London Reception Weekend 2012

London is the capital and economic centre of England and the UK. With over 7 million inhabitants, it is the largest city in Europe. It has a rich history spanning 2000 years, since the time of the Roman Empire, and was the centre of the rise and eventual decline of the most extensive Empire in the history of the world. Since the breakup of the British Empire, it has seen extensive diversification, and now is home to an extensive mix of peoples, cultures and religions.

We’ve a lot to get through in three days then. During this weekend, we hope to introduce you to one of the modern world’s great cities, taking in some of the sights, culture and history, but most importantly having fun with other trainees from across the UK.

On Saturday we’ll meet at Hyde Park Corner, and do a walking tour of the Westminster area, including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey (site of the Royal Wedding), the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Downing Street and Westminster Bridge. After that we’ll have lunch across the river before a trip on the London Eye. We’ll have free time in the afternoon, with the option of going to some of the museums, the Tate Modern or a boat tour. We’ll have dinner as a group in Chinatown, before hitting the West End’s bars and clubs.

On Sunday we’ll head up to the unique Camden markets, with a wide range of weird and interesting things on offer. We’ll have lunch on Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath, with great views over the city, before the London Challenge. Dinner will be in Brick Lane, famous for its vintage market and many restaurants with men outside hassling passers by to eat there.

If you stay for the Monday, we’ll do some more sightseeing in the City, the original area of London, including Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. For the rest of day we’ll have some optional activities including the British Museum, visiting Harrods, or just doing some shopping in Covent Garden or Oxford Street.

Itinerary

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Costs

Trip Fee

London Transport

We recommend that if you have an Oyster Card (the electronic card for paying for London transport), you use that while here. If you intend to return to London you may wish to get an Oyster Card any way, which requires paying a £5 refundable deposit. You should expect to pay around £6 per day using the card, which you must load on to the card in advance.

If you do not have an Oyster Card and you are not likely to revisit London, we recommend you buy paper one-day off-peak Travelcards from London Underground stations each day. This will cost:

Food

All meals are included in the trip fees, except in the ‘no accommodation’ fee, where breakfast will not be provided. Drinks at restaurants will not be included – these must be paid for yourself.

Optional Costs

Additional Information

Transport

You are responsible for arranging your own transport to London. For information on transport in the UK, please see our survival guide. If you are travelling a very long distance, you may wish to travel the day before/after the trip and stay in London an additional night. In this case please contact the London LC and we will help you find somewhere to stay.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided at Smart Backpackers Russell Square, which you can see on a map here. If you need accommodation for additional nights please contact the LC for advice.

Guidelines

Please read these carefully – they are very important.

• Places on this trip are limited by places in accommodation. These will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and require payment of the fee online using the booking form below. Your place is only guaranteed after we have received payment. Priority will be given to IAESTE interns, but non-IAESTE friends may also participate. Part of the trip cost is paid by the LC, and non-IAESTE participants will have to pay the difference.
• Note that the trip fee does not include the additional costs mentioned above, that you will need to pay individually on the trip. This includes London transport, entrance fees to some attractions and potentially some meals.
• If you are late and do not arrive at scheduled meeting points at the correct time, we will proceed without you. You will be provided with maps to assist you in catching up with us, but you will be responsible for meeting the group.
• You must bring your mobile phone with you - we must be able to contact you on the number you provide to us on the signup form.
• If you get lost or are running late, you should call Andrew on +44 7595374142. This number should be saved to your phone during the day.
• In the UK, there is always a chance of rain.  So be prepared and bring an umbrella just in case we are unlucky with the weather.

(Image by David Iliff [CC-BY-SA 3.0])

Date/Time 21/07/2012 - 23/07/2012 (All Day)

Bookings