1:51 AM
Mohammed Siraj
Highlights of this historic city in Great Britain
With its history, sophistication and culture, London is not only the United Kingdom's capital city, but a treasure-trove of important architectural sites, royal buildings, theatre experiences, and myriad of shops and world-famous department stores. With many escorted tours of England starting and ending in this cosmopolitan city, you have the chance to spend several nights in London before or after your tour to take in all it has to offer. In fact, you could spend a week or more in London and never get bored!
Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Tower Bridge
Take, for example, the city's many sightseeing options. London landmarks include Westminster Abbey, Big Ben beside the River Thames, Tower Bridge over the River Thames, and St. Paul's Cathedral. Snap photos of the ceremonial Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, admire the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, and see the sculptures and statues in Trafalgar Square.
Then there's the magnificent shopping you can do at Harrods, the city's largest department store -- it has more than 1 million square feet of display space! With an array of only-in-England gifts, accessories, and clothing, you'll surely find some lovely souvenirs. And be sure to stop in Harrods' world-famous Food Hall, with specialties from all over the world to eat on the spot, as well as packaged English teas, chocolates, and preserves to share with friends and family back home.
Theatre performances & day trips from London
Theater enthusiasts won't want to miss a show in London's West End, otherwise known as "Theatreland." More than three dozen large theatres are found here, and they host world-class performances, including musicals, classic plays, and comedies. Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera are among London's best-loved and longest-running musicals; each has been performed in the West End for more than 20 years.
Day trips from London are plentiful. Consider nearby Stonehenge, the mysterious large stones that archaeologists believe were arranged more than 4,000 years ago. Or visit the town of Bath, known for its natural hot springs -- the first documented Roman spa. Tourists enjoy seeing many of the landmarks mentioned in novels by Jane Austen, who lived in Bath in the early 1800s. Other day trips can take you to Stratford-upon-Avon to see Shakespeare's birthplace, Oxford to visit the oldest university in the English-speaking world, or Kent with its magnificent Canterbury Cathedral.
