London

Not surprisingly, this capital is a Mecca for visitors and a great place to live. One of the world’s most remarkable and exciting cities, London carries with it a blend of history, ground-breaking architecture and a way of life that’s created an amazing and constantly evolving destination. London is a vibrant metropolis that embraces the diverse cultures of its population – reflected through its cuisine, shops, music and festivals – a place where the historic past and the pulsating present come alive each and every day. Think Charles Dickens and Shakespeare of years past meet the cutting edge culture of today.

Despite its population of over 7 million, more than 30% of London is made up of parks and green space – greater than any other city of its size in the world. Home to Britain’s national art collections, the Royal family and a host of major attractions, London’s rich history (and over 200 museums) offers travelers a unique experience. The city also offers some of the best shopping opportunities in the world – from major department stores (you have to check out Harrods) to designer boutiques and street markets, the choices here are incalculable. And as if that wasn’t enough, London is also pretty darn hard to beat when it comes to nightlife. There are immense choices in restaurants (over 6,000), pubs, cinemas, theatres and nightclubs – not to mention, live music and comedy venues.

So, at any time of day, whatever your mood – London has something for everyone. Whether it’s shopping like the girls from “Absolutely Fabulous” or watching the latest music talent bloom in front of your eyes. London is home to great musical giants like: Coldplay, Pink Floyd, and a little band we have all come to know and love: The Rolling Stones. Whether you are strolling along the streets in Windsor, buying art in Notting Hill, celebrity spotting in Piccadilly, riding the London Eye for the spectacular views, or trying to spot Prince William downing a lager in Chelsea- the possibilities are endless here. No spot is the same. And remember, you can take the tube each day to a new stop, just don’t forget to “mind the gap” when you do.

With so many choices (particularly where food is concerned), London also has real international flavor, with all tastes and budgets in consideration. Known as a Culinary hub, London is a true paradise for food lovers – offering everything from Indian, Mediterranean and Oriental, to traditional and Arabic restaurants – on (what seems like) every corner. Hungry for traditional Bangers n’ Mash, or Faggots and Peas? Pop into any of the millions of pubs you see. But here’s some advice: when in a pub, make sure you go to the bar to order your cider and Steak and Kidney Pie directly – not from a server- they don’t often exist at pubs! And know this: when you stroll around town, you’ll likely be greeted by the smell of fresh Fish n’ Chips that lingers in the air (a nice late night snack after partying at one of the journeyPod picks below).

Here are a few tips: Whatever you decide, you must have the quintessential English afternoon tea – a perfect way to end a hard day of shopping or sight-seeing. And, no matter what you think: black pudding is not a dark chocolate cake!

Now that we’ve got your attention, check our journeyPod picks to some of the best places on the London restaurant and nightlife scene. These spots are just too good to miss.

Things to do in London

Many visitors to London worry about the expense, but there are plenty of things to do that are totally free from art galleries to walking tours.

All of London’s major museums are free to visit. The Tate is, of course, at the top of that list. The Tate Modern and the Tate Britain house some of the finest artworks in the world. The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856. It houses portraits of prominent Britons from Tudor times to the present day. The Wallace Collection is a national museum in an historic London town house. This gallery has displays of French 18th century painting, furniture and porcelain, superb Old Master paintings and a world class armory.

The Museum of London is a place to learn the history of London from Roman times until today. The Geffrye Museum is a museum of English domestic interiors and has room sets from 1600 right up to today. Each period room in the Geffrye Museum is a fine example of how middle-class English folk lived at the time, with wonderful original furniture, textiles, paintings and accessories.

Prefer something outdoors? No visit to London would be complete without watching this military tradition first hand. The Queen’s Guard in London changes in the Forecourt inside the gate of Buckingham Palace at 11:30 a.m. every day in summer and every other day in winter.

A tour of the South Bank via boat is a real treat. It is amazing now many London landmarks are visible from the Thames River: The London Eye, Tate Modern, the Globe Theater and much more. If you don’t want to boat down the Thames, take a walking tour, so you can move at your own pace.

Westminster Abbey is free to all worshippers, although visitors are charged a nonimal fee to cover operating costs. Plan to attend one of the regular services to see the inside. Evensong is the most beautiful of all services at the Abbey when the Abbey Choir sings. This choir is professionally trained at the Westminster Abbey Choir School and worth a visit. Evensong is at 5:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and at 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.