years expected to visit the much-dreamed London, having until now only in photographs and images of the books of English. Thus, in early November 2006, I and my other four friends have decided to inform us, via the Internet first, and then agency, in a different way to spend our New Year.
relying on CTS of our city, our intention was to be away four days, but noting that the return flight was very expensive we agreed back a day after saving up to 40 €. We took the chance, with flight Ryanair flights from Bergamo Orio al Serio airport and fly to London Stansted + hotel 3 ***, we spent 390 euro per person (which is not so much when you consider that it was one of the periods of 'years less flights to travel).
PARTICIPANTS
Clare (I): 19 years
Julia, Louise, Valerie, Sarah: 20 years
ITINERARY
30/12/2006 Day 1: Past check-in at the airport of Bergamo Orio al Serio, we are now informed that our flight was delayed due to fog party, but luckily the 11 (one hour after the scheduled departure time), began boarding and we discover that our flight would be one of the few to take off in the foggy day.
arrived on time (in proportion to the delay) London Stansted Airport on a sunny day and spring temperatures, waiting for us just an endless line for the verification of documents. Time for a quick lunch and we were in the basement of the airport to wait for the Stansted Express that would take us to the station of Liverpool Street, we had purchased tickets on the plane to 20 pounds each a / r.
Cheaper than the train, they offer a shuttle service that takes twice as long to reach the city center.
After 40 minutes here we arrive at Liverpool Street also where we buy the weekly pass for the subway (and bus) before you leave me I was a little 'evidence, for 5 days should do instead of buying a weekly pass 5 day ticket, this Oyster card is the Card (formerly called 7days travel card), once expired, can also be recharged and reused.
passes comfortable to hand, we head towards the area of \u200b\u200bthe hotel which is located not far from the train station (where they filmed the famous scene from the film of Harry Potter Platform 9 ¾), and subway (well connected with all lines), of King's Cross & St Pancreas .
Exit the station begin to breathe the air of London, with mild temperatures, but rainy weather, we set off in search of the hotel! Our
, was a 3 *** hotel chain Travelodge , the rooms nice and furnished with the necessary, the only flaw is that the staff is not friendly (I do not know whether all or only with the Italians) while all the British encountered street apologize for every little thing and are always ready to give you useful information if they see you in difficulties. After
be accommodated in two rooms assegnateci, we leave to go for a walk and find a nice pub in nearby Russell Square where you can eat. Return to the hotel, shower and sleep.
12/31/2006 Day 2: woke up at 7:30, breakfast at the hotel and we are now ready to spend the last day of 2006 to explore this beautiful city. Our first goal is Notting Hill, not being able to see the Portobello Road Market there every Saturday, we are satisfied to see the famous street and neighborhood characterized by "houses" and colorful typical souvenir shops, thrift and vintage.
We head to foot to the nearest metro station, crossing a small neighborhood that reminds all that he lived in the boy hero of the film Billy Elliot.
getting off at Oxford Circus , we walk along the busy Oxford Street .
It's almost noon so we take the subway to Green Park to visit the Science Museum , dine inside before our visit that will last about 2 ½ hours, the museum is rich enough interesting things, we really like the rooms that recreate various crafts, from the past until you get to this day, the section on the history of medicine and the Hall of mathematical games.
Exit the museum to the 4:45, we take a trip to Harrods , located in the same area, until the end (about 6:00). Luckily we managed to buy something on sale but do not overdo it! Our budgets do not permit it!
On the way back to the hotel we decide to do our "New Year's Eve" in a good Italian restaurant where we ate well without spending an exaggeration (no restaurant in London raised the prices on the evening New Year's Eve). Shower at the hotel around 11:00 and we are ready to head on the bank of the Thames to await the arrival of the new year in a welcoming city. Some English boys in meters advise us to get off at the Temple instead Westminster as it was already closed due to overcrowding, no problem because we can gain a good position from which you could see the fireworks very well.
some problems we had to return to the hotel, many underground stations were closed (one could travel for free until 4 in the morning of January 1st, then I think the police feared vandalism by drunks), but finally we are in hotel 3 o'clock! I must say that we were ready for the worst, knowing that we were in a metropolis, but in the end, the budget was positive and very beautiful ring!
