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London
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London has often been called ‘a world in itself’ – and rightly so. After soldiering through a sea of change in recent years, the British capital has come into its own and will proudly host its third Olympic Games in 2012. A true metropole and one of the world’s most fascinating cities, London is more culturally vibrant than ever before. Brimming with a cornucopia of diverse ethnic cultures, it still remains quintessentially British, evident in the city’s time-honored symbols – Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and those ubiquitous boxy taxis and double decker buses. Ever-evolving and always exhilarating, today’s London is one of the world’s most foremost financial centers as well as a global hotspot for arts, culture and cuisine.
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Tower of London
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A former royal residence, prison, and treasury, the Tower of London is one of the city’s must-see destinations. Throughout the ages, this ancient fortress has earned a dark, yet fascinating history that includes imprisonment, executions, murder and political upheavals. The Tower is one of London’s four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and besides its chilling legends, visitors can see the Crown Jewels and learn about the UK’s history and the monarchy.
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Big Ben
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Located outside the eastern end of the Palace of Westminster is the world’s most famous timepiece, commonly known as Big Ben. The name “Big Ben” refers not to the clock tower itself, but to the 13-ton bell in the chime, which is named for the first commissioner of works, Sir Benjamin Hall. Big Ben has rung in the New Year since 1924 and is the largest four-faced chiming clock and the third-tallest free-standing clock tower in the world.
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Houses of Parliament
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Both the House of Commons and the House of Lords reside in the opulent former royal Palace of Westminster. Constructed between 1840 and 1860 in neo-Gothic style, the buildings are an iconic symbol of London itself. The most famous feature outside the Palace is the world’s most recognized timepiece, Big Ben.
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Trafalgar Square
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One of London’s best known squares, Trafalgar Square is one of London’s postcard destinations and a must-see for any visitor. The square honors one of England’s great military heroes, Horatio Viscount Nelson, and is home to the 144-foot Nelson’s Column and four stone lions which surround the base. Many political demonstrations, cultural events and performances take place in the square, and at Christmas time visitors can find the biggest tree in London, a gift from Norway.
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Westminster Abbey
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Westminster abbey is one of the finest examples of early-English Gothic architecture and has played a crucial role in the history of Britain and the Anglican Church. Almost every sovereign has been crowned and buried here, and over one million visitors each year visit the 700-year old Coronation Church of England. The Abbey is still a working church and welcomes thousands who attend its daily services.
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Buckingham Palace
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The official London residence and office of Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace is situated at the end of The Mall, where St James’s Park and Green Park meet. Buckingham Palace was built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1803 and has been the royal family’s London home since 1837. It is one of the few working palaces that remain in the world today, and in the summer visitors can tour the nineteen State Rooms which are decorated with some of the greatest artistic treasures from the Royal Collection. Another quintessential London attraction is the Changing of the Guard, which occurs in the forecourt of the Palace when a member of the Queen’s Guard exchanges duty with the previous guard.
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