OH! Magazine - Australian Version November 2013 (Australian Version) | Page 27

Gallery keeping us captivated with riveting tales about the British Royal families, palaces, parks, heroes and villains. The four and a half hour tour starts in Kensington Gardens, where you meander through the royal parks past Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and to Trafalgar Square. Physically, it’s not a demanding ride - a German woman riding alongside me saying ‘There’s not a lot of riding’, so if you’re expecting a workout – don’t – it’s a sightseeing tour. A 45-minute break for lunch in Trafalgar Square gives you the opportunity to wander around or grab fish ‘n’ chips at a traditional pub with fellow riders. Whether you’ve seen it all before or are a first timer to the city, it’s the perfect introduction and a nice change from the tubes and buses on busy streets. The company has also added a River Thames Bike Tour if you’re interested in the city’s liquid history and cycling both banks of the famous river. london.fattirebiketours.com Walk through History I’ve missed out on an East End walking tour, so I book myself on the next best thing - a Jack the Ripper Tour. Although following in the footsteps of one of London’s mots notorious murderers is probably not the best way to get a good nights’ sleep, the tour covers more than just the grizzly details of the murders, offering an opportunity to learn more about the multicultural East End. London is a treasure trove, as every arcade, laneway or street has a tale to tell. Looking at the list of guided walks offered by London Walks, you’d be hard pressed not to find something of interest. There are a variety of themes covering all corners of the city as well as buildings, palaces, even the underground to explore. Beachcombers will love River Thames Mudlarking, where you may get lucky and dig up loot from 8,000 years ago along the muddy foreshore. Harry Potter fans have the opportunity to check out film locations, and how about London’s secret village, the ancient hidden village of Clerkenwell? www.walks.com Discover London Running If you are pressed for time or on a quick stopover in London, why not combine exercise and sightseeing? City jogging tours offers scheduled and customised jogging tours around the streets of London for runners of all abilities. Explore and burn off those extra holiday calories, leaving the ‘where am I’ hassle to the guide. www.cityjoggingtours.co.uk Sleep Affordable 4-star boutique: Recently spruced up and rebranded, The Nadler Kensington offers a variety of pleasant rooms each with a mini-kitchen, including free Wi-Fi, a kettle, microwave and fridge. Let the Local Ambassadors (receptionists) direct you to the best restaurants and sights in South Kensington. www.thenadler.com/kensington.shtml Live it up: The Metropolitan by Como in prestigious Park Lane looks over Hyde Park and is handy if you plan on hitting the pavement, and is just a stroll from Oxford Street and the Royal heart of London. The COMO Shambhala Urban Escape spa offers a menu of stress busting treatments using the heavenly COMO Shambhala products. www.comohotels.com/metropolitanlondon PRIZE ALERT! Lonely Planet’s Europe on a Shoestring (8th edition), $44.99 Keen to take a big trip to Europe on a small budget? Then this is the book for you! Covering 41 countries, Lonely Planet’s 8th Edition of Europe on a Shoestring includes 186 maps and 28 ways to say ‘hello’. The book also provides inspirational images, a planning section to help you design the perfect trip, local secrets and hidden travel gems that will make your trip unique, plus full coverage of accommodation, nightlife, top sights and transport. The great news is that whatever you decide to do in Europe, you’ll be blown away by the sights, sounds, tastes and other sensations on offer. But this is the guidebook will ensure your champagne tastes for adventure are satisfied on a more ‘water-esque’ budget! To win a copy of Lonely Planet’s Europe on a Shoestring (8th edition), email [email protected]. au, tell us in 50 words or less why you want to win a copy and the best entry will win. Remember to include your postal address, and entries must be received before 1 December 2013. For more information go to www.visitbritain.org The writer travelled with Rail Europe (www.raileurope.com.au) and SWISS (www.swiss.com) ( OH! MAGAZINE ) ISSUE 4 27