Arts & Entertainment
 

Have some fun in London Town

Architecture, clubs let travelers see many different sides of the city for a low price

By Sarah Ohmer
The Daily Cougar

London is like that Spice Girl who never smiled -- posh, cold, usually wet, but on a rare occasion, bright and sunny. If you book anything online from home, remember that one pound equals about $2. That's the price you pay to visit the kingdom that gave birth to this nation. Penny pinchers, upon your arrival, buy a weekend public transport pass at a tube (subway) station. You'll get unlimited double-decker and tube rides for two days.

Here's something a fiery Parisian college student concocted there -- ride by the Westminster Abbey, get off at the Buckingham Palace, stroll down the park to Trafalgar Square, hop on another double-decker to the Piccadilly Circus, and as the French would say, "lick the shops' windows." Soho Quarter is then walking distance away. Among Indian, Greek, Tunisian and other international restaurants, Soho hides London's sex shops and cabarets in narrow streets.

It's conveniently close to the gay community plastered with rainbow flags. Pubs serve pints all over these neighborhoods, of course, but not past 11 p.m., or 22:00 hours. Stella's is the cheap beer to have, but Guinness is more satisfying. It fills you up more than fish and chips, the cheapest plate served in town. Fabric, on Charterhouse Street, gives an authentic fix to ex- and current party kids, and dedicated drum 'n' bass listeners. The club is DJ Hype's home every Friday night, and top names like Andy C, Grooverider, Ed Rush, and others stop by frequently to visit him on stage.

The London City Youth Hostel Association hostel houses travelers in a bunk for about $20, 10 minutes away from the club, and conveniently located close to St. Paul's Cathedral and tube station.

Also, from Big Ben, motivated hikers can follow the Thames River to the Tower Bridge. You'll come across the surreal Salvador Dali and Saatchi galleries, and the famous London bridge. There's also a castle to visit by the Tower Bridge. If you're short on cash, make yourself leave before you can see anything else. 

May our photographer suggest Cleopatra's Needle, by the Thames and close to Trafalgar Square -- the private chill spot on public property, especially after dinner.

To get around by bus, check out www.eurolines.com; by plane, check out www.ryanair.com, www.virginexpress.com or www.easyjet.com. Buses may not necessarily be cheaper and are definitely slower. Don't take the Eurostar train that runs through the channels unless they have specials. You can find that out at www.eurostar.com.
 
 

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