Winter Sales Hitting London City

All the fashion savvy folks out there, who were holding themselves for splurging out in those much desired designer apparels until now, can now heave a sigh of relief and let themselves loose. With the winter sales hitting the markets in London, get ready to swap your cards and spree your heart out.

London, a retreat for fashion glitterati, all over the planet is a much coveted place preferred by the elites, which actually dictates the fashion terms, followed by one and all. Bringing to you the best shopping hubs, kick start your festive commemorations and make a beeline for the winter sales in London. Here are the avenues you can explore:

Harvey Nichols

Starting on this Boxing Day, fasten your seatbelts and get ready to get in this internationally renowned plush store, for a fabulous life time experience. A complete experience is in store for both men and women with top brands and fashion merchandise under one roof like Stella Mc Cartney, Lancin and Gucci among many others. Celebrations with bargaining galore are in the ambush up to you, to grab. With a range of woollen scarves, mufflers, designer shades, and cosmetics, beat the winter blues with this ideal winter sales.

Diesel

Daub yourself in the festive fervour with this luxury store, a brand name in itself. Chains of this store are found ornamenting the upmarket streets of London like Carnaby Street, High Street Kensington taking the central stage, hung out by the crèmes and masses alike. Substantial discounts and offers on the mainline collections that will promise to have your bags bursting with apparels. This is one place that you cannot afford to give amiss right from 26 Dec, 20100 till the entire month of January.

Fortnum and Mason January Sale

This high class shopping hub sees the fashion connoisseur gracing this superb store. Staring with the 26 of December, 2010, this scintillating store of London gives you the perfect excuse to go gaga over your splurging spree. The items up for grabs are garments, accessories, kids wear with a pool of home furnishing items, and luxury furniture. With no age restrictions and entry absolutely free, rush to this designer store, sale where will be concluded two weeks from Boxing Day or as long as the stock lasts.

Grab a Quick Bite at Luscious Fast Food Joints of London

With no dearth of fast food joints in London, folks in the capital city can always savour a quick bite, no matter at what hour. Taking care of your hunger pangs, after you get tired of your shopping spree in London or otherwise, these arrive with no hefty price tags attached to them while helping you devour a sumptuous meal. Facilities of takeaway are also there. Find a menu of healthy and cheap fast food catered, a fad among people, which will definitely spruce up your visit in here:

Burger King

Take a saunter at food court in Liverpool Street where you will cherish some enchanting memoirs, by halting at this mighty restaurant. Tracing its roots in Miami, where it was initially started in the year 1954, this branch is a foodies delight all the way. Bite into grilled hamburgers, with mouth watering toppings and condiments amid green salads. In accompaniment to this stylish set of food, you can choose among an array of sizzling cocktails and drinks to go with. Join in for special King deals offered at, as low as £ 1.99 on cheese burgers, and double cheese burgers and chilli chicken at a mere £ 2.69. Foodies opting for vegetarian meals need not worry as a large variety can be catered to them.

Bagel Factory

Shelling out bagels, for close to a decade, prepared from salubrious wheat exported to order from America, find out from the kitchen of this fast food eatery, an assortment of luscious bagels. With no tag on preservatives, being manoeuvred in here, you will find yourself riveted to this place. Don’t forget to sip in some rare and aromatic flavoured coffee provided free of cost with the meals. Sample some items in the menu-gourmet bagel range, Manhattan Club, Little Italy, Egg Mayonnaise with Tomato and Soho Club among many others.

Fire & Stone

The word pizza itself augments a succulent flavour in our palate. Fire & Stone fast food joint, will cater to your demands of nutritious and exclusive array of finest pizzas in store. Baked on special wood fired ovens, a one of their kind, which can be set as high as 400 ° F, pizzas produced in its wake, involves a delicate intermingling of subtle toppings and aromatic flavours. Hop onto the vibrant and colourful chairs which are a perfect semblance with the delicious menu.

