All roads lead to London

In a city where there are a 1000 things to do every minute, we share with you the top 10 things, other than attending Olympic Games.

Here is our list of the top ten things, from the eccentric to the edgy to the glamorous, in London in the reverse order:

10. South Bank: As clouds part, Londoners shed their clothes and their inhibitions, and head for the South Bank: the perfect place for sightseeing and people watching! You can gaze at the London Eye, the Tate Modern building and the London Globe Theatre. Tucked under the arches of the Waterloo Bridge, is every bibliophile’s fantasy- wooden stands, stacked with second-hand books. The South Bank is really London’s one-size-fits-all spot. It’s relaxed, but chic, cultural yet exciting.

9. Rib Ride: There are many ways of seeing London, but the most thrilling way and the one promising the maximum adrenalin rush is the Rib Voyage! Rib rides are superfast boats that zip across the Thames at up to 35 knots an hour.

8. Tate Modern: The exterior of the Tate Modern resembles a multi-layered brown, cardboard box and that hardly prepares you for the vibrant and energetic art that lies inside the building. This building, a former power station, is as iconic as the art hosted inside it. The museum is not just for the arty, highbrow type, as it has done away with the stodgy museum stereotypes; and it instantly pulls you in and making you watch, think, and even interact, with the several multimedia installations. The Tate is like London from within, where tradition rubs shoulders with change - a marvellous metaphor for a majestic city!

7. Globe Theatre: Built in 1599, the chequered history of the Globe Theatre is as gripping ¬as any of Shakespeare’s plots. At a time when theatre existed on the side-lines, the Globe took centre stage. Shakespeare’s work performed by the Lord Chamberlain’s men drew crowds from across the river and breathed new life into the art. Watching a play at the Globe is a very different experience from watching in a traditional theatre. One of the things that you notice when you walk into the Globe is that there is no roof; so if it rains, you enjoy a 4D experience and get wet.

6. East London: Historically inhabited by immigrant, East London is the place to head to for if you’re looking to get your fill of world street food and knick knacks. Eclectic boutiques are loaded with an abundance of goodies, from kitschy and glittery to quirky and oh-so-pretty. It’s an easy way to spend a pretty penny or a hefty pound. But if you’re budget bound and looking for a bargain, join East Londoners as they browse and riff for flea market finds.

5. Sushi: It’s not just about fish and chips, London is all about world cuisine and if you fall in love with one you can even learn how to make it. And you can even learn to cook something as intricate as sushi at one of the Sushi cooking classes in London. The favourite sushi chef of Jessica Alba, Gwyneth Paltrow and Princes Beatrice also conducts cooking lessons in his kitchen. Whether on a conveyor belt or on a fancy GBP 100 plate, you can find any and every kind of sushi and learn to make some of your own in this city.

4. Red London Bus: And if you don’t link fishy business, you can always try London’s trusted veg busturant located in East London! Yes, that’s right a restaurant in a bus serving vegan food. Must we give you another reason to try this joint during your holiday in London?

3. Hampstead Heath: New Yorkers have Central Park, Barcelonese have Gaudi’s gardens, Parisians have the Tuilleries and Delihites have India Gate; and when Londoners need to get away from it all, they head to Hampstead Heath. A 790 sprawling acres of perfectly preserved grasslands and woods, sitting atop a high, sandy ridge, Hampstead Heath has much to offer to all people. The joggers and walkers get their adrenalin fix here, the families comes here for a splash and a swim and the intellectuals and poets such as Keats and Freud all ‘took the air’ at the Heath. Velvety grass, canopies of green, fresh natural ponds - it’s easy to see why Hampstead Heath is London’s beating heart.

2. Wimbledon: The hotly contested competition takes place on the cool, manicured greens of Wimbledon, where the edge of technology meets the bounds of human endurance. You can learn all about the history of Wimbledon and tennis in the Wimbledon museum near the court. Watching the Wimbledon can sometimes be like attending an English garden party. When tennis was invented in the 1870s, they wore dresses called Polonaise dresses which were made of very richly brocaded fabrics, often imported from India. But, if a woman had to run around on a hot summer’s day wearing a Polonaise dress, she would sweat. So the ladies decided to wear white because that didn’t show the sweat stains, and they still looked very elegant when they came off the court. And that’s how white became the official dress code for Wimbledon!

1. Powder Room: Located at the trendy and eclectic Carnaby Street, Powder Room is a concept place where one can come and get dressed for an evening out! And you don’t even have to worry about carrying your sweaty shorts around on your dinner date after watching the 100 meter Olympic race; the Powder Room will get your dirty laundry delivered to your hotel room. This retro inspired room is adorned with oversized old world glam mirrors, make on floral cake plates, old-fashioned bonnet hair dryers. And while you’re getting your hair done, you enjoy a lovely cup of Earl Grey. The Powder Room is Extreme Makeover meets Breakfast at Tiffany’s.