London, Three great days. Day One

No matter how vast and varied the sights across the United States, it takes crossing the Atlantic to explore a truly different culture. Even USA's great cities, New York, Chicago, Wash. D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, etc. don't have a sense of pageantry or history that London offers in spades.

Every moment in London is filled with an awareness of history -- as recent as WWII or as far back as Henry VIII; each step surrounded with incredible architecture -- from royal residences to neighborhood pubs that are 400 years old; the very air somehow shimmers with memories of centuries of historic personages -- from Princess Diana to Anne Boleyn, from Winston Churchill to Lord Nelson.

This column will be the first of a three part series that describes, step by step, sight by sight, the 'must sees' of London. All three days will be geared toward a first timers visit. There will be very little 'off the beaten track' spots, and hopefully these first hand descriptions, details and itineraries will give anyone who's thought of visiting the great city of London a good dose of inspiration.

If London's not a top priority at the current time, but you need a mental vacation...these columns will be a fun, interesting read.

This is a full day of London's sights and sounds and many are FREE! The day starts at Buckingham Palace and ends at the London Eye at sunset...a great time to see London from 'on high.' Most sightseeing requires long hours on one's feet, whether walking through a museum or walking around a city; this day's itinerary is primarily a day outdoors, very little in the way of museum treasures today. First event of the day is the Changing of the Guards and Buckingham Palace, including the Queen Victoria Memorial. Second, a visit to The Queen's Gallery on the Buckingham Palace grounds. Then lunch just across from the Royal Mews, with three lunch spot suggestions. Third, after lunch, a visit to the Royal Mews on Buckingham Palace grounds (the gold carriage above just one of the sights). After a guided visit of the Mews, fourth, a pleasant stroll down Birdcage Walk, alongside St. James Park, then a turn towards the Thames River with Big Ben and Parliament in full view.. Then, walking across the river over Westminster Bridge stopping for a snack, then Riverside Walk to the London Eye (fifth). Great views of famous sights all during this walk, so have your camera ready all day! Plus, I'll recommend spots for lunch, a rest break for late afternoon, and a pub for a reasonably priced dinner. So, here we go!

Start day one in London with something you can't see in any city of the USA. The changing of the guards is a fun, free way to get a good dose of London's traditions, it's military heritage and pride, right in the midst of beautiful St. James Park and majestic Buckingham Palace. This is the only 'time sensitive' event of the day, around 10:30 A.M. And, rather like a movie, the earlier you arrive, the 'better' the spot you'll have for watching the comings and goings.

For first timers, here's how to get a good view. Being right at the palace isn't always best....the crowds are larger which can hinder the scene. The main street that spans between Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square is called The Mall. The Queen Victoria Memorial is in a circle drive where The Mall splits to go around the palace. Lining up along The Mall road east of the Queen Victoria Memorial is a good way to watch the Guards parade down The Mall toward the Palace. The closer one gets to the palace gates, the larger the crowds, and the view of the Guards does not necessary improve. Watching the parade down The Mall is often much less crowded with good views. It's even possible to follow the parade down The Mall toward the palace, which is always in sight...much much grander of scale than the USA's White House.

(Personal tidbit) Seeing the actual 'changing' through the Buckingham Palace gates isn't all that thrilling....unless you really are a fan of the military precision of the event. But the marching in, the band's music, that's all fun and exciting.

Since Buckingham Palace's state rooms are only open to the public in August and September (and so worth it!!! GO in August or September if you can possibly arrange it!!) The Queen's Gallery is the next best thing. This is a lovely little spot on the Palace's grounds, to the left of the palace on Buckingham Palace Road. It contains just a few small exhibit rooms that give one a nice, but not exhausting, sample of the treasures that fill the actual palace.

The large portrait in photo above, and right, is of George III. This was the English king on the throne during the USA's War of Independence. If anyone wonders at the excesses of taxation the colonists were rebelling against, just imagine George Washington in his somber black suits compared to this king's ornate yellow and ermine attire.

The Gallery and the Royal Mews (next on the itinerary for London-Day One), offer a combination discount ticket, plus there are also senior, student and child discounts. A great gift shop on site as well. (And, lovely restrooms ... wonderful to find after being out on the streets for hours waiting and watching Changing of the Guards)

The video below is a promotion for the London Pass, I'm not saying it's the thing to do or Not the thing to do, but it has some great shots of London's sights.

One of my biggest suggestions about eating in London is to enjoy a nice lunch. London service is often 'continental,' which by USA standards can seem slow, but it's just their way of having a more leisurely pace. After all, you are on vacation, right? Plus, a nice lunch gives you the rest you want to face an afternoon of more sight-seeing. By dinnertime, you'll often be so worn out from all the sights, that a pleasant dinner (at British prices!) can be a waste. For evenings, I suggest a pub outing...fun, picturesque and cheaper than a full out restaurant meal.

Here are three lunch suggestions, at three different prices, all at the same intersection! Just past the Queen's Gallery is the Royal Mews, next on the itinerary of Day One's sights. Right across Buckingham Palace Road from the Mews is Rubens At The Palace Hotel, and in the hotel is the Cavalry Bar/Palace Lounge. The Lounge is the first room on the street with large windows for fun people watching along Buckingham Palace Road. The Cavalry Bar, with a fun and extravagant military decor, is the second room in...no windows here, but the decor so elaborate and attractive, you won't feel deprived.

