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Business Roundup: Europe Welcome to London London stands at the cutting edge Set aside some time for random walking Dynamic metropolis Covering six hundred and twenty five miles, London is now home to approximately eight million people. These inhabitants are more likely be eating new and inventive cuisine created by some of the world's hottest chefs rather than mum's stodgy shepherds pie and mushy peas; listening to techno and Britpop rather than the Beatles; watching experimental theatre rather than Shakespeare's plays. London stands at the cutting edge In food, film, pop music, the visual arts, and just about everything else, London stands at the cutting edge. If this ongoing change worries you however - rest assured the jolly old London of the past still exists, basically intact under the veneer of hip. The city still offers the tradition, charm and culture of days gone by. The British bobby is alive and well. The tall, red, double-decker buses drive along the streets. Tea and crumpets can still be had. The Changing of the Guard takes place every day outside Buckingham Palace. Even in the modern metropolis, some things rarely change. The main geographical feature of the city is the River Thames, which meanders through central London, dividing it into northern and southern halves. Most of the big attractions are concentrated north of the river. These include Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London. River cruises are offered all year round and offer a different view of the London skyline. There are also a few places in London where you can forget that you're in the middle of such a large city. Hyde Park, Hampstead Heath, and the Kew Gardens are all beautiful respites from the everyday hustle and bustle. Set aside some time for random walking The visitor who wants to explore beyond the most well known tourist sites should set aside some time for random walking. Walk in the city's back streets and mews, around Park Lane and Kensington. Abandon the chain stores to discover unique shopping emporiums. In such ways you can best visualize Old London, a curious city that engulfed its own past for the sake of modernity but still lives and breathes the air of history. You could also spend days just shopping in London, hobnobbing with the ruling classes in Harrods, or sampling the offbeat weekend markets. The music and clubbing scene is second to none, and the mainstream arts are no less exciting, with regular opportunities to catch brilliant theatre companies, dance troupes, exhibitions and opera. Dynamic metropolis Restaurants abound, while scores of London pubs have heaps of atmosphere, especially outside of the center - and an exploration of the farther-flung communities is essential to get the feel of this dynamic metropolis. Anyone who spends any extended period of time in England will sympathize with the locals' obsession with the weather, although in relative terms the climate is not too bad. The worst months for visitors are November through February - it's cold, wet and dreary. May through September are undoubtedly the best months, which, not surprisingly is when most people visit. In the end, the London you'll discover will surely include some of these sites, but be prepared to be taken by surprise as well. Today, London is less English and more international. It's becoming easier to find a latte and a croissant than a scone and a cup of tea. Increasingly, the city is home to many of the world's immigrants and refugees, both rich and poor, from all reaches of the world. This city - ancient and modern, sprawling and compact, stolidly English and multicultural - is one not to be missed. By: Rachel Stafford © Copyright 2001. Galt Western Personnel Ltd. Unless otherwise specified, you may reprint this article, quote from it, use it in research or projects, duplicate it or distribute it. Credit of authorship and source MUST be given to galtglobalreview.com. Ownership of Copyright remains with Galt Western Personnel Ltd.     Return to Top      Business News / Business Roundup - Australia / Canada / Europe / United States / Careers / Classified / Information Technology / New Technology / Education News / World Facts / Book Reviews / Archives/Research