Waegook Tom

A Blog About A Globetrotting English Teacher

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10 Prime Places to Visit in London

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Your planned visit to London is a noble idea. You can easily get there by choosing a reliable airline like Cathay Pacific. There are numerous interesting spots to visit during your free time. It can get confusing if you are unsure of where to start from. This outline will help you identify what appeals to you best.

1. London Eye

This is a mesmerizing and scary observation wheel. It is a famous landmark also known as the Coca Cola London Eye. It is located over the southern bank of the Thames River. The London Eye was constructed in the year 2000 as part of the millennial celebrations.

It has glass capsules that allow you to watch the city views as it rotates. At the height of 443 feet, you get to see these views clearly. Each orbit takes 30 minutes which is a shorter time compared to the queuing time you have to undergo before accessing the Ferris wheel.

2. Tower Bridge

Your visit to London will be incomplete if you do not visit this enthralling bridge that is between two towers. It is suspended over the Thames River and has a glass floor for you to clearly see the vessels moving below. What’s interesting is the lifting up of this bridge to make way for tall ships to pass through. Note that the Tower Bridge is different from the London Bridge.

3. Tower of London

The Tower of London is another marvel to be visited. It is actually a massive castle with a White Tower beside it. Its name comes from this White Tower. It is a royal fortress that has been used for different things at different points in its 900 years of existence. It was once a palace, a castle, an execution site, a storehouse, and a prison.

The revered action in this castle is a traditional routine where people gather to watch it daily. It is known as the Ceremony of the Keys and is performed every night. It is the securing of the tower each night. You need to book in advance to be able to participate in this ceremony because of the many people wanting to watch.

4. Big Ben

Big Ben is a world renowned landmark. Its original name is the Great Bell of Westminster. It weighs 13 tons and has a four-faced clock. It has stood the test of time and its clocks have never stopped. Big Ben is housed in a 96 feet tower that is known as Queen Elizabeth II Tower.

5. Parliament

The Houses of Parliament are located next to Big Ben where political debates are carried out. The tower and the Parliament face the Thames River. The Parliament is formally called the Palace of Westminster. It has attractive architecture and is open for all to watch the debates. It seats on expansive land and if you require a guided tour, you can get it on Saturdays or when Parliament is out of session.

6. St Paul’s Cathedral

Make an effort to visit the second largest church in London. It is a common landmark with its two towers and unique dome. The fabled dome stands at 365 feet and its interior can be closely viewed as you walk up the stairs. The Whispering Gallery within this magnificent structure is a sight to behold that you must tour once you are inside the premises.

The gallery gets its name from the fact that any sound, however low, that is made near its walls is magnified and transported across the hall. This Anglican Church has a rich history as it was constructed on top of a former Roman temple. The temple was destroyed in 1666. Sir Christopher Wren rebuilt the church with unique architecture in 1710.

There is a sepulcher that is open to the public to catch a glimpse of the tombs and graves of eminent personalities. Prayers are held hourly every day. The cathedral is open to the public daily from Monday to Saturday and can only be accessed at a fee.

7. Chelsea Physic Garden

For nature lovers, this garden is breathtaking. It occupies four acres of land along the Thames River. It has a large variety of plants, some of which are medicinal. Every plant is labeled and you can also get flower seeds. There is an entrance fee that is charged. The visiting period is in the months of April to October.

8. Stonehenge

This is a manmade prehistoric monument that took a lot of man hours to complete. It is shrouded in mystery as no one really knows its true purpose. Some people think it has healing powers while others think it is a burial ground. The best time to see it is in the early morning when the sun is rising or in the evening when the sun is setting. There is an entrance fee charged for both adults and children.

9. Thames River

The Thames River is a charming and clean river in London that is 326 km long. It is a popular site for hanging out as it forms the background for watching other attractions in the city. It has a wide choice of sporting and leisure activities.

You can go on a cruise in the river to get engrossed in the many alluring sights along its path. It spans across 7 countries and 80 islands and has 200 bridges. A Thames cruise will expose you to a lot of exceptional sights as you meet and connect with new people.

10. The Shard

The Shard is so-named because of its shape that resembles a piece of broken glass. This is the tallest building in London standing at 1016 feet. It comprises 95 stories with the three topmost floors used as viewing platforms that are both indoor and outdoor. You get to clearly view the entire city on a radius of 40 miles. All those attractions across the city can be spotted plainly from the Shard.

With such a robust life and plenty of attractions, London promises to offer you an experience of a lifetime. The solid memories of this city will linger long enough to be shared for years to come. These prime places will forever hold a special place in your heart after you savor them.

