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Days 3-7 |
London
Some sights that are sure to be on your itinerary
are:
Changing the Guard
at Buckingham Palace, the Horse Guards and
Saint James' Palace, SW1 (St. James' Park
or Green Park Tube). This most spectacular display of
pageantry takes place at Buckingham Palace with
usually one of the five regiments of foot guards in
their scarlet coats and bearskins performing the
ceremony.
Saint Paul's Cathedral
Wren's masterpiece replaced the Old Saint
Paul's which burned down in the Great Fire of 1666. See
the Whispering Gallery, the Stone Gallery
and the Golden Gallery which is at the top of the
Dome. Well worth a view are also the tombs of
Wren himself, the Duke of Wellington and
Admiral Nelson - all in the Crypt.
Tower of London
The most perfectly restored medieval fortress in
the country containing William the Conqueror's White
Tower, the ravens and the Beefeaters, to the
medieval palace of Edward I. Traitor's Gate
and the Bloody Tower allow a glimpse into the
medieval way of life which included torture, murder and
executions. The stunning Crown Jewels are on view
in the purpose designed Jewel House. Most famous
exhibit is the Imperial State Crown, sparkling
with a 317-carat diamond, a sapphire from a ring
said to have been buried with Edward the Confessor,
and assorted emeralds, rubies and pearls. Also on
display is the legendary Koh-i-Noor diamond.
Westminster Abbey
Built by Edward the Confessor, the
Abbey has been linked to British Royalty ever since. It
has been the scene of all but two Coronations
since the time of William the Conqueror and the
site of almost every royal burial for some five hundred
years, between the reigns of Henry lll and
George XI. Many of the nation's most famous citizens
are buried here too - though many of the stones
commemorate people buried elsewhere. Inside monuments
and stained glass windows to statesmen,
politicians and poets abound.
The choice of
activities facing the visitor is almost overwhelming -
all the more reason to enjoy London at your
leisure!
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