Fodor's upCLOSE London (Fodor's Upclose London)
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Intended for curious adventurers whose travel budgets are a tad shy of luxury, Fodor's UpClose London does an admirable job of sharing enough information "to help you plan your trip ... without nailing you down." The authors, self described "writers and poets, slackers and straight arrows, and travel writers and journalists," start with the basics (air travel and rail passes, money, telephones, where to lay your sleepy head, etc.) but waste no time in directing you to tours, galleries, pubs, theaters, patisseries, shopping, sports, and music--all reached via the ever-navigable Tube (London's subway system).
If you don't have a local friend to accompany you on your treasure hunts and explorations of Olde London Towne, UpClose London is your second-best companion whether you're staying for a week or a year. Restaurant and hotel reviews are arranged by price, and the write-ups offer the inside skinny. In the mood for a traditional British meal? For less than £10 you can eat at the Quality Chop House, which "still serves large portions of hearty British grub like eggs, bacon, and chips," but also offers fare that "is almost a parody of the traditional: Bangers and mash becomes Toulouse sausages with mash and onion gravy." Need to know where to shop for secondhand clothing, paraphernalia for left-handers, or inexpensive furniture? You can find that out, too, by perusing the information in chapter 7.
Although UpClose London gives you the goods on top-rated attractions, the real focus is on helping you experience the "heart and soul of London" off the well-beaten tourist track. From the introduction through guide's end, you'll find gentle encouragement to venture out of your comfort zone: "Sit at a table if you want privacy; better, help prop up the bar, where no introductions are needed, and new acquaintances are quickly made." It's probably the best travel advice you'll ever get. --Heidi Robinson
Book Description
Fodor's newest travel series is designed for travelers who want to travel well and spend less. With candid reviews and a fresh outlook, Fodor's upCLOSE points the way to authentic experiences that will take travelers away from the crowds and close to the culture -- without having to spend a fortune.
Fodor's upCLOSE London is smart, fun, and informative. It gives you quirky, never-obvious facts about major sights, as well as the lowdown on the minor ones. It's in-the-know about what's going on. It reveals the essence of the city -- West End to East End -- and helps you get the most London for your travel dollar. In short, it's the best of all possible travel companions.
All the places to go, from Covent Garden to Kensington
Palaces and pageantry, literary haunts, and museums full of marvels
Visit the Beatles' Abbey Road and tour the Queen's ancestral digs
The New London -- the latest on art, style, and shops that sizzle
Portobello Road treasures, funky fashions at Petticoat Lane market
Tell-all reviews of small hotels, tidy hostels, and cozy B&Bs
Where to stay that's charming (for a lot less than an arm and a leg)
Hotels as British as tea and crumpets, B&Bs paisley to plain
Georgian-terrace row houses, Primrose Hill homes, and the Generator -- the grooviest hostel in town
The buzz on restaurants, pubs, theater, and art
Perfect pub-grub, cool cafés, and splurge-worthy teas at the Ritz
Rock to reggae -- what's happening in clubland (and when)
The liveliest London nights -- from high Cs at the Royal Opera to low comedy in the West End
Practical info, great maps
Airfare deals and how to get around
Tips on traveling smart and losing the crowds
Clear, easy-to-read maps
Fodor's upCLOSE London (Fodor's Upclose London)
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