One of Europe’s largest cities, London is also one of the world’s most visited. Spreading out for more than 30 miles along the banks of the Thames River, this cosmopolitan, contemporary metropolis is really a collection of quaint, historic towns—all networked by The Tube, one of the oldest and most colorful subway systems on the planet. Steeped in history and packed with sights and attractions, London truly lives up to its legend, making it a thrilling site for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Packed with theatres, galleries, restaurants, clubs and traditional English pubs, London’s Soho district in the city’s West End is the obvious place to start exploring. From the shops of Oxford Street to the neon glow of Piccadilly Circus and from the bustle of Leicester Square to the elegance of Trafalgar Square just to the South, the heart of London is packed with dozens of sights familiar even to first time visitors.
Nearby, the Houses of Parliament, regally ornamented by Big Ben, needs no introduction, nor does Buckingham Palace, the most recognized royal residence on earth, best seen during the famed changing of the guard. A bit further out, the TowerBridge may very well be the earth’s most photographed crossing, while the jewels in the nearby Tower are certainly the most coveted.St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, meanwhile, are among the most imposing houses of worship ever built. The city’s museums are quite simply too numerous to mention, but among the musts are the massive British Museum, housing some of the world’s most important treasures, the Victoria and Albert, perhaps the world’s greatest museum of art and design, and the Tate Modern, the largest modern art gallery on earth, just steps away from Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
If all the pomp and superlatives leave you in need of some fresh air, there’s no better city than London for an outdoor stroll in one of its meandering parks. From central Hyde, St. James’s, and Green Parks to more expansive Richmond Park and Hampstead Heath, nature lovers needn’t leave the city to escape it. The charming markets of Covent Garden, CamdenTown, and Greenwich, meanwhile, along with the romantically gothic HighgateCemetery, are just a few more inner-city escapes to add to your itinerary. And a ride to the top of the London Eye, the tallest observation wheel in the world, has become a favorite way for both visitors and locals alike to lift above the metropolis for breathtaking views over its seemingly endless expanse.
From high above, you’ll get a glimpse at some of the other districts you might explore during an extended stay. From fashionable Notting Hill and Chelsea to quaint Islington and historic Earl’s Court, and from the brash architecture emerging in The City and Docklands to the Lower Lea Valley, which is being developed into the main site of the 2012 Olympics, there is no shortage of places to explore.
United offers daily flights to and from London’s HeathrowInternationalAirport (LHR). Book your next flight to or from London onunited.comand find out how to earn bonus miles when you stay at any Mileage Plus partner hotel or dine at any Mileage Plus partner restaurant in the city. For vacation packages to London including air and accommodation, visitUnitedEscapes®.
