London, England - Let a Londoner be Your Guide!

I am the co-owner of an independent, full-service travel agency based in Ohio. I have been living in the U.S. for 12 years, but I was born and raised in the suburbs of London, England, and most of my family still lives in the greater London area. Consequently, I have first-hand experience and knowledge of what London can offer to visitors, and I have both family and friends in England who keep me regularly updated on what's new in London.

London is one of the largest cities in Western Europe and home to a multicultural population of over 11 million people. Although it contains many historic and famous attractions, such as the Tower of London, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, The Houses of Parliament, St Pauls Cathedral, etc., as a native of the city, I would like to introduce you to some personal favorites that will suit both adults and kids alike.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Public transportation in London is a great value, easy to use, and readily available. Purchase a travelcard, which allows you unlimited access on rail, the Underground, and London buses for one low price for the duration of the pass for a cheap way to get around the city.

Renting a car is okay for day trip out of London, but between extremely high gas prices and now a "congestion charge" of approximately per day to drive in the city, as well as busy roads and limited parking, I would advise against it while touring the capital.

Cabs will get you from point to point and are a great option late, after about 11pm, when public transportation all but comes to a halt. Either call or go into the office of a licensed cab company. If you do need to hail one, make sure it is an official, traditional London Taxicab, or you may find yourself in trouble. If you chat to the cabbie of one of the London taxies, you will experience for yourself what Londoners refer to as "the knowledge" – a vast encyclopedia of the city's backstreets, locations, and routes every driver has to demonstrate to earn his position!

Spoil yourself with your own private apartment in the most prestigious area of London. Green Park and the infamous Hyde Park are both close by and offer peaceful walks and places to relax amid the hustle and bustle of Central London.
Piccadilly, Harrods of Knightsbridge, and Theatreland are all within minutes of your accommodation, and Curzon Street itself offers a wonderful selection of quality shops, eateries and entertainment. Wander across Green Park and find yourself at the gate of Buckingham Palace.

These luxury apartments range from studios to three-bedroom/two-bathroom and are elegantly decorated and all amenities provided, as well as maid service six days per week.

Chauffeur and laundry service available.

Price: approximately $193 - $676 per night, depending on rate of exchange. Includes all taxes.

This is a night out to remember. Dine in the cellars of the historic Ivory House, situated in St Katherine's dock, which was built in 1827. Situated a stone's throw from the Tower of London, patrons can enjoy the wonderful views of London at night. King Henry VIII hosts the evening amidst the light of flickering torches and with dancing wenches, carrying out your every wish (serving you food and unlimited wine and beer during your meal!). A traditional four-course English banquet meal is served while you enjoy the entertainment of jousting knights, strolling players, incredible strong men, medieval songs, and medieval dancing, which the audience is encouraged to participate in. Immerse yourself in England's past as you step back in time. After the meal, there is a good old British disco into the wee hours.

Nearest Tube: Tower Hill.
Visit www.medievalbanquet.com for more information and specials.

Indian food in England is as popular as Chinese food is in the U.S. If you want to find out what it is that makes the Brits love it so much, experience it at its best at Brick Lane.

As you wander down the street, enjoying the sights and sounds, feel free to amble into whichever restaurant takes your fancy--you won't get a bad curry here.

Feeling adventurous but unsure what to order? Take your time to ask your server about the ingredients and flavors the various dishes have to offer; you will always find friendly assistance from the staff enthusiastic to give you a tour of the tastebuds!

The London Transport Museum tells the story of the last 200 years of London and its public transport, the oldest in the world. You can explore fascinating and colourful displays, meet characters from the past, and drive a bus or tube simulator. Kids (and adults) will enjoy buzzing buttons, turning wheels, spinning signs, and much more in KidZones.

There is an entrance fee for adults, but children are free. Combine this with a few hours browsing the unique shops and stands of Covent Garden for a great day out.

This museum is a personal favorite of mine and has left an impression on me since my first visit as a small child. All ages and personalities will find something to rave about at the museum that was created to celebrate the rich variety of life on earth. It is home to one of the largest collections of insects, animals, fossils, rocks, minerals, and meteorites in the world. There are more than 67 million items in its collection in total, including the skeleton and reconstruction of the extinct dodo, the Blue Whale model, and the giant flesh-eating monster, Tyrannosaurus Rex, which was brought to life in the movie, "One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing." There are many hands-on activities to keep even the youngest kids amused.

Entrance is free, but charges are made for some temporary exhibitions. Five minutes around the corner, you will find a selection of family-friendly pubs for a meal, as the cafeteria inside is expensive.

The Imperial War Museum has a huge array of military equipment from 1914 up to the present day. The museum offers an insight into the lives and times of British military personnel and civilians during the First and Second World Wars. Explore tanks and other military equipment, and browse personal letters, documents, and official information. A visit to this living documentary will transport older generations back to yesteryear and help younger people build a picture of what life was like in Britain's 'darkest hours'. Entrance is free.

Take a wine tour of the world in this magnificent 2½-acre space devoted entirely to the world of wine and its associated pleasures. Wine enthusiasts can immerse themselves in a tour of the tastbuds as they "travel" from region to region experiencing a variety of flavors, cultures and history. Five wine tastings are included in the admission price. The newly opened ‘Bombay Sapphire Experience at Vinopolis’ adds a whole new dimension and a ‘Bombay Sapphire’ cocktail to the Vinopolis offering. Entrance fees for adults and children.

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Europe, and is growing rapidly in the USA. No one takes their football (its official name) more seriously than the Brits. If you enjoy soccer, why not experience a match for yourself? London has six teams in The Premiership (Arsenal, Charlton, Chelsea, Fulham, Tottenham, and West Ham), arguably the best soccer league in the world. The soccer season in England runs from late August through to early May. Admission for both adults and children apply and vary.

Even someone who doesn't care for shopping could spend a whole day at Covent Garden, as it is more an experience than anything else. You can find everything you could want, from fashion boutiques and high street to entertainment, including a world-famous opera venue. Take a little time to enjoy the street entertainers - they have to audition to be able to perform here!

You can also find a number of different places to get food, from open-air cafes (one where you can enjoy live classical music), to top-of-the-range restaurants where you can get a five-course meal.

There is no entrance fee, and Covent Garden will be enjoyed by all ages and tastes. Ultimate cost will depend on the self control of the individual!

This really depends on the type of cruise you select. There are a variety of options ranging from one way or round trip, a short sightseeing cruise between famous landmarks on an open air boat, to luxury dinner cruises and even private charters.

All tastes, budgets, and schedules will find something to suit. Make Greenwich your destination for a great day out. Greenwich offers the Royal Observatory and the Meridean line, which marks zero degrees longtitude, home of Greenwich Mean Time, where you can straddle two time zones. Alternatively, there is the Royal Naval Museum and the Greenwich market for a great selection of antiques shops.

The London Dungeon is a personal favorite of mine for families of older children and teens. A museum meets entertainment here this interactive, historic horror attraction, which dispenses fear and fun in equal doses. Visitors can experience life in old London and encounter some of the gruesome highlights, including The Great Fire of London, the Jack the Ripper experience, and the Judgment Day boat ride, including a trip down the River Thames through the legendary Traitors Gate, where criminals used to meet their doom! Not for the squeamish!

There is no age limit on admission, but I would caution parents of young children to consider if they can determine reality versus fantasy, and if they are prone to nightmares! There is an entrance fee for everyone. This is probably one of the most expensive museums to visit.