I’ve had a few friends come and visit me here in London on a flying visit. And usually, they would like to see as much as they can of the city within a short space of time. So I’ve developed a quick tour guide to be able to see most of London’s hotspots a day. Below, you’ll find my recommendation to tour the city of London.

Firstly, I’d recommend that you purchase a day travel pass that allows you to travel on the London Underground and all the buses. This should cost about £5.60 and will be a cheap way to tour London.

1. Visit Buckingham Palace.

Image credit: JimmyHarris

Go on the underground and take a trip to Victoria. When you come out of the station, there is Buckingham Palace road, which leads to one of the residences of the British Royal family. Next to the palace are the royal gardens which are nice to view as well.

2. Explore Central London
The following will be a bit like moving around on the monopoly board. Catch the train  and start at Picadilly Circus.

Image source : aaronjwebb

Picadilly Circus is a famous road junction in London’s West End. It connects with Regent Street and Shaftsbury Avenue which leads down to Leicester Square. In Picadilly Circus, you’ll find Eros, the Angel of Christian Charity on top of the water fountain and you can also view the trademark neon signs, the London Pavilion and the Criterion Theatre.
In the area, you will find the buzz of musicals and theatres, as well as many restaurants and  the opportunity to explore Chinatown which is just a short walk away.

3. Stroll to Leicester Square

Leicester Square is a short walk away from Picadilly Circus and just south of Charings Cross road is a pedestrianised square. Formerly a residency for the English Heirachy and royals, it is now a prominent entertainment area with restaurants, clubs, pubs and side show amusements.

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4. Advance to Trafalgar Square

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Trafalgar Square is an iconic place to visit in London. One of the most famous squares in the world with the centre having Nelson’s column guarded byonic statues at the base.
Accessible from Charings Cross underground station, it is adjacent to the National Art Gallery and is a great place in the summer for a picnic, open exhibits and expeiencing the squares buzz by the fountain.

5. Sip a pint in Covent Garden.

Covent Garden is aLondon’s hotspot for street performers and various entertainment facilities. You’ll find that Covent Garden market and piazza popular venues with numerous retail outlets, open air restaurants and outdoor pubs. It’s a great social hangout any day of the week.

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6. Shop til you drop in Oxford Street.

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Make your way down to Oxford Street, which is one of the prime shopping districts in London. Adjacent to Oxford Street, you will find Regent Street and Carnaby Street which also houses some well known High Street Shops.

Image source: Shirley Buxton

London Bridge is London’s most famous and historical bridge. It has been around for approximately 2000 years. It was the first bridge across the River Thames built by the Romans when they first occupied London in the early millenium.

8. Tower Bridge

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Tower Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the Thames with two suspension towers and is situated next to the Tower of London.

9. Tower of London

Image souce: Rob Inh00d

The Tower Of London was built in 1078 by William The Conquerer and is the oldest building used by the British Government. The Tower of London has been used as a  fortress, a royal palace and a prison. You will also be able to see the famous Beefeater Guards to the Tower Of London.

10. Kensington

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Catch the train to Holborn and visit the British Museum. It holds alot of historical artifacts and you can actually get lost in there for hours.

Catch the train to South Kensington. You will find the other museums such as the science museum down there and the Royal Albert Hall, which is also another cool place to visit.

11. Visit the camden markets in North London.

Image source: [wendy]

Just off the Regent’s Canal, this market is a primary location for craft, clothing and fast food shopping. A must shopping place in London.  The Camden markets can be accessed from Camden Station Underground.

12. Big Ben

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Big Ben is one of London’s most iconic landmarks. It is the third largest  four faced chime clock in the world and has been around for 150 years. You can find Big Ben adjacent to Westminster.

Australia is a beautiful country. There are quite a few reknown places which reflect Australia’s beauty, history and culture. Below, you will find ten cool places to visit whilst travelling through Australia.

