A solo trip to London can be extremely exciting and extraordinary for you as a woman. Travelling with no restrictions and an incredible sense of self-dependence and freedom which comes from travelling alone to a mega city like London is absolutely flattering. However, accompanying these goodies are challenges and risks that may come up while you are travelling alone.

Even though London city is quite safe for solo women travellers, yet there are certain things which you should keep in mind while you are travelling alone in London.

Exercising Safety at hotel
While you are checking in at a London hotel, make sure that you ask for a hotel room that is quite close to elevators. It will save you the trouble of venturing through staircases. Additionally, do not let other people have even the slightest hint that you are a solo traveller.

Along with this, it would be advisable if you arrive at the hotel during day time. Even the most crowded places in the London city may seem deserted at times during night.

Travelling Alone
While you are in London, never board on unlicensed taxicabs of the city, especially at night. No matter how lucrative and cheap prices they are offering, do not take a ride in those cabs. Instead, call down a mini cab as they are far safer to travel around the city.

Keeping Documents Safe
Keep all your necessary documents bolted and do not carry them with you while you are travelling around London. If you are using a money belt, do not use it as a purse. Keep your passport and other valuable documents secured in the hotel safe. And, if you need them while you are travelling, it would be better if you have duplicate copies of those items.

Be Confident
It can be quite difficult sometimes to bear loneliness when you are travelling alone. However, do not let this loneliness glaring extensively on your face. Do not look confused and lost in the crowd. Maintain a pleasing disposition that exudes confidence and self-dependence. Enjoy your time in the city as London has plenty to offer. Make certain that you have planned an itinerary and sticking to it. Do not try to deviate from your itinerary as it can cause discomfort for you as a solo traveller.

Keep your Wits at Hand!
While you are in flea markets in London, see to it that you have safely put cash into your money belt. Keeping your wallet either in a backpack or in your back pockets will be a blunder as pick pockets will take no time in sweeping your cash away!

Travelling solo to London is all about keeping your wits at their sharpest and enjoying your time in the city. Follow these tips and have a memorable and safe trip to London.

London may not have the reputation of Amazon Jungle, but when it comes to court adventure seekers, the city has a lot in store. Mere fact that it is located on the banks of Thames makes it an alluring option. Thames, the whirling waterway offers a lot do on and around it. From boating to camping, adventure lovers can try a lot of things near Thames. It would be wise to book a riverside hotel in London, so you can relax and unwind after all your exertions.  Here is our pick of five of the best things to do near this beautiful river.

Skiffing

Nothing is better than exploring the hidden treasures of the river way on a Thames skiff (a wooden rowing boat). It’s the ideal solution to your outdoor leisure activities anytime in the year.  Propel the boat with a pair of oars and enjoy the beauty of the city at your own pace. And if the weather is kind and the sun is showering its refreshing rays on you, nothing is better than that. After your exertions, sip your favourite refreshing cocktail at a nearby bar or relax on a bench beside the twirling waves.

Canoeing
How about hiring a canoe for a day and enjoy cruising down Thames without causing any harm to the environs. Paddle along the waterway on a canoe winding its way through miles of city, with plenty of pubs, hotels, restaurants, and shopping stops in the way. The scenery, wildlife, and the views of the city offer a treat to the eyes. Try your hand at Canoeing on Thames to see London as you have seen never before. Kayaking is also similar to canoeing but the in the former you propel yourself with a double blade paddle and in the latter, with a single blade paddle.

RIB Boating
Feeling energetic? Along the tranquil waterway, there are luxury speed boats waiting to drift away your stresses. You will never forget the adventurous experience of cutting through Thames on a RIB boat just like James Bond did in “the World Is Not Enough”.  There isn’t a better way to see the London landmarks than on a speed boat.

Eat and Relax
Whether you want a quick bite or a hearty meal, the River Thames has plenty of restaurants with awe-inspiring views of the water. If the weather is kind, enjoy an afternoon tea at a rooftop bistro. If the wind starts to bite, drop in a cozy English pub to have a pint by the fireplace. The Tattershall Castle is a wonderful boat bar moored on Thames where you can enjoy views of London Eye whilst having a drink. Aqua River Brasserie is another waterside bistro with floor-to-ceiling windows framing views of London landmarks. It houses a horse-shoe shaped bar too.

Keep your eyes wide open and you will find London to be a land of adventures. Thames is truly one of the best waterways in the world for adventure seekers.

Travelling solo to London can be extremely exciting and rewarding. Travelling alone gives you the freedom of exploring the quirky, hidden treasures of the city which you might miss while you are travelling with a group. There are plenty of places in London which are ideal for solo travellers seeking sojourn in the city. Given below is the sample itinerary for travellers who want to discover this mega city alone.

