Day 1 in Europa

Welcome to VIRTUAL London...

London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans, who called it Londinium. London's ancient core, the City of London, largely retains its square-mile medieval boundaries. Since at least the 19th century, the name London has also referred to the metropolis developed around this core.The bulk of this conurbation forms the London region and the Greater London administrative area, governed by the elected Mayor of London and the London Assembly.

London is a leading global city, with strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transport all contributing to its prominence.It is the world's largest financial centre alongside New York City and has the largest city GDP in Europe. It has the most international visitors of any city in the world[14] and London Heathrow is the world's busiest airport by number of international passengers. London's 43 universities form the largest concentration of higher education in Europe.In 2012 London will become the first city to host the modern Summer Olympic Games three times.

London has a diverse range of peoples, cultures and religions and more than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries. In July 2010 Greater London had an official population of 7,825,200, making it the most populous municipality in the European Union. The Greater London Urban Area is the second-largest in the EU with a population of 8,278,251, while London's metropolitan area is the largest in the EU with an estimated total population of between 12 million and 14 million. London had the largest population of any city in the world from around 1831 to 1925.

London contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London; Kew Gardens; the site comprising the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and St Margaret's Church; and the historic settlement of Greenwich (in which the Royal Observatory marks the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) and GMT).[24] Other famous landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, 30 St Mary Axe ("The Gherkin"), St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square and Wembley Stadium. London is home to numerous museums, galleries, libraries, sporting events and other cultural institutions, including the British Museum, National Gallery, British Library, Wimbledon and 40 theatres.London's Chinatown is the largest in Europe.The London Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world and the second-most extensive (after the Shanghai Metro).(images and info via HERE)

Let's attempt to see EVERYTHING today... wonder if we will run into the Royal Couple at Buckingham Palace...

ORIGINAL painting AVAILABLE HERE... ONLY one!

I think we should hop on a Red Double Decker and take a tour of the city...

We want to see Big Ben...

at the House of Parliament or Westminster Palace...

Westminster Abbey...

Piccadilly Circus...

maybe stop to shop a bit at Harrod's...

look at the sunset in Beverly's FAVOURITE SHADE of PINK over London...

time for dinner with Jacqueline of Home...

next 3 photos via HERE

and then some entertainment at the Royal Albert Hall...

Eventful day in London, non?  Tomorrow morning we will have breakfast in London and maybe visit an art museum and then we will hop a train and be in Paris tomorrow evening... Keep up... we have a lot to see and do... Hope you LOVE this VIRTUAL voyage!!!

ENJOY!