For our second weekend in Italy, eight of us decided to venture to the U.K. to explore all that London, England has to offer. Leaving Thursday evening and flying from Milan Malpensa to Gatwick (London), we spent two days and three nights in the “Big Smoke.”

Some travel advice for future study abroad students:

1.) EasyJet and RyanAir are the two most popular low-cost airlines utilized by international students in Italy and most of Europe. We used EasyJet for our flight and were able to get 8 round-trip tickets for approximately 80 euros/person. Although these airlines are often criticized for inefficiencies and excessive delays and cancellations, I have no complaints.

2.) Be sure to print boarding passes online. This saves a ton of time since EasyJet does not give passengers seats anyway (first come, first serve seating).

Friday:

On our first day in London, we decided to complete the quintessential “tourist” experience. This included taking a Double-Decker bus tour; seeing Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and the Globe Theatre; taking a river cruise on the Thames River; and eating both “fish and chips” and England’s famous pies. Although many of these activities are “cliche” and done by almost our tourists in London, they are definitely worth while and the bus tour is an extremely easy and convenient way to see the city for only 26 pounds.
 
Saturday:

For our second day in London, our group split in half. Since the famous English football club Arsenal was playing a match at home against Wigan, the guys spent the morning in Arsenal taking in the pregame scene and visiting a pub dedicated solely to the support of this team. Walking through the streets, visiting street vendors selling various club apparel, and eating traditional pregame meals of sausage, chips (fries), and hot dogs, it was clearly evident that the passion of English soccer fans is unmatched by any other sports fans, save perhaps those of college football in the United States. Two of my friends, lifelong Arsenal supporters, purchased tickets outside of the stadium and watched a 3-0 Arsenal win. Myself and another friend chose to further explore the city, including the All England Lawn and Tennis Club (Wimbledon). The girls chose instead to have afternoon tea at Harrod’s and spend the day shopping.

Overall, London was a great city to visit and I had a great time exploring this iconic European site. Although expensive (the exchange rate was 1.62 pounds / $1!) London was a great first trip that allowed us to experience travel throughout Europe while still having the comfort of understanding the language.

Some interesting/odd English words:

Tube                           = subway
Bangers and mash     = sausage and potatoes
Full English breakfast = heart attack

Location: 42 Princes Sqaure, London, England