1.0Ayush Tours Jaipurhttps://ayushtoursjaipur.comadminhttps://ayushtoursjaipur.com/index.php/author/gotravelblue/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="CVrVi0wvfq"><a href="https://ayushtoursjaipur.com/index.php/2020/01/17/united-kingdom/">United Kingdom</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://ayushtoursjaipur.com/index.php/2020/01/17/united-kingdom/embed/#?secret=CVrVi0wvfq" width="600" height="338" title="“United Kingdom” — Ayush Tours Jaipur" data-secret="CVrVi0wvfq" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(c,d){"use strict";var e=!1,o=!1;if(d.querySelector)if(c.addEventListener)e=!0;if(c.wp=c.wp||{},c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage);else if(c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if(!t);else if(!(t.secret||t.message||t.value));else if(/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret));else{for(var r,s,a,i=d.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),n=d.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),l=0;l<n.length;l++)n[l].style.display="none";for(l=0;l<i.length;l++)if(r=i[l],e.source!==r.contentWindow);else{if(r.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message){if(1e3<(s=parseInt(t.value,10)))s=1e3;else if(~~s<200)s=200;r.height=s}if("link"===t.message)if(s=d.createElement("a"),a=d.createElement("a"),s.href=r.getAttribute("src"),a.href=t.value,!o.test(a.protocol));else if(a.host===s.host)if(d.activeElement===r)c.top.location.href=t.value}}},e)c.addEventListener("message",c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),d.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",t,!1),c.addEventListener("load",t,!1);function t(){if(o);else{o=!0;for(var e,t,r,s=-1!==navigator.appVersion.indexOf("MSIE 10"),a=!!navigator.userAgent.match(/Trident.*rv:11\./),i=d.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),n=0;n<i.length;n++){if(!(r=(t=i[n]).getAttribute("data-secret")))r=Math.random().toString(36).substr(2,10),t.src+="#?secret="+r,t.setAttribute("data-secret",r);if(s||a)(e=t.cloneNode(!0)).removeAttribute("security"),t.parentNode.replaceChild(e,t);t.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:r},"*")}}}}(window,document); </script> https://ayushtoursjaipur.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/United-Kingdom-4.jpg1500600I haven’t always agreed with the above quote. After all, what’s wrong with a quick escape to get some sun? But then again, Johnson may have a point… The second most visited city in the world, London needs no introduction. In fact, it used to sit firmly at in top spot until fast-paced Bangkok toppled it. As a Londoner born and bred, I’ve always been fond of my home town. It has its moments where the grind gets a little too much, and as for the weather… probably better not to get started on that one. But those small grievances aside, London is an awesome place to visit. One of the highlights for me this year has been getting the chance to explore my home town from a new perspective: one of someone in search of responsible tourism options in London, looking for eco hotels in London, sustainable things to do in London, and generally the chance to enjoy this beautiful city while giving back. The London Skyline – image creative commons. What’s In this Guide: Sustainable Tourism in London. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London definitely has something of a numbers problem, although due to its sprawling size mass tourism is not evident in the same way that it is in Barcelona, Dubrovnik or any of the Italian cities. London’s size is also part of its challenge – especially for the first time visitor it can be daunting to know where to go outside of the very centre to experience a bit more of local London (as opposed to merely Tripadvisor’s top 10). Are you looking for tips on how to experience a bit more of local and authentic London? Then stay tuned… One of the things that impressed me the most on my return to London earlier in the year was the wide range of options for travel that gives back in London. From tours run by the homeless, to SUP-ing for Plastic on London’s canals, to some of the finest eco friendly hotels London has a lot to offer! Inspiration from the Good Hotel! Image c. Good Hotel London Getting There and Away (Sustainably). If travelling to London from within Europe, you may be able to get there easily by train as opposed to flying. London is well connected by rail from Scotland, Paris, and Brussels (Amsterdam is coming soon with Eurostar’s newest route, hopefully in Easter 2018). For more on reaching London by train I recommend the ever helpful Man in Seat 61. If you’re game to give Slow Travel a try, there are ferry routes to the UK from Ireland, Germany, France and the Netherlands. They arrive at different ports in the UK and you can connect to London by train/bus from there. If arriving by plane, London has no less than six (yes, six) airports to choose from. Heathrow (and to a lesser extent, Gatwick) are the main international and intercontinental hubs. London City airport is the most expensive option but also the most centrally located, and Luton, Southend and Stansted airports are primarily hubs for easyJet, Ryanair, and other budget airlines. If coming in to Heathrow the most financially sustainable option for reaching London is to take the tube vs the overpriced Heathrow Express train which will set you back a whole £20. In general airport express trains are an expensive option and regular trains, buses or underground/DLR are cheaper. For buses check National Express and train service details can be found here. Getting around in London. Getting around London by public transport : One of the easiest ways to practise responsible travel in London is to get around by public transport. In general the network of metros (called the ‘tube’ or ‘underground’), buses and suburban trains run well, but it’s best to avoid travelling at rush-hour unless you really need to (otherwise you’ll get the “sardine” experience. Buying an Oyster card is a must to be able to take buses and get the best value fares. Read more about the Oyster card and special offers for visitors to London here. Since November 2017 Uber has been banned in London, and black cabs are expensive – so it’s best to use public transport wherever possible. Driving in London is a no-no and a “congestion charge” of £11.50 per day applies Monday – Friday. So definitely leave the car at home. London also has cycling schemes, an increasing number of cyclists, and some cycle lanes. The city has been trying to improve conditions for cycling over recent years, but cycling in the UK’s capital remains hazardous – at best. (People die every day from collisions with lorries and busses). Cycling lanes in particular are unpredictable and a re prone to disappearing at any moment. Unless you’re a cycling pro used to busy cities, I suggest sticking with public transport. Where to Stay in London? Here are some of the best Eco Hotels in London: London has a great selection of sustainable hotels and eco friendly places to stay, if one does a little digging. Luckily, I’ve done that digging for you, and here are my top picks for green hotels in London, or are doing their bit to promote responsible travel in London. Best for Sustainability and Luxury – One Aldwych. A room at One Aldwych. Image c. One Aldwych. Number One Aldwych occupies prime position in London’s West End, just steps from Covent Garden and theatre land – not only will you never run out of things to do staying here, but you’ll be able to enjoy luxury at its best – that is in a way that is sustainable. I caught up with the hotel’s own “Mr Green” during my stay here and heard all about the measures that the hotel has put in place and couldn’t fit all my notes onto one page of my notebook, there was so much going on to make the hotel as sustainable as possible. If you’d like to read about them you can check out my review of One Aldwych here. The pool […]