London is one of the most beautiful cites in the world. I recently made the trip up there with my sister to explore the vibrant city and see my relatives. We got lucky with warm weather (and some wind) and lots of sunshine (it’s supposed to rain every day, right??).
Throughout the week, we ventured around the city visiting popular tourist sites and hanging out with the locals (aka – my cousin and his friends). There’s so much to do in London, and it was hard to squeeze in my wish list of attractions in just one week!
Here are some of my own photos, below, of a few sites I visited.
Based on the trip, I jotted down some travel tips to help anyone who is planning a vacation, especially abroad. Take a look:
Don’t overpack.
I was lucky to travel to London with my sister who’s just two years younger than me. It was easy to pack light and borrow each other’s tops, scarves and other accessories. Packing light is doable no matter who you’re traveling with. Bring clothes that are easy to wear as layers and consider wearing a top twice during your trip. Mix and match your clothes with a different coat and shoes to make the outfit go from day to night in no time. Also, roll your clothes in your suitcase to make room for everything else.
Take the tours.
If it’s your first time visiting an attraction (and if you just dropped a lot of money on your ticket), it would be worth the time (and the extra cash) to go on the guided tour. Some tours are free but take more time of your day. You’ll learn things that you may not known otherwise.
Spend your money wisely.
This main seem like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to get carried away with spending money on food, souvenirs and other shopping. It’s okay to splurge a little over a nice dinner or visiting an expensive attraction. Balance your budget by buying some groceries from the local market that’ll be enough for a few meals, or visiting a fast-casual restaurant. Research the prices of the attractions you want to see, and pick a couple of noteworthy ones that worth the money. In cities like London, you’ll also be able to find inexpensive or free attractions, such as the British Museum (it’s totally free!).
Use the free wifi – there’s plenty in Europe!
Many cafes, shops, hotels and other establishments offer free wifi, which can help save you a lot of money from buying an international cell phone plan. Download apps such as FaceTime, What’s App, Viber and Skype to call/text your friends and family for free while using wifi.
Have an open mind.
Probably the most important thing to keep in mind while traveling is to have a positive attitude and be open to try new things. It will definitely help you have a very pleasant vacation! Be willing to learn, explore new places and try new types of food and drinks.
Have any other tips to share? Share your comments with us below.
