London

Departure for London at 12:25 and arrival at 14:10 local time at Gatwick airport. The Gatwick Express is the fastest way to reach the centre of London. The trains leave from the south terminal of Gatwick airport (inside). The trains leave every 15 minutes. The journey lasts about 30 minutes and connects Gatwick directly to Victoria Station with no intermediate stops. Arrival at the hotel (Park Plaza County Hall) for 17:00. The hotel is 4 stars with breakfast included, an excellent choice both for the position and for the service. Late afternoon devoted to looking for a supermarket and to a walk along the Thames eastwards passing by Cleopatra's Needle. V 20 On foot we cross Westminster Bridge and arrive at Big Ben. We visit Westminster Abbey (£15.00) (no photos) and the Houses of Parliament (£14.00).

We take the green line to Embankment, then continue on foot to the National Gallery (10-18). On the way out an evening in the Piccadilly area, crossing Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and passing by the Royal Opera House. On Saturday we spend the morning on Portobello Road, a very characteristic street and the evening in Notting Hill. D 22 Mass at Westminster Cathedral at 9, where the Pope will later go, and a pass by Buckingham Palace, we take a few photos from outside (you cannot enter). We reach Hyde Park always on foot. We look in the north-east corner for the Speaker's corner (see photo) and we remain, to say the least, struck by it. We continue the walk (very long) in the afternoon along Oxford Street and Regent Street. This was the most tiring day but at the same time the most fun.

On Monday morning we go to the Natural History Museum, at last! It opens at 10, but we arrive early; afternoon in Camden Town. M 24 Morning at the British Museum (10-17:30), afternoon in Covent Garden. M 25 The Thames clippers, a fast boat that works a bit like the bus. With the Travelcard you get a bigger discount (of 1/3) also on the Roamer ticket which allows you to get on and off at will from the various Piers for the whole day (£8.00). We pass by Tower Bridge and arrive at the Tower of London (9-17) (£17.00). Evening at the Globe Theater (7:30 pm Henry IV Part 1). G 26 Departure for Naples at 17:50 and arrival at 21:30 local time at Capodichino airport.