London on a Budget – find out what you can do for free

Although the Olympics are starting to become somewhat of a distant memory, the resulting respect for our capital city is still strong. If you felt like you missed out on a trip to London last year, don’t let the lack of sporting events in 2013 put you off – even with a small budget you can still enjoy the best the city has to offer. Here are our top tips for sampling the delights of London on a budget!

Free Museums and Galleries in London

Despite being classed as an expensive city, many people fail to remember the amount of activities you can actually do for nothing. Not even taking into account the endless number of parks or great architecture – there are loads of museums and galleries you can enjoy without having to pay a single penny. Although small donations are often encouraged, the National Gallery, Science Museum, Natural History Museum and the British Museum are all completely free to enter.

 Eat at local food markets

Although an affordable meal in London is easy to find, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be an enjoyable one. If you’ve had your fill of pizza chains and high street clones but can’t afford a step up in price (and quality), try checking out the growing trend in street food. With places like Borough Market and Whitecross Street Markets selling affordable but downright delicious grub, it could also be your chance to sample some new and worldly cuisine.

Search for sightseeing passes

If you are interested in visiting some of London’s famous tourist spots, think about investing in a pass to help save you money on entrance fees. With some passes allowing you access to over sixty different tourist attractions, if you’re planning on being a real culture vulture, it can end up being a real cost effective option. Alternatively, if you’re only interested in visiting a few select places, search for specific discount vouchers online. For example, despite its location outside of the centre of London, Kew Gardens is one of the best destinations around; with Virgin Experience days discounts you could now take advantage of a three course meal and entrance-fee combination for less than a hundred pounds.

Alternatives to the West End shows

Although many people are drawn to the bright lights of the West End, it’s likely to be a lot more expensive than elsewhere in the city. Unless you’re paying a visit to the best eateries in Soho (and there are some real gems) we’d suggest getting your theatre fix somewhere a little off the beaten track. Instead of paying out for tickets to a musical, try searching for tickets to a play at somewhere like the Leicester Square Theatre or even for a show in the comedy circuit. That way, you’ll avoid the big price tag and still be able to enjoy a slice of great entertainment.

Whatever you fancy doing whilst in London, there are many ways to avoid constantly paying out. By simply being a bit astute about where you spend your money, you could end up enjoying a trip to remember!

These tips on visiting London on a budget were brought to you by MyVoucherCodes, providing discount vouchers for restaurants, hotels and things to see around the UK

More information about the free places in London mentioned in this article

The National Gallery Website
The Natural History Museum Website
The Science Museum Website
The British Museum Website
Borough Market Website
Kew Gardens Website

More things to do in London

High in the Treetops at Kew Gardens
Your guide to the vintage markets of London
Three great ways to spend a day in London

Photos Credit: London Theaterland by Llamnudds on Flickr other photos by Heatheronhertravels.com

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

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Barcelona: Portal to the Fantasy World of Gaudi

In this guest post from Beth Davidson, we explore the fantastical Gaudi world of Barcelona, from the fairytale atmosphere of Parc Guell to the fantastical architecture of La Sagrada Familia

Before I went to Barcelona, I had certain expectations stemming from what I had been told from friends and family and experiences I had had in other parts of Spain with their colonial architecture and typically Spanish landscapes.

When I landed, however, it was like I had stepped into the pages of a colourful children’s book or a highly descriptive fantasy world; the bubble of Barcelona. From Gaudi’s impressive buildings to the street performers that lined La Rambla, there is something awe-inspiring at every twist and turn. It felt like my eyes had been opened for the first time to a place so colourful and new yet so historic and cultural at the same time.

Parc Guell

The place that emanated this theme the most was Parc Guell, with its quirky Hansel and Gretel like architecture, winding paths, and lively buskers. Walking through this natural haven offered a complete contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city that was visible from atop the hill, and even the crowds couldn’t diminish the magical atmosphere that swathed the urban park.

Whilst it is a hugely popular attraction, there were still nooks and crannies here and there that offered much needed seclusion. I could have spent hours just meandering amongst the vibrant tropical plants, stopping every now and again to marvel at the cute buildings that popped up.

It wasn’t just the park itself that instilled a storybook vibe, but the journey there too. Entering through the top means a lengthy trawl up an aggressively steep hill or the much more comfortable option of taking the outdoor – yes, outdoor – escalators.

As I rose higher and higher past quaint ice-cream shops and rustic houses, it felt as if I was ascending to a different world. When I reached the top, my feelings were confirmed as I was greeted by spectacular views across the city; the Sagrada Familia a toy version of itself in the distance. I was like a giant looking over the city that never sleeps.

Inside the park I made my way to the bottom, the scenery around me getting more and more fantastical the lower I went. The lower section is where you will find the hub of visitors swarming around Gaudi’s work; the topsy-turvy tunnel, the seating area shaped like a sea-dragon, the bubbly white steps leading down to the edge of the park. On either side of the exit sit two beautifully designed buildings that look as if they have been copied from a Dr. Seuss book and pasted into the centre of Barcelona; the perfect way to leave the dream-like world of Parc Guell.