Free Things to Do in London with No Strings Attached

London refutes the saying that all good things come with a price tag attached to it. With a best of array from free tourist spots to the round up of traditional museums and galleries to traversing the free night out hubs, it is just an icing on the cake. Let’s dwell a little more into the skin to know what lies beneath:

Free Tourist Museums in London

Here are some of the gems in the crown

•  British Museum-Gives you an insight into the robust eras of the past with its astonishing reminiscences of around 7000 artefacts put together with excruciating detail.
•  Imperial War Museum-A walk along the Lambeth Road in this museum based on the after war implications of in the 20^th century will evoke the stark realities of life. Rockets, Missiles and paintings depicting the gruesome incidents are part of its memoirs.
•  Natural History Museum-Explore whopping 70 million relics, covering evolution of living beings, phenomenon covering natural catastrophe with rare and special collection of gems which the ladies would love to see.

Free Galleries for Art Connoisseurs

A stop over at these famous galleries in London will not only regale you but will add to your knowledge. Some of the best ones among the horde are:

•  National Gallery- People drive in drove to observe European paintings and their style from the historic classic 12th century to the flamboyance of 19th century. “The Ambassadors” by Holbein, “Arnolfini Marriage” by Van Eyck's are some of the nuggets.
•  Serpentine Gallery-Including the modern works from international artists join this gallery for its sheer enigma. Summer Pavilion involves work of arts by an illustrious artist called especially to adorn the gallery.

Other famous one includes Tate Modern, Whitechapel gallery, Photographers Gallery among many others.

Free London Entertainment

Comedy Cafe-If you have the right comic timing and flair but is not able to find the apt platform or lacking the means, then your search ends at much the sought after, comedy cafe on Rivington Street. Find every Wednesday, a platform being construed here for displaying upcoming comedians around.

Southwark Cathedral and Speakers’ Corner are some of the other favourite places to explore in free.

Celebrations Galore for Wedding of the Decade in London

The time has finally arrived, for which everyone in London and around the world was waiting for quite some time, the ultimate royal wedding of Prince William and her long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton has been pronounced in London by Clarence house on 29April, 2011. London is already buzzing with various activities and events, all set to commemorate this once in a lifetime moment. Let’s look into some of the details of the wedding so far:

Venue

A piece of tradition and sculpture from the past, Westminster Abbey, has been chosen as the desired wedding venue for the event. The magnificent church has served as a seat of coronation in the past and witnessed the glorious occasions of wedding of both the Queen Mother and the Queen herself. This chosen spot brings a kind of good luck and blessing on the soon to be newly wed couple.

Public Holiday

The wedding day has been declared as a public holiday by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, which has brought a surge of new excitement and more revelry for both the residents and travellers alike, looking forward to be a part of this historical moment.

Trendsetters of Sorts

Everything that remotely concerns this event, from the dress Kate Middleton wore that particular day to announce her wedding in front of the media, to her engagement ring, has become the news and grist for the gossip mill, with the exact imitation already arrived, and much demanded by everyone around. Track is also being kept on each and every activity of this soon to be royal bride, by the tabloids around the world.

Events

To celebrate this historic day, planning is already in the offing, to throw a lot of jovial and fun filled events, by the entire city of London. London Hotels are also playing host to the gala events and are already buzzing with calls of eager visitors from around the globe, planning their vacation, to coincide with the upcoming nuptials of the golden couple.

Travellers should try to make their reservations as early as possible for the spring of next year and be a part of celebrations of wedding of the decade.

Beat the Cold with Your Kids through Winter Fascinations in London

With the mercury dropping to new levels altogether making the season of winter unbearable for you and your child, London have fetched a hamper full of exciting activities to satiate your style of absolute fun. Nothing to beat the cold with these boisterous winter fascinations designed keeping your precious child in mind and for an ideal family time out. Here is a little more into these things to do in winters:

Indoor Activities

A trip into educative museums will beat the winter blues while kids also learn great deal. Have a look at some of the indoor frolic:

 Horniman Museum- Explore nature and its various laws in this museum stacked up with best of array from anthropology. Newly constructed aquarium will give all the thrills to the child that he’s craving for.

V & A Museum of Childhood-From grand collection of toys covering puppets to dolls houses, your off springs, be it of any age will cherish the memoirs affixed with this fun place. The entry is absolutely free.

Outdoor Activities

Get in the outdoor locales of London to appreciate its true beauty set in the luscious royal parks and greenery abound .Get your adrenaline rush through a stroll along these gardens or perfect would be to skate your way in the amazing milieu of winter ice rinks to commemorate the festival season.

