The skyline of London is a once seen, never forgotten experience; it literally takes your breath away. The excitement of this cosmopolitan city can be felt as soon as you step from the plane. This city refuses to conform to people's expectations, a historical city that is also at the cutting edge of music, fashion and the arts. Stroll by the banks of the majestic River Thames and gaze at the iconic sight of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Sit outside a pavement cafe in Covent Garden and watch the colorful array of street performers and buskers play just for you. Buy the latest fashions in world famous shops such as Harrods and Selfridges and then dine in award winning restaurants before dancing with the stars in the best nightclubs. London is a celebration of a city. A magical, picture postcard of a city containing numerous delights and experiences to greet you on arrival.

	Top rated hotels
	1. Crowne Plaza Hotel London-The City 19 New Bridge Street 4. Swissotel The Howard London 12 Temple Place 2. Darlington Hyde Park 111 117 Sussex Gardens 5. Club Quarters, St. Paul's 24 Ludgate Hill 3. Sofitel London St James 6 Waterloo Place 6. London Marriott Hotel Park Lane 140 Park Lane View more London hotel info »«

	Top rated attractions
	In London 1. Walking the West End of London London's West End may seem daunting at first but it is surprisingly easy to navigate. There are many walking tours and London sightseeing buses available but the best way is on foot. Start at Westminster Bridge and see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, walk north for five minutes and you will come to Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column. Walk north again and you are minutes from the cinema area of Leicester Square, look west and there is Piccadilly Circus. From Piccadilly Circus, you are only a few minutes walk north to China Town and a little walk from Covent Garden. It is much more interesting to cover the West End of London on foot and see the sights and locals as you go.  « hide 2. Tour of Highgate Cemetery Don’t miss the Highgate Cemetery especially for those seeking an unusual piece of London history. This huge cemetery is famous as the last resting place of Karl Marx and the overgrown western burial grounds are an extraordinary sight. Monuments, famous graves and tours of Egyptian catacombs are all on the menu. Closed to the public during funerals this is a tour well worth taking for the spectacular wild flowers alone.  « hide 3. St Paul's Cathedral One of the most majestic sites in London is the dome of St Paul's Cathedral. Building on St Paul's, which started in 1675, took 35 years to complete, and is a testament to architect Sir Christopher Wren. The church itself is huge and the decoration is awe-inspiring. Climb up the wooden spiral staircase to the famous Whispering Gallery and hear people whisper from the other side of the dome. The views of London from the Stone Gallery are spectacular and for those who do not suffer from vertigo, the upper Golden Gallery views are a must see.  « hide 4. Visit Portobello Road Market Remember the film Nottinghill, where Hugh Grant walks through a season changing Portobello Road Market, this is the actual location used. The market is open every Friday and Saturday and is extremely popular with bargain hunters. Hundreds of stalls line the narrow road and are flanked on all sides by great shops, bars and restaurants. This is the perfect place to pick up vintage clothes, antiques, paintings and handmade trinkets at affordable prices. Try haggling with the owners to get the best prices, and then sit outside a pavement cafe to inspect your bargains.  « hide 5. Madam Tussauds Judging by the constant queues around the block Madam Tussauds is a top tourist attraction for many visitors. Inside you can sing, dance and perform with spookily lifelike replicas of your favorite stars. Madam Tussauds is packed with film stars, politicians and rock stars and they are amazingly life like. Tussauds has long been a favorite with children and adults but watch out for some of the more gruesome exhibitions such as Jack the Ripper, these are not for the faint hearted. Tickets also give access to the spectacular Planetarium.  « hide 6. Buckingham Palace For a touch of royalty Buckingham palace is hard to beat. 250 visitors step through the Queen's front door every 15 minutes. Take the guided tour around 14 staterooms and the grand Ballroom. This is a working Palace and if the flag is flying it means the Queen is in residence. Check out the Coronation exhibition in the Ballroom supper room or take a wander around the Royal Gardens. Extra admission gains you access to the Queen's state transport including the gilded coach and her Windsor grey horses. It is here that you can also watch the Changing of the Guard outside the Palace.  « hide 7. Visit the London Eye The British Airways London eye stands 135 meters tall and towers over the London skyline and is arguably one of London’s most popular tourist attractions. Located next to Westminster Bridge, the Eye gives breath-taking 25-mile views over the City and beyond. Look down at the top of Big Ben and Nelson's Column from your observation point as your capsule takes its 30-minute circular "flight". Take a romantic evening journey and see the city and its bridges illuminated in spectacular style.  « hide 8. The Tower of London Two and half million visitors enter the Tower of London each year. The Tower has been part of Royal history for over a thousand years and three English Queens have been executed inside. The Tower boasts several tourist attractions rolled into one. You can gaze at the stunning Crown Jewels or visit the actual site of many executions. Climb the White Tower, erected 900 years ago and stroll around the Medieval Palace. With the River Thames in the background, this is a photo opportunity not to be missed.  « hide View more London attractions » « View less London attractions

