By Denise Lu
One of the most diverse cities in Europe, London offers a gorgeous taste of world cultures and beautiful sights. Here are some locales we loved.
London Eye
The London Eye provides breathtaking views of the city, including long stretches of the banks of the Thames.
Even on a misty day, London remains a sight to behold under the mysterious veil of its iconic fog.
Green Park
London’s parks are wonderfully serene recluses to escape to in the middle of a bustling city.
Oxford
Just beyond the city walls, the campus of Oxford University escorts visitors back in time with its majestic medieval architecture and weathered cobblestone streets.
Hampton Court Palace
The city’s various palaces offer a sense of grandeur and luxury. Hampton Court Palace, slightly farther from the city center, has a spread of various gardens that lend themselves well to calming walks in the crisp fall fog.
Jamie Oliver Fifteen
London is also a culinary capital that many world-renowned chefs call home. Jamie Oliver has several restaurants in the city, including Fifteen, which hires otherwise unemployed youth.
Brick Lane
Food is cheap and authentic from dozens of restaurants to small bakeries and ethnic grocers at Brick Lane, a street full of cultural surprises.
Old Spitalfields Market
Located near Brick Lane, Old Spitalfields Market is comprised of a smorgasbord of stalls featuring vintage duds and handcrafted goods, surrounded by a plethora of cheap gourmet eats.
Afternoon Tea
From finger sandwiches to scones with clotted cream and jam to sweets such as cakes and macarons, afternoon tea is nothing less than a full meal. Full-bodied English tea is also a warming refuge from the autumn air.
Indian Food
A melting pot of different cultures, London has some of the best selection of ethnic foods in Europe with standouts being Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Camden Market
One of the bigger markets in London, Camden Town has a sprawl of stalls from jewelry to clothing to food and everything in between.
Bike
Even the off-streets of big boulevards can yield amusing shenanigans.
Shoreditch
A vibrant neighborhood full of upcoming talent and independent shops, Shoreditch is a gem for nightlife and catching local bands outside of crowded clubs in touristy downtown areas.
About Denise:
Denise Lu is a junior at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University where she studies journalism and economics. She is currently studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark while also hopping around multiple countries in Europe. She loves strange music, street photography and wholesome food. With a love for entertainment and culture writing, she maintains a personal music blog at the omelette chronicles and does amateur food photography at eat your jams. Follow her on Twitter @DeniseDSLu.