 Royal Gardens/Parks- Some of the famous parks of London are:

•  Hyde Park-You will be besieged by a pool of meadows, marsh lands and rose gardens if you pay a visit over here. Kids can explore this lavish park with 4000 trees riding on two wheels.
•  St James Park-This place resembles a true paradise on earth with a milieu of castles surrounding it from all sides. Your kids will love to catch a glimpse of the pelicans or click snaps with them.

 Winter Ice Rinks-A slice of Christmas festivities, visit these with kids to know what fun they are:

•  Somerset House Ice Rinks- Last date- 23 of Jan, 2011.You are going to adore the setting of the vintage Somerset House with expert DJ belting out the classics for you. Binge on hot chocolate with your child by Tiffany & Co in the morning.
•  Broadgate Ice Rink- Last date- 23 of Jan, 2011.Hang around Liverpool Street hotels which give you an ideal access to this ice rink specially meant for children.

London Churches: The Ultimate Medium to Bind us to God

London is a trademark destination for travellers pouring in from different parts of globe and has something in store for everyone. The churches of London are sheer magical with an ideal blend of beauty with religion. Revered by one and all, these are supreme places of worship built in majestic surroundings and superb architecture making you visit it again and again while staying at London hotels. Some of these esteemed places are:

Westminster Abbey

One of the oldest churches of London, Westminster Abbey is a major tourist spot giving us the most profound glimpse into the rich history of Britain. From covering all major coronations like of Queen Elizabeth II to being the sight for funerals for almost all the famous kings and queens of England like Elizabeth I, Charles II, it has been a witness to all sorts of events. Try to come to this magnificent place to have a look around the vintage architecture and precious antiques which are rare to find anywhere else. Recently it has been chosen as the royal wedding venue of Prince William and her fiancée Kate Middleton.

St Pauls Cathedral

Being the largest church in London, it is located in the famous province of Canterbury and sees a huge rush of visitors every day to pray and marvel at the grand interiors designed by world famous architect Sir Christopher Wren. There are important services and events organised from time to time by the church authorities of whom you can be a part of at absolutely free of cost. Visit this place for the famous galleries like Whispering gallery and the crypts and memorials of royal luminaries like Duke of Wellington.

St Magnus the Martyr Church

Sited near the London Bridge in Lower Thames Street under the guardianship of Bishop of Fulham, this church was built in the memory of Saint Magnus, Earl of Orkney. The church is a living testimony to some ghastly events in the past like the Great Fire of London in which it was completely destroyed and was reconstructed again in the year 1676. The building gives us an inside into the neo-baroque style of architecture.

Croon Along with Happening Music Gigs in London

With classy operas for the crème, and rock concerts for juveniles and young blood, the ethnic diversity discovered in the music scene in London, is quite electrifying. While schools of opera, drum and bass, and orchestra concerts had their roots fostered over here, the city of London can rightly be crowned as the father of the punk scene, with a fan following of ardent music lovers nowhere seen in so much zest and magnitude, anywhere else in the world. Visitors to the city also find themselves daubed in the colours of this music culture while enjoying their leisure in London hotels. Here are some of the major music events, that you can get high on while staying in London:

Hansel and Gretel

Type: Family Opera

When: Dec 23, 2010- Jan 7, 2011

Where: Royal Opera House

Live it up with this classy opera depicting the journey of two lost and extremely courageous children in search of their father and their miraculous escape, by stumbling across vicious and hideous witches, in their way. Take your children along for a view of this ravishing fairytale.

Tinie Tempah at HMV Hammersmith Apollo

Type: Live Rock Concert

When: Feb 25, 2011

Where: HMV Hammersmith Apollo

Rap along with famous punk artist Tinie Tempah, who has stormed the London music scene with his debut album, called Discovery, and is already working with almost all the famous international music celebrities. Starting at just a meagre amount of £ 16.50, one and all are invited at this rock show but children under 14 years of age should be in the company of adults to gain entry.

Hayley Westenra: Christmas wishes

Type: Christmas Opera for Family

When: Dec 22, 2010

Where: Barbican

With the month of Christmas hitting the town, fasten your boots at 7.30 pm on the big day and have a ball at this much awaited concert by seasoned artist Hayley Westenra. Taking you down on the memory lane with famous festive songs like The Little Road to Bethlehem, Peace Shall Come, and O Holy Night, this night will be abuzz with festive fervour.