While updating my Rick Steves’ London guidebook this week, I was struck by the construction and the changing skyline. With my local guide, Gillian Chadwick, I marveled at the energy of new London, as it seems intent on building itself out of any economic recession. While most people don’t know the formal names of the most striking skyscrapers — or which companies inhabit them — everyone knows the nicknames…inspired by what they look like: the Cheese Grater, the Shard, and the Pickle…I mean the Gherkin.
England’s Red Phone Booths Find New Callings
Britain’s iconic red phone booths are still standing, but they are becoming less common. Locals, who have a nostalgic attraction to them, are finding other creative ways to keep them in use. Friends here report that phone booths are being turned into Wi-Fi hot spots, tiny lending libraries, coffee huts, and even defibrillator stations. People buy them on eBay and take them home to use as shower stalls and garden decorations. Prostitutes use them as a place to post their little ads. And some people actually use them to make telephone calls to other human beings. Have you heard of any other creative uses of the beloved red English phone booth?
For this bride and groom, a wedding photo with a red English phone box is a dream come true.
While prostitutes can’t openly solicit on the streets, they can post ads for their services — and phone booths are handy targets. This booth next to my hotel was full of ads each evening. Someone cleaned them off every morning, but the booth was full of ads again each evening.
For me, England wouldn’t be quite the same without its red phone booths.
Grand Tour of My London Hotel Room
One of my favorite moments in my travels is that little eddy between modules of a trip. For me, each two-month trip has segments. Today, the film crew is flying home from Germany, and I’m settling into Britain. Travel is so efficient these days. We woke up at 5:30 a.m. in Rothenburg, left at 6 a.m., drove 90 minutes at about 100 mph on the autobahn to the Frankfurt airport, turned our car in, checked in with plenty of time for breakfast, and flew at about 10:30 a.m. By 1 p.m. (having gained an hour) I was settled into my hotel room in London with a Tube pass and my pantry stocked. Check out my scene with this video clip.
Why I Love Europe: Remote
For my holiday season gift to you, I’d like to share three exciting glimpses of why I love Europe. Over the next three days, we’ll travel to slices of Europe that are remote, sacred, and wild — starting today, with remote.
In today’s travel-dream-come-true, let’s canoe together on the canals of Holland, hike along the Cinque Terre (my favorite stretch of Riviera trail), and climb a tiny but dramatic and rewarding mountain in North England.
These images share the joy I get from my work. Along with my 100 workmates here at Rick Steves’ Europe, I’m working harder than ever. And knowing that because of our hard work, 20,000 happy adventurers who join our tours this year will be dealing with post-tour smile creases keeps me happily coming to my desk each day that I’m not on the road.
Happy dreams of happy travels…
-Rick
If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.
Close-up Look at York Minster’s Stained-Glass Revelations
The York Minster is famous for its medieval stained glass. The best window, which fills the east end of the magnificent cathedral, is covered with a giant gloomy photo of what we’re missing while it undergoes restoration. But the good news is that a small exhibit just below the window, called The Orb, shows four of its exquisite panes that have already been restored. These delicate scenes will ultimately end up high above the worshippers — well beyond anyone’s sight. Created and ultimately intended “for God’s eyes only,” for a short time they can be enjoyed by us as well.
If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.