	Top rated restaurants
	1. Randall & Aubin Randall & Aubin, London, is hidden in sexy Soho and is a seafood lover's paradise. Fresh lobster, pan-fried scallops, and oysters washed down with champagne are all on the menu. The fish soup and Japanese fishcakes are the best in London. Randall & Aubin is the perfect place for a romantic dinner date before or after a night at one of the nearby theaters.  « hide 6. Suze Suze, London, is a wine bar and restaurant serving excellent tandoori prawns, New Zealand lamb and breast of duck. The wine is just as important as the food at Suze especially with the extensive wine menu.  « hide 2. Livebait's Cafe Fish Livebait's Cafe Fish, London, is another Piccadilly restaurant that serves the freshest of fish favorites loved by the locals. They also do a great range of seafood such as cockles, mussels and grilled sardines. Some of the fish on the menu is actually flown in from the US and tastes delicious. Be sure to phone first for reservations.  « hide 7. The Criterion Brasserie The Criterion Brasserie, London is set in a magnificent, marbled hall designed in the 1870s. The food is superb and the menu is full of British and French options. Roast skate, lamb stuffed with mushrooms and deep-fried snails are all available here in this glamorous setting.  « hide 3. J Sheekey J Sheekey, London, with its close proximity to London's theaters is an actor's favorite. J Sheekey serves traditional London seafood such as jellied eels, fish pie and oysters from France and Ireland.  « hide 8. Balams Balams, London, has been on the go for around 15 years and some regular clients eat all their meals here. Advertised as British food it is actually a mix of pastas, seafood, roast chicken, an eclectic mix to be sure. But this restaurant is famous for its pub atmosphere and flamboyant customers on Old Compton Street.  « hide 4. Nahm Nahm, London, serves up some of the best Thai food in the area. The chef's specialty is to find ancient Thai recipes and recreate them for the menu. Sumptuous beef curry and fresh seafood make this a very popular place and it reservations are recommended.  « hide 9. Atlantic Bar and Grill Atlantic Bar and Grill, London, is one of the trendiest restaurants in London. A great selection of organic homegrown food and a range of seafood and meats. Try the yellowfin tuna or fresh swordfish, the lamb burgers are delicious and affordable.  « hide 5. Zen Central Love the name of this restaurant and so do the movie stars who pop in as well. A fusion of Indian, Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine make this designer cool eatery very popular. Sea bass, soft shell crabs and birds' nest soup are all on the menu here at affordable prices.  « hide 10. Churchill Arms Churchill Arms, London - This pub celebrates Winston Churchill and is full of memorabilia on the great Prime minister. The staff here is the friendliest you will find and welcome new customers as old friends. In this pub, any day is a cause for celebration especially on bank holidays, Churchill's birthday, Halloween, St Patrick's Day or Christmas. A real London pub full of atmosphere.  « hide

	London Insider tips
	1. Tips on London's transport London has one of the safest transport systems around but as with all big cities, pickpockets do prowl the London Underground system, make sure to keep all valuables close by. Unlike some major cities, London Underground does shut down at night, around 11pm or midnight and will not open until 6am. Night buses are in operation for the remainder of the night and the price should be included in your travel pass. If you are on holiday in London try to avoid the morning or evening rush hour, trains become extremely busy and ventilation is almost nonexistent. During the summer, the heat and packed trains can become unbearable so avoid the 8am-9.30am and 5pm- 6.30pm rush hours.  « hide 2. London danger areas The West End of London is comparatively safe compared to most big cities. There are areas to be on your guard at nightfall, such as Kings Cross, but staying safe within London's bright lights should not be a problem. Take care when offered a cab ride from anyone on the street, taxi touts are notorious in the West End of London, try and always take a London black cab, these are the safest and most reliable form of taxi transport. Always book minicabs from a cab office as many unlicensed cabs operate in London.  « hide

	London nightlife
	In London 1. Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club This is the ultimate London club for lovers of jazz music. The finest performers from around the world play here and you sometimes need to book a few weeks in advance. Book a table upstairs, have dinner and watch the entire evening's show or sit on a bar stool at the downstairs bar and mingle with the performers. The atmosphere alone makes this a classic London hot spot not to be missed.  « hide 2. Bar Rumba This underground London nightclub boasts jazz, hip-hop, garage and house music. Boasting two bars and live music every night, you may have to queue to get in but this place is worth it for the atmosphere alone. This is one of London's best-kept secrets, so keep the location quiet. 18 and over on weeknights, and over 21 on weekends.  « hide 3. The Ministry of Sound Venture south of the Thames into the Elephant and Castle area to find one of London's most famous nightclubs. The Ministry of Sound is one of the world's most well-known dance brands and the club is very popular, playing the latest dance sounds. Don't be put off by the cool reputation, this club is for everyone who likes to party.  « hide

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