If you think London is just emotionless guards in funny red hats changing places, or stodgy businessmen clad in overcoat-and-umbrella uniforms, think again. Kate Sekules brings to the printed page the endearing, the fun, and the very cool sides of London. In an entertaining and enjoyable style, she presents the lowdown on where to get great Sicilian pizza, where to "keep on abusing your liver" after the pubs officially shut at 11 p.m., and where to go at 3 a.m. to drink espressos with London's other insomniacs. She introduces all the neighborhoods and what's hot and happening in them, introduces you to the intricacies of London parking (should you be so foolish as to rent a car), and lets you in on the White Card, London's little-touted museum discount card.
Sekules knows where all the top chefs (and there are a lot of them in London now) do their culinary magic, when the summer session of the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts (a.k.a. the Prom) begins, and what there is to do in London on a Sunday. Of course she also provides the scoop on what you look for in a guide--accommodation options; where to eat; how to get around; where to party, enjoy the culture scene, and shop; and what else there is to do for fun. And for each category, Sekules includes innovative subcategories, such as Britishest, Eurotrashiest, Bargain beds, and Best health club under "Accommodations"; or Book before you fly, For kids, Overrated, and For oenophiles under "Dining."
All in all, Sekules has written a brilliant guidebook that is also a fun read and a great service to the London-visiting world. --Stephanie Gold
Book Description
For readers who are tired of the promotional fluff and brochure-speak that characterizes most travel guides, heres a fresh voice. The Irreverent Guides offer an insiders look at each destination, and take a fun, honest look at everything they review. Its not every day you open up a guidebook to find categories like:c Wont bore the kidsc Eurotrashiest hotelsc Was that RuPaul in the elevator?c Hotels for people who hate conventioneersc Luscious love nests and lavender lodgingsc Restaurants that dont live up to the hypec Swingin supper clubs with attitudec Painting the town with three babes and a busThe Irreverents give you the lowdown, the inside story. They have nothing to sell but the truth, which includes a balance of good and bad. They praise, they trash, they weigh, and leave the final decision up to the reader. Our writers take a special pleasure in leading you where other guides fear to tread.Look for a brand-new cover design this season!