| London is one of the biggest and most diverse cities in | | | | dullness about it. Also interesting are the ravens, who |
| the World. It has an excellent transport system, but if | | | | have their wings clipped to stop them flying off. You |
| your time is limited, what sights should you make it | | | | may see them hopping about outside. 6. A Red Double |
| your priority to see? The following list is drawn from | | | | Decker Bus. You can pay a small fee, and travel on |
| memory, on the basis that if I can recall them with | | | | one of these for a few stops. A pleasant, interesting |
| fondness, they're most likely worth a visit: 1. Houses Of | | | | and efficient means of transport. 7. The Tube. This is |
| Parliament. There are very fine buildings. Admittance is | | | | the underground train system. In itself it's not |
| free, but you may have to queue. Due to security | | | | remarkable, but it enables the ignorant tourist to pop up |
| searches, you may not be able to get in at all, as they | | | | like a gopher at their destination, instead of negotiating |
| have to let the Members Of Parliaments (MPs) and | | | | the buses and the streets. 8. A Black Cab. One could |
| their guests in first. The searches can take time. | | | | see the sites mentioned above in a black cab, at night. |
| However, it's worth the wait. The interiors are very | | | | This is a high-quality, licenced taxi service, and a nice, if |
| grand indeed, and the staff are friendly. 2. Statue Of | | | | expensive way to get around. 9. The Side Streets. Get |
| Eros, Piccadilly Circus. This is the geographical heart of | | | | off the main streets like Oxford Street and Charing |
| London. The statue itself is handsome, but it's more | | | | Cross Road, and travel in parallel on the side streets. |
| just to say you've been there. The only other | | | | You'll see more of the real London, and you'll be |
| interesting feature is the neon advertising hoarding | | | | pleasantly surprised at how much less crowded it is. 10. |
| adjacent. This, and Leicester Square, are not much | | | | Sites worth seeing outside Central London: Portobello |
| frequented by native Londoners; you will only meet | | | | Road, Camden Market, Kew Gardens. Likely to |
| more tourists in these places. 3. London Eye (or The | | | | disappoint: Buckingham Palace, Oxford Street, |
| Millenium Wheel). It offers excellent views of central | | | | Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square. I'm afraid these |
| London, and is quite romantic on a clear, moonlit night. | | | | are not as interesting as their propaganda. One would |
| This needs to be booked in advance, otherwise you | | | | go to see them just to boast you'd been. You should |
| may not be able to get on. You can book this novelty | | | | get: 'The A-Z of London'. It is sold at any newsagent. |
| online. 4. Tower Bridge. This is best traversed by night, | | | | This is a handy book of maps, with a good index. Even |
| and in a London black cab. A fine example of Victorian | | | | native Londoners find it essential in finding unfamiliar |
| workmanship. 5. Tower Of London. Here are kept the | | | | places. Don't leave your hotel without it; you might think |
| Crown Jewels. This are impressive, but most | | | | you know the way, but you'll likely get lost, and even |
| impressive for me was a brief film clip shown there of | | | | the locals may not know where you need to go! |
| the coronation of the current Queen Elizabeth. A very | | | | Niccolo Svengali is the webmaster of travel, hotel and |
| moving piece of ecclesiastical theatre. Other than that, | | | | education web sites in Palermo, Sicily. |
| the ancient weaponry displayed has a kind of thuggish | | | | |