cultural tour london

Last Minute Trips

2025 dates now live, luxury cultural tour of london, at a glance.

• 4 days, 3 nights
• Pickup: Heathrow or Gatwick
• Carbon: 86kg CO2e
• Difficulty: Moderate

Join us for a fully guided cultural tour of England’s incredible capital city.

With one of our hand-picked local guides leading the way, let us take you off the beaten track, ensuring you see all the sights while immersing you in a London enjoyed only by those who know it best.

Enjoy a luxury boat ride on the River Thames, passing landmarks such as the Tower of London, Shakespeare’s Globe and the London Eye. Marvel at some of the world’s finest treasures in the Tate Modern, National Gallery and British Museum. Catch one of the glittering West End’s very best shows and musicals or explore internationally-renowned shopping destinations such as Oxford Street to Seven Dials.

While you’re in the city, don’t miss the chance to visit London’s beautiful green spaces. Stroll through Greenwich Park to the Royal Observatory, or Kensington Gardens to Kensington Palace. Paddle on the Hyde Park boating lake, see Buckingham Palace from St James’s Park, meet the animals at London Zoo or spot deer at Richmond Park and Bushy Park.

Whether this is your first visit to London or your fifth, an Active England tour is certain to show you a side of London that you’ll never forget.

Your Itinerary

Upon arriving in London, a chauffeur will meet and drive to your hotel. With the rest of the day to find your feet, our local Active England guide will be on-hand to stroll with you down to bustling Soho and the world-class shopping facilities on Oxford Street. Or if you’d prefer, we can take you for a leisurely afternoon in one of London’s picturesque parks. On each evening of your trip, our guide will make dinner reservations, helping you make the absolute most of the city’s thriving culinary scene.

Today we enjoy a private boat ride along the iconic River Thames. Travelling from Embankment down to leafy Greenwich, pass some of London’s most recognisable landmarks, learning along the way about the city’s rich history, heritage and architecture. Leaving the river behind, we drop in at the breath-taking Royal Observatory and introduce you to one of London’s best pop-up eateries, before exploring Greenwich’s famous arts and crafts markets. On our way back, we visit the south side of the Thames, pausing to admire the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe. In the afternoon, we have the opportunity to visit the Notting Hill, famous for its antiques shops, or pop into the picturesque boroughs of Chelsea and Kensington. If you’d like to end your day with an evening at the theatre, our Active England guide can arrange tickets on your behalf. Wherever your London adventure calls you, we’ll be more than happy to lead the way.

We set out on a morning visit to Westminster, home to some of England’s most famous landmarks. Step inside Westminster Abbey, the 1,000-year-old Gothic church used for coronations and royal weddings, and admire the Palace of Westminster, where the Houses of Parliament meet. Delve deep underground to explore the Churchill War Rooms, a secret subterranean base used by the Prime Minister during the Second World War, before coming face-to-face with Buckingham Palace, the London residence and administrative headquarters of the monarchy. During the afternoon, there’ll be opportunity to do some further exploring on your own. As the evening approaches, top off your final day with a classic cocktail, glass of wine or pint of locally-brewed beer in one London’s favourite pubs and bars.

After checking out from your hotel, your guide will be more than happy to take you to the airport or train station for your onward travel. To complement your time in the city with a taste of the English countryside, be sure to check out our luxury walking and biking trips. With the Cotswolds, the South West or even the Lake District just a few short hours away, don’t miss out on your chance to explore some of England’s most treasured regions.

Handpicked Accommodation

3* Option - London

County Hall A Grade II Listed building located on London's South Bank. Next to the London Eye, opposite the Houses of Parliament and walking distance from West End and Theatreland.

4* Option - London

Kimpton Fitzroy A 19th-century beauty meets the London of today. From the outside, the landmark building, which occupies a full block along the eastern side of Russell Square in Bloomsbury, looks every bit the part of grande dame. Inside, though, contemporary interiors beckon the discerning traveler to settle in and stay a while.

5* Option - London

The London EDITION, Fitzrovia The London EDITION offers both a reinvention of its landmark building and the luxury hotel experience. Located in Fitzrovia on the edge of Soho, the boutique hotel blends thoughtful design and intuitive service with excellent dining and nightlife in a space that boldly brings together the past with the present.

What our guides say...

London is full of history, culture and art so let us take you along the backroads to soak it all up.

What’s Included

• All accommodation as indicated on the itinerary
• All breakfasts and 2 x dinners (excluding dinner drinks)
• Walking poles
• GPS routes, provided via RideWithGPS (app available for Apple or Android)
• All special events, iconic points of interests and entrance fees
• All transportation from rendezvous to farewell locations
• All baggage transportation
• All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service
• Services of professional local guides

Accommodation Types

We have handpicked the best family run, independent and country hotels, pubs and guest houses. Cosy and with informal dining, these country hotels are friendly and relaxed, with great menus with locally sourced food and ales. Our handpicked accommodation is 3* with the option to upgrade to 4* for an additional cost.

Difficulty Level

This tour is rated moderate , meaning it’s appropriate for guests who enjoy a good walk or cycle ride and can handle an incline. Our time spent exploring the city is an excellent way to prepare for some of our more vigorous countryside itineraries. Alternatively, the gentle activity on this tour is an ideal way to slow down before your journey home.

Equipment Provided

We’ll provide all equipment needed such as walking poles.

Pre & Post Tour Travel

Our holidays are designed to be completely relaxing, with the start of our tours sitting within easy reach of major transport hubs. As the rail networks are the quickest, most convenient way of travelling from the airport into central London, we will advise you on which train to catch ahead of your arrival. Alternatively, we can arrange a private transfer directly from the airport to your hotel.

End-of-tour location: Heathrow or Gatwick Airport

Why go on a guided holiday? Our guides are the beating heart of our tours and can make all the difference to the enjoyment of your walking holiday – so we make sure to choose them VERY carefully! They are driven, knowledgeable, know how to have A LOT of fun and importantly will take you on the ‘road less travelled’ and know the best spots for making your tour truly different and truly magical!

What’s the weather like? 

We’d always recommend preparing for sunshine and showers so remember to bring your waterproofs as well as your suncream!

Make this trip private

Our private tours offer complete freedom to customize your trip. Base your tour on one of our scheduled departures, or tailor a bespoke experience to match your every expectation. We love combining our knowledge of England with our expertise in planning and delivering the best adventure trips.

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Carbon footprint.

What’s the Number? Nearly everything has a carbon footprint. Together with ecollective, we’ve measured the carbon impact of not only every tour we operate but our entire business. We’ve taken into account greenhouse gas emissions across the business including office, travel, website, vehicles, accommodation, activities, food, suppliers…

What does the number mean? We’re going to improve this by measuring and reducing our footprint each year. That means working with our suppliers to make changes that have a more positive impact on us and the planet. What does this look like in reality?

