London-Brighton-Eastbourne (30Dec18-4Jan19)
Origins:
London was born as a Roman settlement called Londinium around 47 AD. Its location next to the Thames allowed for the development of a busy port that grew rapidly after the construction of a bridge over the river.
Middle Ages:
After the fall of Rome, London re-emerged as an Anglo-Saxon and, later, Norman trading center. During this period, the Tower of London and much of its historic layout were built, making it the most important city in the kingdom.
19th Century:
In the 19th century, London became the capital of the British Empire and one of the world's largest cities. The Industrial Revolution spurred massive urban expansion, new infrastructure such as the Underground (1863), and unprecedented economic growth.
Present:
Today, London is a leading global metropolis in finance, culture, art, and diversity. Monuments like Big Ben, Westminster, Tower Bridge, and its museums make the city one of the most influential and visited destinations on the planet.
Origins:
It originated as a small Anglo-Saxon fishing settlement known as Brighthelmstone, mentioned in the 11th-century Domesday Book. Its early economy was based on fishing and modest local trade along the English Channel.
Middle Ages:
It remained a small coastal village, vulnerable to storms and naval attacks. Despite this, it maintained its fishing industry and a stable community tied to the sea.
19th Century:
It underwent a profound transformation, becoming an elegant holiday destination. Support from the British royal family, especially the Prince Regent (the future George IV), spurred its growth, the construction of the Royal Pavilion, and the arrival of the railway from London.
Present:
It underwent a profound transformation, becoming an elegant holiday destination. Support from the British royal family, especially the Prince Regent (the future George IV), spurred its growth, the construction of the Royal Pavilion, and the arrival of the railway from London.
Origins:
Its origins lie in small prehistoric and Roman settlements located on the south coast of England. For centuries it was a rural area comprised of farming and fishing villages, most notably Bourne, which gave the area its name.
Middle Ages:
It remained a dispersed community based on agriculture and fishing. The region was linked to local lordships and suffered occasional maritime incursions, without ever developing into a significant urban center.
19th Century:
It underwent a radical transformation, becoming an elegant Victorian tourist destination. Planned urban development, the arrival of the railway, and the construction of seafront promenades and hotels fueled its growth as a prestigious seaside resort.
Present:
Today, Eastbourne is a coastal town renowned for its seafront promenade, beaches, and proximity to the cliffs of Beachy Head. It combines tourism, cultural events, and a high quality of life, maintaining its classic character alongside a modern and sustainable offering.
It's the 2nd time in London, It's a city I never would have visited on my own, but I went for work, and the surprise was incredible. I loved it. It's an expensive city, but there's so much to see.
Recommended: Yes. Try to book something in the city center because public transport ends up being expensive. On January 1st, there's a parade worth seeing, although it lasts for hours.
On New Year's Eve we got food in Chinatown and ate it in Trafalgar Square, sitting down to welcome the New Year while watching the fireworks, very cool.
It has 3 airports, keep this in mind when calculating travel times.
Brighton: Its pier alone, which includes an amusement park, makes it worth visiting. A modern city, full of people, shops, and restaurants.
Eastbourne: It's not worth it. But it has some beautiful cliffs and views.
The most important recommendation: Don't leave any photos until the last day; the pilot isn't friendly and won't hold up an entire plane for a mere hour's delay... or for going to the wrong airport thinking we were there... a small slip-up that cost us having to buy new tickets 🤣...
The hotel was quite far from the city center, but given the limited time we had, we couldn't complain. It wasn't bad and had the train station nearby, but it took a while to get to the center. Transportation was an extra cost that we had to factor in.
There is quite a large list of markets in London:
Camden: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
Portobello: The antiques market is open only on Saturdays from 9:00 to 19:00. On Fridays, quite a few stalls are open, and fruit and vegetable stalls are available throughout the week.
Borough: On Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:00 to 17:00 there are some stalls open, and the Full Market is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 17:00, on Fridays from 10:00 to 18:00 and on Saturdays from 8:00 to 17:00.
Brick Lane: Sundays from 10:00-17:00.
Old Spitalfields Market: Sunday mornings are the busiest, although it opens every day at 10:00.
Bermondsey: Friday from 06:00 to 14:00.
Columbia Road Market: Sundays from 8:00-15:00.
Museums: If you like museums, keep in mind that there are approximately... 250 museums scattered throughout the city, and the most important thing to note is that they are all free!.
There's nothing about Brighton and Eastbourne in the guidebook because we decided to take a train on the spur of the moment and go on a day trip to see them without a fixed destination.
Travel package booked with Destinia: Total €471.61.
Flight: outbound with Easyjet to the airport Gatwick and back with Ryanair from Stansted Airport.
Hotel: Travelodge London Raynes Park: €85 for 2 people and 3 nights
Information obtained from the web https://www.exteriores.gob.es
Passport: Mandatory. The United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen area.
Visa:Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Visit the official website Clicking here.
European Health Insurance Card: It's necessary, it's very easy to order online and they send it to your home. Request.
Vaccines: There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry.
Foreign exchangeScotland and Bristol use the pound, while Dublin uses the euro. Revolut is very useful.
International driving permit: It is not mandatory. DGT.
Payment card/currency exchange: we always go with Revolut definitely.
Roaming: After Brexit, it is advisable to confirm with each company.
GPS: Maps.me Download the maps for Spain and they work great offline, whether you're on foot, by car, or on public transport.
Where to eat: If you want to eat at a restaurant, there's also the app. TheFork which has many discounts. If you book with the code 7C1B79A3 When you are finishing the booking, you will get 1000 Yums = €10 discount at your next meal. In addition to other special offers they often have, or simply to accumulate points and use them for discounts on your next payments.
It operates in several countries, including Spain, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, and Australia.
Another destination in England: 
