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I noticed later that there are a few companies providing similar bus tour services.  The one I was on was called The Big Bus Company www.bigbustours.com. It provides live commentary on the Red Route (English language only), and 8 different digitally recorded languages on the Blue Route. Both routs are almost identical (follow the same streets and stop at the same stops), and if you understand English than it does not make much difference which rout you happen to be on.  Red Route has the advantage of being more personal, as you can ask questions and interact with the live tour guide.  On the other hand Blue Route gives you the option of listening to the commentary in 8 different languages.  In addition Blue Route is a little longer as it goes around Hide Park and up to Regent’s Park, which Red Route does not. 

It does not really matter on which route (blue or red) you happened to start your tour, as you can hop off the bus at any stop and change for the other one.  The ticket is valid for 24 hours from the time you first enter the bus, so you may make as many stops as you wish.  Actually it is a good idea to hop off the bus and explore an area that you find interesting, have a snack, or a drink, and then hop on the bus again and continue your tour.  The buses come every 15 to 30 minutes so there is never a long period of waiting for the next bus.  In the summer the service starts at 8:30 and continues to about 6pm (depending on the location).  The ticket of The Big Bus Company also includes a free river Thames cruise from the Tower of London to Westminster Pier (near the House of Parliament and Westminster Abbey), or in the opposite direction.

I think taking a bus tour is a good idea for anyone coming to London for the first time.  It will give you a general idea of the city and its main attractions.  After that you can decide which places to visit again for a more thorough exploration.

Tourist Traps.  This is probably rather subjective as something that might seem to be a worthless tourist trap for one person, could be perceived as a major attraction to others.  In any case, my well-traveled friend Carolyn from North Vancouver, warned me about the Tower of London.  At that time it was for me just another meaningless name of a place in London so naturally I forgot about it.  And indeed the Tower of London is nothing else but a tourist trap.  All there is to see can be seen from the outside.  I do like the exterior of the castle so naturally I put one day aside for the visit to the Tower.  The cost is £16 plus extra £3.50 if you chose to rent headphones with recorded guided tour of the castle.  Big mistake!   If you decide to rent the guided tour, you will hear a few bloody stories of people being imprisoned and/or beheaded there throughout the ages but that’s where the whole attraction ends as there is practically nothing to see inside.  The interiors are nonexistent – just bare walls!  The display of Crown Jewels being kept in the castle seems to be the main attraction there.  Sure, since I was there, I lined up with the others to see the jewels but I was not amused, to say the least …

However, a friend of mine pointed out that, the Chapel Inside the Tower of London is a magnificent piece of architecture and that the Tower has great historical significance for the British.

Another thing that I found rather unfortunate is the fact that it is practically impossible to get into to St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Westminster Abbey, and to possibly other significant houses of worship without paying an entry fee of about £10.  In Westminster Abbey I inquired about an option to come for a simple prayer.  It turns out that indeed one can get a free entry but only to attend specific services at very specific times…

It is true that places like Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's have only started charging for admission in recent years.  The problem was that they receive no funding from the State for maintenance and  have few other sources of income.  On the other hand, those older buildings are very expensive to maintain.  The other thing is that they were being visited by many groups led by professional guides, who charged their groups quite heavily - and none of that money was going to the church!  In addition, it hardly seemed like a church, as it was so packed with guided groups.