Twelve thousand steps per day in London, the capital of United Kingdom

March 2009: Book flights with British Airways from Bologna at very affordable price.
April 2009: Book an apartment for 7 people, through www.homeaway.it.
May 2009: News alarming "A flu"
July 2009: "Boy do we do? Let's go or not? "
July is a must for all the daily appointment with the various travel forums to pick up advice, tips and news to who's already been. Well if after 1000 ... 1000 ... but.
August 18, 2009: YES WE GO !!!!!
Armed with guidebooks, cameras, but mostly Amuchina, we move to this exciting city with the intention to enjoy it fully and to avoid the heat, viruses and bacteria meter, preferably using buses, especially turning the foot.
With time, according to the newspapers, gave us the only truly summer week in London, we found specific angles and met very kind people always willing to give us an indication or advice. With the excuse then to rest before continuing our walk, each day we stopped in the terraces at the pub for a beer and thanks to Fabiano cell with the pedometer, and was divided convinced about the "beat the records of steps taken the previous day.
Of course with our Oyster card loaded with a weekly Travelcard, we used too much red double-decker bus, perfect for admiring the city conveniently from the top.
Choosing to book an apartment allowed us to be together even in quiet moments of the day, chatting in the evening, some on the couch, who around the table with maps and guides for preparing the itinerary for the day and some evenings we have dinner at house by a sigh of relief to both the portfolio liver, plus we enjoyed our moms choose products between the platforms of the various supermarkets always well stocked with everything.
Of course I will not go into the description of the monuments visited in which there are many guides and other travel tales, but tell our journey may perhaps be helpful to someone like me when organizing an itinerary asks: "But this we will do everything in one day? "

 

8500 steps

The arrival at Gatwick is perfectly on time. After train and metro to the apartment in Camden Town, where for now unload then lunch nearby. Our tour begins in London with a statue of Admiral Nelson on top of the column in Trafalgar Square. Some pictures of obligation, but a visit to the National Gallery we leave tomorrow. Continue along the streets of downtown, we walk around The Mall and arrive at Buckingham Palace, then the fatigue started to be felt (we are standing by 4:30 this morning) and the soft grass of the gardens of St. James's Park is more attractive than any monument. Here we are doing our first encounter with squirrels photograph several times after a well-deserved nap, we walk through the park and the vault of Westminster Abbey, Parliament, Big Ben and the Thames. Are now 18.00 and is now going to take possession of our apartment. We arrange and after a refreshing shower we go out for dinner, staying in Camden full of local and very popular in the evening

12500 steps

Let's Leicester Square where we give the row (over 1 hour wait) to win tickets to musicals at discounted prices and we head towards Piccadilly Circus. It 'strange to think how this intersection of streets that almost do not notice until you get there in the middle, is famous throughout the world! From the good readers of travel diaries of other TPC we also catapulted into the shop Lillywhite, and of course we go out shopping with bargain prices for jerseys, shorts, tank tops and soccer shoes.
The day was magnificent and so we eat our sandwiches in Trafalgar Square, cheered by some street artists, before diving into the fountain ...? No! Among the art treasures exhibited in the National Gallery. For 15.30 we find in the area because we booked the London Eye around 16.00. Fortunately we get a bit 'before, because the line to get really long, but once there the view is really fantastic. At the end of our tour we walk along the riverside and confuse the crowd that walks through the trees decorated with red paper with white dots, or we pause to watch the performances of the many street performers or guys with the skate or bike are jump bizarre. Will then continue our ride until we decide to take a bus to get to another popular area of London: Covent Garden. Let's go in the pool, peering between the shops and stalls and then decide to rest our limbs at a table in the local streets to enjoy a beer and a performance of a mime ... .. but we did deal with the crowd! We do not find a place to sit all seven together, so we decide to move along the streets around too full of night spots.
After a refreshing beer, we see a Tesco supermarket and so we decided that our first full day in London it can be concluded with a nice dinner at home.