• Redesign trips to reduce our carbon impact
• Working closely with all our suppliers across England to join us on our decarbonisation journey
• Switching up our vehicle fleet to electric
• Investing in projects that permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere for any emissions that remain.

We’ve got a long way to go but we’re on our way to net-zero We’re committed to reducing our impact on the planet and working towards a sustainable future. We’ve taken ownership of our carbon footprint and are on a mission to reduce our emissions year on year.

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In choosing Active England you are travelling with a company that takes its commitment to sustainable tourism very seriously. We have partnered with ecollective to help us measure and reduce our carbon footprint, and we work closely with our suppliers to make small changes that have a positive impact on our planet. 

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Private tours.

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Get immersed in a place with multi-day tours.

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Get the best of both worlds with hop-on hop-off tours: all the insider information and all the flexibility.

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Walking Tours

Walking tours can get you up close and personal to an area's top attractions, from the big-ticket items to the hidden local gems.

Train Tours

On train tours you can go the distance and do your sightseeing from the comfort of your seat.

Sit back and relax as you tour along the water.

Getting to London

From Heathrow, the tube (London Underground) may be full, especially in peak hour, but is the cheapest way and almost the fastest way into the city. The Heathrow Express is much more expensive, but makes the journey to the city much faster.

London Packages

Iconic historical architecture, wide-open parks, and soaring skyscrapers sit beside one another in the largest city in Western Europe.

Flights to London

London Hotels

Explore other things to do in london.

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Classes & Workshops

Return home with more than just memories - add some knowledgeable tips and tricks gained from classes and workshops.

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Make your trip extra special with a concert or show. When it comes to entertainment, they should always have a place on the itinerary.

Day trips keep it simple and exciting while traveling. See all the best parts of a place by joining in on some great bite-sized excursions.

Bring home more than photos with a successful shopping venture.

Sights & Landmarks

Tick off some bucket-list-worthy sights and landmarks near you and fill your photo album with great snaps.

Water & Amusement Parks

Pick up the pace on vacation with a visit to water and amusement parks. Trust those in the business of good times to serve up some fun.

Family-Friendly

Vacationing is a great way to bring the family closer together. Make the most of your time with activities that everyone will enjoy.

Make special memories with special people while enjoying the romantic side to travel.

Spas & Wellness

A vacation within a vacation - indulge in some respite wherever you are.

It's always nice to wander around and get lost in a place - until you're actually lost. Tours take the mystery out of travel and bring you right to the action.

Night Activities

With sundown comes a whole new side to an area. Find the best places and activities to check out at night.

Outdoor Activities

Make the great outdoors even greater with these activities. Get in touch with nature and add some adrenaline wherever you are.

Fun & Games

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Get your fill of culture, arts or history with a fantastic museum primed to impress.

Animals, Nature & Parks

For the world at its most spectacular, Mother Nature does it best. Head outdoors to find a whole new appreciation for nature and animals on your travels.

Food & Drink

Sightseeing alone won't satisfy your cultural palate. Great food and drink will make a good trip even better.

Airport Transfers

Start your vacation off on the right foot with an easy airport transfer to take you right to the action.

Find the best bargains and pocket-pleasing activities to keep your vacation full of fun.

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• Food Art And Cultural Tour...

The Best Food, Art and Cultural Tours in London

Explore London on your own terms with a self-designed tour through the capital’s highlights – see Culture Trip’s suggestions on where to start.

London is a wonderful jumble of art, history, food, literature and pretty much every other aspect of culture you can think of. These ideas for self-guided tours explore the essence of the capital, from spotlighting the city’s different communities to honing in on exactly where you’ll want to pick up picnic supplies.

1. Explore Brixton’s black history

London’s strength lies in its diversity, and nowhere is this more clear than South London’s Brixton . This neighbourhood became home to many people from the Caribbean (most notably the Windrush generation) and though Britain proved to be far from the welcoming “ mother country ” that was promised, today the area still maintains a strong Afro-Caribbean culture. Pay a visit to inclusive children’s bookshop Round Table Books and stop to admire the Grade II listed sculptures ‘Platforms Piece’ in the station, which were cast using models from the community. End your exploration at an exhibition at the Black Cultural Archives to learn about the history of the area, the community and the cultural contributions that have been ignored for too long.

2. Sample the wares at the ancient Borough Market

Market, American, Asian, European, South American, Caribbean, Street Food, Gluten-free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Close to London Bridge, Borough Market is a sprawling food market, open every day of the week except Sunday. There’s been a market of some kind here for over a thousand years, and it’s still going strong today. Put together the picnic of your dreams from a selection of cheeses, meats, fresh bread, pickles and pastries, or opt for lunch from one of the street food stalls filling the courtyard. There are plenty of vegetarian options and hearty dishes like Malaysian clay pot curries and Japanese bento boxes.

4. Journey from Tate to Tate

5. Seek the most unique souvenirs imaginable at Portobello Road

6. Explore the literary highlights of London

Library, Museum

Over the years, England’s capital has drawn the attention of writers, poets, essayists and dreamers from across the globe. Those who have found inspiration here include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (with his most famous creation, detective Sherlock Holmes, putting 221B Baker Street firmly on the literary map), Zadie Smith (who weaves family epics of the minority communities of the city) and Virginia Woolf (a modernist author whose work helped define a feminist movement). Blue plaques often commemorate literature’s important sites, so keep an eye out on the sides of buildings as you pass. A true literary tour should cater to your own reading tastes as you follow your favourite stories through the streets, but it’s imperative you start at the British Library , which holds among its manuscripts works by the city’s most notable authors and often has enlightening exhibitions. The cafe’s not bad, either.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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Welcome To Alternative London

The Original off-the-beaten-track Tour Provider – East London Culture, Creativity & Community

As Featured In & Recommended By

Discover the London you won’t find in the guidebooks with Alternative London Tours, the original East London and London Street Art Tour & Workshop provider! Our multi award-winning experiences take visitors and local’s into the heart of the vibrant East End, to explore its unique culture, creativity and community.

Now in our fourtteenth year, we offer a variety of immersive tours and unrivalled graffiti and street art workshops for visitors and locals alike – all with the same authentic, highly informative, yet relaxed and informal approach.

Together our collective of well-known artists and local creatives are considered some of the foremost experts on East London and the London street art scene. We are immersed in our community and produce many of the legal murals you will see on our tours, exhibit the artists’ works at our gallery and hang out at the independent pubs, bars and restaurants on our food and drink tours.

Our reputation and high acclaim precede us and we’ve firmly established ourselves as the benchmark for cultural tourism in London.

Our Award Winning London Tours

London Bike Tours, Food & Drinks Tours, Street Art Tours, Graffiti Workshops and more!

Alternative London Street Art Walking Tour

Experience our unique, vibrant and multicultural community and hear the stories and inspirations behind a huge array of  fascinating artworks; from huge murals, to tiny hidden sculptures that are almost impossible to find alone. Learn the intricate history and evolution of the artform and its place in our community.

