The Travel Professor
Join me on a journey across the broad spectrum of interesting travel topics. We’ll discuss destinations domestic and abroad, some familiar and some off the beaten path. We take a look at suppliers like cruise lines, air carriers and tour operators and find their bargains and special offerings. Got questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Great balls of fire as Londontown comes burning down

The Great Fire of London began on September 2, 1666 at the storefront bakery of Thomas Farriner on Pudding Lane. The mayor of London delayed calling for demolition of buildings around the fire, the chief means of fighting urban fires at the time. As a consequence of the delay, the fire spread rapidly. The conflagration consumed more than 13,000 houses, 87 parish churches, the great St. Paul's Cathedral, and many city government buildings. The fire burned through Wednesday when organized efforts and favorable wind conditions finally helped to extinguish it. The city was re-built along much of the same road plan.

It has rebuilt itself into a wonderful destination. Because of a common language and culture London, the UK and Ireland are often the 1st European destination that many Americans experience.

But I question the idea of serving “Rolling Rock” as a premium American beer at the original Hard Rock Café. Cheerio!