1. Visit the 12 Apostles along the Great Ocean Road

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You can find the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road, which runs along the Southern Victoria coastline. The Twelve Apostles are a collection of limestone stacks that have formed from cliff erosion and arch collapses. You can also opt for a helicopter ride for an aerial view the Twelve Apostles and the Great Ocean Road coastline.

2. Visit the Nightime Glitter of Melbourne’s Southbank

Image Source: N1RS

Melbourne’s Southbank stretches along the bank of the Yarra River and offers a wide range of culture and entertainment with trendy cafes, arts theatres and markets. Check out the Eureka tower or have fun down at the Crown Casino, which offers a dynamic nightlife activities and spectacles.

3. Visit the 3 sisters in the Blue Mountains

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Visit the Blue Mountains, which are World Heritage listed andhave 7 national parks. In the area, you will find traditional aboriginal stencils on caves, the Giant’s staircase; a walking track runs down a cliff into the Jamison Valley.

The most famous landmark are the Three Sisters, Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo who are said to be a part of the Indigeonous Australian Dreamtime Ledgend.

Along the Blue Mountains trail, you come to the base of Katoomba Falls.

The Blue Mountains offer some of the most scenic and beautiful sites in Australia.

4. Sing a song at the Sydney Opera House

Image Source: Jimmy Harris

Probably Australia’s most iconic building, it is a multi venue performing arts centre. The Sydney Opera house is another one of Australia’s World Heritage site listings and is in Sydney’s city centre, adjacent to Darling Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

5. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

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The iconic image of the Sydney Harbour bridge connects Sydney’s CBD to Sydney’s North shore. It is the fifth longest arch bridge in the world. You can join a tour to climb to the top of the Bridge and marvel at the views of Sydney’s CBD and North Shores.

6.See the beauty of Bondi Beach

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Bondi beach is a great place to hangout. You can have a barbecue by the beach and enjoy the waves. You can even join with friends and strangers for a game of beach volleyball whilst working on your sun tan.

7. Catch some surf and sun at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast

Image source: d.i.

Visit the city that is on the beach. The city offers a spectacular skyline and lovely beaches , as well as a lively area for restaurants, clubs, pubs and shopping. Take a frisbee, an esky with food and drinks, round up a couple mates and hire a surf board and enjoy the spoils that Surfers Paradise has to offer.

(Also if you are in the area, be sure to visit Shiloh Jamaican Restaurant for some tropical cuisine that is along the tropical coastline just up the road at Southport. After a quick bite there, you can enjoy the views of the Southport Beach coastline. You can see more details at www.shi-lohjamaican.com )

8. Marvel the views on Kangaroo Point and Southbank

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Situated on the eastern point of the Brisbane River, Kangaroo Point is a marvel to look at by night. View the skyline of Brisbane’s CBD, take a walk along the top of the cliff and view the lit Story Bridge after dark.

If you are game, abseil down the cliff’s with some guided tours which will get your adrenalin running too.

9. Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef

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The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, spanning over 3000km and can even be seen from space. Home to a wide range of diverse sealife, the Great Barrier Reef has been referred to as one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

You can snorkel or scuba in the reef and swim amongst the Nemo coloured fish, star fish and beautiful corals.

10. View the sunrise at Uluru (Ayers Rock)

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Another famous world heritage site in Ausrtalia and is one of Australia’s most reconisable icons.

Uluru has great cultural significance for the traditional landowners and by opting for a tour, you can learn about the local plants, animals and dreamtime stories of Uluru.

Whilst visiting, try to get a look at Uluru during the sunrise or sunset, as it is reknown for changing colour throughout different times in day.

Before I went to Spain, I received a helpful letter from my Spanish friend Lorenzo Melchor, who gave me the best advice on how to enjoy Barcelona in a weekend.

“As I promised, to send you details about Barcelona. This is a list of places I recommend you to go and enjoy:

Las Ramblas

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(Metro Catalunya, Liceu or Drassanes): This is the most popular street in Barcelona. A long avenue with restaurants, coffee shops, memmory shops, people running shows in the street, etc. It starts in Plaza Catalunya (a big square where most of buses stop, with a Hard Rock Cafe and a FNAC store, as well as the Tourist Information, get a map over there and ask for some advices) and it ends in Plaza Colon (closeby the sea).

