London

Stop for afternoon tea in colorful Piccadilly Circus, take a regal stroll past Buckingham Palace and later in the evening, enjoy a show at the famous Royal Albert Hall. Whatever you decide to do, you'll be doing it with style and sophistication because after all, you're in London!

Traveling to London allows you to experience one of the world's premier cities. Richly steeped in history and at the leading edge of many industries, London signifies a complex lifestyle both honoring long-held traditions as well as carving a path toward the future. A vacation to London is one that provides many rewards, although it can be nearly impossible to experience everything the city has to offer in one visit. That's why planning a trip effectively is the ideal way to experience the best of London travel, especially if it's your first time visiting.

Visiting London

The city is massive; you will find no shortage of flights to London. It's England's capital as well as the largest city in all of Western Europe. London has no less than six airports, but only three of them accept international flights. The most popular airport is Heathrow Airport (ICAO: EGLL, IATA: LHR). It's not uncommon for flights arriving or departing Heathrow to be delayed up to an hour due to the congestion of air traffic.

London Gatwick (IATA: LGW, ICAO: EGKK) is another large airport which handles flights from many worldwide locations, while London Stansted (ICAO: EGSS, IATA: STN) is not nearly as popular as Heathrow or Gatwick, but it does accept some intercontinental flights.

Where to Sleep in London

With a city as huge and as widely visited as London, visitors can expect an incredible variety in terms of accommodations choices. From posh, upscale London luxury hotels to comfortable mid-range rooms to inexpensive community-style hostels, whatever your travel budget dictates, you can find a room in London to match!

A testament to traditional European style and grace, the five-star InterContinental London Park Lane offers uncompromised comfort and sophistication. It was recently refurbished with $76 million in gorgeous appointments and every corner of the hotel is reinvigorated with fabulous refinements. Guests can enjoy the culinary wizardry of Chef Theo Randall at his namesake restaurant as well as many other special considerations, all with a stellar view of the Royal Parks. The InterContinental has 451 rooms that start around $310 per night.

Slightly less expensive accommodations are available at the Sherlock Holmes Hotel where you can reserve one of their 119 rooms for around $201 per night. The Sherlock Holmes Hotel is fashionably adorned with raised-bowl basins and mosaic tiling in the bathrooms and it offers modern amenities like high-speed Internet access. Along with the impeccable atmosphere of this London hotel, guests can enjoy a splendiferous dinner at the AA Rosette award-winning restaurant, Sherlock's Grill. With so much to enjoy at the Sherlock Holmes Hotel, you'll soon discover why its popularity is no mystery!

What to See in London

London is one of the hardest cities in the world to plan an itinerary around, simply because there is so much to see and do! However, at some point, you will have to make some decisions. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in London will be calling your name. Here are some places that every first-time visitor to London should try to fit into their schedule.

Westminster Abbey -- Big Ben, Parliament, the Palace of Westminster. They can all be found in Westminster Abbey. It's also a World Heritage sight and one of the most popular places in the world to visit.

Buckingham Palace -- The home of the Queen! No trip to London can be complete without visiting Buckingham Palace. It's only open for tours in the summer, but it's always worth stopping by regardless of when you visit.

Piccadilly Circus -- The colorful extravagance of Piccadilly Circus is what has many people calling it "London's Times Square."

The Tower of London -- Home to the Crown Jewels and an impressive sight indeed. This formidable building is built right against the Thames and it is over 900 years old.

The London Eye - The sixth tallest structure in London, take a ride to the top for a spectacular view of the gorgeous city. Don’t forget the camera!

London is also filled with museums and parks that deserve a visit or two as well. Some park highlights include Hyde Park, Hampstead Heath and Regents Park. A taste of the city's museums includes the National Gallery in central London, the Sherlock Holmes Museum in the North West and the Museum of London on the South Bank.

Shopping in London

Besides being a cultural marvel, London is also one of the world's shopping hotspots. With the alternative flair found in Soho, the traditional shopping experience of Oxford Square and the designer wares on display at Covent Garden, London has exactly what you're looking for to remember your trip by.

For your next vacation, plan to visit one of the most important, and beautiful, cities in the world. Visit London!

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