Have a Pint at London’s Classic Pubs and Bars
What better way to celebrate your loneliness than indulging into a heart-warming drink at London’s best bars and pubs. London is renowned for its pub culture and being alone is truly a great opportunity for you to discern the vivacity of the pub scene in the city. Some of the pubs where you can truly have a wondrous time are:

Bar at the Connaught
If you happen to stay at a hotel in Mayfair London, then do not forget to visit the Connaught bar at the Connaught. Located in the luxurious Connaught, this bar is ranked among the top ten bars of the world. Superbly stylish decor and a heady concoction of drinks here will enchant you. Serving the best whiskies in the world like Lagavulin 1995, Balevin Sherry Oak, Dalmore Castle Leod Vintage 1995 and Johnny Walker Platinum, this bar has one of the best combinations of cocktails. Another added feature of this bar is the Whiskey Chocolate pairing where your chosen whiskey would be served with three homemade chocolates.

Nightjar
If you want to indulge your senses into a heady cocktail of drinks and entertainment, then Nightjar is the place for you. A diverse range of cocktails categorised into eerie sections like pre-prohibition, post prohibition, post war and Nightjar signatures awaits you here. However, the main draw at this bar remains The Millionaire (a heavenly combination of Grand Marnier, Nightjar Grenadine, duck egg white, limejuice, nutmeg, absinthe and Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon).

In addition to lip-smacking cocktails, you will be greeted with some dazzling live performances by Jazz artistes.

Taste the Global Culture of London
Travelling alone means that you can eat whatever you want without any restrictions. And what better place to get the global taste than London? It is often considered as one of the most multicultural cities of the world. Taste that multicultural vibrancy of this city with these eateries:

Mehfil
Want to experience the divinity of Indian food combined with enthralling Indian music? Mehfil restaurant at the Mehfil hotel is your destination. Serving exquisite, authentic Indian food, this restaurant is one of the best restaurants in London for having Indian food. At Mehfil, you will find both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Delicacies like Karahi chicken, King Prawn Curry, Prawn Biryani, Karahi Paneer will surely charm you like nothing else. In addition to this, this restaurant also hosts musical nights from Wednesday to Sundays every week.

IL Baretto
Meaning “little bar” in English, IL Baretto is renowned for dishing out outstanding Italian delicacies. Snugly located in the heart of Marylebone, this eatery is particularly renowned for its wood oven cooked pizza and mouth watering Carpaccio. Apart from this speciality dish, this restaurant-cum-bar serves dishes like Chianina beef brasaloa with lemon and Parmesan, Parma Ham, Chacuterie board and other such dishes. And, accompanying these dishes would be the finest selection of wines like Red, White, Rose ones and Champagne and Bollicine and Sommelier’s selection.

Gift yourself a Pampering at Spas
Feeling a bit weary after your “solo-expedition” in this mega city and searching for a calm retreat amidst the chaos of London! Then, head towards the numerous spas that abound in the city. A pampering treatment at spa will rejuvenate your tired mind and body.

Elemis Day Spa
Situated in the heart of Mayfair, Elemis Day Spa is one of the prime spas in London. Incorporating the luxurious blend of different cultures to soothe your tired nerves, this spa will pamper you quite divinely. Apart from the numerous therapies (that includes anti-ageing, detox therapy, therapies for pregnant women, skin solutions, skin specifics and other such treatments) both for men and women, this spa boasts facilities like saunas, pool and Jacuzzis.

After Revitalisation, Discover the Rare Side
London is full of places that exude mystery and rarity. You will not find parallels to them anywhere in the world. Be it haunted attractions or quirky places, London will surprise you with its unparalleled combination of mystery and fascination. Being solo means you have the freedom of unravelling the mystery of those places.

The Tower of London

Ghost Mystery
It is one of the most visited but “the scariest attraction in the city” too. Known as the “bloody tower”, this historic building is more famous for its history of ghost sightings. Ghosts of Catherine Howard and Arabella Stuart are the most famous ghosts of this place. Visit this place and see for yourself whether the ghost sightings stories are true or not!

The Doodle Bar, Battersea

Scribble the bar away!
The Doodle Bar at Battersea has reasons to be named as “one of the most weird bars in London”. In the past, this bar was a Victorian dairy and a tile emporium. But, this is not its most weird aspect. At the Doodle bar, you can scribble its walls while you are having a drink. There is a blank, white canvas where you can carve out your masterpieces, that too free of cost!

Travelling Solo to London is a great way to find out the different dimensions of this city. Plan you own “solo” itinerary to the city, taking clue from this one and have the “time of your life” in London.

Travelling with a baby or a young child sometimes becomes an overwhelming task for you as a parent. No matter how quiet your kid is, but sitting in the confined spaces of an aircraft can frustrate your child a lot. Kids are always bubbling with energy. Therefore, it becomes irritating for them to stay rooted to their seats through the whole journey.

