When you find yourself in a country for the first time, you get confused and end up giving attention to what wasn’t part of your initial plans. It’s always good to plan your travel to get the best out of your trip. Some embassies even request that you include this plan in your visa application.
Jetsanza.com shares with you a sample itinerary on how to spend a two-week vacation in the United Kingdom.
Visiting a country like the UK where there are good number of Ghanaians, you may end up visiting friends and families without even seeing a single tourist site or taking any activity. Having a plan will help you organise your days so that you don’t wake up thinking of what to do.
A two-week travel itinerary for London
In planning this itinerary, references were made to the following websites lonelyplanet.com, Londonpass.org, Topsightseeing.com and Ukguide.org.
You are encouraged to take note of days that fall on weekends. Some tourist sites may be closed to the public on weekends.
DAY 1 – Arrival
Arrival at London Heathrow Airport. Take it easy at the airport so that you don’t end up in the most expensive trains. Look out for signs to the London Underground train, grab a map to identify how to get to your hotel. If money isn’t your problem, you can just pick a cab to your hotel. Alternatively, you can arrange for airport pick-up service with your hotel/hostel.
DAY 2 – Stadium tour
If you are a soccer fan, you definitely have to begin your tour by visiting the stadium of your football club, that’s if it’s in London. Assuming you are a Chelsea fan, visit the Stamford Bridge. If you happen to visit at a time they’ve won some trophies, you will see them and take photos with them. If your team is not in London, you can take advantage to see the newly built ‘White Hart lane’ in Tottenham which took over 7 years to build.
DAY 3 – River Thames
Head to River Thames in Central London. The river banks have the most popular attractions in London. Tower of London, the London eye and London Bridge are all situated here.
DAY 4 – The Medieval Banquet
Time to dine like a King and have a feel of English cuisine at the Medieval Banquet by the tower. Medieval Banquet says you are a royal guest; King, Queen, Knight, Wench, etc and they treat you as such. The facility provides a dinner and theatre experience simultaneously. Go there and pretend to be a King/Queen as you dine and enjoy some English entertainment.
DAY 5 – Kensington
Set aside today for Kensington. Visit the Kensington Palace and then head to The orangery at the Kensington Gardens. After enjoying some food and drinks, you can relax at the park and then see the galleries, gardens and landscapes at the park.
DAY 6 – Buckingham Palace
Travel to London can’t be complete without visiting the Buckingham Palace, London residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Changing of the Guard is an important feature for tourists to the Palace. You have to be at the palace in the morning in order not to miss it. It takes place outside Buckingham Palace from 10:45am for 45 minutes while the actual handover takes place at 11am.
If you still have much time this day, you can see the Hyde Park.
DAY 7 – Nightlife
You love nightlife? If YES, then you may want to take some rest in the day to prepare yourself for the night. Some people can’t stay late in the night without having some sleep in the day. Get to Brixton and you will find bars with music all over the place. Brixton is easily accessible from anywhere by Train and Bus. Dog and Fox in Wimbledon also provides free live band music on Saturday nights.
DAY 8 – Rest
You should definitely have some sleep due to the previous night’s “chilling”. Have some walk around where you stay and do some window shopping if there are shops near you.
DAY 9 – Window Shopping
You may want to continue the window shopping proper at bigger shopping centers. London’s shops have items for every pocket size; from Primark, H&M up to all the top Italian designers. It’s always advisable to first compare prices and decide on what you really want to buy before buying them. Tourists usually discover better deals after they are done shopping. You can consider Westfield, Toothing, Convent Gardens or West Croydon for your shopping.
DAY 10 – Bus Tour
Hop on one of the many buses that offer sightseeing tours in London. Get your ticket, grab a drink, climb to the top of the bus as you are being driven through the city of London.
DAY 11 – Benjamin Franklin House
If you are a religious person, interchange this day with the day that your religion worships. With the help of the internet, it’s easy to locate where your religious denominations meet and if they offer any tours to visitors. If you are not a religious person, then you may consider visiting the Benjamin Franklin House to witness one of their many scheduled events at the museum.
DAY 12 – 14 – Packing
For some reason if you were not able to visit certain places in your itinerary, this is the time to do them.
When done, pack and return to your home country.
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