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26-28 SEPTEMBER
T R A V E L LEADING
EXECUTIVE
EVENT
FOR
THE
K I T PT/MC
INDUSTRY
WELCOME LETTER
Dear EPTDA London 2018 Annual Convention Participant, Dear Industry Colleague, EPTDA’s next Annual Convention is fast approaching and we all look forward to welcoming you to London for one of industry’s most anticipated events of the year. This year again in London, EPTDA will bring you the best thought leaders and industry experts on stage, and guarantee successful B2B and exclusive networking opportunities. As always, it is our pleasure to help you prepare for your travel and we have therefore compiled this Travel Kit which contains useful and valuable information about London, local transportation, interesting cultural & culinary tips, and other practical information. Enjoy the reading and see you soon in London!
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London 2018
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London 2018
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WELCOME TO LONDON London is an incredible city and a fabulous destination for tourists. Immersed in history, this metropolis is brimming with culture, art and eye-opening antiquity at every step. The city's buildings are striking milestones and many of them are instantly recognisable landmarks – Big Ben, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey. Architectural grandeur rises up all around you, from ancient remains and charming pubs that punctuate the historic quarters to imposing skyscrappers and modern buildings. London contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London, Kew Gardens, the site comprising the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and St. Margaret's Church, and the historic settlement of Greenwich.
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WELCOME TO LONDON The world's largest financial centre and leading investment destination, London is also a city of ideas and imagination. It is a leading global city in the arts, entertainment, fashion, media, commerce, but also education, healthcare, professional services, research and development. London is deeply multicultural and has a diverse range of people and cultures, with more than 300 languages that spoken in the region. All this has made London to be often regarded as a world cultural capital. One of the world's most visited cities, London has something for everyone: from history and culture to fine food and good times.
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PRACTICAL INFORMATION
EMERGENCY NUMBERS Ambulance
999 / 112
Fire
999 / 112
Police
999 / 112 / 101
Gas emergency
0800 111 999
National Health Service
0845 4647
WEATHER The weather starts to cool down in September, when the autumn season is setting in. At this time of the year, London experiences an average temperature of around 15°C towards the end of the month. The probability of London receiving some type of precipitation across September decreases as the month goes on.
SAFETY London is a very safe place but like any big city, it's worth taking sensible precautions: never leave your bag unattended, and report any unattended bags or items in public places; keep your purse or wallet close to your body and don't carry too much cash; information about major incidents in the capital can be found on the Met Police website.
HEALTH Overseas nationals are not eligible for free NHS treatment except if they need emergency treatment while in the UK. You are strongly advised to take out travel insurance to cover any medical expenses.
CURRENCY & EXCHANGE The pound sterling, or just pound, is the basic unit of currency in England. There are numerous exchange offices in London – often located inside banks, travel agents or Post Offices, as well as at London's airports and major train stations. Credit and debit cards, especially Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted in London's restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. American Express and Diners Club cards are becoming more commonly accepted, although it is still advised to carry an alternative payment method with you.
OPENING HOURS Shops and Department Stores are generally open between 9.00 - 17.30 (18.00) Monday to Saturday. Some general grocery stores have late opening up to 22.00 Monday to Saturday, and 10.00 16.00 on Sunday. In London the banks are typically open between 9.30 - 14.30 (15.00) Monday to Friday and up until 12.00 or closed on Saturday. Public Houses (Bars) have more generous business hours: 11.00 - 23.00 Monday to Saturday; 12.00 - 15.00 & 19.00 22.30 on Sundays.
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HILTON LONDON METROPOLE
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION The Hilton London Metropole combines a fantastic Central London location — great for visiting many of the capital’s favorite attractions — with comfortable guest rooms and first-class facilities. For business travelers, this location is one of Europe's largest
BOOK YOUR STAY HERE » conference hotels, with 42 well-equipped meeting and event rooms. For entertainment lovers, the Hilton London Metropole is located close to some of Europe's best theatre, shopping, dining and nightlife - just a short tube ride away.
BY PLANE
BY TRAIN
From London Heathrow Airport
From St. Pancras International
⊲⊲ just 15 minutes to the Hilton London Metropole via the ⊲⊲
⊲⊲ ⊲⊲ ★★
Heathrow Express rail link at Paddington Station. Journey from Terminal 1, 2, 3: 15 minutes by Heathrow Express train. Journey from Terminal 4: 20 minutes by Heathrow Express train. Frequency of Heathrow Express trains: every 15 minutes. Taxi: 40 km in 40 minutes (aprox. £ 100).
From London Gatwick Airport
⊲⊲ Victoria Station, the Central London terminal for the Gatwick
Express, is linked to the hotel via the London Underground Circle Line, and the Edgware Road tube station is 30 metres from the hotel entrance. ⊲⊲ Journey time: 30 minutes from Gatwick to Victoria, then 15 to 20 minutes by Underground or taxi. ⊲⊲ Frequency of trains: Gatwick Express every 15 to 30 minutes, plus slower stopping service. ★★ Taxi: 44 km in 1 hour (aprox. £ 120).
From London Stansted Airport
⊲⊲ Take the tube from King’s Cross St. Pancras Station (Hammersmith & City / Circle) and get off at the 4th stop – Edgware Road Station – and walk about 3 minutes until you reach the hotel.
From Paddington Station
⊲⊲ An 8 minutes walk to reach the hotel. ⊲⊲ Take the tube from Paddington Station (Bakerloo) and at the
first stop – Edgware Road Station – you get off and walk about 1 minute until you reach the hotel.
