| Gigantic, vivacious and truly multicultural, | | | | |
| London is one of the world's great cities, | | | | Precisely as the clock on the Horse Guards |
| with a plethora of things to offer visitors. | | | | Building strikes eleven, the Royal Procession |
| Tourists come for London's history or | | | | arrives and The Queen takes the Royal Salute. |
| London's royal pageantry but they return for | | | | The parade begins with the Inspection, The |
| all the charms of the modern London, not | | | | Queen driving slowly down the ranks of all |
| least the extraordinary breadth of London's | | | | eight Guards and then past the Household |
| cultural life, with world-class art galleries | | | | Cavalry. After the event, the Royal Family |
| and theatres, buzzing nightlife, film, music, | | | | gathers on the balcony of Buckingham Palace |
| culinary and fashion scenes. | | | | to watch an aircraft demonstration. |
| | | | |
| And if you are looking for royal pageant | | | | Affordable lodgings for London's exclusive |
| event, make sure you choose a London hotel in | | | | event |
| time for the Trooping of the Color. | | | | |
| | | | If you are willing to observe this unique |
| A tradition that fills up the streets of | | | | tradition in Europe, you should know that |
| London | | | | London hotels are basically overbooked during |
| | | | this time of the year, so the best solution |
| One of the events that are exclusively | | | | is to book well in advance and, even more, |
| British and offer a full street spectacle for | | | | use online booking as a reliable way of |
| both Londoners and tourists is the annual | | | | finding accommodation. |
| Trooping the Color parade, organized in early | | | | |
| June, marks the Queen's official birthday. | | | | If you are traveling on budget, there are |
| The event consists of a military parade and | | | | plenty of cheap hotel rooms to find. For an |
| march-past by Household Troops on Horse | | | | ideal family vacation package or even for |
| Guards Parade, Whitehall. The Queen, | | | | cheap corporate travel, you can choose London |
| accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, rides | | | | Shelton Hotel, an oasis of tranquility and |
| in a carriage during the parade and takes the | | | | elegance in the very heart of London, just a |
| salutes from a dais on Horseguards Parade. | | | | few minutes away from the parade place. |
| The tradition of having an official birthday | | | | Another affordable solution is Windsor House |
| for the Sovereign began for practical | | | | Hotel, which basically has all you need for a |
| reasons. Since 1748, the Sovereign's | | | | comfortable, friendly and inexpensive stay in |
| "official" birthday has been marked by this | | | | London. The hotel, which offers all the |
| formal military ceremony, normally held on | | | | modern amenities you might need is situated |
| the second Saturday in June. The Queen was | | | | in the heart of London, 10 minute walk to |
| actually born on April 21, but it has long | | | | Kensington Palace. Another option would be |
| been customary to celebrate the Sovereign's | | | | Exhibition Court Hotel, welcoming you in one |
| birthday on a day during the summer, when | | | | of the most affordable and comfortable places |
| better weather is more likely. Monarchs who | | | | in the UK capital. |
| had their birthdays in the winter months | | | | |
| often encountered problems due to cold, wet | | | | A taste of London's luxury accommodations |
| weather spoiling parades and other outdoor | | | | |
| celebrations. The Queen took part in her | | | | If you are a luxury corporate traveler, or |
| first Trooping the Color parade as Princess | | | | just coming to town and looking for luxury, |
| Elizabeth in 1947. It was the first birthday | | | | go to Somerset Queen's Gate Gardens, a |
| parade to be held after World War II and she | | | | complex of cozy, elegant rooms built in 1850 |
| wore her uniform as Colonel of the Grenadier | | | | and offering all the modern facilities. You |
| Guards. The ceremony started in the 18th | | | | might also choose Britannia International |
| century, and comes from the ancient military | | | | Hotel, a superior first-class hotel. Visitors |
| custom of parading a regiment's flag in front | | | | will be charmed with its panoramic view of |
| of the troops so that they were familiar with | | | | the River Thames and London skyline. The |
| the color that they were fighting under | | | | hotel offers impeccable service in elegant |
| during the confusion of battle. Colors are | | | | surroundings as well as a French restaurant, |
| the names given to the flags of the different | | | | pizzeria and carver's restaurant. If you can |
| parts of the army, also known as regiments. | | | | afford the price, and wish to be even closer |
| The Colors of the flag has the king or | | | | to the parade place, then your ultimate |
| queen's (sovereign's) colors with the | | | | location is The Churchill The luxurious and |
| soldiers' colors. It also has the title, | | | | stylish hotel is a place where friendly |
| crest and motto of the regiment with the | | | | service and attention to detail are the |
| names of battle honors. Over 1400 officers | | | | highest values. The hotel offers |
| and men are on parade, together with two | | | | well-appointed guest rooms and suites and an |
| hundred horses; over four hundred musicians | | | | impeccable health club. |
| from ten bands and corps of drums march and | | | | |
| play as one. Some 113 words of command are | | | | No matter where you choose to stay, keep in |
| given by the Officer in Command of the | | | | mind what you are here for, and make sure you |
| Parade. The parade route extends from | | | | make it in time to watch the parade, as it is |
| Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse | | | | one of the most exceptional British events |
| Guards Parade, Whitehall and back again. | | | | throughout the year. |