capital of France and the UK are not the first hundred years of arguing over which of them first. But if in the middle ages like competition every now and then led to wars, but now everything is much simpler: the tourists are happy to travel in London and Paris - especially during the Christmas holidays.

Smoke London

Only a person who travels to London (or the Big Smoke, as it is sometimes called the English) for the first time, may be naive to believe that for a week - at a gallop in Europe "- will be able to obtain sufficient understanding of this place. Conventional tourist routes, of course, vividly illustrate the school axiom «London is the capital of the Great Britaine», but is unlikely to help you feel the special atmosphere of London. To understand why, and ordinary travelers, and celebrities come back here again and again, try to avoid cliches. Immerse yourself in the whirlpool of an international London: buy a transportation card Oyster and go where the eyes look. For example, go to the performance or look at experimental cinema in the entertainment center The Southbank Centre on the southern bank of the Thames, visit the markets of Old Spitalfildz, Portobello and Camden, in the end, just watch out for young people in London - the local street style clothing will give odds to many fashionable high-gloss shooting.
Christmas and New Year - special story. Traditionally at this time there are many parties, concerts and events. For example: December 9, at 02 Arena concert will give the British "alternativschiki" of a group of Placebo, and 13, December 14, there you will see the idol of teenagers - 17-year-old who plays Hannah Montana's Miley Cyrus. 15 and 16 December - all in the same place - Depeche Mode. December 31 you can go to celebrate New Year in almost present the Middle Ages, in St. Catherine's Docks (St Katharine Docks), where in the basement, in the light of torches held Medieval Ball.

What to do in London? ; with

Meet Santa Claus in his festive grotto, located in a greenhouse Princess of Wales (Princess of Wales) in the Royal botanichekih Gardens Kew Gardens (from 12 to 23 December from 12.00 to 15.00). At the same time there will be to get a free tour of the gardens, which this year marks 250 years, and see rare trees and shrubs;
Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art «Tate Modern» and admire the paintings of Picasso, Matisse, Warhol, shelves, Le Jeu and Dali;
ride on the large outdoor skating rink in the Natural History Museum (open until January 17);
's short film about London, was shot in the format 4D , before going on a 135-foot attraction London Eye;
drink a glass of ale in the oldest building on the Thames - in a pub, Dickens Inn; dine in the restaurant organic food, such as Acorn House, or the Maze - an institution restaurateur Gordon Ramsay, the owner many Michelin stars. Dance club Fabric - this Mecca for fans of the most fashionable electronic music with the best DJs or club Ministry of Sound;
buy on the market in Camden stunning vintage dress - so that all of Moscow's friends and then smashed his head, where did you get this charm.
go to the "five o'clock tea" in one of the reputable hotels such as Dorchester, Ritz or Claridge's.

Guide:

to get from Moscow to London (Heathrow), we can direct regular flights of Aeroflot », British Airways,« Transaero. Tickets - from 12 thousand rub.)
Metro in London may be some difficulty for beginners, so you should have on hand the scheme and before the trip in advance to determine the route and station transfers. Upon entering, the tickets do not mix - they need to go through the turnstile at the exit.
Hotels in London - from