If your impressions of London have been formed by what you’ve seen in the movies, you may envision the United Kingdom capital city as a dark, cold, dreary, rainy place – not exactly an ideal vacation destination.

Think again. While it’s not a tropical paradise, London is actually a wonderful getaway location, filled with amazing history, sights, accommodations and fun things to do. Loud, exciting and truly multicultural, London is not just the largest city in England; it’s also the biggest one in Western Europe. Situated on the River Thames in southeast England, Greater London (consisting of 32 boroughs and the City of London) is home to close to 8 million people, with 14 million living in the city’s total metropolitan area.

Landmarks of London
Here are some locations you don’t want to miss on your trip to jolly old London:

• Buckingham Palace – The official London home of the Queen, this slice of old-world royalty is open for tours only during the summer months, but it’s a definite must-see when you’re in town.

• Westminster Abbey – This is where you’ll see Big Ben and the seat of the United Kingdom government, the Houses of Parliament. Westminster Abbey has also been the setting of all royal coronations since 1066, the most recent being Queen Elizabeth II’s in 1953. Tours of the building are conducted only between July and August, when Parliament is on break.

• Picadilly Circus – This famous circular road junction in London’s West End is the gateway to the Piccadilly shopping district. Built in 1819, it merges history with the modern day. The circus has a famed statue of the archer Eros and a famed fountain, along with a video display and neon signs. One of the busiest and most photographed tourist attractions in the city, it’s also the site of the Piccadilly Circus tube (subway) station. Another roadway destination is …

• Marble Arch – This white monument, designed by famed architect John Nash in 1828, is made of carrara marble. It’s situated in the middle of a large traffic island at one the busy intersection of Oxford Street and Park Lane in London’s Mayfair section.

Tower of London – Over 900 years old, London’s original royal fortress is the
home of the Crown Jewels, and, according to legend, is one of the world’s most haunted places! Take in a guided ghost walk when you’re there. Another don’tmiss spot just next door is ...

• Tower Bridge – This famous 19th century bridge has iconic high towers and a drawbridge you’ve probably seen a million times in movies. You can tour the engine rooms and an exhibition of this classic bridge.

• St. Paul’s Cathedral – Built in the 17th century following the 1666 Great Fire of London from a design by Sir Christopher Wren, this magnificent dome is well-known for its amazing acoustics, which are so precise that the space has what’s known as the “Whispering Gallery.”

• St. Paul’s Cathedral – Built in the 17th century following the 1666 Great Fire of London from a design by Sir Christopher Wren, this magnificent dome is well-known for its amazing acoustics, which are so precise that the space has what’s known as the “Whispering Gallery.”

• Trafalgar Square – Home of the Nelson’s Column monument, as well as four lion statues that “stand guard,” Trafalgar Square is set in the heart of London – approximately at the city’s center. Paintings and statues are frequently on the display within the square, which is also the site of public meetings and protest demonstrations. It was named for the Battle of Trafalgar, a famous 1805 British naval victory that occurred during the Napoleonic Wars.

• The London Eye – This observation wheel – the third-largest in the world – is 14 HDL set on the South Bank of the Thames, and offers spectacular aerial views of London.
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Free Museums

London is home to many outstanding museums. Better yet, most of the city’s museum’s have no entry fee – you can get in for free, and make repeat visits to the ones you especially enjoy and wish to return to with no problem.