Taking a Vacation in the Fall: A Guide

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The most popular time for people to take a vacation is during the summer. The kids have an extended time off school, the weather is much better, and there are activities to keep everyone happy the entire time. However, there is a lot to be said for taking a vacation during the Fall that many people underestimate. Not only will you save money by not traveling during peak time, but you will also get the chance to expand your travel experiences. Given the effect that the coronavirus has caused on the travel industry, travel during the summer might still be difficult, so there has never been a better time to give a Fall vacation a chance. However, a getaway in the Fall (while still being just as good) won’t be exactly the same. There is a lot more to consider before booking those plane tickets, so to ensure you get the best experience, read on.

Consider the weather

During the summer, you are almost guaranteed good weather no matter where you book, but in the Fall, you might not be greeted with blazing hot sunshine or clear blue skies in every destination. Instead, you may experience cooler temperatures, rain, or even storms, but don’t let that put you off. It just requires a bit of research if you want to enjoy the sunshine. Look for year-round destinations, such as Brazil, India, and Jordan, for example.

However, taking a vacation in the Fall gives you the chance to experience something new, and you might find that you enjoy it more. The cooler weather means that you can be more active, see more of the country you are visiting, and benefit your health (as you don’t risk burning yourself in the hot sun). These better climate conditions make it the ideal way to explore, so if you are interested in doing this, then seek our places such as the UK, Croatia, and Switzerland.

Don’t just opt for a resort package

By all means, if you find a destination with year-round sunshine, you can enjoy the resort to the fullest. If you are considering opting for somewhere with a much cooler climate, however, then don’t just opt for the resort package as it will not provide quite the same experience. Instead, choose adventure, natural wonders of the world, vibrant streets and culture, as well as sacred history. The exotic vacations Exoticca has to offer can ensure all of this and so much more. With their expert help, the cooler weather, and lack of tourists, you can be certain that a vacation in the Fall is perfect.

Pack differently

It is important to remember that the two vacation experiences are going to be very different. In the summer, you are likely to live in swimsuits and bikinis the entire time. In the Fall, unless you go to Brazil or South Africa, you need to dress appropriately for the colder climate. This means packing plenty of layers and bringing along a sturdy pair of shoes if you choose to experience more adventure. Check the weather for your chosen destination and pack what is needed. Lightweight layers are ideal as they aren’t too heavy but will do the job of keeping you warm.

Travel Tips for Visiting the USA

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When flying to a country which speaks a different language, it’s part of the routine to check the customs and the way which that particular country does things. However, when flying to a country which speaks English, such as America, Australia or New Zealand, it can be easy to think that the customs will be pretty much the same as the UK. In regards to America, there are a few things you should be aware in terms of rules and customs, as well as some essential planning to make your trip a lot smoother.

  • Be Prepared to Tip

Tipping is expected in America, from everyone, whether it be your taxi driver, restaurant server or hotel attendant. Whereas tipping is more a habit of choice in the UK based on good service, it’s customary in the United States, and can be viewed as particularly rude if you leave a restaurant without tipping. The majority of a restaurant server’s salary can be made up from tips in America, so it’s a good idea to set aside extra money in your budget for tipping.

  • Check Your Flight Times

The United States spans the length of the entire continent and has multiple time zones within it. This can make planning your travel experience somewhat complicated, especially if your flight route has multiple layovers along the way. What’s more, American airports have the tendency to be very strict. If you are flying to San Diego, for example, and you don’t want to deal with the stress of both customs and the long flight time, then Stratos Jets Charters is the best way to go. Private jets go through their own custom checks, and are far more luxurious to fly in. San Diego is an incredible city to visit and arriving on your own private jet is the best way to experience all this wonderful place has to offer.

  • Obey the Traffic Laws

American authorities are very strict when it comes to the rules of the road. No parking means no parking, and traffic must remain stopped at a red light until it changes fully to green (there’s no drifting through when the light is amber like you might do in the UK). You should also pay close attention to STOP signs and learn which way you need to look at a junction.

It’s also important to note that traffic laws and speed limits change from state to state, so you will need to check the specific rules for the state you intend to visit. Either invest in a GPS that informs you of changing speed limit signs or keep an eye out for sign changes – back grounds tend to drop suddenly in speed and have a tendency to not be very visible. Locals would calls this a “speed trap”.

  • Don’t Overwhelm Your Trip

There’s more than enough to do in one state, let alone 50 of them. Though it’s tempting for most people to want to nip over to a neighbouring state in order to tick another point of interest off their bucket list, a lot of people underestimate the travel distance between states (or even across one state) and don’t realise the toll travel can take on the body. Stick to what you can comfortably do in the state (or states) you want to visit and don’t try and do too much in one trip. You can always go back!

