Month: January 2003

What about a short trip to a beautiful garden and three good London museums in one day ? Sounds challenging, so get ready with a pair of comfortable walking shoes.

Let’s start …

• It’s a long day, so get up early and have a good breakfast in the hotel first. Or pop in any of the coffee shops around your hotel, get a good cup of coffee and a scone.
• Take the Tube to the Glocester station (served by Circle line).
• The station is a small one and find your way to the Cromwell Road. Walk towards East, since it’s the morning, the sun is in front of you 8-).
• Around 10 minutes later, you will be in the intersection of Queen’s Gate and Cromwell Road. Turn left, cross the road and towards North.
• Another 15 minutes or so, you will find the entrance to the Kensington Gardens. Have your camera loaded.
• In no time, you will see the extravagant Albert Memorial. It is a monument to the memory of Queen Victoria’s beloved consort, Prince Albert – it has to be seen to be believed.
• Across the road is the Royal Albert Hall, a auditorium capable of holding 8,000 people.
• Leave the garden and walk along the Exhibition Road (south bound). Soon you will find the Science Museum, the first museum of the day.
• You will probably spend two hours or so there. The admission is free. There are special shows all day long, and their collection of computers is facinating.
• It is good idea to take a break here, have a quick lunch there. And then continue your trip to the next museum, along the same Exhibition Road.
• Around the corner of Exhibition Road and Cromwel Road is the impressive Natural History Museum. The admission is free but it is a good idea to buy the museum guide. You will find outstanding exhibition of dinosaurs, whales, birds and all kinds of animal (including man).
• Another two hours or so (you have to be a quick walker 😎 and just in time for an afternoon tea break.
• What’s next ? Just next to the Natural History Museum is the “V & A” – Victoria and Albert Museum. It’s probably the world’s greatest collection of the decorative and applied arts. Another two hours there …
• Ooops … the museum is going to close. Yes, you shall spend more time in these great museums. Pick another day.
• Find a good restaurant around Glocester station and wrap up the day with a good Italian, English or American dinner.

One of the most impressive shopping and entertainment mega events in the world, Dubai Shopping Festival was staged for the very first time on February, 1996.

This year, their eighth year, the event starts on 15th January. For details, visit their official website.