These free museums include the:

• British Museum – This spectacular museum of human history and culture has an incredible collection of over 13 million objects from all continents, telling the story of humankind from its beginning to present day. Established in 1753, the building is enormous and filled with fascinating things to see, including the most comprehensive collection of Egyptian artifacts outside of Egypt, the Rosetta Stone, Greek and Roman antiquities, historic artifacts from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East; and numerous prints, drawings, coins and medals. Www.britishmuseum.org

• National Gallery – Founded in 1824, the Trafalgar Square-based National Gallery houses over 2,300 beautiful, historic paintings dating back to the mid- 13th century through to 1900. Collection highlights include pieces by da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Renoir and Van Gogh. Www.nationalgallery.org.uk

• Natural History Museum – Experience the world’s natural history at this exquisite haven, where you can enjoy exhibitions on plants, geology and animals from around the globe – including a permanent dinosaur attraction! Www.nhm.ac.uk

• National Portrait Gallery – This gallery, which houses portraits of historical figures (with an emphasis on famous Brits) was the first portrait gallery in the world when it opened in 1856. Among its famous pieces is the best-known portrait of William Shakespeare. Interesting note: Up until 1969, the gallery did not allow portraits of living people on its walls. Www.npg.org.uk

• Tate Modern/Tate Britain – These museums are the two London locations of the four-museum Tate network. While the Tate Britain is devoted to the United Kingdom’s national collection of British Art, the Tate Modern, as you’d expect, serves as London’s museum of International Modern and Contemporary Art. The original Tate gallery, now known as Tate Britain, was founded in 1897 as the National Gallery of British Art. Don’t miss the spectacular paintings on display at both locations. Www.tate.org.uk

Parks Fit for Royalty

Serving a similar function as Central Park does to New York, London’s Royal parks are called the city’s “green lungs,” provided welcome fresh air and foliage in this urban setting. These Royal parks were previously royal estates and hunting grounds, and while many are still owned by the Crown, they are open to the public and worth a visit when you’re in town.

Parks to check out include:

• St. James’s Park – Located between Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade, St. James’s Park is a lush, romantic setting with gorgeous gardens and breathtaking scenery. Great for photography and picnics, St. James’s is also an ideal setting for a leisurely London stroll.

• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens – Combined, these adjacent parks comprise a very large open space in central London. Great for a picnic with the family!

• Hampstead Heath – For those who prefer something a little more “wild,” you may want to check out Hampstead Heath, a very green, untended park. The park offers spectacular views from its Parliament Hill area.

• Regent’s Park – An ample open space situated in the northern part of central London, Regent’s Park has a fantastic landscape designed by Marble Arc architect John Nash, as well as the largest outdoor sports area in the city.

• Richmond Park – If you like getting in touch with nature, visit Richmond Park, home to numerous deer, and also a great location for bicycling. Www.royalparks.org.uk

Good Show!

London provides ample proof that you can find top-quality live theater someplace besides New York’s Broadway district. In fact, London has long been regarded as a destination for theater lovers, as it attracts some of the finest talent and productions from all over the world.

The West End is London’s famous theater district, and it hosts fantastic shows, including musicals, nightly. Like in New York, the West End has a TKTS booth where you can buy half-price show tickets on the day of performance. Current West End attractions include a new production of the comedy “Educating Rita” and a spooky show called “Ghost Stories,” as well as new Shakespeare productions, always a West End staple.

Another theater destination in London is The South Bank, which is known for its serious theater productions and is home to The National Theatre and The Globe Theatre. Www.timeout.com/london/theatre

We call it soccer here, but football is more than a national pastime in England – it’s a passion. Take in a football match in one of London’s more than 20 professional football clubs (teams) to see how fans in the homeland of the “World’s Game” root on their favorite ones. The most popular clubs include Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham United, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur. These clubs are so beloved that you may encounter sellouts. You may want to get your football fix at a smaller club such as Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace, Queen’s Park Rangers and Millwall, where you can usually buy a ticket at the door. Snipurl.com/10p8jl

London Luxury

As you’ll see from the above entries, London is an amazing city filled with great places to visit, tons of fun and fascinating things to do, and historical landmarks nearly everywhere you turn. It’s also a city filled with world-class fourand five-star-rated hotels to ensure you have a comfortable and luxurious stay. For information and booking details on London hotels, go to www.londonhotels. com. Here’s hoping your London trip is a jolly good one.