If you are flying to London with your kid or baby, prepare beforehand. If you are uncertain about planning, read the tips given below. You can follow these travel tips when you are flying with a baby or a young child:

1. While booking tickets, ask the airlines for special seats for your little ones (some airlines offer special seats and packages if you are travelling with kids or a baby). Additionally, book your tickets well in advance to avoid last minute rush.
2. Decide the time of the travel. If you are flying with a small baby, then night is the best time as there is minimal movement during that period.
3. For you cabin baggage, keep backpacks. This will free your hands and handling your kids will be a lot easier for you.
4. It is quite normal for kids to experience ear pain when the plane is taking-off and landing. Pack easily chewable sweets as it will help them in coping up with the pain while the plane is either taking-off or landing.
5. Carry homemade food for your kids, if they are above 6 months. In addition to this, keep a travel bottle warmer for keeping drinks fresh.
6. If possible, opt for the front seats of the aircraft for your travel to London as the front seats generally have larger leg-space and are at a distance from the engine of the plane. Along with this, choose the window seats as ever-changing scenery viewed from the plane window always fascinates small kids.
7. Do not forget to keep a change of clothes for your baby and your child.
8. Pack some toys and other things, which will engross your kid in plane. Keeping pencils and notebooks is a good idea too as children love to scribble.
9. Keep an ample stock of diapers and wet wipes for your little baby.
10. Portable DVD players and PSPs will distract your child’s attention while travelling. However, make sure that the batteries are optimally charged before the travel begins.
11. If you are taking some drinks with you for your child, make sure that the beaker is capped. It will avoid spills and such beakers are easy to carry too.

Travelling with kids or babies, no doubt is a formidable task. Nevertheless, with proper planning and these tips, you can easily lessen the travelling blues with your little ones.

Gatwick is the second busiest international airport in UK. Despite of its considerable distance from the heart of London, it’s the transport links that ensure it remains an amazingly popular entry point for tourists. If you are landing on the airport, our handy guide is sure to help you travel to, from, or around the airport.

Terminal Transfer
So you have landed at the North Terminal and want to reach the South Terminal. Traveling between terminals couldn’t have been easier. A free shuttle train service connects the two terminals and runs every few minutes for 24 hours. The journey takes no more than two minutes.

Getting into London
Once you have landed at the airport, the next hassle is how to get into the town. Fear not. There are quite a few ways to reach central London easily and quickly.

Trains: One of the most convenient means to reach the heart of London is Gatwick express, the non-stop train service to Victoria Station that runs every 15 minutes from South Terminal and completes the journey in just 30 minutes. You can book your tickets in advance online.

Buses: If you prefer to travel by bus, easyBus is the best bet. Buses travel to and from Earls Court in central London throughout the day and night. And the tickets price starts from as low as £2. You can book online for the bottom prices.

Taxis: If your budget allows, you can also rent a taxi to central London but the fare would be appalling like £60-£95. To rent taxis just head to the booking desks in the arrival area at the North Terminal and close to the northern entry point to South Terminal. The journey will take more time, approximately 50-70 minutes as per the traffic.

Airport Facilities

Car Parking: The airport has two car parking options; the short stay and long stay. Short stay car parking space is located right next  to the terminal buildings and charge from £1 to £30 depending upon the duration. Long stay parking is located slightly at a distance but that’s accessible by foot. It charges £11.50 per day.

Monetary Issues: From ATMs to currency exchange offices, Gatwick Airport has everything in store to solve your monetary issues. Besides, public telephones, workstations with internet access, and VAT refund desks are also available for your convenience.

Luggage: Services include luggage storing and baggage wrapping with charges of £8 per item per day. There is also a lost-property office right inside the airport that handles queries related to lost or stolen baggage.

Other Facilities: Other facilities at the airport include Wi-Fi at the passenger area (charges applicable), childcare facilities, photo booth, medical services, and facilities for the disabled travellers. For more information on Gatwick airport, you can browse through http://www.gatwickairport.com/

Gatwick Hotels
Gatwick airport hotels are the answer to all your travel related issues, be it airport shuttle, currency exchange, car hire, or ATM. The airport is well-surrounded by plenty of hotels to choose from as per your budget and amenities you need. Take a tour of some of the best hotels along with their detailed amenities.

Barrington Lodge
This little lodge is perfect for those visiting London on a budget. Just 15 minutes’ drive from Gatwick, this lodging gives you a royal experience within your limited budget. Well-connected to rail links, Barrington Lodge offers a choice of rooms including single, double, and family rooms. You can book a room at the starting price of just GBP 29.99. Price is subject to availability of the rooms and amenities. Besides, facilities like free parking, car rental, and internet make your stay even more delightful.

Gatwick Cambridge Hotel
If your budget allows you to stay in a 3 star accommodation, Gatwick Cambridge Hotel has to be the right choice. This grade 2 listed building offers a high standard of service with a personal touch. Onsite airport parking is provided at a competitive cost. Besides, 24 hour airport transfer can be arranged on request which makes things easy for those who are arriving late or departing early. Book an accommodation with this hotel starting from just £ 39.00. Price is as per the availability and type of room.

Southbourne Guest House
Want to indulge in luxury? This lavish hotel is sure to offer you a delightful stay in its late Victorian setting. Located within 5 minutes’ from Gatwick, Southbourne Guest House offers free airport shuttle service from 09:30 to 21:30. Set in a quiet picturesque area, this hotel offers en-suite rooms equipped luxuries like free Wi-Fi, luxurious bathrooms, and a courtesy tray on arrival. You can book a room starting from just £45.00, which is subject to availability of the rooms and the amenities included.