It’s Independence day! It is 235 years since the Americans have declared their independence from the United Kingdom. Luckily international relations have long since cleared so get out your star-spangled banner as we highlight the All American options one has when visiting London.

Go for Dinner

Every year on Independence Day there’s a hot dog eating competition in New York’s Coney Island. The current record stands at 54 hotdogs in 10 minutes! For the first time in history there will be a Women’s Only division this year. If you want to take your other half for a more relaxed dinner, there are restaurants aplenty serving traditional American dishes. Recreate the 50’s vibe jukebox and all at Ed’s Diner and get a tasty burger too! For ribs and the like try Bodeans that has four branches spread over London or go to a Byron restaurant for another quality burger.

Celebrate  Jeff “The Dude” Bridges

If America has given us anything, it is Hollywood. One of  best American screen-icons is Jeff Bridges, who created a cult when portraying The Dude in the film The Big Lebowski. He’s been an actor for decades starring in films as The Fabulous Baker Boys, Crazy Heart for which he finally won and Oscar, and last year’s Coen western True Grit. The British Film Institute, BFI, is celebrating his life in film until the end of July.

Fall in Love with an American Sweetheart

In the original movie the bubbly Elle was played by American sweetheart Reese Witherspoon. This Legally Blonde musical adaption follows the same story line of the first film and Elle follows her boyfriend to Harvard to study law. Elle’s determination and style will have you cheering for the red, white, blue and pink!

Raise a glass

Find yourself an American bar: smack-bang in Covent Garden you find the classy Christopher’s American Bar and Grill, they serve beers as well as celebratory cocktails and conveniently located if you want grab a drink after the theatre too! Or go to All Stars they have a bars in Holborn, Bayswater and Brick Lane. Not only do they serve beer,they offer bowling and karaoke too: a full night’s entertainment in one – result!

Live the American Dream

See how the American Dream came true for Frankie and his buddies in Jersey Boys the Musical. The musical the Jersey Boys is based on the true story of the rise to fame of Frankie Valli and the Four seasons, you will no doubt sing-along to all the classics: December 1963 (Oh What A Night), Walk Like a Man and Can’t Take My Eyes of You.

What ever you do, have an awesome day this Independence Day!

As William and Kate tour Canada, London celebrates Canada Day on Trafalgar Square! This 1^st of July 2011 also marks what would have been the 50^th birthday of William’s mother: the late Princess Diana.  When you tour London this summer or just go sightseeing in London, you will come across plenty of sights that still bear the popular princess’ mark.

Take a Royal Tour

Follow the route taken by the wedding procession of William and his new bride Kate last April. This London sightseeing tour will lead you past landmarks like the Royal Albert Hall and Westminster Abbey all the way up Kensington palace. Make pictures of the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace and view the impressive features of the Houses of Parliament and Downing Street.

Kensington Palace.

Visit Kensington place up close, where Princess Diana lived in Apartment 8. This palace has housed several members of the Royal family: Princess Victoria lived there until she woke up Queen on 20 June 1837. Due to refurbishment only the State Apartments are currently open and have been turned into the exhibition The Enchanted Palace.

Play ground in Kensington Gardens.

Next to the palace lie the Kensington Gardens, the perfect place to go for a walk during a sunny day. Keep the children entertained on the Princess Diana Memorial Playground, designed especially for little adventurers! Inspired by Peter Pan, the playground has a huge pirate ship to climb, teepees to explore and a sensorial trail to experience. Accompanying adults can relax in the seating spaces among the trees and plants.

The Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park:

Beat the heat in the Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park this summer. Its design represents Lady Di’s life with water flowing from the highest point into two directions until meeting in a calm pool at the bottom. See Londoners and tourists mingle, refreshing their feet while sitting on the fountain edge or crossing the water using one of the three bridges that lead you straight to the heart of the fountain; again symbolizing the openness and quality of Diana herself.