Day 3 01/07/2001: This morning is more difficult than usual to wake up, however, made breakfast, 9:30 am we put on the road. I think that you rarely see in London in January with a sky so blue and a temperature that is around 13 ° C. We could not ask for more. First half of the day is the cathedral of St. Paul , at the entrance gate we are attracted by the squirrels that seem to owners of the garden and have had the honor to have a snack with a piece of schiacciatina flavored pizza! To enter (8 pounds) we can save money since we are all students. For good Italian we do not miss any hidden picture, what about ... you can not hold back at the sight of a cathedral so beautiful. Not for nothing, here you have the wedding of Charles and Diana! Also commemorated key characters, such as political and military figures, architects, artists and scientists.
is worth it even make the 123 steps to reach the dome, where we also fun to talk to each of us according to his opposite ends of the dome and whispering the words in the small holes on the walls. Try it!
arrived on time (in proportion to the delay) London Stansted Airport on a sunny day and spring temperatures, waiting for us just an endless line for the verification of documents. Time for a quick lunch and we were in the basement of the airport to wait for the Stansted Express that would take us to the station of Liverpool Street, we had purchased tickets on the plane to 20 pounds each a / r.
Cheaper than the train, they offer a shuttle service that takes twice as long to reach the city center.
After 40 minutes here we arrive at Liverpool Street also where we buy the weekly pass for the subway (and bus) before you leave me I was a little 'evidence, for 5 days should do instead of buying a weekly pass 5 day ticket, this Oyster card is the Card (formerly called 7days travel card), once expired, can also be recharged and reused.
passes comfortable to hand, we head towards the area of \u200b\u200bthe hotel which is located not far from the train station (where they filmed the famous scene from the film of Harry Potter Platform 9 ¾), and subway (well connected with all lines), of King's Cross & St Pancreas .
Exit the station begin to breathe the air of London, with mild temperatures, but rainy weather, we set off in search of the hotel! Our
, was a 3 *** hotel chain Travelodge , the rooms nice and furnished with the necessary, the only flaw is that the staff is not friendly (I do not know whether all or only with the Italians) while all the British encountered street apologize for every little thing and are always ready to give you useful information if they see you in difficulties. After
be accommodated in two rooms assegnateci, we leave to go for a walk and find a nice pub in nearby Russell Square where you can eat. Return to the hotel, shower and sleep.
12/31/2006 Day 2: woke up at 7:30, breakfast at the hotel and we are now ready to spend the last day of 2006 to explore this beautiful city. Our first goal is Notting Hill, not being able to see the Portobello Road Market there every Saturday, we are satisfied to see the famous street and neighborhood characterized by "houses" and colorful typical souvenir shops, thrift and vintage.
We head to foot to the nearest metro station, crossing a small neighborhood that reminds all that he lived in the boy hero of the film Billy Elliot. getting off at Oxford Circus , we walk along the busy Oxford Street .
It's almost noon so we take the subway to Green Park to visit the Science Museum , dine inside before our visit that will last about 2 ½ hours, the museum is rich enough interesting things, we really like the rooms that recreate various crafts, from the past until you get to this day, the section on the history of medicine and the Hall of mathematical games.
Exit the museum to the 4:45, we take a trip to Harrods , located in the same area, until the end (about 6:00). Luckily we managed to buy something on sale but do not overdo it! Our budgets do not permit it!
On the way back to the hotel we decide to do our "New Year's Eve" in a good Italian restaurant where we ate well without spending an exaggeration (no restaurant in London raised the prices on the evening New Year's Eve). Shower at the hotel around 11:00 and we are ready to head on the bank of the Thames to await the arrival of the new year in a welcoming city. Some English boys in meters advise us to get off at the Temple instead Westminster as it was already closed due to overcrowding, no problem because we can gain a good position from which you could see the fireworks very well.
some problems we had to return to the hotel, many underground stations were closed (one could travel for free until 4 in the morning of January 1st, then I think the police feared vandalism by drunks), but finally we are in hotel 3 o'clock! I must say that we were ready for the worst, knowing that we were in a metropolis, but in the end, the budget was positive and very beautiful ring!
Day 3 01/07/2001: This morning is more difficult than usual to wake up, however, made breakfast, 9:30 am we put on the road. I think that you rarely see in London in January with a sky so blue and a temperature that is around 13 ° C. We could not ask for more. First half of the day is the cathedral of St. Paul , at the entrance gate we are attracted by the squirrels that seem to owners of the garden and have had the honor to have a snack with a piece of schiacciatina flavored pizza! To enter (8 pounds) we can save money since we are all students. For good Italian we do not miss any hidden picture, what about ... you can not hold back at the sight of a cathedral so beautiful. Not for nothing, here you have the wedding of Charles and Diana! Also commemorated key characters, such as political and military figures, architects, artists and scientists.
is worth it even make the 123 steps to reach the dome, where we also fun to talk to each of us according to his opposite ends of the dome and whispering the words in the small holes on the walls. Try it!