Barrio Gotico

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If you walk from Plaza Catalunya down Las Ramblas, you have the Gothic District at your left. This is the old city of Barcelona and you have just to walk and get lost in their streets. You will see beautiful squares, gothic churches and a cathedral. Really worthy!

One warning! Do not turn right when walking down Las Ramblas. Otherwise, you will go in “El Rabal”, which is a district with many drug dealers, whores, etc. Everybody makes that mistake in their first time in Barcelona and you will feel very unsafe.

Passeig de Gracia

Image Source: MOrBCN

(Metro Passeig de Gracia or Diagonal): this is a street that starts in Plaza Catalunya in the opposite side than Ramblas. It is a very nice street with beautiful buildings designed by Gaudi: “Casa Batlo” that has skulls as terraces and windows, and “La Pedrera” that has a good design. If you want to spend money, choose one of them and go inside

Sagrada Familia

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(Metro Sagrada Familia): this is a cathedral that has been under construction for almost a century. It would be worthy to pay the entrance and get an audiotour to understand the meaning of the scenes in each facade (one was designed by Gaudi, and the other one was built in the old style). Unfortunately, there is not much to see inside because they are still building it, although there is also a museum in the basement.

Parc Guell

Image source: MorBCN

(Metro Lesseps or Alfons X): a great place with beautiful gardens to spend a sunny day with a sandwich and maybe a girl  You will have spectacular landscapes of Barcelona.

For two days, I think this is enough but you will see that there are many other options. I hope this will help you!

Cheers,
Loren

PS. I forgot to mention there is a very nice and magic place that I recommend you to go and have a drink. Its name is “El bosque de las hadas” (The fairy forest). It is at the end of Las Ramblas, close to Plaza Colon. You have to look for the wax museum (museo de cera) box office and it points out to a little street turning left Las Ramblas (if you see to the sea). Go in that little street, and at the end of it, you will find this place.

Paris is one of the most lovely cities to visit in the world. While in Paris, there are 5 memorable things you must do to savour the essence of Paris.

1. Marvel at the Eiffel Tower

One of the most romantic places on Earth, marvel at the sites of the Eiffel Tower. Built for the world expo in the late19th century, it is one of the most popular landmarks to visit on Earth.

If you are with your partner, a memorable kiss under the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is spectacular by day, but is even more glamourous by night.

While you are at the Eiffel Tower, there are 3 photo poses that you must do with your partner.

1. Romantic Dip

2. Victory Pose

3. Admiration Pose

ViZZual

2. Grin at the Mona Lisa

The Mona Lisa is the most revered treasure that is in the Louvre. With over 35000 art displays and it’s trademark glass pyramid, the Louvre is a great experience, bearing in mind that you can handle the crowds. Walk around and upon your mind up to the creative instincts that inspired the French artistic culture. Paintings, statues and  history beckons.

It’ll be tricky beating the crowd, but it is a worthy experience.

Make sure to give the Mona Lisa a humble smile.

Joaquin Martinez Rosado

3.  Stand on top of the world at the Arc de Triumph

Get a glorious view of the city from the Arc de Triump. It’s a fantastic place to witness by evening and from the ground level, the architecture is magnificent to adore. Be sure to have the imagination of flying when taking your pics up the top!

David G…’s

4. Visit Napoleon at Notre Dame

Admire the Gothic artwork that is the Parisan masterpiece; The Notre-Dame Cathedral. The restored tower with it’s beautiful design ;  is the final resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte.  Notre Dame is an extraodinary landmark of Paris that one must gaze upon.

leoplus

5. Get funky down by the Moulin Rouge

Experience your saucy side by taking a trip down by the Moulin Rouge.

You will see global revellers, glittery lamposts and intriguing posters that lead to the district of the artistic dancing and cavorting from the flamboyant acts.

Stevehdc

Please let me know of your experiences in Paris by leaving a comment.

Happy Travelling!