London and Cairo have always been closely related. Whether going to work, to study, or to visit family and friends, Cairenes are always in and out of the UK. "But it's bloody expensive, is a familiar phrase coming from those returning to Cairo that happily buy a pack of cigarettes for LE 7.50 instead of £5 (LE 57). So the first tip goes out to the nicotine-addicted: bring your own cigarettes. If you arrive in London and the weather is good, well you're in luck. When the sun is shinning there is much free fun times up ahead. You can spend the day in Hyde Park by the lake. Rent a chair for the whole day for £1.50 or just lie on your own mat on the grass and read British tabloids for £1. Don't underestimate sightseeing. Take the time to walk across London from the East end all the way down to the London Eye. Admire the flowers while you walk through St. James' Park. Stop by Buckingham Palace, take pictures with the guards. Before you cross the River Thames, take a picture with Big Ben. Across the bank is the London Eye: the world s tallest observation wheel at 135m high where you can see an amazing view of the city. Tickets start from £13 (LE 148). On a good day, bands and street performers will be all over the river bank providing entertainment. For another great view, get to Prim Rose Hill by sunset and sit in the grass at the top of the hill and take in the beautiful site of the London, for free. If the weather isn't on your side, there are always the museums. The National History Museum is a landmark of the city, and entry is free except for temporary exhibitions. Or you can spend a day with your favorite celebrities and public figures at London s most famous tourist attraction - Madame Tussauds. Entrance fee £20 (LE 229) but well worth it. For food, grab a quick meal to go from any Marks and Spenser's Simply Food. They offer a large selection of healthy sandwiches, salads and snacks sparkling fresh and very reasonably priced. For a great dinner at a great price, be sure to check out Thai restaurant Busaba Eathai, where you can savor a great meal and sake for £13 (LE 148) each. The atmosphere is lively and the service is fast. The food is fantastic yet easy on the pocket. The nightlife options are endless. Go down to Soho walk around and find a bar that suits your taste. Entry is free in most bars before 10pm. If you are one who enjoys the theater, it will be difficult to cut on that cost. But if you want a guaranteed fun night worth the money, be sure not to miss "Mama Mia the average ticket costs about £50 (LE 571) but is worth every penny. Thank you for the music, ABBA. By the end of this musical extravaganza the whole theater audience will be on their feet dancing and singing to some of the most popular tunes in history. It truly is the ultimate feel-good show. For transportation try to avoid taxi's as much as possible. When you first arrive, invest in an Oyster. Oyster is the cheapest way to pay for journeys on the tubes (subways), buses, DLR and trams in London. It will always automatically calculate the cheapest fare for the journeys you make in a single day. Some £20 (LE 229) could last the whole week.
