Travel News brought to you by Eurobookings, the experts in cheap hotel bookings for all major European cities including London.

For that hard to find Christmas present, London may hold the key because the festive season is a great time to visit.

Official tourist agency for the capital cityVisitLondon expects a lot of interest in the big smoke this winter.

An estimated 25.45 million people visited London last year, with the majority from overseas, spending an average of £377 per trip.

Shopping is a must in the city's many independent boutiques and market stalls. On special VIP days at Christmas the whole of the West End is closed to traffic to make bargain or boutique-hunting easier.

PR manager for VisitLondon Hannah Collingbourne said: " For visitors I think it is a big draw, for those around the country and for those overseas to come to London at that time."

Special events for tourists include carols in Trafalgar Square and the Royal Albert Hall throughout December.

There's Midnight Mass at St Paul's Cathedral on Christmas Eve and a provisional date for the Great Christmas Pudding Race 2008 scheduled for December 6th.

Iconic locations like the Tower Of London, Kew Gardens, and Greenwich, have special Christmas lights, Christmas markets and ice skating rinks.

©Copyright

Visit Europe. Pay less. Book affordable accommodation in London with Eurobookings.