From Victoria Station
⊲⊲ Take Bus 16 from Victoria (Stop H) and at the 9th stop –
Sussex Gardens (Stop EL) – you get off and walk about 2 minutes until you reach the hotel.
From Fenchurch Street Station
⊲⊲ Take the tube from Tower Hill Station (Circle) and once
you reach Edgware Road Station, you get off and walk about 2 minutes until you reach the hotel.
⊲⊲ From Stansted Airport take the 45-minute Stansted Express
to London Liverpool Street, where there is a direct underground line to Edgware Road station, directly opposite of the Hilton London Metropole hotel. ★★ Taxi: 70 km in 1 hour and 30 minutes (aprox. £ 170).
BY CAR
Address Hilton London Metropole 225 Edgware Road London W2 1JU
The Hilton London Metropole is ideally situated for delegates, being on the intersection of major link roads to key motorways (M40, M1).
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ATTRACTIONS IN LONDON
SHOPPING STREETS
ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL
EXCITING AND VARIED
300-YEAR-OLD MASTERPIECE
THE LONDON EYE
MADAME TUSSAUDS LONDON
GET A FINE VIEW OVER LONDON
GLITZ, GLAMOUR AND HISTORY
WESTMINSTER ABBEY THE STUNNING GOTHIC CHURCH
Read more about our top attractions in London by clicking each blue square. Besides this selection, EPTDA has arranged 3 social tours that can be found on page 11: Thursday | THE HISTORICAL CITY OF LONDON Friday | LONDON FROM THE SOUTH BANK Saturday | COMBINED TOUR TO GREENWICH
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THAMES RIVER CRUISE UNIQUE VIEW
ATTRACTIONS IN LONDON
TOWER OF LONDON AURA OF MENACE
SHAKESPEAR'S GLOBE THEATRE WHERE THE GREAT PLAYWRIGHT PENNED HIS PLAYS
TOWER BRIDGE THE ICONIC VICTORIAN BRIDGE
THE VIEW FROM THE SHARD REDEFINING LONDON'S SKYLINE
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CUISINE
SKETCH LONDON
DUDDELL'S LONDON
"Conceived by French master chef Pierre Gagnaire and restaurateur Mazouz, Sketch has attracted unprecedented media reaction for its myriad food, drink and entertainment styles since it opened in December 2002. Gagnaire's culinary genius has inspired the menus throughout sketch. His eponymous Michelin three-starred Paris restaurant has a distinctive menu style, which Gagnaire had adapted for sketch. Executed by his acolytes, the food is imaginative, bold, ground-breaking and delicious."
"Duddell's London is the first restaurant of the Duddell's brand to open outside of Hong Kong where the original was founded in 2013. Set in the historic St. Thomas Church in the heart of London Bridge, minutes from Borough Market and The Shard, Duddell's London showcases authentic Cantonese cuisine and handcrafted dim sum at the Restaurant and Asian-inspired cocktails at the Bar. As with its Hong Kong counterpart, Duddell's London will have a strong focus on its art programme and is set to become a destination for both foodies and art lovers alike."
9 Conduit Street London W1S 2XG, U.K.
sketch.london
© sketch.london
© theivytowerbridge.com
9a St. Thomas Street London SE1 9RY, U.K.
duddells.co/london
© thespaces.com
© justopenedlondon.com
THE IVY TOWER BRIDGE
RAIL HOUSE CAFÉ
"The Ivy Tower Bridge is an all-day British brasserie with an allencompassing menu serving modern British and international Ivy-inspired classics from dawn until dusk, seven days a week. Making the most of its riverside location and views of the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London, the restaurant also features an outdoor terrace, a bar and a private dining room on the first floor, offering tranquil relaxed yet sophisticated dining with beautiful views across the river."
"Located in Victoria, London, Rail House Café is a bustling contemporary brasserie with a varied menu of Modern European & Asian dishes. It uses industrial chic type décor, with walls laid bare, well-loved furniture and neutral tones with a hint of sage green. While there’s a lot to choose from, the brunch dishes – along with the dreamy interior – make venturing into Victoria, even on a weekend well worth it."
1 Tower Bridge London SE1 2AA, U.K.
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theivytowerbridge.com
London 2018
independent.co.uk/life-style 8 Sir Simon Milton Square London SW1E 5DJ, U.K.
railhouse.cafe
LEISURE
SHOPPING
SOCIAL TOURS
London has several shopping streets, many of which have their own themes or specialities. Thus it can be exciting and varied: from luxury goods in Mayfair to designer outlets and landmark stores on Oxford Street, to large shopping centres such as Westfield and impressively elegant fashion stores on Regent Street. You can easily spend an hour, an afternoon or a whole day browsing shops in London.
Besides our list of worth-seeing places in London we have selected on pages 8 and 9, EPTDA will also organise social tours in each day of the convention, so that your partner can enjoy the breathtaking areas of the metropolis and socialize. These include:
THE HISTORICAL CITY OF LONDON Thursday 27 September | 9:30 - 13:00
LONDON FROM THE SOUTH BANK Friday 28 September | 9:30 - 13:00
There is an opportunity for the annual convention delegates to participate in the full-day social tour programme:
COMBINED TOUR TO GREENWICH Saturday 29 September | 10:30 - 17:00
MORE DETAILS ABOUT EACH TOUR Âť
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