If you want a more casual, quicker lunch experience there is a pub just across Bressendon Place on the Mews side of street called Bag O' Nails. If you want some of the leisure of a hotel lunch, but not quite the price tag of The Rubens lunch menu, try the Thistle Westminster, just across Bressendon. Large windows onto the street, modern crisp decor. A good choice for lunch.

Okay. Lunch is over and your right across the street from The Royal Mews. What is the Mews? It's a combination horse stable, carriage storage, fabu-luxe garage, and riding arena. If you think about the cars that belong to the Queen of England, her royal ceremonial carriages (like the one at the top of this column), how well royalty treat their horses, and just how luscious the arena would be where parade/security horses are trained, as well as the training of all royal children in the saddle since Queen Victoria's time. Prince William and Harry had to start somewhere before they hit the polo fields, right? The guides offer lots of 'inside the royal family' tidbits and the stable hands and car mechanics have lots of information to share. This is the most amazing stable/garage imaginable! (Great gift shop here too)

Here's the official description of The Mews from royal.gov.uk "One of the finest working stables in existence, the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace provides a unique opportunity for visitors to see the work of the Royal Household department that provides road transport for The Queen and members of the Royal Family by both horse-drawn carriage and motor car.

The Royal Mews has a permanent display of State vehicles. These include the magnificent Gold State Coach used for Coronations and those carriages used for Royal and State occasions, State Visits, weddings and the State Opening of Parliament. A State motor vehicle is also usually on display."

Seeing the Mews is a great way to complete one's tour of the Buckingham Palace grounds.

Stroll Birdcage Walk as you leave the Buckingham Palace grounds, the first thing to note, which might have gone ignored earlier while watching the changing of the guards is the Queen Victoria Memorial. Installed in 1911, the massive sculpture has a nautical theme as a reminder of the source of much of Britain's world power during the reign of Victoria. (See the map above to see where Birdcage Walk is compared to the mews and the palace.)

About 15 minutes after leaving Queen Victoria's Memorial, you'll reach the edge of St. James park, that is if you haven't taken time to take a photo here or there of the park's pleasant views. Then, as the road veers right, ahead you'll see...Ta Da!... stunning neo-gothic architecture of Parliament, and it's famous Big Ben Tower. What a sight!

As you walk toward the river, you'll enjoy the approaching views of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Touring Westminster Abbey is part of London, Day Three. Continue walking under the shadow of Big Ben, crossing the Thames on the Westminster Bridge.

Walking across the Westminster Bridge, with Parliament on your right, the London Eye ahead of you on the opposite side of the river in sight, you'll feel practically giddy at the excitement of being in this great city!

Once you've crossed the river you'll be at a grand building which is now a Marriott hotel (see photo below). This is a great spot to stop and take a break before climbing aboard the London Eye. If this building looks grand for a hotel, it was once the site of London's government offices, and was opened by King George V in 1922. What a spot...and with sensational views back across the Thames.

If you don't want to take the time for a sit-down at the Marriott (Library Lounge), their is an outdoor seating area and concessions sold near the London Eye ticket kiosk.

After your relaxing break, it's on to the London Eye.... the massive, but delicate looking, wheel takes about 35 minutes to make a full circle, with spectacular views each and every moment! Each car can hold about 25 people, but with three visits to speak of, never was there more than ten people in each "egg." Plus, if your feet still tired, there is a large seating area in each "egg."

That ride on the London Eye is such a great way to end Day One, plus, it gives you an aerial preview of all the places still to see on Days Two and Three! After departing the Eye, turn left to stroll down Riverwalk (a pedestrian walkway along the river, often fun street performers here) in the opposite direction of Westminster Bridge. The first bridge you'll come to is a pedestrian/bicycle bridge, the Hungerford Bridge.

Walk across the river on the Hungerford Bridge, enjoying all the London sights along the river. Once across, the Bridge which merges onto Villiers Street, until you come to the major street, The Strand. The Charing Cross transit station is here on your left. This transit station can be an easy place to get a snack at one of the convenience shops in the station, a great place to catch a cab if your hotel close by, a great place to take the Tube if your destination is fairly far.

If you want to try for a theater night (but, really, aren't you exhausted? Save your theater $$$ for Day Two's evening) The Strand is one of THE streets for live theater...turning right and walking just a block or two, you'll start to see the theaters...although a famous street with lots of theater activity, this street won't seem at all like Broadway in New York City. The Strand also gives a selection of 'regular' chain fast food stores....how 'un-London.'

But, on Villiers Street, just before reaching The Strand intersection, is the Princess of Wales pub on your right. 27 Villiers Street. You'll see lots of spots on Villiers, but this is the only one I can personally recommend.

So, after a pint and a bit to eat, your first day in London is behind you...what memories! With Charing Cross station right out the door, getting to your hotel will be easy.

Wanting advice on choosing a London hotel? I've got it for you right here!

http://hubpages.com/hub/London-hotel-favorites Enjoy!

London, Day Two and London, Day Three are published! Sights include Kensington Palace, National Gallery (London's equivalent of Paris' Louvre museum), a river cruise on the Thames, Tower of London, Crown Jewels, Westminster Abbey, and Victoria and Albert Museum, and a guided walk from Kensington to Buckingham palaces.

A review of three London hotels http://hubpages.com/hub/London-hotel-favorites

London's sights, day two: http://hubpages.com/hub/London-Three-Great-Days-Day-Two

London's sights, day three: http://hubpages.com/hub/London--Three-Great-Days-Day-Three ENJOY!