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Michael Bubl� at The O2

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:53:29 +0000

Canadian multi award winning singer/song writer Michael Bubl� is returning to The O2 on Saturday 15 May 2010 as part of his UK 2010 tour in support of his latest studio release Crazy Love.

With over 22 million albums sold worldwide, multiple awards (including 6 Juno Awards, 5 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards and a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album), three #1 hits, and 145 sold out shows to date, Michael Bubl� has more than earned his place as one of the most popular and revered artists of this decade.

Tickets are priced at �45, �65 & �95 and are available from www.theo2.co.uk or by calling 0844 856 0202.

Also In Greenwich:

Image: © The O2 | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

Michael Bubl� at The O2 originally appeared on About.com London Travel on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 00:53:29.

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Spirit of Christmas Fair 2009

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:59:33 +0000

I spent a great day today at the Spirit of Christmas Fair and the Luxury Travel Fair at Kensington Olympia. I was amazed how busy it was today and everyone was bracing themselves for even more visitors this weekend.

On both Saturday and Sunday you can see a demonstration from the Jane Packer Flower School in the House & Garden Theatre at 12-1pm and wine tasting with Susie Barrie at 1.30-2.30pm.

I saw the prettiest girl's dresses at I Love Gorgeous (stand C132) who also have a shop in Notting Hill. Kind Toys has some lovely eco-friendly toys including flowers to make from brightly-colored corn starch shapes and no glue needed. It looks like a great product and I came home with some to try on Christmas Day.

One exhibitor told me that consumer fairs in other countries have more help in place for the shopper as you buy your goods at a stand but don't take them and carry all day. Instead a porter collects from all the stands and takes the goods to the exit and groups your purchases from each stand according to your customer number. What a clever system! Sadly we don't yet have this in the UK so be prepared to carry your goods. Many people take shopping trolleys and small suitcases on wheels to cope with their day's shopping haul.

If you're looking for inspiration then I would recommend the Spirit of Christmas Fair as I now feel like the season has really started.

Christmas in London Resources

Christmas 2009 in London
Top Ten Things to Do at Christmas in London
South Bank at Christmas
London Christmas Lights Annual Galleries
London Ice Rinks
London Christmas Gift Ideas

Image: © Laura PorterLondon Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

Spirit of Christmas Fair 2009 originally appeared on About.com London Travel on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 16:59:33.

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Anish Kapoor for Free

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:00:20 +0000

Have you seen the Anish Kapoor exhibition at the Royal Academy? I'll admit I've still not been in but I did stop by and see the courtyard artwork which is wonderfully silver, shiny and large.

Must find time to actually go inside soon...

Anish Kapoor at Royal Academy

Image: Laura Porter | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

Anish Kapoor for Free originally appeared on About.com London Travel on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 06:00:20.

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Best Indian Restaurants in London

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:15:46 +0000

There are many Indian Restaurants in London so this is a list of recommendations.

Best Indian Restaurants in London

Image: Chutneys © Laura Porter | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

Best Indian Restaurants in London originally appeared on About.com London Travel on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 00:15:46.

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Absolut Ice Bar London Aquatic Theme

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:39:10 +0000

London's coolest bar (geddit?), Absolut Ice Bar London is rebuilt every six months with new crystal clear ice from the Torne River in northern Sweden. In October 2009 an aquatic theme arrived, meticulously recreating underwater scenes.

Intelligent lighting installations, based on underwater light reflections, enhance the imaginative concept while real footage of fish, jellyfish and other deep sea creatures are projected on to the walls. Crafted within the ice facia, a large anglerfish with a crescent-shaped mouth filled with sharp, translucent teeth reinforces the feeling of being far below the ocean depths. In keeping with the theme, a large periscope allows guests to zoom in on their unexpected underwater surroundings, while bartenders dressed in submariner attire serve unique fusions of flavor which have been specifically developed to complement the new surroundings.

Have you been to the Absolut Ice Bar London? Please do share your thoughts by adding your Absolut Ice Bar Review here.

Absolut Ice Bar London Photos
Absolut Ice Bar London - Info & Review - find out my top tip to survive the cold!
belowzero Restaurant and Lounge

Image: © Absolut IceBar London | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

Absolut Ice Bar London Aquatic Theme originally appeared on About.com London Travel on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 03:39:10.

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Lady Gaga at The O2

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:59:19 +0000

Lady Gaga - the biggest selling new artist of the year bar none - will play The O2 on Friday 26 February 2010 as her only London date in a major UK tour for 2010.

The Monster Ball will be the first chance for fans to hear songs from her revamped album, The Fame Monster, due for release on 23 November. For full Monster Ball tour details visit www.ladygaga.co.uk.

Tickets are available from www.theo2.co.uk or by calling 0844 856 0202.

Also In Greenwich:

Image: © The O2 | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

Lady Gaga at The O2 originally appeared on About.com London Travel on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 12:59:19.

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State Opening of Parliament 2009

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:05:05 +0000

The State Opening of Parliament, to mark the start of the 2009-2010 session, is on Wednesday 18 November 2009.

The main purpose of State Opening is for the monarch formally to open Parliament and, in the Queen's Speech, deliver an outline of the Government's proposed policies, legislation for the coming session and a review of the last session.

State Opening of Parliament Information (official website)
November in London - London Weather and London Events Guide

Image: Parliamentary copyright images are reproduced with the permission of Parliament |
London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

State Opening of Parliament 2009 originally appeared on About.com London Travel on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 00:05:05.

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No Frost Fair for 2009

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:31:52 +0000

The Bankside Frost Fair had been held annually since 2002 and attracts around 150,000 visitors. Last year, Southwark Council stopped their whole tourism program but Better Bankside stepped in and put on the Bankside Winter Festival which was just as popular.

However, this year there won't be a Winter Festival or a Frost Fair but everyone hopes it can return in 2010. It's such a shame as I receive emails from January every year asking me for the date and details of this event.

London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

No Frost Fair for 2009 originally appeared on About.com London Travel on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 12:31:52.

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Less Than 1000 Days to London 2012 Olympics

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:14:02 +0000

It's now less that 1000 days to go till the London 2012 Olympics start on 27 July 2012. I've got a few pages up already but do let me know what you'd like to know about the London 2012 Olympics? Would you like more photos of the Olympic site? Like to know how to take a tour of the site for free? Want to know which sports will be included? Let me know what's of interest and I'll see what I can do to help.

By the way, did you know London will be the first city to host the summer Olympics three times?

Less Than 1000 Days to London 2012 Olympics originally appeared on About.com London Travel on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 00:14:02.

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London Not for Tourists 2010

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:10:16 +0000

London Not for Tourists 2010 is now in the shops. I reviewed this book last year and found it small, heavy, compact and a bit sarcastic. They tell me this year's edition still has "caustic neighborhood summaries and refreshing, politically incorrect descriptions".

Readers' feedback has helped with updates and a further six new regional overview maps have been added, plus more of their cutting wit.

I've had a quick look at the Not for Tourists website and can't understand why one of the search options for London is 'Truck Rentals' as this shows their American uniformity across all of their city sites. (We have 'vans' not 'trucks' in London.) And 'Billiards' is another search option! 'Pool' or 'snooker' but 'billiards' is not a term I've ever heard a Londoner say? Fancy a game of billiards? Nope, you'll never hear it here.

There's also an iPhone App available for �2.99. Well, that'll be handy for finding another Starbucks as you'd never find one without them. (Yes, that's British sarcasm.)

London Not for Tourists 2010 originally appeared on About.com London Travel on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 12:10:16.

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