Maria Alexe

Languages:

English, Romanian.

Themes:

Christopher Wren's London, City churches, Evening walks, Film & TV locations, Gardens and open spaces, General city tour, Guildhall Art Gallery, Harry Potter, Markets, Medieval London, Pub tours, Romans, Romantic walks.

Biography

I moved to London over 15 years ago and have a background in languages and performing arts, therefore my tours are catered towards international visitors, with whom share everything that I would have wanted an "insider" to tell me when I first came to visit. I am also mindful of linguistic barriers and strive to achieve perfect clarity. In addition to that, as a former actress, it is essential to me to keep my tours entertaining!

Guided Tours

• City of London Highlights - this tour takes visitors through the history of the City of London from its Roman beginnings until today; we will visit remnants of every defining age of London chronologically, and learn about its development through visual mementos, from some of its most famous landmarks, to some which only locals know.

• City of London film sets - learn about the history and present of the City of London through some of its most famous film and TV-featured areas and buildings (including sites related to Harry Potter!)

• Romans London - many people are unaware of just how many architectural jewels our city contains, including ancient Roman remains that we sometimes walk past without noticing; on this tour, you will gain a new perspective of the city's Roman origins, and how it is still shaping its architecture today.

• Medieval London - see what's left of Medieval London and learn about its history through some of its most turbulent times.

• Victorian London - discover the Victorian remnants of the City of London (including a number of pubs!), learn about the main architectural and cultural tendencies of the 19th century, and how some of them still shape our city and our society today.

• City of London Pubs - let me take you through some of our city's best pubs, many of which are as historically fascinating as they are off the beaten track.

• City of London Train Stations - one for the train buffs; discover the history of rail transport in the City of London, learn about the beginnings of the metro system (the oldest in the world!), and how the history of our city has shaped its transport network. 

• The Great Fire of London - learn about the devastating Fire of London of 1666, the subsequent rebuilding of the City, and what it meant for the life and career of one of the greatest English architects of all times, Christopher Wren; perfect for casual visitors and school children alike.

• City of London and the Blitz - learn about what has been dubbed "The Second Great Fire of London", and how Londoners withstood the ruthlessness of the German bombardment of our capital during the Second World War, while protecting its landmarks at all costs.

• Monarchs and the City - how have our kings and queens shaped the look of the City today, and which spots have the strongest connections to which monarchs? Come and visit the most royal-related areas from the beginnings of the English monarchy until today!

• Science and the City - learn about the most notorious scientists who lived and worked in our city, and how they contributed to its makeup over the centuries.

• Gardens of London - the City of London is not the first place that springs to mind when thinking of lush gardens, yet it boasts of hundreds of public spaces and pocket gardens, many of which do wonders for our biodiversity; come and discover London's oases of peace and calm in the middle of one of the world's busiest metropolises!