Harrods

Shop or window-shop in Harrods, London’s high-end department store that specializes in luxury goods. The biggest shop in the UK lives up to its motto, Omnia Omnibus Ubique: All Things For All People Everywhere. It was founded 1834 and stayed on the same Kensington site since 1849. In its time the shop had five different owners: one of them was Mohammed Al-Fayed. He built the magnificent Egyptian escalators that will lead you past a memorial for his son and Princess Diana.

Even if you are not a prince or princess touring Canada this summer, you can still enjoy a right royal time London!

Finish a perfect summer weekend away in London with a visit to the West End. Whether you are looking for a romantic London theatre break or just need a relaxing weekend with your girls, this is just the ticket for you: Ghost the musical.

Ghost the musical is based on the 1990 film with Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg. Though Whoopi won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, Patrick’s sex-symbol status was cemented with that pottery scene.

The musical pulls all the theatrical stops and trickery to create an amazing live-experience. Smoothly rotating and folded sets are matched with clever projections to set the scene. It is a visual feast, especially when the chorus completes the picture with a tightly choreographed group dance.

Set in New York, the story starts when artist Molly Jensen (Caissie Levy) and banker Sam Wheat (Richard Fleeshman) move into an apartment in Brooklyn with help of their friend Carl (Andrew Langtree).

The first songs start a little sudden (the “Hey Guys listen up:”- cue music- variation.) but the incorporation of “Unchained Melody” is sheer genius. The charm with which Richard Fleeshman pulls it off makes the female, and no doubt some of the male audience, forget he’s not Swayze: We All Still Would. It’s the moment he grabs us and takes us through the rest of the show.

Visual treats continue when we see the outer body experience happening live on stage. This new technology in set-design is surprising, sudden and impressive. It returns a couple of times but before you can get bored of it, you believe it: so much that even the classic suggestion of a well-lit cloud of evaporated dry-ice near the climax of the play, makes you see apparitions.

Ghost doesn’t just rely on the set for theatrical magic: Sharon D Clarke as medium Oda Mae Brown simply rocks the house! The moment Ms Clarke steps onto stage, she shows you what live performance is about. Her impeccable timing gets her the biggest laughs of the night and she belts the songs while embracing her role of comic-relief in some seriously camp dances.

No such fun for poor Caissie Levy whose devastated Molly has a beautiful voice but who was unfortunately stuck with the love-songs. These songs rather described the situation than moved the plot along but one could argue this fitted the character. (She’s heartbroken, she doesn’t want to move on!)

Despite some of the projections over-egging the love a little, (in particular one ‘intimate’ scene on stage projection: two clasping hands, what kind of 1950s euphemism is that?) we do connect to the story of Molly and Sam.

A huge highlight is the musical’s equivalent of the pottery scene, so fans: don’t be disappointed when that scene seems short. The musical’s triumphant alternative is a slow-dance scene where even the most cynical of us will get goosebumps.

There are references to the film but Ghost the musical has created its own magical moments: theatre is a different medium than cinema after all. Still the musical definitely won’t disappoint the film-fans, in fact they should see it: unlike the film, this is not an experience you can relive on DVD.

Rally together to celebrate London’s tennis event of the year: Wimbledon. It is the start of summer and this year is even more special as we celebrate Wimbledon’s 125-year Jubilee. The famous tennis-tournament at Wimbledon started 1877 with the first Gentlemen’s Single Game. We give you a few Wimbledon inspired ideas to get into the swing of summer!

Museum and Tour:

If you are lucky enough to have a ticket for the Wimbledon tournament, you can also visit the museum. See all the shiny trophies from up-close, the fashion that the players wore through the years, the changing tennis equipment and player’s memorabilia. Apart from during the actual tournament, the museum is open to the public the rest of the year and you can even get a behind-the-scenes tour of the grounds.

