Make a “Black Cab” Driver Your Guide to London

Written by Gregory Hudson


Continued from page 1

Beware those who claim to have passedrepparttar 'Knowledge of London' examinations, yet who's cars are not marked withrepparttar 142439 official markings.

There are many drivers who illegally solicit business around prominent tourist attractions. They operate without insurance, fare meters and often in vehicles that are not roadworthy.

The difference between an official Black Cab and a private taxi is that private hire journeys must be pre-booked through a licensed operator. Private hire vehicles are not by law able to plyrepparttar 142440 streets without these operators.

Take a Black Cab Journey through London:

Buckingham Palace Traditionally,repparttar 142441 first place a Black Cab driver will take you to see is Buckingham Palace forrepparttar 142442 changing ofrepparttar 142443 guards. The Cabbie always knowsrepparttar 142444 best times to visit and allrepparttar 142445 cunning ways of avoiding London's tedious traffic. London's Theatreland

Go to see a musical, play or comedy in London's Theatreland by Black Cab. Again, you'll avoidrepparttar 142446 traffic, enjoyrepparttar 142447 company of a driver who knows all aboutrepparttar 142448 theatre and you will arrive atrepparttar 142449 venue inrepparttar 142450 unique style onlyrepparttar 142451 Black Cab can afford.

Museums

Looking at a map of London you will notice that several museums and places of interest are to be found scattered aroundrepparttar 142452 London area.

Westminster Abbey, The Royal Academy ofrepparttar 142453 Arts and Big Ben are separated by a large expanse of city, which would be difficult to navigate if it where not for “The Knowledge” ofrepparttar 142454 London cab driver.

How to arrange a cab:

Ifrepparttar 142455 orange "for hire" light is lit uprepparttar 142456 cab can be hailed fromrepparttar 142457 street. Black Cabs can be located on designated ranks, situated at prominent places, including many mainline rail, underground and bus stations. Most taxis carry five people plus luggage Tipping at about 10% is expected.

Remember, when requesting a cab from your hotel; insist on a licensed London cab with a fare meter. Hotel staff at a few of London's hotels will attempt to persuade you to use a "car service" that they recommend. The staff often receives bribes from unlicensed minicab drivers.

Cab Driver's Tip

Travel safe – It is a very good idea to arrange a password withrepparttar 142458 dispatcher, whichrepparttar 142459 driver should provide you with when heshe arrives. In addition to this,repparttar 142460 driver should already know your name and destination. London's Public Carriage Office recommends: “Always sit inrepparttar 142461 rear ofrepparttar 142462 cab, and always carry a mobile phone”.

The Draycott is a five star London hotel near Harrods, replete with luxurious finishes and grand interiors. Central to the destinations mentioned above, the Draycott hotel would be more than willing to summon London's finest cabs and place them at your disposal.


The Best Age For a Disney Vacation

Written by Jolana Klobouk


Continued from page 1

Disney tips for young children...

Make sure you plan for plenty of naps and rest times, bring a stroller, choose hotels close torepparttar parks or stay on site so you can get back and forth easily, bring snacks and juice along, go at your child’s pace. Some children will love allrepparttar 142438 excitement, others may find it too much, so take your cues from your child and go at THEIR pace.

Disney tips for older children...

Give them some breathing room, let them explore on their own if possible, set a time and meeting place if they do go off on their own, bring walkie-talkies or cell phones to stay in touch, don’t force them to do things they don’t want to do, remember it’s a vacation - it’s supposed to be relaxing right?

Try to avoid releasingrepparttar 142439 beast...

The most important guideline to follow on your Disney vacation, or any family vacation for that matter, is to not let your children get too hungry or too tired. All parents are familiar withrepparttar 142440 tired, hungry, cranky child. On vacation, when they are probably already out of sorts, pushing them torepparttar 142441 limit should be avoided. Keep an eye on meal times and nap times and try to keep them on track. Rest beforerepparttar 142442 kids are exhausted and eat before they are ready to chew their own arms off. Keep in mind these guidelines and you and your children can enjoy a Disney vacation at any age!

Jolana Klobouk is a former travel agent who has traveled extensively for work and vacations with her family. For more travel information, visit her travel websites: http://www.best-family-beach-vacations.com and http://www.FlyFromCanada.com


    <Back to Page 1
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use