Featuring local and world renowned artists such as; Roa, Shepard Fairey, Invader, Vhils, Connor Harrington, and Stik. All our guides have their own unique perspective and our routes change as often as the art itself, meaning a tour with us always feels fresh.

*This tour is also available with a Street Art Workshop afterwards seven days a week – see our Street Art Tour and Workshops. Alternatively if some of your group wish to do the workshop and others the tour, just add both to the basket separately for the same day and time.

Street Art Tour & Workshop (4 hours – Weekends)

Join London’s original Street Art Tour where you will learn the history of the art form and get inspired by the huge array of styles. Then we head back to our purpose-built street art workshop studio where after a short break we’ll guide you through the Stencil making process. Master single or multi-layer stencilling techniques, to make your own unique design with help from our expert tutors.

Then it’s time to learn the spray-can techniques to create your very own Stencil masterpiece! This is London’s most in depth and best value Street art experience and a must for anyone looking to try spray painting in a relaxed, safe and fun environment.

You’ll paint directly onto our walls with indoor paint in a fully ventilated environment. For a small additional fee you can paint your own canvas or canvas bag to take away with you.*

*can be purchased upon booking or on the day

Street Art Tour & Workshop (2.5 hours – Daily) 

After being inspired by London’s best graffiti and Street art, on the Alternative London Street Art Tour, its back to our workshop to try it for yourself!

We are the U.K’s number one Street Art Workshop provider with London’s only purpose built street art studio. Using a large selection of pre-prepared stencils, we provide a safe and fun environment for a unique hands on experience. All welcome regardless of artistic ability, as your expert guide will show you all the skills to create your own spray paint masterpiece!

You will spray directly onto our walls using indoor paints in a fully ventilated environment. F or a small additional fee, you can paint your own canvas or canvas bag to take away with you*.

*can be purchased upon booking or on the day.

Alternative Londres: Visite Guidee en Francais 

Alternative London vous propose une visite guidée unique au coeur du quartier Est de Londres réputé pour son dynamisme et son incroyable créativité. Vous aurez aussi un aperçu historique de cette région au travers des événements culturels marquants qui ont fait de “East London” ce qu’il est devenu aujourd’hui.

Street Art Bike Tour 

Join London’s original street art tour provider to see some of the world’s finest street art around Brick Lane, Shoreditch, Hoxton and Hackney as well as some hidden away pieces exclusive to Alternative London Tours. On bikes you will get to see much more in two hours than you can see on any other London Street Art Tour and for a fraction of the cost.

East London Food Tour

Shoreditch, former slum, shaped by centuries of immigration into a cultural melting pot and culinary hot spot. This is not a typical touristy food tour. This is a journey into the heart of the East End to experience the best flavours in town.

You’ll experience dishes from award winning chefs hailing from all four corners of the globe. From centuries old East End staples to cutting edge modern delicacies, experience the real taste of modern Shoreditch. The tour includes at least 5 food / drink stops, about the equivalent of a hearty 3 course meal – come hungry!

Alternative London Bike Tour

We will take you where no other London tour has gone before! On bikes we are able to take you much further into London’s amazing East End for the most comprehensive insight yet into it’s interesting past, it’s cultural present and a huge amount of street art that can’t be seen on any other tours.

East End Jogging Tour   from £12 –

Currently unavailable.

Join our East End jogging tour where you’ll cover much more ground than any walking tour can! We run through quiet city streets, vibrant markets and showcase the best street art, including Banksy’s newest works which can’t be seen on any other London tours! We jog at a very relaxed pace for around 5km.

For other distances, and promo events just get in touch.

Pubs & Craft Beer Tour from £30 –

A trip to the capital is not complete without a visit to a traditional London pub and London’s East End is home to some of the best around! Let us take you off the beaten track for an insider’s view of our vibrant and unique area whilst stopping off in some of our local pubs.

From historic pubs with original Victorian decor to modern re-established and recently reopened, independently owned pubs and some of the best craft beer pubs in London!

Our Customer Reviews

Feedback from some of our recent tour guests

A fabulous day with Emily at Alternative London. Great street art tour followed by the workshop. Highly recommend if you want to know more about the area and styles of street art. Just remember to look up!

Really loved it, not just the standard graffiti art but some amazing hidden gems along the tour, great insight into how street art is progressing in today’s world, keep up the good work guys!!

Had a wonderful and eye opening alternative tour with the lovely Yasmin. Learned so much about the history of Brick Lane and mesmerized by the stories about the neighborhood and every street art i saw. Loved this tour.

Looking For Something More?

We offer customised educational and private tours

Private & Corporate Tours

Alternative London are experts in providing bespoke activities for those wishing to experience a different side of the capital or plan a unique and memorable event.

We understand that every client is different and we love to get creative and design the perfect activity for you. Whether it’s a corporate day out, a team building exercise, hen party or group of friends – we can offer one of our unique tours or workshop and add a personal twist to make your experience with us an unforgettable one.

Unique and original walking tours, bike tours and food & drink tours of London’s cultural and creative hub

Personalised bespoke street art and graffiti workshops designed to get the most out of your team, additional stops during tours if required ie: pub stops for craft beer tasting or quizzes, much, much more, school & educational tours.

Our Alternative London tours and workshops are perfect for educational organisations looking for something fun, engaging and interesting for students of all ages.

We have organised bespoke activities for hundreds of schools, colleges and universities from all four corners of the globe.

London’s original street art tour provider and the only street art tour with active street artists as guides

All encompassing east end tours taking students off the beaten track for an insight into the history, culture and community of london’s creative hub, our own, safe and fun workshop space with professional and experienced spray paint workshop tutors.

Travel for the culturally curious

call +44 (0) 01223 841 055 | Contact Us

• the ACE experience
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Welcome to ACE Cultural Tours

Expert led cultural tours since 1958.

Our tours aim to uncover cultural intricacies and connections across a wide range of subject areas and themes including art, architecture, archaeology, history, music, regional culture and natural history.

Our itineraries are designed to take in the bigger picture and provide context within a wider cultural landscape. Our Tour Directors illustrate and illuminate their themes with formal lectures and on-site talks. Many itineraries include privileged access, exclusive visits and private concerts to further enhance your enjoyment. No prior knowledge is needed, just an interest in the subjects concerned.

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We send weekly email newsletters with updates on new tour releases, blogs from our expert Tour Directors, and other tour highlights. To sign up to our mailing list, please fill in your details below.

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Cultural Tours from London

See the best culture trips from London, England. We have 188 cultural adventures that range from 3 days up to 37 days in length. The most popular time for tours leaving London is September.