13700 steps

Today, we finally dedicated to the area to stay. To the delight of the boys turns to Camden, across markets looking for opportunities to buy or oddities as a reminder of the holidays.
Already along Camden High Street, the atmosphere is "alternative" and cheerful; huge colorful banners dominate the revenue of the stores that have very small windows, but inside grow in length or even on multiple floors. But it is in most northern parts of the canal and the scenario changes completely. Through Camden Lock by booths especially jewelry and clothing, then you get to the Stables Market, entering through a maze of alleyways and open air within the old stables and shelters for horses, much to feel like an Arab souk. The many eateries with food all over the world, but remind you that you are in the most multicultural city in Europe. So as not to take advantage? While China had lunch Bea, Leo, James Fabiano and ate turkish, Giampa tried some African food, while Robert and I were launched on the Eritrean falafel. After lunch, always within the Stables Market, we headed to ... the future! The contrast between ancient and modern it is already known from the entrance, where stands a giant robot that anticipates the indoor environment: psychedelic lights, music and committed to high volume all punk version with yellow or green phosphorescent crest . While my son was convinced not to buy a mega belt with flashing that runs along the buckle, my nephew has bought a backpack with external speakers which connect the iPod ...!
In the afternoon the bus we then headed towards Regent's Park, but did not enter, instead we walked the shopping streets: Regent's Street, Oxford Street and around and when it's time ... .. we arrived at the entrance to the Museum Wax Madame tusseaud. We got the internet half-price ticket (12.5 streline) worth 17.00 in August and since the museum closes at 19:00, we had plenty of time to visit a fair price after all. Of course the kids loved it but failed to make a picture with Michael Jackson (who died recently) for the line too!
Leaving the museum we went to the central area, we shot on the streets of Soho and we then found in Carnaby Street, where my nephew is on the little light shopping that we finally managed to shut down for going to dinner at 20:30 a restaurant of some chain, without infamy and without praise. After dinner, we still wandered around the streets of Soho peer into the many pubs where we could not go because of underage boys and it was finally time to sign and colorful lights of Piccadilly. 23.00 we take a bus coming home and .... Tomorrow.

19800 steps!!!

Today we gave our best and we had proof that looking at the photos we took the subway to return!!
The day is dedicated to the area of the City. We started with the meter at a time of Tower Bridge and from there we went straight to the London Dungeon (along with discount attraction tickets purchased in the London Eye).
The boys kept us and for them it was nice but not worth that particularly worthwhile. However we did well to present the early morning (around 10.00 am) because when we left around noon, the wait was at least an hour to enter.
We stopped to eat at a Pret a Manger to pass the storm that was unleashed at that moment and then just finished, we headed towards Tower Bridge. We had not planned but we have found in their area to 14.00 and that is when, as I found on the Internet (www.towerbridge.org), would open the bridge for passing boats. In fact just heard the siren, we hurried to turn the bridge and we have seen in all stages of opening, closing and transition. Then crossed the bridge, he returned the sun and heat so we headed to the Tower of London. We had bought tickets on the internet but it was actually better because the line was not exaggerated and we have done for five of us (2 adults and 3 children) the special discounted family ticket, then dividing the total expenditure of all 7. The Tower of London is well worth a visit for both the crown jewels, for the rest. We've come a time when there was an exhibition of Henry VIII and all his armor and also in the meadow, there were camps and reconstructions of representations in custom tournaments, battles and duels.
After the tour of the tower, we headed towards St. Katharine's Dock. Just below the bridge, an arch can be seen that opens onto a driveway, beyond which we enter into another dimension. Anse, marinas, boats, small yachts, pedestrian streets filled with lanterns and flowers in the back of the square and the famous pub, The Dickens Inn, which is actually one of the few that accepts children. Since it was dinner time but a snack, we went for rest and refreshment, and while the boys were drinking hot chocolate and tea, we, the men are sitting area with armchairs and bevendosi a beer, followed on TV a cricket match. Did not understand anything but it was very, very english!
The day, however, is still long and we go by bus to St. Paul, who do not visit in and then opt for the Millennium Bridge. Cross the famous pedestrian bridge opened for the new millennium, you can have a beautiful view of London and the dome of St. Paul River. Arrived on the opposite side we found ourselves in front of the old power plant recovered, which now houses the Tate Gallery. Since it is Friday and the Tate closes at 22.00 ... you do not enter? Yes come on, let's look!
The environment is huge, huge deal works are very large areas and so just to see some must walk. ... Walking ... walking ... .. What's more the lift from the sixth floor is the last, does not work! ! Some of us stoically decide to walk up and the choice is apt because the top, the windows of the restaurant and bar you can enjoy a beautiful landscape.
Destroyed and we go hungry and go to a bus and then metro home. At 10 pm we use our strength to last us a plate of spaghetti and drag us into our beds knowing that tomorrow .... We will be walking!

17800 steps

Saturday is a must go to Portobello but in August it strongly discouraged! Already we see the bus a lot of people on sidewalks and street crowds trying to win a spot in the front row in a stall all, just to see something. Just get yourself into the fray, the sensation of suffocation. The hot ... chaos .... Hundreds of phones ringing and hundreds of Italians and Spaniards who respond! After a successful attempt to buy something like everyone else (I buy a shirt there and Roberta), disappointed, tired and hungry, literally run away with a bus route and head towards the Natural History Museum ..
The museum is awesome and deserves a full day. We stood in line for the area of the dinosaurs, but actually do not miss the variety of exhibits and completeness of explanations, also come face to face with the animated T-Rex that you "roars" and shows his " teeth, "does something to us not only to adults and children.
Part of the museum on the biology and the human body is a series of interactive stations really exciting and informative and we had to reluctantly drag out our son, but time is running out and the museum was closing.
After a relaxing stop in a bar down the street, the walk continues with a visit to Harrods and here we are divided giving us an appointment an hour later. We visit the Department of wonderful food, buy gifts (tea, biscuits, handbags, etc. ..) and then after going up and down the escalator Egyptian style (it looks like Las Vegas!) We do a tour with Roberta ward evening wear ... .. amazing!
Ok! Now back to reality. The boys claim the dinner and so we decide to spend the evening between Soho and Chinatown, and here we stop to eat at a Chinese restaurant where we can take a variety of dishes that would feed an army!
We end the day with a walk to digest the sumptuous dinner and then we go home with our beloved bus 2 floors.

