by Angela
It was inevitable that London would make it among my City of the Week posts. How could it not? London is versatile, multi-cultural, and a booming metropolis. It has fashion, theater, history, and much more. This British capital is arguably my favorite city of the many I have traveled to around the world.
London is undoubtedly a cultural world capital, and is home to some of the most renowned artists, musicians and actors. People associate London with some of the greatest rock artists of all time. The city has been a center for the rock scene for decades. Many local artists and bands from the 60s and 70s were global sensations and are still held in high regard today, such as The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Pink Floyd and Queen. More bands arose from the area in the 90s including Coldplay, Blur, and Radiohead. Rock is the not the only style of music that produced superstars within the city. Stars arose in the urban and pop scene with artists like Adele, Amy Winehouse, and the famous young girls’ heartthrobs – One Direction. London has also earned a place in the rap scene following the ‘USA’s lead, with artists like Dizzee Rascal and Tinie Tempah.
The city has music for everyone, and is not limited to those with a taste for the popular. London houses fantastic venues for classical music. The city is also home to some of the best orchestras in the world! One of London’s most beautiful buildings, and a venue for both musical spectacles and ballet, is The Royal Opera House. I was fortunate enough to get a private tour of the The Royal Opera House when I was last in London, and the building is really exquisite inside and out. I was able to see the ins and outs of a production, from the costume designers hard at work to props being made. I even sat in on the rehearsal for a ballet. It is the epitome of grand, and should be a priority for sights to see in London.
The Opera House is located in Covent Garden, which is a great place to ggrab a dose of London’s culture. Street vendors line the garden, featuring all kinds of food. I can tell you from experience that the food is amazing (I recommend the pulled pork)! Shops line the streets, with unique boutiques and big name brands. Pubs are also a huge part of the area. Pubs have always been an essential piece of the United Kingdom’s culture. London is home to some of the most authentic and historic pubs in the country. The pubs symbolize the way in which London loves to bring all different people together, over a good pint of beer!
London hosts a plethora of festivals and events as well. The Notting Hill Carnival is famous worldwide and is a enormous hit in the city. It is held during the Bank Holiday in August every year and is one of the largest carnivals in the world. The festival attracts over one million people and features steel drum bands, street dancing and music. Other festivals include holiday celebrations such as St. George’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. Last year, London had a lot to celebrate, with the Queen’s Jubilee and the hosting of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, two epic events in London and the UK’s history.
The city is also very well known for its theater and visual arts. The theater district, known as the West End, is notorious for its comedy and drama venues and is a hot tourist spot. Next time you’re in London, try your best to catch a show. The visual art world is in an expansion phase in London. The city holds some of the greatest pieces of the art world.
The most interesting experience to be gained from London is the differences between the various areas. Take a walk in Shoreditch and encounter the cool, alternative scene that takes vintage to a whole new level, or head to Leister Square or Piccadilly Circus to experience bright lights and great attractions. Then you have Oxford Street, which will have you in awe of the massive shopping stores, or hit the markets on Portobello Road, with their authentic British knickknacks. Each area offers something different to the table. If you’re looking for the latest street fashion, for any style, you’ll find it in one of these trendy areas.
London has a feel all of its own. It has taken tidbits of many different cultures and mixed them in with an abundance of British culture. It has it all – dance, music, history, beautiful architecture and art. You can’t go wrong when you choose to visit London. The city has done a great job at showing tourists how influential it really can be. London is unforgettable and who wouldn’t want a chance to be a part of something unforgettable?
