Big Ben - Up Close and Personal

London has some iconic symbols that are instantly recognized.

One of them is Westminster Palace's Clock Tower, commonly known as "Big Ben".

Although, actually, "Big Ben" is a bell, not the clock. And, the official name of the bell is really the "Big Bell". To confuse even more, the "Clock Tower", which is where both the iconic clock and bells are located, had a name change several years ago to the "Elizabeth Tower" in honour of Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee.

ALERT: Tube Strike!

Mayor Boris Johnson wants to extend several tube lines to operate 24 hours on the weekend.

The union does not agree.

Let's review this: Average wages in London are £29K/year. Tube drivers make £49K/year and have 48 holidays/year.

Result: The city ground to a chaotic standstill when the tube drivers went on strike for 24 hours!

Issue is still unresolved, but Round I went to the tube drivers.

Venice

Direct flights from London to Venice take about 2 hours.

If you're a morning person, that makes it easy to get up reeeeealllly early in London and then enjoy a morning coffee in Venice.