LONDON 2012

It's Olympics time in London ! There is a joyous and carnival like atmosphere in the city and most spots are buzzing with tourists and travellers. So if you happen to be in London to celebrate the banter surrounding the Games, don't forget to visit the following places. This list has my personal favourite spots of London which you can simply not afford to miss if you intend to experience a quintessential British summer. So here we go-

Notting Hill Gate/Portobello Road- The home of all things English and vintage ! If you are a fan of vintage, you got to visit this place ! Every Saturday, Portobello road comes alive with great fanfare. Portobello Road market has a unique Bohemian feel to it. The colourful houses with long, slender climbers prettily adorning the French windows and cute vintage cars parked on the road give the whole market a vibrant and gypsy look. There are small rustic stalls lining the whole length of the road and they sell everything from vintage posters, CDs, exquisite porcelain crockery to some beautiful precious and semi-precious jewellery. You can browse your way through some rare vintage mantle pieces, jewels or try on chic retro fashion. And there are a number of bakeries and cafes' in the market to keep you energised for your 'shop till you drop' adventures! The famous Hummingbird bakery deserves a special mention as it serves one of the best cupcakes in London. Do stopover at this delicious cake heaven during your visit. And don't forget to bargain. Often, vendors overcharge for items which aren't even vintage. So scrutinise the item/cloth carefully for its grade and quality before you blow up hundreds of pounds on something which was a fake ! Oh and in case you are a Hugh Grant/Julia Roberts fan like me, do get your picture clicked in front of the door of the house where Notting Hill was shot. The door was originally black in colour but was painted blue before the owners sold it off. But then what the heck ! The association with the film is enough to make it the paparazzi's muse.

South bank- If culture had an address, it will be London's South bank Centre ! It is home to some of the greatest cultural organisations like the British Film Institute, The National Theatre, Haywards Gallery and hosts London's most famous tourist attraction 'The London Eye'. A visit to the South bank is like a wholesome three course meal ! You can please your basic touristic desires by hopping on to the London Eye and enjoy some spectacular views of the city of London. On the other hand, you can satiate the artistic and cultural connoisseur inside you by catching up a play at The National Theatre or a cool film of the bygone era at the BFI. And that's not all. If you just feel like taking a stroll by the South bank and enjoying the views of Thames and the city, this is the just the place for you. You could also visit the Gabriel's Wharf market as you walk towards the OXO tower and check out some quirky fashion by new designers. Food has never been a concern for South bank either as there are some great restaurants and cafes like Las Igauanas, BFI cafe, Wahaca and Dishoom specialising in cuisines from all round the world.Whatever you choose to do at this wonderful place, I can assure you that you won't be disappointed.

Camden Town Market- Think gothic, think quirky, think eclectic, think Camden ! Camden Town is a fascinating tourist spot in London. It offers a whole new side of the city which you wouldn't get to experience by visiting the hotspots of Central London. Camden Town is generously influenced by the Gothic lifestyle and you will find all sorts of weird shops like tattoo piercings, electric T-shirts (Don't worry they wouldn't give you a shock. They just light up and look like a walking discotheque when you wear them) and all things black and loud. But that's not all. Camden is a perfect example of globalization with its market having stalls from almost every part of the world. This is one place where you can buy or taste something 'Made in China', 'Made in France', 'Made in India' or 'Made in UK' all at the same time ! The market is beautifully located on the banks of The Regent's Canal and has fabulous mix of designer fashion, world crafts, vintage goods and arty souvenirs. It's also a food lover's delight as Camden serves some of the best world street food in London. Those with a nose for history, Camden's Stables market originally functioned as a horse hospital and stable for injured horses in the Victorian era. And did you know that deep beneath the Stables market lies a secret maze of underground tunnels or 'catacombs' ? Well, the next time you hear any strange neighing sounds while visiting Camden, you know where they might be coming from...

Quirky window art in Camden 

Hyde Park and Lake Serpentine- No visit to London is complete without visiting the sprawling, green Hyde Park. One of the most popular out of the Royal Parks of Her Majesty, Hyde Park is a joggers delight. But even if you aren't in the mood to stretch your muscles, just visit the place on a sunny summer day to enjoy its lively atmosphere. The Lake Serpentine is especially popular during the summer months and is busy with swimmers, kids and boats. After spending some time at the park, one can visit the Buckingham palace or hit the streets of Knightsbridge for a dose of luxury !

Oxford Street- This piece of shopping heaven in the Westend can make every shopper go weak in his/her knees. The sheer variety and number of high street brands can make you cringe and compel you to spend all your hard earned cash on things you don't even need ! But trust me, no feeling can match the one imparted by the retail therapy at Oxford Street. From expensive labels like Russel and Bromley to the cheap fast fashion of Primark, there is something for everyone here. There are a few fast food joints like KFC and McDonalds for a quick grub but in case you are in for a more elaborate meal, check out the scrumptious mozzarella and baby tomato crepes served by John Lewis's cafe. 

Spitalfields and Brick Lane- Tucked away in East London, these two places are perfectly visited together. Spitalfields market has a vivid variety of designer fashion and creative craft shops. The market hall hosts stalls from upcoming designers and one can get some exclusive designs for a bargain price here. Just about two blocks away is Brick Lane, popularly known as the 'Curry Lane' of London. It isn't hard to find this street as you will automatically gravitate towards the aroma of the spices lingering in the air. Try out a delicious Indian meal at Masala Zone and then wash it down with a pint of beer at the Truman's Brewery. 

Afternoon tea and scones at Trafalgar square- When you visit London or take one of the sight-seeing tours, you must have been suggested to enjoy cream tea and scones at The Ritz. However, when you are on a budget, Ritz doesn't do much for the pocket. But you can still enjoy authentic English cream tea with scones at 'The Cafe in the Crypt' near Trafalgar Square for an affordable price of just £5.95. This is a unique cafe located in the crypt of the 'Saint Martins in the Field' church and offers a once in a lifetime experience to enjoy a delicious cup of English tea with clotted cream scones on someone's final resting place ! Spooky but still scrumptious ( The scones of course! ) ;)  

Ice cream at Tower Bridge- Yes this is one of the cliched tourist destinations of London but an absolutely essential one ! You are ought to be mesmerised by the grandeur and magnificence of this bridge. A visit to the Tower of London, followed by a walk over the bridge is a great way to appreciate the history and opulence of the city of London. Oh and do dig in a cone of your favourite ice-cream from one of the many ice-cream vans parked by the river bank. Absolute delight !

Apart from the above few, London has a number of other places which deserve a visit. So equip yourself with a map and zero in your favourite now!