You know a place is destined to last when it – and everything around it – is engulfed in flames and still rises from the ashes. There are places all dotted around the globe that show the wear and tear of monumental and catastrophic fires, but if you really want to understand flames at their highest and the resulting simmering ashes at the bottom, Europe is a good place to start: talk about history! But if you ever want to understand one of the most complete examples of top to bottom destruction, London must be at or near the top, no pun intended. The Great Fire of London is the prime example. Approximately 436 acres of the city were destroyed, encompassing around 85% of the City of London. Read that again: 85%.
Over 3,200 houses, 87 churches (including St. Paul’s Cathedral), and numerous other buildings were destroyed. round 70,000 to 80,000 people were left homeless. Needless to say, the fire had a significant impact on the city’s economy, disrupting trade and causing widespread economic hardship. It’s worth seeing and worth thinking about. To get you going, our affiliate friends Viator have some worthy tours of that part of Olde Londinium.
Why not discover the grandeur of London aboard the open-top, double-decker bus on this hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour. Choose between 24-, 48-, or 72-hour ticket options, and customize your sightseeing itinerary. Stops include Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Covent Garden, and much more. Enjoy unobstructed views and onboard commentary as you view the city’s highlights. Then, if you’ve selected the option, hop off at Westminster Pier or Tower of London stop to enjoy a Thames River cruise. It’s actually another great way to see London. To book your tour, click here. Really, really interesting stuff. To book, click here.
When in Europe, easyJet is your best bet to get around. To book your flights, click here.
You’ll want to stay. We love nhow London. It features a restaurant, fitness center and bar in London and, even better, a wacky personality. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with bike rental and free WiFi throughout the property. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. We’ve stayed there and we continue to recommend it. Find out for yourself. To book, click here.