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