188 Culture trips with 4,907 reviews

• In-depth Cultural
• Coach / Bus

Britain and Ireland Delight (Summer, 8 Days)

My experience was of the highest ever. Everything went very smoothly and our guide Mike was so professional. He was very thoughtful and predicted situations before they happened. The tour was so informative and well organised. Lots of information about all the locations we visited. He was very good at giving us the history and background. The accommodation was great and a good standard.Our driver Ricki was very professional and such a clever driver he made us feels safe. What a wonderful time we had. Thank you.

England, Scotland and Ireland end Dublin

Guides were great and the tour was an excellent way to see lots of places in a short amount of time

• Christmas & New Year

Real Britain (6 Days)

Enjoyed lot with my wife,,, very well organised tour with experienced guide... Will again look forward to book with trafalgar for next tour..

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Essential Britain & Ireland

I’ve just returned from this fabulous tour! I highly recommend it. We had the greatest tour guide and bus driver. The itinerary was fascinating . You read about the itinerary before you go, but the reality of the itinerary far exceeded my expectation! We were blessed with great weather, too. We only had misty rain on two of the 10 days. I would probably change one of the hotels and one if the meals, but of those were fine. Others were just better! The excursions were great. I went on four out six of them. Did our own thing the last night in London. The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge was my favorite hotel and it was strategically located!

Grand Tour of Britain & Ireland

Absolutely loved that I could enjoy this tour which provided great coverage of England, Wales,Ireland and Scotland. The driver was fantastic. The guide provided wonderful history of the places but would have liked a bit more information as we passed places of interest.

Britain and Ireland Delight (Winter, 8 Days)

Had a fantastic trip . Ibis Glasgow was very average - the guide Simone was so knowledgable and easy going . Our driver Lorraine rocked . Cheers

European Adventurer (Start London, End London, 37 Days)

I owe my life to Emily. I had a life threatening ordeal while in mykonos where i was hospitalised and emily stayed by my side the entire time and made sure i was okay which i am eternally grateful for and im not sure i would be alive if it wasn’t for her. I had other situations where events took a toll on my mental health and Emily constantly checked up on me and made sure that i was supported and everyone else had resources they needed. She really cares about us and makes an excellent guide

Aonghus Youth

Thank you for the tour. Our Tour Guide Bella was fantastic, and our driver excellent. My only complaint would be that communication was poor prior to arrival. I had a number of times where I asked questions that were never responded to, let all be answered. That needs to be improved particularly for international tourists.

England, Scotland & Wales

The tour was good the driver and tour guide were great! But the time was an issue to short at the stops!

Britain and Ireland Highlights (8 Days)

Greg was very knowledgeable when asked questions whether it was purtent to the tour or of general interest. He demonstrated exceptional organizational skills, for example, arranging a tour at another time when the booking was missed due to unforeseen conditions, namely, a longer than anticipated ferry crossing because of choppy seas.

5-Day Devon & Cornwall Small Group from London

We thoroughly enjoyed our Devon and Cornwall tour with Jack. Jack is extremely knowledgeable about the area, so engaging with a lot of humour and an excellent driver! We would love to join another tour on our next visit to the UK.

3-Day Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Bath & the South West Coast Small-Group Tour from London

The itinerary was excellent, and the new bus and accommodations were very comfortable. The small group size promoted conversation and inclusion, and our guide, Peter, was very kind, accommodating, positive, and a good story teller. I highly recommend Rabbies Tours.

Britain & Ireland Discovery (Classic, 22 Days)

I loved the whole tour but the best part was Nigel and the driver Gary Mowbray they were amazing

European Capitals (5) Escape - 11 Days

We enjoyed the lively city of Athens and beautiful Santorini. Everything was organised perfect by Dot Travel Greece and we recommend the tour to everyone!

• €50 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Britain & Ireland Discovery (Small Groups, 22 Days)

What people love about in-depth cultural tours from london.

I really enjoyed the trip

Fine tour with a lot of nice people from almost all over the world. To us it was a disappointment that the optional tour in Edinburgh with Johnnie Walker experts, advertised in the program, wasn’t available.

Travel Styles

In-depth cultural tours.

• Historical (68)
• Sightseeing (14)
• Walking Adventure (11)

In-depth Cultural from London

• to London (103)
• to Paris (28)
• to Rome (19)
• to Edinburgh (12)
• to Amsterdam (9)
• to Dublin (5)
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London & Paris

About this tour.

From cosmopolitan London to romantic Paris, cross the English Channel via train and take in the best of these iconic cities. Take a walking tour to Westminster to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and witness the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Personalize your stay in Paris by choosing to savor a thrilling dinner and cabaret show at the Paradis Latin theatre or indulge in a traditional brasserie dinner before sliding into the backseat of a retro Citroën classic car for a drive through the city’s chic boulevards. Dine at the Eiffel Tower and cruise the River Seine at night.

Your Tour Includes

• 2 Handpicked Accommodations
• 4 Choice on Tour Options

Included Highlights

• Buckingham Palace
• Covent Garden
• Eurostar Train

Your Tour at a Glance

7 Breakfasts

Travel Style

Customize your tour.

$1,399.00 pp

Optional Excursions

Starting at $65.00

Activity Level

• Level This Tour

For specific details about this tour's activity level and other info to know before you book your trip, click here.

Extension Style

Travel styles, highlights and inclusions.

Must-See Inclusions:

Embark on a tour of London with a local expert.

Cross the English Channel aboard the Eurostar Train.

Cultural Experiences:

Take advantage of a full day of leisure in both London and Paris.

• Cruise along the Seine against a backdrop of Paris' glittering skyline.

Discover London on a walking tour to Westminster and see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

Culinary Inclusions:

Enjoy London’s culinary renaissance at a dinner featuring contemporary British cuisine.

Savor an exclusive dinner at the Eiffel Tower, featuring delicious cuisine and breathtaking views.

• Choices on Tour
• Arc de Triomphe
• Eiffel Tower Dinner
• Seine River Cruise

Book with Confidence

* With Insurance Purchased

• *No Hassle Refunds
• Traveling Well Safety
• No booking fee, *no change fees
• Top Rated Travel Protection

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Getting Prepared

Know before you go, travel tips, enhance your tour.

Pre and Post Tour Extensions

• Choice On Tour

Unique Experience

Cultural Experiences

Enhance Your Trip

• Tour Extensions

In Paris, you have the choice between 2 activities. Your first choice is to gain an overview of the French capital during a panoramic bus tour. With your local guide, take in the most iconic sights of Paris such as the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Place de la Concorde. OR, join a local expert on a walking tour. Travel like a Parisian as you hop on Le Métro bound for the hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre and its iconic Sacré-Cœur basilica. Explore the winding streets, home to classical painters and cultural provocateurs and learn the history of this artistic village in the heart of Paris.

