Rule Britannia

London's Old World charm mixes with eclectic modernity

London has always been pegged as a model of propriety, though a seedier underside, brought about by the likes of the '70's punk rock movement, has given England's capital the perfect balance of haughtiness and irreverence.

For the U.S. traveler, it is looked upon as the gateway to Europe, assuredly because one doesn't have to speak another language to find their way around—though brushing up on the provincial lexicon is advisable.

The city has always been recognized as a bastion of refinement demonstrated by its rich history of culture, theatre and arts. In recent years, the city has been grounds for a successful ascension in an area it's long been mocked for: food. London is no longer just Bangers & Mash and Yorkshire pudding, but haute cuisine fashioned by some of today's most renowned and up-and-coming chefs.

But it doesn't come cheap, particularly for U.S. travelers. While we share a common language, we do not share a duplicative currency—and when we travel to London we are on the short end of the stick. The British pound is worth about two times the U.S. dollar, meaning that everything we buy over the pond costs double. (That $2 coffee at Starbucks quickly becomes $4.) Hope, though, may be on the way: the latest word from Visit London, the official visitor organization for London, suggests that the pound may let up a bit against the dollar this year.

The Cheaper Side

Until then, it doesn't mean that you have to deplete your life savings for a week's stay. Like any city, there are many things to enjoy that don't break the piggybank. Included are the array of museums that line the various districts of London, and most don't charge a penny—or pence—to visit. 

At the top of the list should be the British Museum near Russell Square, and open every day with free admission (some special exhibits carry a charge). The museum boasts a collection of over 13 million objects of art and antiquity. U.S. travelers will get a kick out of a special exhibit of American art featuring the likes of Jackson Pollock and Edward Hopper, which is set to run from April through September.

A real treat is the Imperial War Museum opened daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. As you may be able to glean from the name, the museum is a treasure trove of military artifacts from weaponry to vehicles. There are also countless hours of videotape and sound recordings to pore over. One of the museum's more poignant exhibits is its Holocaust exhibition, which is a permanent fixture and features startling remnants from preserved news clippings to diaries to children's toys.

Now, unless you are Superman, getting around a city can be an enterprise all in itself. Luckily, London has one of the best public transportation systems in the world. The London Underground, known colloquially as The Tube, services 268 stations throughout Greater London. We advise purchasing Oyster cards, which are pay-as-you-go cards that are pre-loaded with an initial £10 or £15.

For those wishing to remain above ground, we got a great recommendation from Nancy Hamilton who is an independent affiliate of America's Vacation Center and is based in Novato, CA. She backs the Hop On, Hop Off Bus, which doubles as a sight-seeing bus. Full-day tickets are available and the bus, which is of the double-decker variety and opened up top during the warmer months, makes 70 different stops around town. Agents should take note that tickets can be booked for clients at a commissionable rate.

One popular stop on the bus' route is The British Airways London Eye, the largest observation wheel in the world. A standard "flight," as it's called, costs £13.50 for adults, £6.75 for children. Do note that it takes a full 30 minutes to make the loop.

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