There is always a wonderful sense of excitement when you are planning a trip or vacation. You start doing research on the places you might want to visit, and might even pick up some travel magazines to help broaden your travel dreams. With some simple online research, you can see and read about some of the world’s amazing sites and cities, and see which potential locations call to you. When you narrow down your choices to one or two beautiful destinations, you’ll get even more excited when you check out the wonderful places you might stay in along the way.
If you plan on visiting one of the world’s iconic cities, you might find yourself dreaming of the amazing time you will have there. The top cities of the world are fabled and are known to captivate and charm tourists from near and far. There is something about a vibrant metropolis, with all of its electric energy, that seems to call to our hearts and souls. London is such a city, a treasured gem that attracts some 30 million tourists from around the world each year. If you plan on exploring London or the surrounding Berkshires, click here to see great options for hiring a car.
See Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
Your first stop in this iconic city might be to see Big Ben, the world’s most famous clock. This landmark is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its construction began in 1843 with the laying of the foundation stone. Big Ben was originally the name of the largest of the five bells within the tower, but that nickname is now applied to both the bell and the tower with the clock.
For one of the best views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, take a beautiful walk across the Westminster Bridge. For an inside look at British history, you may want to consider a tour of the Houses of Parliament. Once there, you can also attend debates in the House of Commons and House of Lords.
Visit Westminster Abbey
Many of us have seen Westminster Abbey if we have tuned in and been transfixed by the pageantry of one of the royal weddings. There have been sixteen royal weddings here, with the latest being the marriage of Prince William to Catherine Middleton in 2011. It’s also been a venue for numerous royal funerals, and 17 monarchs are buried here.
The Abbey was founded well over one thousand years ago, and showcases a variety of architecture and styles. With its rich history, you’ll find a story everywhere you turn.
Enjoy the Trio of South Kensington Museums
There are many world-renowned museums in London, and with a visit to South Kensington you can see three of them. The Science Museum hosts seven stories of interactive and very educational exhibits, and is perfect for kids and adults alike.
Nearby, you will find the Victoria & Albert Museum’s world leading collection of decorative arts. From there, you can visit the Natural History Museum and witness its gigantic, animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex. In Hintze Hall, you’ll even find a skeleton of a giant blue-whale suspended from the ceiling.
