by Maria C Collins

Created on: December 06, 2008   Last Updated: November 03, 2009

London is an exciting, diverse city, there is so much to discover and see. A visit to London should of course include all the tourist favourites, the Tower of London, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, clubs and theatres and the like. There are many more places to visit and things to do which the tourists often miss.

For a touch of elegance, take afternoon tea at the Ritz. You can also combine afternoon tea with dancing in the old-fashioned way, go to a tea dance at one of London's many hotels. There are many tea dances in London, even one especially for doing the Tango. There is sure to be something to please everyone.

Guided walks are another way to see the hidden London, there some unusual ones from Jack the Ripper and ghosts to Harry Potter.

A guided boat trip on the Thames will also tell you more about secret London. There are some interesting places that can only be seen from the river and the commentaries on the boats are most informative.

Shopping is a must in London, whether in Oxford street, Regents street or Harrods of Knightsbridge (do go down to the food hall and look at the work of art that is the fresh fish display), for Antiques, Portobello road market is de rigueur. On a Sunday go to Petticoat Lane Market and hear the banter of the stallholders.

Covent Garden used to be the site of London's old flower and vegetable market. It is now a prestige pedestrianised shopping area with lots of interesting and specialized shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Look out for the street entertainers who must pass an audition by the city authorities to entertain in Covent Garden. You could end the day by seeing an opera or a ballet at the World famous Royal Opera House, Covent garden, home to The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet.

The great, and very famous, nightspots in London need no introduction but for something different try the following; for jazz music, The Crypt. At the Tyroler Hut, near Ladbroke Grove, you can try your hand at yodeling. Gordon's Wine Bar claims to be the oldest in London and serves food. A special dinner or lunch can be had at the Savoy Grill at Covent Garden, where top celebrity chef Marcus Wareing rules the kitchen.

London has so much to offer visitors, whether they are tourists or businesspeople. There is such a great diversity of things to do and places to see which match the cultural diversity of Londoners themselves.

http://www.timeout.com/london/alternative-nightlife/ features/4775/Tea_dances_in_London.html

http://www.walks.com/

http://www.jazzlive.co.uk/

http://www.gordonswinebar.com/

http://www.restaurant-guide.com/marcus-wareing-at-th e-savoy-grill.htm

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