Quick Tips When Visiting London

London is a very visitor friendly place and traveling around in London is very suitably provided by various forms of transportation. The most common mode of transport is the London Underground which operates from early morning to late night. Other forms include buses, taxis etc. The whole city is divided into 6 zones with zone 1 and 2 referred as 'Central London'.

With London's endless choice of theatres, sports and music venues, you won’t be short of entertainment. This is the place to be if you're looking for world-class art, exhibitions, music and more. More unbiased information can be found at "Visit London".

Accommodation in London offers a variety of choices from budget low room rate which start from £30 up to high class luxury rooms, which are greater than £1000. The best hotel many enjoy most is The Ritz while the best priced in terms of location, service, and price, is Regent Palace

Finding a place to eat in London is a difficult task not because of scarcity of restaurants but because of such a wide variety and number of places. Chinese, Indian and Italian are the most popular cuisines in London. "London Eating" provides the easiest way to identify the closest restaurants of the choice of your cuisine. But London is an expensive place in an expensive country. So mind your wallet when going out for dinner. A rough guideline : £5 per person: Sandwich Shop, £10-20 per person: Pub, £15-30 per person: cheap to medium class restaurant, £50-100 per person: very nice restaurant, £100 and above: Savoy or Ritz.

For theatre loving people London offers unmatched opportunities of musicals, plays, comedies. The main theatres are located in Central London and all the information/bookings can be done in the Leicester Square area.

Travel Blog # 250

I've been pondering what I could possibly publish on my travel blog for the big # 250.

Then I noticed that I was planning on booking my next cruise.

Why do I love cruising so much, especially since at first I didn't like the idea since they didn't stay in the ports long enough?

Well, the simple fact is, cruising is often more about the ship than it is about the destinations. In many cases, that is. There are the smaller ships, mostly the boutique ships and riverboats, which are able to get more into the heart of many cities, and they often get to a new one every day. That makes it a whole lot faster to get places, and you're able to go to more destinations because of it. Whereas most ocean liners, and super jumbo cruise vessels, some holding in excess of 5,200 passengers alone, the ships are so massive, with so many things to do onboard, there is often not much need to actually disembark. For that matter, many people stay onboard the whole time, or at least in some of the ports of call.

Although there are many more things to do when the ships are at sea, and the shops and casino are open then but not while in port, there are still things to do while the ship is docked. The buffet is still open, and likely the main dining rooms. The social hosts keep playing games and events. Many people like the option to go to the pool now that it's not crowded.

And there is one thing I really liked when I first went aboard, and when the ship is very sparsely populated. Those are ideal times for photography. Nobody, or at least very few, standing in front of signs and sculptures. Long, empty corridors. Lots of lights and stairs and fun glass elevators which really allow you to find all sorts of nooks which are worth photographing. Also, since the ship is nearly vacant, these are the best times to go on a ship tour, if you didn't plan on joining a group one, if one was available.

I'm going on a cruise that stops in St. Thomas, USVI, this year. Since I already know the island very well, I'll be going exactly where I want to throughout the day while my ship is docked. But, other than that, and the experience of visiting a couple other island which are new for me, I'm sure I'm going to have a great time onboard my massive sailing vessel.

I look forward to seeing you there!

The Pennsylvania Dutch

Traveling to Pennsylania Dutch Country in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is somewhat like taking a trip back in time. Long inhabited by the Amish, who are actually Germans, the area is checkered by family farms where the men still work with horse and plow, the women bake everything from scratch, and families get around by horse-drawn carriage.

While there, you can purchase homemade goods including jellies, jams, and fudge; blankets and pillows; wood carvings; handmade furniture; outdoor items such as birdhouses; and so much more. Sit down for a traditional Amish meal served family style. You will share a long table with complete strangers while being waited upon by maidens in traditional garb. Savor the tender meats, homemade noodles, gravy-laden mashed potatoes, and breads and pies that will be part of your dining experience.

Located between Harrisburg and Philadelphia, the area is seeing a building boom. Some of the Amish are moving away, but many do remain. Lodging is very reasonable, and more than likely you will stay at an Amish-run establishment.

The Amish are a quiet, thrifty people possessing good business acumen. Many sincerely revere Almighty God and it shows more in their mannerisms than in their dress which has changed little over the centuries.