11000 steps

Today Greenwich.
With the underground to Embankment station where we take the ferry line and not the tourist for a few pounds and do a ticket to Greenwich. Comfortably seated for 45 minutes we see our side scroll all the most famous buildings and monuments that overlook the Thames, we go beyond the docklands area and go down to Greenwich, the Cutty Shark. From here, a walk to the park and up the hill to the observatory. It 's almost one and a bit of' we'll see the "red ball" descend on the stroke of 13.00, as the sailors saw it once, thereby regulating their clocks.
We look then to visit the museum and various local and apartments of many astronomers and scientists who have followed over time, and then we put ourselves in a row ... .. yes! In a row ... ... to see the mythical "Prime Meridian" and power, as all us the photo with one foot in one hemisphere and one another. Hot and hungry we go looking for a bar or pub and after a huge burger "home made", about 15:00 we head to the National Maritime Museum. And 'interesting enough for kids but the thing that kept us more to see and experience. ... Not working. He was the driving simulator of an oil tanker that made you just feel the emotion of the port lead personally.
Okay, console ourselves with a well deserved rest on the lawn of the park and then a ride through the streets of the village of Greenwich and its market that unfortunately we visited as we wanted, so close to closing time.
The return we did train with the DLR and then underground to the house for a family dinner and after, as paths in the steps lowered the average day, we walked the streets and canals of Camden.

11600 steps

Today we gathered with our friends in London too, in the British Museum.
The British Museum is truly a once in life you have seen. Upon entering the beautiful covered piazza, you can not help but admire the Rosetta Stone, to browse through the mummies and sarcophagi in the halls of Egypt, feeling a bit 'between the Greek Parthenon Marbles, discover refined and important cultures such as Assyrian or Central America. There's something for all tastes and despite being a museum more "traditional" and innovative, also really enjoyed seeing the children live what they have studied in school. Exit, we decided to go for a picnic in Hyde Park, entering the zone corner and the Speaker after eating our sandwiches in the shade of some trees sitting on a soft grass, are preparing to reach the Lake " Serpentine "that between a bouncer and a coffee at the end circumnavigate all. It 's amazing how Londoners live their parks. There are sun beds scattered across the lawn (still paying), boats to rent for a romantic ride, dozens of signs that prohibit the feeding of animals (ducks, geese, fish, etc. ...) and absolute cleanliness in all angle (including public toilets). But the particular and rather strange compared to our parks, is that there is the bathing area, where a part of the park is fenced and the front part of the lake is bordered by ropes into the water, creating a "shore" where you can sun bathe and especially most of the time with the ducks of course are not required to respect the boundaries.
Continuing our tour we arrive then at the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain. This fountain is made of concrete shaped necklace in which water flows and where you can soak your feet and walk around the perimeter. On a sunny day like today, with many children (and adults) walking and running in the fountain, resting on a perfectly kept lawn like a carpet, the feeling one gets is of joy and happiness and if this was the intent of those who designed it, then it is perfectly managed.
Our walk continues past the statue of Peter Pan and then we go from Lancaster Gate. Here we go with a bus in the shopping area and wander a bit 'to Oxford Street and Regent Street and the end can not resist and enter by the big toy store Hamleys. After you roam from one shop to another, we greet our friends and we sit on a bus headed home. A little moment of rest and then we try in vain to make our "Last Supper" in a pub regularly asked to leave because of our two "children". Ok, we have to go and eat fish and chips in a restaurant chain and some still go out fully satisfied with our dinner.

5500 steps

Today is our last day but leaving in the evening there is time to visit Westminster Abbey. The ticket is a bit 'expensive but worth them all and still again with the family ticket is saved. We did not line paying with credit card at the entrance gave us the audio guide in Italian. The guide is very well done and things to see are lots of great significance. It 'nice that within dell'audioguida there are more records than the standard illustration of the works that make very good atmosphere. There are music, songs, stories to hear that council to sit down and immerse yourself in the environment.
Output is already lunch time and decide to go on shore in South Bank to enjoy a little 'day and eat in one of the many restaurants that are in the area.
Around 15 is now put in the order of ideas must retrieve your luggage and head to the airport. By contrast the outward journey, we took the subway from Camden Town to London Bridge and from there the train of Capital Train to Gatwick. Without delay, therefore, we arrived in Bologna.