What to do first in London?

Samuel Johnson used to say, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” The problem is not that the glorified capital city of the United Kingdom wouldn’t have enough entertainment in store, but rather that you have to answer yourself a question: What to do first in London?

As soon as you enter the center of town, your senses are under siege: there is a blast of color and excitement, your ears ring with the sound of the city – from the honking of the Mini cabs and the double-deckers to the hum of the excited people coming to this cultural European Mecca to feast in the metropolitan life of a city that is one of the most coveted destinations.

The Trafalgar Square, Tate Museum, the National Gallery and the famous British Museum (home of some of the most prominent pieces of art that humanity has ever produced over the millennia), along with the London Eye, the Big Ben and the Tower Bridge are just a few of the emblematic London sights that will feature in every good London Guide that you can find. It is a good idea to get a general idea of what you want to see, especially if you are not traveling in an organized group.

One thing I sometime do before parting on a journey is look up some reliable London blog posts, because they can be really authentic and offer real insight into the reality of the place. London is a true maze, but even if you get lost, just the thought of being there, at the heart of Europe, is a comforting notion.

Shopping and sight-seeing are two of the main activities to explore in London. But if you are going to be staying there, be sure to bring an umbrella, get transportation, lodgings and spare some money for food and maybe a beer – as you might feel like it when you see all the people leaving work stop by a local pub for a chat with their mates and a pint.