No city in the world is quite like London. At once historic and cutting edge, stately and scandalous, hoity-toity and low-brow, gritty and manicured, the teeming British capital has such a complex (some might say split) personality that it almost defies description. Buttoned-up charm and regal history mingle easily with modern verve in this sprawling metropolis, home to world-class theater, wildly diverse cuisine, and a very large clock tower.
For the burgeoning art scene, interesting museums, edgy music scene, array of cultures, historic sights, and crowded streets, as well as to experience an atmosphere like nowhere else in Europe.
Under $550+: London fares (round-trip) from E. Coast Expedia
$392+: End of spring Europe fare sale (round-trip) Lufthansa
$685+: Low peak season London fares (round-trip) British Airways
$738+: Europe fares from 20+ US cities (round-trip) Major Airlines
$253+: Spring & summer airfares to Europe (one-way) Air Berlin
$2198+: Luxe Biz class flights to London (round-trip) Silverjet
$217+: Stylish Crowne Plaza London-Docklands Priceline.com
$334/nt+: Top-rated Park Plaza near London sights Park Plaza County Hall
$94/nt+: Modern hotel in London financial district K+K Hotel George
Girl getaways at home and abroad from $210/nt Editors' Review
$719+: Holiday vacations in Europe w/flight & hotels go-today.com
$1325+: London, Paris & Rome vacations at top hotels Apple Vacations
$805+: London & Paris weeklong trip with all flights EuropeanDestinations.com
Up to 20% off: 3-nt trips to major European cities Major Providers
$199+: Carnival cruise sale w/free cabin upgrades Carnival
$399+: Affordable weeklong cruises on new ships Major Providers
$1295+: 7-day Atlantic oceancrossing on luxury ship CruisesOnly
$199+: Super-cheap sailings to Caribbean & more Travelocity
London boasts an array of lodging options for just about every budget. It is also known as one of the world’s priciest lodging scenes, with a staggering number of exclusive hotels and fancy boutique properties. For visitors with more restrictive budgets, moderate and bargain options are plentiful, too.
London provides a wealth of dining options for every palate and every budget, from nouveau British to country French, and creative Indian to home-style Cantonese. You’ll find celebrity chefs cooking up delicious gourmet storms at pricey destination restaurants, several moderately priced dining options, and downright bargain eats.