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May and June - The Height of the London SeasonVisit London in late May or early June and you'll see the best that it has to offer at an affordable price. There are several attractions worth visiting while in London, a few of which are mentioned below. The Chelsea Flower Show occurs in late May and is one of the main attractions of the year – not just for garden enthusiasts but for socialites and anyone who appreciates nature’s beauty. See the very best in modern garden design, themed gardens, extravagant plantings, plus outdoor furniture and greenhouses. On the last day of the show there is a unique opportunity to purchase some of the magnificent exhibits. This year the show’s organizers have decided to extend the show for an extra day. The Show takes place between May 24th and May 28th, and tickets are available through the Royal Horticultural Society’s website at www.rhs.org.uk/whatson/events/chelsea2005.asp . The Queen's Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) is a celebration of the official birthday of her Majesty The Queen. The parade is a traditional British military ceremony with music, pageantry and the massed bands and troops of the Household Division. The parade begins at 11 AM and lasts approximately one hour. There are two parade rehearsals – one on Saturday, May 28th, and another one on Saturday, June 4th, followed by the actual parade with The Queen taking the salute on Saturday, June 11th. For more information on this celebration visit the British Army online at www.army.mod.uk and click on the link for ceremonial events, or read the article titled “Queen’s Birthday” on the TravelLady Magazine website www.travellady.com/Issues/July04/881QueensBirthday.htm . Tourists interested in purchasing tickets for The Queen’s Birthday Parade should call 44 20 7414 2479. Another event worth attending is the Vodafone Derby Festival (June 4th). This centuries-old tradition features England’s premier horse races, and takes place just outside of London at Epsom Down’s Racecourse. Attending this event is ideal for horse racing enthusiasts and people-watchers, as patrons from all parts of British society come to witness this racing gem. More details are available at http://www.epsomderby.co.uk/ . For a taste of 16th Century England, visit Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Sam Wanamaker's faithful reconstruction of Shakespeare's 1599 playhouse. Sit in a gallery around the 20-sided “Wooden O” or stand as a groundling right under the actors' noses. This year's season includes The Tempest, Pericles and The Winter's Tale. Due to its popularity, it is better to purchase tickets sooner rather than later; more details can be found online at http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/ . The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition (June 7 through August 15) is the largest contemporary art exhibition in the world and a big event in the London art world. Work by painters, sculptors and printmakers (famous and unknown) are chosen to go on show in Burlington House, home of the Royal Academy of Arts. Many of the works are for sale, ranging in price from less than £100 for a limited edition print, to many thousands for major oils and sculptures. Visit the Royal Academy of Arts website at http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/ . Finally, one of the biggest events taking place in London each year is the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships (June 20 through July 3). This is the only remaining Grand Slam Lawn Tennis tournament to be played on grass. It attracts top players from all over the world. Tickets are allocated by ballot the year prior to the event, but there are a small number available by standing in line at the All England Club on the day of the event. Visit http://www.wimbledon.org/ for more information on this world-class tennis championship event. While visiting London, one way to stretch the dollar is to stay in a rental rather than a hotel. With careful planning it is possible to find something nice for under $60 per person per night. One particular organization, Coach House London Vacation Rentals, specializes in short term central London rentals. Most of their rentals are the properties of Londoners temporarily away from the city so tourists can experience the informality, warmth and convenience of a real home rather than the stiffness of a hotel, or the impersonality of a serviced apartment. Their website profiles over 70 properties ranging from houses that will sleep up to 12 people, to cozy apartments that accommodate just two occupants. Full details of all their properties, together with useful information for planning a trip to London, can be found on the Coach House London Vacation Rentals web site at http://www.rentals.chslondon.com/ . For a truly authentic British experience, one can stay in the Coach House bed and breakfast facility. This two-bedroom Victorian-era home can accommodate up to five guests, and is located in a beautiful neighborhood just minutes away from London. Accommodation fees for the Coach House bed and breakfast begin at $65 per person per night, and include a choice of a continental or full English breakfast. More information on this bed and breakfast spot is online at www.chslondon.com/ch/ , or contact the hosts at coachhouse@chslondon.com . Additional London vacation tips, including more information on the events mentioned in this article, can be found on the TravelLady website at www.travellady.com/destinations/britain.htm . Edited by C. Jason Stewart |
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