Luxury Travel Advisor - January 2008 - (Page 26) ADVISOR INSIGHT: Cynthia Lauture, the London travel specialist for American Express Travel in Garden City, NY, was born and raised in London. Here is her insider advice on how families can enjoy this fascinating city. “London is a magical city to visit with children because there’s so much to see and do—from the West End musicals, historic attractions and museums to fashion and, of course, the Royal Family. And because it’s an Englishspeaking destination, there is this wonderful feeling about London being like a ‘home away from home,’ which is why it attracts hundreds of families each year and remains one of the top destinations in Europe. For first-time visitors, I recommend a minimum stay of five nights. Of course you can’t see everything, but you can always come back! The best times to travel are March through May, when it will be more economical, less crowded with a chance of fine weather. June through September is peak season, when the gardens are in full bloom, the evenings longer and the warm days just right for wandering. October through November is cooler and less crowded. Whatever the season, do have your umbrella or poncho handy, as England is known for damp rainy weather. Traveling around London is easy with local transportation, such as the doubledecker buses, above rail, taxi or the superb Underground (a.k.a., the Tube). The ride on the bus or Tube will be fun and educational for the whole family. However, when with very young children, do try to travel light if possible. Strollers can be cumbersome and take up a lot of room on the London buses. Be sure to dress in comfortable clothes and shoes. London is a very pedestrian-friendly city and walking rather than using public transportation or taxis can make it easier and faster to get from point A to point B. A few of my favorite accommodations for a family-friendly holiday in the city include the Ascot Mayfair Apartments (www2.the-ascott. com), where you can experience luxury while residing in Mayfair, London’s most exclusive district. A particular favorite, the Athenaeum Hotel and Apartments (www.athenaeumhotel. com), is one of the very few family-owned five-star luxury hotels. Le Meridien Piccadilly (www.starwoodhotels.com) is set right in the 26 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | January 2008 THE LONDON EYE is 443 feet high and sits on the South Bank of the River Thames. heart of London’s West End and in the area’s vibrant cultural surroundings. The Rubens at the Palace (www.rubenshotel.com) is an upscale property and superbly located opposite Buckingham Palace. The Dorchester (www.thedorchester.com) is consistently ranked one of the world’s best and the Millennium Hotel (www.millenniumhotels. co.uk) in Mayfair offers many interconnecting rooms that are great for families. There are many things for children to see and do; a few wonderful suggestions are the London Zoo (www.zsl.org/zsl-londonzoo), a fantastic experience for adults and children and the Cartoon Museum (www. cartoonmuseum.org), certain to amuse and entertain kids of all ages; and it’s here that you will find the very best of British cartoon and comic art. Pollock’s Toy Museum (www. pollockstoymuseum.com) is another great choice; it offers a collection of puppets and toys as well as a collection of toys from around the world. Madame Tussauds (www.madame-tussauds.co.uk), the wax museum, is a must-see. And, of course, there’s the famous British Museum (www. britishmuseum.com) and the Science Museum (www.sciencemuseum.org.uk). My personal favorite, just one hour from London, is LegoLand Windsor (http://www.legoland. co.uk) located in Berkshire. Boat trips along the River Thames or the “hop-on, hop-off” bus tours allow you to enjoy a full arrange of sights: Houses of Parliament, Shakespeare Globe Theater, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and much more. The London Eye—a tourist Ferris wheel—is highly recommended. Attend the ceremony of the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and seize the opportunity to take a picture with one of the stoic Beefeaters. There are many outdoor activities to keep restless children occupied or you can just relax in one of London’s wonderful parks for a picnic: The Regent’s Park boasts an open-air theatre from the end of May to early September. Boating and cycling can be found in both Regent’s and Hyde Park. In the late evening, walk around Leicester Square. ‘Buskers’ entertain the crowds with anything from an impromptu song to magicians, caricatures, movie theatres. Suburban kids queue to dance the night away at the Hippodrome, Equinox or Maximus. Let’s talk about food. Children as we know will be happy with a burger served with fries, or pizza. However, if you want to dine, here are a few recommendations: the Blue Kangaroo, a restaurant with a play area downstairs that serves delicious organic meals; Browns’, serving classic good food and a great children’s menu; Rainforest Café, Planet Hollywood and Ed’s Easy Diner, for a traditional American dinner. Or, head for Chinatown near Leicester Square. You can’t go wrong at almost any restaurant there.” http://www.rubenshotel.com http://www.thedorchester.com http://www.millennimhotels.com http://www.millennimhotels.com http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo http://www.cartoonmuseum.org http://www.cartoonmuseum.org http://www.pollockstoymuseum.com http://www.pollockstoymuseum.com http://www.madame-tussauds.co.uk http://www.britishmuseum.com http://www2.the-ascott.com http://www.britishmuseum.com http://www2.the-ascott.com http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk http://www.legoland.co.uk http://www.athenaeumhotel.com http://www.legoland.co.uk http://www.athenaeumhotel.com http://www.starwoodhotels.com
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