In Paris, you have the choice between 2 evening activities. Your first choice is to cross into the Latin Quarter for an eventful dinner at the legendary Paradis Latin,* the city’s oldest cabaret theatre, complete with wine, champagne and a captivating show. Your second choice is to explore Paris’ culinary scene during a traditional brasserie dinner, before sliding into the backseat of a retro Citroën classic car for a drive through the city’s chic boulevards. * The Paradis Latin show features some tasteful nudity and may be considered unsuitable for children - consult your Tour Manager.

Extend your stay in London with a 2-night pre extension. A locally guided walking tour begins by on the London Underground tube before you explore along the River Thames discovering the iconic buildings of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tate Modern Gallery and Shakespeare’s, ending at the food stalls of Borough Market. An included ticket to the Tower of London lets you peek into the city’s storied past independently uncovering the secrets of this 11th-century fortress. Spend ample free time exploring the best of London.

• Overnight Flight
• You’re on your way to London, where you will arrive early and enjoy an additional 2-night stay to explore your way.
• Arrive in dynamic London, a sophisticated, historic city metropolis with a timeless style of its own. The day is yours to explore independently.
• Navigate the city with a local expert. Using your included Oyster card, hop on the famous underground Tube. Take a walking tour along the River Thames, where you will see St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tate Modern Art Gallery and Shakespeare’s Globe. End at Borough market, London’s premier Food Market, dating back over 1000 years. You will love independently strolling the small, specialty produce stalls and sumptuous street food traders. Enjoy the afternoon to further explore the city.
• See London your way today! Be sure to take advantage of your included ticket to the Tower of London to peek into the city’s storied past and uncover the secrets of this 11th-century fortress. Later today meet your fellow travelers to start your tour.

Extend your stay with 3 nights in Amsterdam. Arrive via high-speed train before getting acquainted with the city during a locally guided food walking tour. Enjoy ample time at leisure, giving you the opportunity to peruse the city’s many iconic museums or take a cruise along the canals. This 3-night stay is ideal for taking in the art, architecture, culture, and picturesque canals of Amsterdam.

• Paris - Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Board a high-speed train and take off for Amsterdam, the thriving 800-year-old capital of Holland. After some time to settle in, meet up with a local guide to get acquainted with the Jordaan District of Amsterdam. Explore this charming neighborhood and learn of its rich multicultural roots during a walking food tour where you’ll taste traditional Dutch fare as you walk along the canals and historic homes between stops.
• Stroll through the city with a local expert. Get acquainted with the cozy lanes and quintessential Dutch houses as you wander along the canals that lead to Amsterdam’s museum district. Explore the Rijksmuseum with your local guide and experience works from the great Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh. Enjoy an afternoon on your own to do as you please. Perhaps you’ll choose to explore the Anne Frank House,* a museum dedicated to the memory of the young diarist who documented her time in hiding during WWII.
• The day is yours. Explore the narrow canals, stone bridges, and bike-brimmed roads at your leisure. Perhaps you’ll choose to see the city from a different perspective and embark on a canal cruise or spend some time relaxing at a café. Maybe take the train to The Hague to see the renowned Girl with a Pearl Earring in the Mauritshuis Museum.
• Amsterdam - Tour Ends
• Bid Amsterdam farewell as your tour comes to a close today.

Enjoy an interesting visit to the incomparable Palace of Versailles. The palace and gardens of Versailles reflect the extravagant tastes of King Louis XIV, the "Sun King." On this excursion, travel by coach to Versailles where your local guide will recount the history of the palace and lead you through the various rooms of the State Apartments. Of particular interest are the Queen's bedchamber and the famous Hall of Mirrors. You then have leisure time to explore the incredible gardens, some of the most famous in the world, which took over 40 years to complete.

Join us for a guided tour of the world-renowned Louvre Museum. Begin your exploration of the museum by entering through I. M. Pei’s famous Louvre Pyramid, a magnificent glass pyramid rising out of the courtyard of the Louvre. A local expert will provide commentary as you venture through the countless masterpieces that line the halls of the museum, including the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa.

Step into the formal world of the British Monarchy when you visit the stately and expansive Windsor Castle. His Majesty King Charles III uses Windsor as both a private home and as a Royal residence where formal duties of state are performed. Windsor’s 1,000 rooms comprise the largest inhabited castle in the world. It dates back to the 1070s, when William the Conqueror built the original wooden structure, now replaced by the grand stone edifices. Explore one of Britain’s most visited historic buildings, its precincts, and the State Apartments, which house a delightful collection of Royal art treasures. Enjoy time for lunch in the quaint town of Windsor before heading back to London. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the castle that houses so much British history and lore is not to be missed!

Cruise along the Seine against a backdrop of Paris' glittering skyline.

Accommodations

Leonardo royal hotel london city, crowne plaza paris-republique, need more information.

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Exploring London's Neighbourhoods: The Multicultural

The multicultural  ultimate guide.

London may be the capital city of England, but it is also one of the most multicultural cities in the world. As a matter of fact, one-third of all Londoners are foreign-born, and over 200 languages are spoken throughout its many streets and neighbourhoods.

If you’re hoping to experience London’s many multicultural vibes, there are many areas you can explore on your own or with a free walking tour. Here are some areas of London that are so multicultural, you’ll find it hard to believe that you’re walking around London:

Photo credit: Chris Sampson

Chinese immigrants have been settling in this area of Westminster since as far back as the 18th century (although it was once home to many Huguenot and Maltese immigrants). Today Chinatown is packed full of Chinese supermarkets, bakeries, and over 80 different Chinese restaurants, but Gerrard Street is the epicentre of London’s Chinatown. In fact, this is a great area to take a free food tour. If you happen to be in London at the end of January or early February, be sure to head to Chinatown to celebrate Chinese New Year!

Places to visit in London’s Chinatown:  Gerrard Street, the Chinese Gates, The Lion Statue, Golden Gate Cake Shop

Photo credit: Martin Pettitt

Camden may be known for its alternative and artsy vibes, but believe it or not, this popular London neighbourhood has a ton of Latin culture that deserves to be explored. Here you will find a ton of different Cuban restaurants and bars blasting salsa music (not to mention tons of Spanish tourists), and there’s even Spanish translation services available throughout the neighbourhood as well.

Multicultural things to do in Camden:  Dine on some Argentinian food at La Patagonia, sip on a traditional Brazilian cocktail (Caipirinha) at Made In Brazil, buy some Peruvian street food at West Yard

Photo credit: duncan c

Brixton has been declared as the unofficial capital of the British African-Caribbean community thanks to over 24 percent of its population being of African or Caribbean descent. Although over 130 languages are spoken in Brixton, one of the most common dialects you’ll hear is Patois (a Jamaican dialect). Brixton is also crammed full of Caribbean restaurants and reggae music shops, and it also hosts an annual celebration for Jamaican Independence Day.