Reasons to Buy Your Universal Studios Tickets Online Before You Leave Home

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If you are heading to Orlando in 2020 then you are no doubt already looking to see which theme parks you will hit, where you will stay and how you will map out your vacation in this amazing location. A family trip to Orlando takes a lot of planning and you need to maximize each day in order to get the best out of this trip on the whole. When it comes to buying tickets for somewhere like Universal Studios it really makes a lot of sense to get those tickets online before you go. There are many websites which offer ticket buying options and there are so man benefits in doing this.

Cheaper Prices

For the best prices on Universal Orlando tickets you have to go online and visit a third party seller who is offering big discounts on entry passes. If you compare the prices of these tickets to what you may pay on the door when you arrive at Universal Orlando, you will see that the difference is pretty sizable, sometimes up to 20% cheaper. This is of course a big saving but when you consider that you are going to be taking the whole family, that saving becomes even bigger. Check that you are buying from a reputable reseller before you part with any of your money.

Guarantees

It doesn’t happen often but there are times when you may find that the park has sold out for the day, which can completely ruin your itinerary. Guarantee yourself tickets before you go to give you the peace of mind which you need. Buying online before you go will ensure that you have secured your tickets and that you are going to be able to get in on the days which you have selected.

Planning

As we mentioned in the intro, a holiday to Orlando is a hectic one and because there is so much to do, and so much which you’ll want to do, you need to plan your itinerary to the letter. knowing that you have secured your tickets for theme park access helps you to better plan your time in Orlando, rather than leaving anything up to chance.

Less Stressful

As someone who has taken the kids on 2 separate occasions to Orlando I can tell you that this is a vacation which is very stressful, and that starts before you leave home. If you compare a vacation like this to a two week trip to Spain, the amount of planning, luggage and work that you have to put in to a trip like this is huge. It is for this reason that you need to be an expert with your plans, because the more that you have prepared before leaving, the less stressed you are going to be when you get there.

Universal Orlando is a great place to spend a couple of days, get your tickets before you leave, and tick another item off your to-do list.

Planning a getaway to Hampshire? What to see

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Source: Unsplash | Annie Spratt

Hampshire is perhaps synonymous now with comfortable country living and iconic English towns. This slice of idyllic England is home to the seaside, acres of towering forest and homes of some of Englands most famous authors. Hampshire’s reputation for being the home of refined taste makes it the perfect place to plan your getaway to. Whether you’re after a town or city break, or you’d prefer to spend your days outdoors, there’s plenty to do in this beautiful corner of the country.

Jane Austen’s House

If you’ve watched Pride and Prejudice and ever wanted to see where it all began, then this is the place to visit. Not only is this the home that Jane Austen wrote her most famous novels, but it’s also a beautifully preserved cottage with stunning gardens that surround it. This capsule of Jane’s life is a treasured place for many literary enthusiasts and is also a monument to celebrate one of Britain’s most influential female authors.

Endless Gardens

While you’re in one of the most quintessentially English parts of the United Kingdom, you may as well visit some truly iconic gardens while you’re there. In Hampshire, you’ll find beautifully-presented gardens that are bursting with the best wildlife that Britain has to offer. For example, Exbury gardens come to full vibrancy during the summertime, and while you’re there it’s a good idea to make the most of their quaint nearby attractions – an adorable miniature steam railway being one of them. You’ll also find forests, as well as riverside walks, to enjoy. Nearby gardens also include the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, where you’ll be able to smell some of Britain’s most beautiful native flowers, such as hydrangeas.

Mid-Hants Railway

If you want to enjoy the English countryside at full speed, then taking one of their picturesque railway routes is the way to do it. The ‘Watercress Line’ takes you to some of the most quaint English towns known to man, including Alresford. If you want the chocolate box experience, then be sure to take the train to this adorable little town. You’ll find multi-coloured houses, tiny boutiques and plenty of places to eat and drink. This town is renowned for its place on the train line, and so it’s not completely removed of tourist attractions.

You’ll also find plenty of riverside walks to go exploring down and views of the sprawling green countryside. Depending on which end of the Mid-Hants Railway you’d prefer to base yourself at, you’ll also find plenty of places to stay in the surrounding area. By simply searching ‘Holiday Cottages Hampshire’ you’ll find plenty of luxurious cottages to base yourself, in the Hampshire area.

Hampshire enjoys some of the UK’s most beautiful views, as well as some of its most vibrant wildlife. By taking the steam train, you will discover hidden towns that look as if they belong in a film set. You will also discover the writers of films that would be created centuries later, as well as beautiful gardens to lose yourself in – it is truly a county that’s worth visiting.