Hop on a Red Bus:

Who can forget the impromptu Wimbledon medley that Sir Cliff Richard gave in 1996 when the Centre Court was closed due to the rain? Surrounded by umbrellas Cliff started with Summer Holiday, his hit from the movie in which he drove around on a red double-decker. Explore London in the very same style and book your Hop On-Hop Off tickets for the red busses. All together now: We’re all going on a summerholiday!

Wicked!

Can’t get enough of everything green? Get your Wicked! Musical tickets. The story follows the young Elphaba before she became known as the green-skinned Wicked Witch of the West. The musical has a twist on the classic tale of the Wizard of Oz, it seems there is more to Elphaba. Experience this touching musical about friendship, self-confidence and following dreams at the Apollo Victoria. Get your tickets for the London musical and experience the magic.

Get on the grass

Love the grass but not so keen on tennis? London has a lot of amazing parks to relax in. The Royal Parks consist out of eight parks all together: Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Richmond Park, Bushy Park, Green Park, St James, Regent’s park and Kensington Gardens. All of the London parks are very central and all have plenty of options when it comes to entertainment: from concerts, like the Wireless Festival in July in Hyde Park to Open Air Cinema Events in Kensington Gardens. Get in on the grass-action!

See Shrek!

Even if the tennis doesn’t have a fairytale ending, you can find one in the London theatre. Book your tickets for Shrek the Musical: everyone’s favourite green ogre is now live on the West End stage. The reluctant hero Shrek goes off on a mission to save a beautiful princess with his sidekick, a very talkative donkey. He’ll soon find out that the princess might not need saving and beauty can come in many different shapes. A very enjoyable musical that will have you swinging and singing in your seat.

Enjoy London this summer!

We thoroughly enjoyed this trip and Don our driver kept us well informed all of the way. He queued up for our Alcatraz tickets.
The weather was not to good on the day but Don said that if we were here in the Summer the Golden Gate bridge would most probably be shrouded in mist.
He was a mind of information and kept you listening.
Would we recommend this excursion our answer would be a definite yes.

Edward, United Kingdom

Edward booked: Vintage Car Tour

This tour is the best way to see the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s. Our wonderful tour guide, Francesca, was a wealth of knowledge and her passion bought Rome’s history to life. If you are lucky enough to get Francesca as your tour guide you are in for a fantastic experience.

Janine, Australia

Janine booked: Vatican Walking Tour

At a time of year when people are hunting for cheap flights to Europe and cringing when they see the high cost of airfare, it’s tempting to cut way back on a travel itinerary simply because of the cost. If you’re not so put off by the price of a ticket to skip your trip altogether, however, does it really make sense to get all the way to Europe only to severely limit yourself?

European guidebook guru Rick Steves often says that it doesn’t make sense to spend thousands on a trip but then skimp on things like the guidebook you bring, but I think the same can be said of the activities you take part in while you’re traveling, too. No, it’s not cheap to fly to Europe during the high season, and that’s especially true this year - but so long as you’re making the commitment to go, the least you can do is spend enough money so that you enjoy your trip.

The good news is that it doesn’t take a trust fund-sized fortune to enjoy a trip to Europe. There are, to be sure, less-costly places in the world to visit, but if you’ve got to see Europe there’s just no replacement. Some European destinations are cheaper than others, however - your money will go further in (for instance) Portugal or Croatia than in France or England. Even within certain countries, there are regions that are cheaper, too. In Italy, for example, the southern half of the country is often significantly cheaper than the northern half - unless it’s August and you’re vying for space on the crowded beaches.

Another area for money-saving throughout Europe is transportation. If you’re traveling in a group, you may be better off sharing the costs of a rental car. If you’ve got more time than the typical two weeks, you could save a bundle with a pass for a European coach tour. If you’re sticking to one country, find out the most common method the locals use for getting around, because that’s often the best value for your money. Going back to the Italian example, the trains have long been one of the best ways to get around the country - and although it used to be much cheaper if you bought city-to-city ticket as you traveled, you can actually save money with an Italian rail pass if your trip includes primarily high-speed trains these days. It’s a big up-front cost, but it could save you quite a bit.