Multicultural things to do in Brixton:  Visit a reggae music store, shop at Electric Avenue, eat at a Caribbean restaurant

Waltham Forest

Photo credit: habeebee

Waltham Forest has one of the highest ethnic populations in Europe (mostly consisting of Eastern Europeans and British Pakistanis), but some parts of Waltham Forest seem so European, you’ll find it hard to believe that they’re not in Eastern Europe. Not only was the Waltham Forest Town Hall influenced by Swedish architecture, you can also find a ton of different restaurants and shops influenced by Scandinavian, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish cuisine.

Multicultural things to do in Waltham Forest:  Visit the Waltham Forest Town Hall ,  dine on Italian cuisine at Trattoria La Ruga or tapas at the Orford Saloon Tapas Bar, and sample some treats at a Polish cafe

Golders Green

Photo credit: David Howard

The Jewish community is especially prevalent in this northern London neighbourhood, but the area also features a cosmopolitan of various cultures like Japanese, Turkish, Korean and Italian. The Jewish community first started settling here around Hitler’s rise to power in Germany, but by the 1950s the Jewish population in Golders Green tripled. Today the neighbourhood is home to countless Kosher cafes and Judaism bookstores, and the former house of ballerina Anna Pavlova has been turned into a Jewish Cultural Centre as well.

What to do in Golders Green:  See some zoo animals at the Golders Hills Park, visit the Shree Swaminarayan Temple, admire the annual Diwali Festival of Lights celebrations

Photo credit: Herry Lawford

With a thriving Indian and Asian culture, it’s easy to see why nicknames like “Little India” and “Curry Corridor” were given to this neighbourhood in southern London. With shops packed to the brim with Asian food spices, not to mention a ton of different international restaurants to choose from (Australian cafes, Spanish tapas and fancy French and Italian restaurants – need I say more?), here you can find dishes from nearly every country in South Asia as well.

Multicultural things to do in Tooting : Try some squid curry at the Apollo Banana Leaf, or a kebab and falafel at Meza

Photo credit: Mark Hillary

Ealing has an extremely diverse multicultural population (with Irish, Indian, Japanese and South Asian communities), but lately, it has become known as having one of the largest Polish populations in London. Here you will find all sorts of Polish delis and restaurants, and the Katyn Memorial which was erected in honour of the 14,500 Polish Prisoners of War who disappeared from camps in Kozielsk, Starobielsk and Ostaszkow in 1940.

Multicultural things to do in Ealing:  Visit the Katyn Memorial and the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Temple, munch on international cuisine at Station Parade Uxbridge Road, try smoked Sopocka ham at a Polish deli

Known as “Little Korea,” New Malden is said to have one of the most densely populated areas of Koreans outside of South Korea. The area boasts over 20 different Korean restaurants and cafes (many with shop signs featuring the Korean language), and even Korean-language churches and nursery schools. New Malden also hosts a Korean Food Festival every year, and you certainly won’t have to look very far to find a Korean-style karaoke bar either!

Multicultural things to do in New Malden : Visit the Buddhapadipa Temple, belt out some karaoke at Han Bar, try some kimchi pickles at Korea Garden.

If you want to know more about the flavour and history of London's neighbourhoods, feel free to check out the free tours in London available on offer.

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Specialtours is an established leader in the field of escorted tours for museums, cultural and garden associations.

Our reputation rests to a great extent on tours to Europe with exclusive private visits to houses, art collections and gardens, thanks to a network of contacts established over many years. Special visits include privileged out-of-hours access to museums, hosted lunches or dinners at private homes and the opportunity to watch expert restorers at work. We can arrange some exclusive visits for your group, such as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to admire the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel – or the mosaics of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice – without the crowds.

We aim to offer the perfect balance between a study tour and a holiday or vacation. In addition to imaginative and carefully-planned itineraries focusing on art, archaeology, architecture, history and gardens, we can offer walking or painting trips, wine and gastronomy tours and wildlife safaris.

Specialtours is part of The Ultimate Travel Company. Our expertise in art-orientated tours in Europe, the Middle East and the United States is complemented by Ultimate’s experience in destinations such as Africa, India, South America and South-East Asia.

Our clients range from American museums, alumni/ae associations, clubs and garden societies, to a European cultural heritage foundation. We always tailor-make the itinerary to our client’s specific interests in order to offer a unique experience.

Our forthcoming tours include a study of the decorative arts of Portugal, a tour of the great country houses of Ireland, a week in Madrid focusing on the rich royal heritage and an exploration of the inspirational art, architecture and design of Sweden. We will be admiring gardens from the Mediterranean to Normandy and the Loire Valley, from the south of England to the Scottish Highlands. Also forthcoming are tours of the landscape and gardens of exotic Morocco and the private gardens of The Cape, one of the six ‘floral kingdoms’ of the world.

As ever, we are planning a number of tours to Italy – from the gardens of the Italian Lakes and Sicily to the Grand Tour in Florence, plus a return to ‘La Serenissima’ focusing on music. Looking ahead, we are planning cultural tours of Burgundy and the Rhone Valley, Greece, The Netherlands and the Thames Valley. Further afield, we will be exploring the enchanting kingdom of Bhutan and Japan, both for the art, architecture and design and for the unique and influential garden scene.

We return to ‘La Serenissima’, city of Monteverdi, for a joyous week of Baroque music and art, with special performances and private visits.

Appreciate the evolution of Scandinavian art and design and the inspirational light and landscape, visiting historic royal palaces, elegant private homes, museums and contemporary sculpture parks.

Isolated from the outside world for centuries, Bhutan exudes enchantment for the modern traveller, with its majestic scenery and ancient ancestral traditions.

One of our most rewarding horticultural destinations, Normandy offers a range of styles from the classic French formal garden to some original and inspiring modern gardens.

We wanted to thank you wholeheartedly for a fabulous trip to Liguria; highly interesting, exclusive, excellently organised, well-balanced.

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Bednarczyk's Press & Feliks Topolski- Guided Tour

12 May 2024, 2:00 pm–3:30 pm

This bilingual event will be a tour and talks (including augmented reality AR technology) exploring the history of Polish art and emigration and its contribution to London's cultural landscape.

This event is free.

Event Information

Availability.

To register for the tour, please contact Elżbieta Smoleńska at  [email protected]

Tour Programme:

Sites of Memory – by Dr Justyna Gorzkowicz The opening remarks will introduce the concept of 'lieu de mémoire', exploring how physical locations hold historical and emotional significance, weaving a narrative that links the past with the present. It will focus on specific sites that have played a pivotal role in cultural or historical events, in the context of the project 'Unveiling the Heritage': Krystyna Bednarczyk (1923–2011) – Polish poet and co-founder of the Poets’ and Painters' Press in London'. This project is carried out mainly by the Research Centre on the Legacy of Polish Migration (ReCeLPM of the Union of Polish Writers Abroad in London).