Being January 1st, in London, we can not go to see (even if only for a short time because the time flies), the famous London Parade which passes through the streets and squares: there are cars, motorcycles, bicycles strange bands, cheerleaders, etc. .. We are located at Trafalgar Square, which, being an important point of the route to the transition are all a short performance. 
The next day I read about one of the many magazines that give free metro in attendance were about 500,000! Not bad! 
Time for a quick lunch and head underground to Southwark Cathedral, which is characterized by a beautiful style Gothic. exit ahead of the first drops of rain that will last a few hours so we decided to go to a museum, we opted for the National Gallery but being a public holiday, not all facilities were open so we have to change the goal and go to the Tate Modern (free) which resides in a former power station near the cathedral.
Given the weather and our tired we return to the hotel and have dinner "take away" in the rooms, they take the opportunity to sleep a bit more by going to bed early.
Day 4 07/01/2002 : the alarm rings at 7:30 as usual, because the itinerary includes many things to see. We have breakfast and we start immediately on the march. It begins by Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament , looking beyond the bridge, one can not see the giant wheel of British Airways (London Eye ).
Strolling Whitehall came to the residence of Tony Blair, the famous # 10 Downing Street . If he is having a great time as it is in Miami with his family! We pass to the place where it takes place Horse Guard's Parade and we enter St. James Park where we meet with squirrels, crows and geese, some manholes also signal a walk in memory of Princess Diana. 
Following them, we arrive in front of Buckingham Palace , here is waiting for the changing of the guard scheduled for 11:30 (in winter takes place every other day so you should check the internet before starting). Time to make some pictures and the police began to clear the roads already. We assist about a 'hour but then the clock is ticking and we are forced to lose their way! 
next destination is the beautiful Westminster Abbey (Westminster Abbey ), which is certainly worth all the costs 7 pounds to enter. It is the place where it is Queen Elizabeth was crowned and where the funeral was held for Diana, my friend Julie took the opportunity to give us a crash course in English literature!
's almost 2 o'clock in the afternoon but before lunch we move into the area of \u200b\u200bthe Tower of London (Tower of London ), we make the tickets (12 pounds) and, once we head towards the self-service to put something in your teeth. At about 3 begin a visit to the wonders of this complex: the White Tower, which is the initial core of the Tower of London in which they are stored weapons and torture instruments, tower green is the garden of the Tower, a museum where they are kept the jewels of the queen and the rounds (defensive walls), which affects the towers of the eastern section of the walls, each used to a particular function from the thirteenth century.
In the Tower of London do not go unnoticed the royal guards Yeoman (also known as Beefeater "), guards of honor since the fourteenth century. In addition to the ceremonial role, also perform today to tour guides.
Another major attraction are the crows, legend has it that Charles II, after learning that the English monarchy would fall if the ravens have left the Tower, gave orders to keep a small group in the fortress. Before we also go out to see the changing of the guard because the Tower is closed.
After the visit we decided to go for a bit of shopping in the area of \u200b\u200b Oxford Street and Carnaby Street . Around 8 we move into the area of \u200b\u200bTrafalgar Square look for a restaurant! After dinner, a short walk to the neighborhood and now we take the metro to go back to the hotel and pack in order to avoid making an early rising the next morning.
07/01/2003 Day 5: wake up at the usual time, last breakfast at the hotel and greetings to the hosts. Being so "nice" by not being able (or take) keep your bags for another 2 hours, we are forced to place them in London's bustling King's Cross for £ 6. last destination of our trip to London, is the famous waxworks museum Madame Tussaud's , dedicated to this lady who became famous for "casts" of the faces of the dead during the French Revolution.
The entrance is a bit 'expensive (25 pounds), but when we saw once more than enough, so I think it was worth it!
Pictures rite with the various characters and so you go out.
Other short time for shopping and to the first station we collect your luggage and wait (a pain in my heart) the Stansted Express which would take us back to the airport. Our plane will take off and land on time in Bergamo. nice trip! And I state that it was not a goodbye but a see you!
soon!
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