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London is Europe's 'dirtiest and dearest city'
Last updated at 01:52am on 13.03.08London is the dirtiest and most expensive European city according to a survey of well-travelled tourists.
The UK capital edged Paris into second place for both unwanted titles according to the study from the TripAdvisor company.
Those who want a bargain holiday head first for stag party favourites Prague and Budapest, while visitors looking for a clean environment love Zurich and Copenhagen.
London was named Europe's dirtiest city but travellers praised the city's parks
However, the UK capital fared far better in other categories, being voted the best for nightlife and public parks.
Paris: Voted most romantic and top for shopping
Despite its fabulous chocolates and beer the European capital Brussels was voted the most boring city in the poll, closely followed by Zurich and Oslo.
As anyone who has experienced the craic could testify, Dublin was considered to have the most friendly and helpful locals.
The survey showed that 65 per cent of respondents were planning to travel to or within Europe in the next 12 months.
Despite the weak dollar, exactly half of American respondents said they intended to visit Europe this year, the same as last year.
September may be the busiest month for travel in Europe this year, as one in five of respondents intend to visit at that time.
Ian Rumgay, TripAdvisor European communications manager, said: "It may be considered expensive but it seems that London's still the best for travellers and the canny ones will always find good value."
He went on: "Public parks are a new category in our survey and London's top place is a well-deserved testimony to the volume and variety of green space that visitors can enjoy in the city."
TripAdvisor surveyed more than 1,100 travellers.
Reader views (2)
Dirtiest city. This is nothing to be proud of and it's about time something was done about it. I am amazed that so many people just throw litter in their city. It is sheer ignorance. On the spot fines need to be enforced and they ought to be at least £100. Maybe this would stop the Neanderthals dumping rubbish in what is otherwise a great city (besides the crime).
I have travelled the world and I can say that London is up there with the likes of Beijing for litter. In fact I'd say London is worse as we are meant to be a developed, well educated nation. I see no evidence to support this. In Europe I'd say some of the cleanest cities I have seen have been in Germany in particular Baden-Baden which is spotless.
Londoners you should be ashamed.
STOP DROPPING LITTER. TAKE IT HOME IF THERE IS NO BIN
- Aj, London, 13/03/2008 11:55
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How many 'experts', and at what cost, did it take to find out what any resident of London could have told you for nothing, and isn't this something that our useless money-grabbing MPs should be sorting out in between their own excessive wage claims?
- Lezl, London W14 /UK, 12/03/2008 21:09
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