London in the footsteps of Krystyna – guided by Regina Wasiak-Taylor This guided exploration takes participants through London, retracing Krystyna Bednarczyk's steps. It highlights key places that shaped her life and work, while aiming to deepen understanding of her legacy and role in the London-based Press. Additionally, the talk promotes intergenerational and intercultural dialogue between Poles living abroad and the local community. A crucial goal is to enhance awareness of ethnic minority identities and women's roles in culture and society. ARHeritageTour – demo of an augmented reality (AR) application to visualise memories in urban space – by Jarosław Solecki This part of the tour demonstrates how Augmented Reality (AR) technology can bring historical and personal memories, heritage, and art to life. It highlights the integration of these elements into the palimpsest fabric of the city, thereby enhancing our understanding of and engagement with urban environments. To use the ARHeritageTour app, you will need a fully charged mobile phone with internet access and a browser installed. After scanning the QR code, the app works on most ANDROID devices (smartphones such as Samsung, Huawei, Oppo, Pixel). Preferred web browsers: Chrome, Opera, Samsung Internet Ver. 11.2+. Bednarczyk’s Publishing House and Polish Emigré Press – Prof. Katarzyna Zechenter “Poets’ and Painters’ Press” published around 800 volumes during its 55-year existence (1950–2005). In this short talk, we will look at the place occupied by “Poets’ and Painters’s Press” in the printing landscape of non-English printing houses in the UK, and their contribution to multiculturalism of today’s UK. "Polski ToPolski” Polish threads in biography of Feliks Topolski.

Visit of Topolski Studio with – Elżbieta Smoleńska In this short talk we will explore some of the highlights of the amazing biography of a prolific artist, war correspondent and a chronicler of the XX century. We will touch upon Feliks Topolski’s Polish heritage and connections including long lasting friendship and cooperation with Krystyna and Czesław Bednarczyk. Famous „Chronicles” of the XX century were published in a nearby Bednarczyk’s Press. Visit to the studio thanks to the courtesy of the Topolski Foundation ABOUT THE ARTISTS Krystyna Bednarczyk, née Brzozowska (b. 1923 in Warsaw, d. 2011 in London), was a Home Army soldier during WWII, a poet, publisher, typographer and a co-founder with her husband (Czesław) of the London-based Poets and Painters' Press. She made her debut in 1951 in “Culture” [“Kultura”] in the Polish émigré journal published in Paris. She is also the author of the poetry collections "Obmowy świtów" (1978) and "Happiness Not Kissed Enough" (2000), "Wiersze wybrane" (2005). After the death of her husband, she continued to publish and manage “Oficyna”. In 2005-2010, she became chair of the Union of Polish Writers Abroad and editor of the London-based émigré journal “Pamiętnik Literacki” / “Literary Diary”. In recognition of her services to Poland, she was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Rebirth of Poland. Feliks Topolski was a Polish artist. He studied at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts and was an active member of Warsaw's bohemian society. In 1935, Topolski went to Great Britain as a correspondent for "Wiadomości Literackie" to cover the Silver Jubilee of King George V, and stayed in London ever since. He became friends with, among others, George Bernard Shaw and Prince Philip, thanks to whom he soon became part of the British establishment. He was a war correspondent, covering the liberation of Bergen-Belsen and the Nuremberg Trials. The most important historical events of the XX century, which he witnessed, became part of his famous "Chronicles". Panoramic murals by Topolski are among others in Buckingham Palace.

This event is organised by  the Research Centre on the Legacy of Polish Migration  of which Dr Katarzyan Zechenter (SSEES) us Vice-Director.The event is a part of the wider project 'Unveiling the Heritage: Krystyna Bednarczyk,' funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NS-23-00154).

Billie Eilish announces six London dates as part of 2025 European tour

Billie Eilish has announced a new tour in support of her latest album with six dates in London for 2025.

The Hit Me Hard And Soft tour, named after her latest record, begins with a North American leg in September at Centre Videotron in Quebec, Canada.

The dates in the US and Canada run until December, before the 22-year-old US singer heads to Australia in February 2025 ahead of her European dates starting in April at Sweden’s Avicii Arena in Stockholm.

Eilish will then play Glasgow’s OVO Hydro arena from July 7 to July 8 next year before six dates at London’s O2 Arena from July 10.

She will then move to Manchester’s Co-Op Live arena for four dates from July 19 and then will head to Ireland to perform at Dublin’s 3Arena from July 26 to 27.

Fans are encouraged to take “sustainable transport” during the tour, the announcement from Live Nation said.

Eilish also continues to partner with the plant-based food organisation Support + Feed and environmental non-profit organisation REVERB.

The concerts will reduce “greenhouse gas pollution, decreasing single-use plastic waste, supporting climate action, and updating concession offerings to promote and encourage plant-based food options with Support + Feed”.

Eco-Villages from REVERB are also set to be put up in two locations during the show and there will be plant-based food drives, with Support + Feed and fans, to gather goods to distribute to local communities.

The third studio record of Eilish comes out on May 17 and her website says the new body of work should be listened to chronologically as it “hits you hard and soft both lyrically and sonically, while bending genres and defying trends along the way”.

The album cover features the double Oscar -winner on her back underwater with a door open above her.

Eilish’s last album was 2021’s Happier Than Ever, and her debut record When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? was released in 2019.

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Earlier this year, she won a best original song Oscar gong for Barbie song What Was I Made For? at the Academy Awards. It follows on from her picking up the same prize for No Time To Die, from the James Bond film of the same name.

General ticket go on-sale for the tour on Friday, May 3

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‘We handed out raw fish to clubbers’: the mind-bending acid house tour of London

George Georgiou gave British rave culture its smiley face. Now he’s placing plaques where hardcore clubbers sweated till dawn. Our writer joins the designer – and DJs Danny Rampling and Nicky Holloway – on a face-melting trip

‘I remember this street being covered with hundreds of these all over the floor,” says George Georgiou, handing me an original smiley-face flyer he designed for the acid house club night Shoom. “I wish I’d picked them up because now they sell for up to a grand.”

The doorway we’re standing outside in London Bridge is one of many locations we’ll visit today, as Georgiou places acid house heritage plaques outside buildings that were once home to clubs such as Shoom, Raw and Sin. These locations are then tagged on an interactive acid house map on his website. We kick off the day 15 minutes’ walk away on Tooley Street, where the Special Branch club began life in 1984. It was here that resident DJs Nicky Holloway and Pete Tong lured suburban soul boys and Soho trendies to an old pub to get sweaty, while Gilles Peterson kept the footworkers busy by spinning jazz-funk in the other room.

In the 80s and 90s, Georgiou shaped the aesthetic of much of London’s underground dance nightlife. As well as flyers he designed membership cards, logos, posters, banners – entire nightclub aesthetics. “George was instrumental,” says Danny Rampling, who has turned up to see the plaque at the location of Shoom, a club he ran from 1987 to 1990 .

