. But if you are intent on seeing Paris' nightlife, the area around Place de la Bastille is a good place to go.
If you want to socialise like a true Parisian, instead of going bar-hopping for the night get some cheese and wine and sit down by the banks of the River Seine, such as Quai de la Tournelle behind the Notre Dame Cathedral. But if you are intent on seeing Paris' nightlife, the area around Place de la Bastille is a good place to go.
10. The Eiffel Tower looks even more impressive at night than it does during the day
Climbing 324 metres into the Parisian sky, the Eiffel Tower is the French capital's most-famous attraction so make sure to visit it during the day. But make sure to also visit the famous tower at night when it looks even more beautiful. And once it gets dark, every hour on the hour until 1am, or 2am in the summer, it sparkles for five minutes.
Climbing 324 metres into the Parisian sky, the Eiffel Tower is the French capital's most-famous attraction so make sure to visit it during the day. But make sure to also visit the famous tower at night when it looks even more beautiful. And once it gets dark, every hour on the hour until 1am, or 2am in the summer, it sparkles for five minutes.
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