Once you’ve settled on a destination and mapped out how you’ll save on your trip, consider picking one “splurge” activity. Perhaps it’s a lavish meal, or a hiking tour, or a guided tour of a city - whatever appeals to you most. Choosing one splurge during an otherwise frugal trip is a great way to keep from feeling like you’re skimping too much.

About the Author: Jessica Spiegel is a Portland-based travel writer for BootsnAll Travel, where she’s the resident Italy expert. She has a ridiculous fondness for Venice, and although her list of the top 10 things to do in Venice doesn’t include a gondola ride, she’d love to learn to do the traditional Venetian stand-up style of rowing instead (all the while hoping she didn’t end up in the lagoon).

photos, top to bottom, by zoetnet, Meis Beeder

I cannot reccommend the hop on hop off tour bus enough! It was so convenient educational and took away all the stress of trying to find my own way. I had 4 teenagers with me, but many had small children. Make the most off your holiday and enjoy the time instead of stressing out of how to get where.
I am going to Rome next year and will certainly be booking the bus tour there. Value for money & stress free!!
Great shopping at Sacre Coeur!, Kids didnt want to go originally, ended up having to return the next day because the views were amazing!

Sajdah, United Kingdom

Sajdah booked: Paris Opentour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

City of lights, romance, and fine dining, Paris has consistently attracted guests from far and wide, all yearning to experience the splendour of the magical city. Paris is home to so many spectacular landmarks, museums, cobblestoned streets and charming cafes that there is never a shortage of things to do and places to see in the inspiring French metropolis. Paris tours ensure that you see as much of the beautiful city as you can so that as the sun sets over the Eiffel Tower at the end of each day, you’ll know you took in as much of the wonder as you could!

Paris is a city that is not only one of Europe’s current desirable vacation spots, but one with a rich and fascinating history and culture. The beautiful Notre Dame, the cathedral where Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself emperor in 1804, has been standing since 1345, while the magnificent Eiffel Tower has towered above the city as a national symbol since the 1889 Exposition Universelle, a world’s fair marking the 100 year anniversary of the French Revolution. The Louvre, the most visited art museum in the world, is home to some of the world’s most renowned work, including the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and Liberty Leading the People. These iconic landmarks and more are all incorporated into tours that enable you to explore the sights as well as gain a wealth of information about some of the world’s most renowned places.

Paris tours range from activities such as climbing the Arc de Triomphe to champagne tasting on the Seine, and perfume making with an intimate group in a workshop setting. All encompassing Paris tours guarantee that visitors see all the main attractions that Paris has to offer–stroll up and down the glamorous Champs Elysees in style, climb the bell tower of Notre Dame, and ascend the Eiffel Tower for breathtaking views of what many deem to be the most amazing city in the world. Cruise along the glistening waters of the Seine as you pass artists and vendors and take in the enticing aromas of warm crepes and fresh baguettes, all while experiencing spectacular views of landmarks you’ve only dreamed about! Paris boat tours, walking tours, bus tours, and even segway tours are available so that you can experience the magical city by whatever method of transportation you please.

We stumbled across an Isango Review on TripAdvisor, which speaks for itself.

Question from Tourist:

Isango charge £19.50. for a half day tour.

Could filling a taxi be a better & cheaper option ?

Answer from Local:

The rate would be 60 MAD return per person, but this applies to people who take a taxi from the taxi rank in Agadir’s city center, not from the port. So unless you are willing to take a petit taxi from the port to the city center, then haggle hard to get a half seat for 30 Dirhams, only then this would be feasible. The rate of 60 MAD return each would include an old taxi with no seat-belts or AC, and no foreign language speaking driver of course.

It is just my opinion, but I would not recommend this option.

Reply from Tourist:

Thank you for the information. You have made my mind up & I will go with Isango.

The full forum discussion can be read here:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293731-i9519-k4164836-Isango_tour_to_Taroudant-Agadir.html