Also with us, when not sneaking off to the pub at any available opportunity, is Nicky Holloway, a DJ and promoter who, along with Rampling, was one of the “Ibiza four” . Together with Johnny Walker and Paul Oakenfold, they had their minds melted by hearing DJ Alfredo Fiorito on the island in 1987 – and came back to launch their own club nights. “Obviously you can’t recreate Ibiza in London, but we did bring some of that magic and spirit into the nightlife scene,” Rampling says.

While house music was already pumping loudly in Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham, such clubs were seismic. “It was indisputably a benchmark for the rave scene,” says Rampling. “People would anticipate all week entering those hallowed doors down into a smoke and strobe-filled basement. It’s not about who was first, it’s about how it was done, and Shoom was a very creative, colourful club.”

That colour saturates the very expensive A5 card I hold in my hand. However, Georgiou was initially nonplussed by the smiley-face design Rampling requested. “I thought it was lame,” says Gerorgiou as we hop in a cab on our way to London’s oldest YMCA club, in whose basement Raw was once located. “It was a 60s thing. It was patches on people’s jeans from Woodstock days. I was like, ‘How do I make this horrible logo more interesting?’”

The answer was with “a cascade of tumbling pill smilies”, as Rampling describes it. The image became synonymous with the burgeoning rave scene and DJ Magazine later called it the best club flyer of all time. “Years later, people would come up to me and shake my hand and be like, ‘I used to make roaches out of that flyer,’” Georgiou says. “Then my work started appearing in books next to people I grew up admiring. Surreal.”

Georgiou was hired to do the decor for entrepreneur Oliver Peyton’s club Raw, which Holloway loved so much he then asked Georgiou to come and make over the pub where he was holding his night Special Branch. “We made a patchwork quilt of banners for every wall,” recalls Holloway. “We covered every inch of this boring looking pub. George turned it into a poptastic pop art venue. I’d take him over Keith Haring any day.”

Georgiou has meticulously archived his work, and a lot of it is about to be turned into NFTs. “This was the first ever flyer for Raw,” he says, handing me a pill capsule that contains a folded-up flyer inside. “Legend has it people were popping these.” He came up with plenty of other unconventional design ideas: “We handed out bananas with stickers on, little cacti, toys, even raw fish – little whitebait in a plastic bag with the club’s name on.”

Holloway and Georgiou worked on many other events together, including Sin at the Astoria, and nights at Holloway’s venue the Milk Bar – locations that are now non-existent, as we walk along a bustling Tottenham Court Road that once housed them – and one-off parties in places including the Natural History Museum. “We put strobes under the dinosaur,” laughs Holloway. “That particular week [in 1987], Walk the Dinosaur by Was (Not Was) was Top 10, so we’re all dancing around the dinosaur to that. We had projections everywhere – it was bonkers. Fast forward 20 years when I was DJing there for some corporate nonsense, and I had to get public liability insurance and do a risk assessment.”

Doing this trail of London’s old rave haunts, the changes to the buildings, and to people’s ability to access such spaces to throw such wild parties, feel very pronounced. “London always has something exciting going on, but it was a pivotal time in youth culture,” reflects Rampling. “Before things got commercialised it was all very DIY and organic. A real feeling of unity, hope, love and optimism.”

At that moment one of the large, bright yellow plaques comes loose from its wall, crashing and spinning down – mirroring the tumbling smiley face on the flyer – and just misses Rampling’s head. “That would have been quite the way to go out, wouldn’t it?” he laughs.

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Sunday, May 05, 2024 6:07 am (Paris)

In Brazil, Madonna gives a giant free concert on Copacabana beach

An estimated 1.5 million people attended the last show of The Celebration Tour on Saturday, which kicked off in October 2023 in London.

Le Monde with AP

Time to 2 min.

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Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, May 4, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans. It was the last show of The Celebration Tour, her first retrospective, which kicked off in October in London.

The "Queen of Pop" began the show with her 1998 hit Nothing Really Matters . Huge cheers rose from the buzzing, tightly packed crowd, pressed up against the barriers. Others looked on from brightly lighted apartments and hotels lining the beachfront. Helicopters and drones flew overhead.

"Here we are in the most beautiful place in the world," Madonna told the crowd. Pointing out the ocean view, the mountains and the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking the city, she added: "This place is magic." Rio spent the last few days readying itself for the performance.

10 times her record attendance in Paris in 1987

Rio's City Hall predicted 1.5 million spectators, more than 10 times Madonna's record attendance of 130,000 at Paris' Parc des Sceaux in 1987. Madonna's official website hyped the show as the biggest ever in her four-decade career.

In recent days, the buzz was palpable. Fans milled outside the stately, beachfront Copacabana Palace hotel, where Madonna is staying, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pop star. During the sound check on the stage set up in front of the hotel, they danced on the sand. By midday Saturday, fans crowded in front of the hotel. A white-bearded man carried a sign saying, "Welcome Madonna you are the best I love you."

Flags with "Madonna" printed against a background of Copacabana's iconic black and white waved sidewalk pattern hung from balconies. The area teemedwith street vendors and concert attendees kitted out in themed T-shirts, sweating under a baking sun.

Eighteen sound towers were spread along the beach to ensure that all attendees can hear the hits. Her two-hour show started at 10:37 p.m. local time, nearly 50 minutes behind schedule.

'Welcome Queen!'

City Hall produced a report in April estimating that the concert would inject 293 million reals ($57 million) into the local economy. Hotel capacity was expected to reach 98% in Copacabana, according to Rio's hotel association. Fans hailing from across Brazil and even Argentina and France sought out Airbnbs for the weekend, the platform said in a statement. Rio's international airport had forecast an extra 170 flights during May 1-6, from 27 destinations, City Hall said in a statement.

"Welcome Queen!" read Heineken ads plastered around the city, the lettering above an image of an upturned bottle cap resembling a crown.

Heineken wasn't the only company seeking to profit from the excitement. Bars and restaurants prepared "Like a Virgin" cocktails, named for her 1984 hit. A shop in the downtown neighborhood famed for selling Carnival attire completely reinvented itself, stocking its shelves with Madonna-themed costumes, fans, fanny packs, and even underwear.

3,200 military personnel and 1,500 police officers

Organization of the mega-event was similar to New Year's Eve, when millions of people gather on Copacabana for its fireworks display, local authorities said. That annual event often produces widespread thefts and muggings, and there was some concern such problems might occur at Madonna's show.

Rio State's security plan included the presence of 3,200 military personnel and 1,500 civilian police officers on standby. In the lead-up to the concert, Brazil's navy inspected vessels that wished to position themselves offshore to follow the show.

A number of huge concerts have taken place on Copacabana beach before, including a 1994 New Year's Eve show by Rod Stewart that drew more than 4 million fans and was the biggest free rock concert in history, according to Guinness World Records. Many of those spectators also came to see Rio's fireworks show, though, so a more fitting comparison might be to the Rolling Stones in 2006, which saw 1.2 million people crowd onto the sand, according to Rio's military police, the newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo reported at the time.

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