If you have already been to London, you definitely haven't seen it all yet. In addition to the classic tourist attractions, every day the British capital opens new attractions and new activities. And not only in the center, but also in the less known neighborhoods and less frequented by visitors. This is what is unusual to do in London even in just 24 hours.
If you are arriving at Heathrow Airport, take the Heathrow Express to London Paddington Station. In 10 minutes on foot you reach South Kensington, one of the richest and most elegant neighborhoods in the city. If you arrive during opening hours (10.00 - 17.45), you can stop at Victoria and Albert Museum, which has the world's largest collection of Italian Renaissance works outside of Italy. Admission is free.
If you continue on foot for another 10 minutes you will find yourself in the central area. Knightsbridge, where London's most famous stores, such as Harrods and Harvey Nichols, are less crowded in the morning. They open at 10. From store to store, following Piccadilly and the famous Regent Street, you can continue your shopping reaching Carnaby Street, the most representative street of the 60s in the famous Soho neighborhood. Covent Garden, Seven Dials and Carnaby Street are pedestrian streets full of shops and boutiques of typically British brands.
Walking towards Oxford Circus, 5 minutes away, you will find Selfridges, John Lewis and Topshop stores, some of the most famous English brands.
Stop to have a good coffee. In London everyone goes crazy for Nude Coffee Roasters, very particular places with vintage furniture where they serve excellent coffee that has nothing to envy of our espresso. Almost all of them are in town, a great opportunity to meet some busy white-collar workers the likes of which can only be seen here.
At this point go to East London for a fantastic food tour of Spitalfields Old Market. The tour lasts one hour and is the perfect opportunity to discover what the city hides in terms of food. You will be able to try English specialties, but also international ones, since London is undoubtedly a multi-ethnic metropolis, from the market stalls with their street food to the strangest shops. Puddings, cheeses, desserts and of course beer are just some of the specialties you can try.
Among the most beautiful cultural experiences to do in London, it is worth visiting at least once the famous Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, which is also located in east London, on the banks of the Thames. The famous theater was rebuilt by American actor and director Sam Wanamaker in the mid-1900s. The original built by William Shakespeare was destroyed by fire in 1613. It was rebuilt but demolished after his death. The current one is located a few meters from the original. Only Shakespeare plays are performed. It is open every day from 9 a.m. to 17 p.m.
After leaving the theatre, why not try hopping on a motorboat and cruising the length and breadth of the Thames like James Bond? Thames Rockets Rib Cruise runs minis 50-minute river cruises.. The boats depart from the London Eye Pier and offer an unprecedented view of London from the water. From the London Eye observation wheel to Tower Bridge, you can admire some of the city's most famous but also lesser-known attractions, such as the Golden Hinde ships, a splendid replica of Sir Francis Drake's ship, and the HMS Belfast, the largest British warship.
It is essential to take a break to recharge your batteries with an afternoon tea. You can do it at the Hotel Café Royal near Piccadilly. Combining modernity with a touch of British tradition, five o'clock tea is served in the Oscar Wilde bar, where the Irish writer used to eat.
But if you have never tried the English tea ritual, the coolest experience you can have in London is inside the Shangri-La Hotel inaugurated in the Shard, the tallest skyscraper in Europe, designed by Renzo Piano, whose spire reaches 310 meters Tall. . While you enjoy excellent scones, you will enjoy a stunning view of London from above. It is located in east London.
At the end of the busy day, and before returning to the plane, you can relax at Pergola Paddington Central, a recently opened venue with a terrace where you can sip rum-based cocktails and enjoy excellent street food outdoors before taking the tube back . to Heathrow and board your British Airways flight. All these activities can be done in one day for 95 euros round trip. You take the first flight that leaves on Saturdays and Sundays from Milan Linate at 7.25:8.10 (on Sundays also from Malpensa at 18.35:20.35) and returns in the afternoon to Linate at XNUMX:XNUMX and to Malpensa at XNUMX:XNUMX .
