Summary:
Twenty-six million people visit London every year, and given the many and varied attractions the city has to offer, it´s easy to see why. This article highlights some of the reasons why London continues to be one of the world’s top city destinations.

Details or Sample:
It’s difficult to know where to start when talking about what London can offer the visitor. Whether you come for its vibrancy, multiculturalism, history, architecture, or arts scene, London never disappoints. Although it’s been a top city destination for some time now, the last few years have seen London flourish. Thanks to proceeds from the National Lottery and money from the millennium-oriented spending program, almost every one of the city’s world-class museums, galleries, and institutions has been re-invented, from the Royal Opera House to the British Museum. London now boasts the world’s largest modern art gallery with Tate Modern, and the recently opened Millennium Bridge is the first new bridge to cross the River Thames for over a hundred years.

What strikes most visitors when first seeing London is how visually stimulating it can be. With its many contrasts, this is a city where new sits alongside old and both look glorious. Walking along the south side of the Thames, the “South Bank,” you’ll see historic buildings such as Sir Christopher Wren’s St. Paul’s Cathedral standing majestically next to the ultra-modern looking 30 St. Mary Axe (the “Gherkin”), the second tallest building in the City of London. And view this at the right time, when the day is ending and the lights along the river are coming on, and it’s a sight that will stay with you a long time after you’ve returned home.

Hours can be whiled away walking the city’s streets; and whether you do it with the morning commuters, the lunch time park-dwellers, or the evening strollers, you’ll get a taste of London life that will always pull you back for more.

London’s museums are usually a must on most visitors’ itineraries. You could easily fill your days seeing all that the city’s museums have to offer. If you need to whittle your choice down to one or two, however, Tate Modern is worth a visit, as are the British Museum and the National Gallery.

Tate Modern is one of four galleries making up the Tate Collection and was created in 2000 by converting a disused power station on the South Bank. Its collection of international modern art dates from 1900; international paintings pre-1900 can be found at the National Gallery, located on Trafalgar Square close to Charing Cross Station.

The British Museum is one of the country’s architectural landmarks and houses a collection of art and antiquities from living and ancient cultures spanning two million years of history. Admission to most of the museums in London is free, one aspect of visiting London that any tourist will more than appreciate. Being able to see some of the finest works of art ever produced completely free of charge -- and in buildings so splendid that most would be willing to pay just to view their interiors regardless of what they housed -- is what makes London a city that people return to time after time.

While London’s museums and galleries shouldn’t be missed, if you want to get a true flavor of London life, then head for one of its markets. Here you’ll get to see Londoners and tourists mixing together amongst the great colors and smells of the city. Borough Market is popular for market shopping at the weekend. It’s bursting with the best in fresh produce. As well as expensive delicacies, visitors can also buy meat, and seasonal fish, fruit, and vegetables. Produce from all over the world can be found at Borough Market: it’s a true celebration of food and drink that will appeal to the foodie in anyone.

While a pleasant enough evening can be had in one of London’s famous old pubs, if you want to be entertained, then the city’s Theaterland will be able to offer something that will appeal. With the number of Hollywood actors eager to tread the boards of the city’s theatres increasing all the time, the theater district is one of the finest in the world. Productions range from lavish musicals such as Les Miserables to period pieces such as The Woman in Black.

And if you want to see the work of the country’s finest playwright then there’s no place better suited than the Globe. An exact replica of the original playhouse where Shakespeare’s work was first performed in the 16th century, the Globe gives visitors the chance to watch plays in much the same way audiences would have done when Shakespeare’s work was first performed.

While the country may have produced the world’s greatest playwright, the English aren’t known for their culinary skills. However, London is a cosmopolitan city and this is very much reflected in the cuisine it has to offer: all types of food and all types of dining establishments can be found, from top class restaurants such as the much-lauded Gordon Ramsey at 68 Royal Hospital Road, and the upmarket bistro Chez Bruce, to diners serving great food at reasonable prices such as the Happy Days-style Ed’s Diner, and the Hanoi Café in trendy Shoreditch.

London is a city that’s best explored on foot, or at least the centre of the city is. Public transport is very good, however, although a little more costly than in other cities. London’s famous (or, to the locals, infamous) underground transport system, colloquially known as the Tube, can take you to almost any place in the city you will want to go. It’s fast, if a little crowded during rush hour (not to mention hot and sweaty when the temperature rises above 20 degrees Celsius), but Londoners know what a great network the system has and that they can get to the center of the city from its outskirts in around 30 minutes.

Use public transport when you want a break from sight-seeing in the capital: take the Tube and head out a few miles to one of London’s glorious parks. Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park in London covering 2500 acres. The park is home to around 650 free-roaming deer and its pastoral landscape of hills, woodlands, and ponds offers a peaceful respite from the hustle of city life.

Hampton Court Palace is another attraction that offers a little solace from the bustle of the city. Located next to the River Thames, the former palace of King Henry VIII is within easy access of the center of London. As well as exploring the sights and history of the palace, visitors can stroll into Bushy Park, which lies north of Hampton Court Palace. The park has a distinctly rural character and the famous Arethusa “Diana” Fountain at its centre.

End the day with a leisurely walk along the Thames as the sun is slowly sinking, stopping off en route at one of the charming riverside pubs for a pint of real English beer.

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