La Sagrada Familia

Gaudi’s handprints are all over Barcelona and this is one of the reasons for its fantasy feel; he didn’t believe in straight lines so everything has a higgledy-piggledy exterior like psychedelic versions of their normal forms.

La Sagrada Familia is no exception. Queuing to get inside was an experience in itself – not a particularly pleasant experience in the midday Autumn heat. But, when you’re standing next to a building as magnificent as this, it is hard to be annoyed.

The exterior is an amalgamation of architectural aspects that in theory shouldn’t work well together, but in fact complement each other superbly. This mix of old and new, elaborate and sleek serves to impart a dream-like state over the building – one that doesn’t disappear upon entering.

Inside, the vibrant stained glass windows and smooth, glossy columns felt like yet another world; like a bubble inside a bubble. The elaborate, intricate details that adorn the exterior do not prepare you for the highly modern – albeit still unfinished – interior. It was almost as if two worlds had collided within the same building.

It isn’t just Gaudi that has characterised Barcelona as a page from a children’s book. The evidence is everywhere, including the highly touristic La Rambla. Walking down the wide boulevard is like entering into a comical theatre display with costumed performers providing entertainment against a backdrop of tapas food and souvenir shops.

The streets of Barcelona are at once a stage, a museum, and an art gallery with a dash of fantasy provided by the eclectic architecture, architecture which I can’t wait to go back and see. After all, everyone needs to escape now and again!

Author Bio:  Ever since she can remember, Beth Davidson has had a fascination with art, design and travel. After being bitten by the travel bug, she has been to numerous countries spanning three continents and is particularly interested in the way a places’ art can teach us more about its culture and history. Find out more about Beth and her interests at her World Art and Travel Blog.

More things to enjoy in Barcelona

Montjuïc in Barcelona – the hill that has it all
Where to find truly great tapas in Barcelona

Photo credits: Parc Guell by Sarah_Ackerman and Sagrada Familia by deming131 and LaPringle.

This article by is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

5 Free Things To Do In Berlin

Berlin is one of Europe’s top cities to visit and is still getting more and more popular every year. Some trips can be pricy, however, so here are five things to do in Berlin that won’t cost you a euro.

East Side Gallery

One of Berlin’s most popular sites, the East Side Gallery, is also free! The Berlin Wall is one of the most recognisable and iconic outdoor artworks in the whole world.  The 1.3 kilometres stretch has 105 paintings provided by artists from all over the world.

Hope and freedom is the intended theme, as there was a real sense of each in the city when the Berlin Wall came down in 1989. The fall of the Berlin Wall meant that East Germans could be united with their Western neighbours once again and the paintings really do capture the optimism of the times.

You can walk the whole length of it in a short time, but you’ll likely stop at every painting to admire the work, so be prepared to spend the best part of an afternoon there. Start at ‘Ostbahnhof’ train station and go all the way along until the Oberbaumbrücke Bridge. This is the best way to get the most out of the Wall.

The Holocaust Memorial

This memorial is a must in Berlin as it is both thought-provoking and educational, and as it is free, there is no excuse not to visit.

More formally called, The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, this memorial makes sure that the Jews who died in WWII will never be forgotten. You’ll find 2711 concrete blocks – all different shapes or sizes to represent the fact that each of the six million Jews that died were also individuals.

You’ll also find an exhibition indoors with more information, so this is a sight you can’t miss.

The Reichstag – a parliament with a view!

It’s not in every city that the parliament building is considered a main tourist attraction, but in Berlin that is certainly the case.

You can climb the building’s iconic glass dome for free by climbing up the spiral walkways for fantastic 360º views of the German capital. Even check out the roof terrace; though be prepared for some wind!

This visit is completely free, but you must register in advance. It’s also recommended to avoid the afternoon – the busiest time, with the longest queues. Going in the evening is a good idea, especially as the city looks even better when all lit up after dark.

The Tiergarten

Berlin’s largest park, the Tiergarten, is found right in the heart of the city. Choose to sit down in a nice spot and admire the greenery and the ponds, or even go for a walk around some of the park’s 23km of walkways.

The park is the perfect picnic spot in the summer, while a visit in winter can be like stepping into a winter wonderland with untouched snow covering the grassy fields.

Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate is perhaps the most famous and most recognisable sight in the entire city, so a visit there while in Berlin is a must. And it’s also free! The gate stood between East and West Germany and was then a symbol of the new Germany when the Wall eventually fell in 1989.

At the start of the 19^th century, Napoleon’s forces took the chariot sculpture back with them to Paris as a war trophy. Don’t worry though! It was reclaimed by the Prussians just a few years later when they defeated the French and that means it is back in its rightful place today, where you can go and see it.

My thanks for this article go to Euan McTear from Oh-Berlin, provider of quality holiday apartments and accommodation in Berlin.

Photo credits: East Side Gallery by PAVDW, other photos from Heatheronhertravels.com.

More things to enjoy in Berlin

Inspired by the Anne Frank Museum in Berlin
Eat on the street in Berlin
Children at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

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