People around the world are having a love-affair with London. Just ask CNN; the media giant recently released a 50-point list of why the Big Smoke is the most popular city in the world. To say that the list is exhaustive would be a massive understatement.
According to the London Plan, a Britain-based body focused on the economic well-being of the city, London draws in 30 million people every year. No wonder, then, that the UK’s first city has a tourist industry generating a staggering £15 million annually and employing 13% of the city’s population. Called the Financial Centre of the World, the Swinging City, and many other names throughout its 2,000 years of history, London continues to be a dream destination for many. Why is that?
Affordable Hotel Accommodations
With the average family of four spending north of £2,000 for a vacation, according to The Guardian, London represents a fantastic way to make every pound count. With many of the best hotels located in the heart of the Big Smoke, you might expect to pay top dollar when you stay in the UK’s capital. However, as The Telegraph points out, London’s lodging remains among the cheapest hotel accommodations in the country, with prices having only increased £4 since last year. With many hotels located in the exciting Victoria, Kings Cross, and Camden areas for under £100 a night, according to About.com, London represents an incredible value for families on their European vacations.
Lengthy, Visible History
According to Current Archaeology, London was founded in 47 AD, after the Romans invaded what is now England. Serving as an important trade route, the River Thames allowed the Romans to bring in a great number of building materials, troops, and other supplies. By 60 AD, London had grown many times over, becoming one of the most important cities in the whole of the western Roman Empire.
2,000 years later, London remains chock full of historical sites. Fans of great literature and explorers can visit the tombs of Charles Dickens and Sir Francis Drake at London’s Westminster Abbey. Walking through historical London will grant views of many Victorian-style examples of amazing architectural feats. The Museum of London offers education about British origins starting with its prehistory. In short, the city is a playground for lovers of knowledge.
A Multicultural Experience
As written in The Telegraph, the British Empire invaded nine out of 10 countries on the planet. In fact, only 22 countries managed to escape the reach of the empire that never saw the sun set. Thankfully, the British Isles have long since abandoned their plans for domination, but a stroll through London Town will show the aftermath of the former titan’s global grip. Camden Town, for example, is home to Vietnamese, Scottish, and Chinese, running shops and restaurants celebrating their cultural lineage. Perhaps the most telling is the fact that Britain’s favorite dish is curry, a food first imported from India, according to The Daily Mail. The city truly is a melting pot of cultures.
It’s clear to see why London Town continues to be the world’s favorite vacation destination. It offers some of the most affordable hotel accommodations, most interesting history, and vastly multicultural experiences of any European holiday destination. Are you missing out on the magic of London? Read more here: www.comfortinnvictoria.co.uk
I love this city. I moved here 10 years ago and never left.