London

One of the world's great cities, London is thrilling, irrepressible and quite simply — enormous. Its size is often hidden from its populace zooming around on the Underground — the city's subway — but you could spend a lifetime exploring this intriguing metropolis. This city makes you feel plugged into the outside world, and indeed much of the world revolves around London. The city's cultural wealth is mind-boggling, with some of the best museums and art galleries on the planet — and many are free. London encapsulates multiculturalism with dozens of ethnic groups calling it home, and their creativity drive its dynamic arts scene that includes ...

One of the world's great cities, London is thrilling, irrepressible and quite simply — enormous. Its size is often hidden from its populace zooming around on the Underground — the city's subway — but you could spend a lifetime exploring this intriguing metropolis. This city makes you feel plugged into the outside world, and indeed much of the world revolves around London. The city's cultural wealth is mind-boggling, with some of the best museums and art galleries on the planet — and many are free. London encapsulates multiculturalism with dozens of ethnic groups calling it home, and their creativity drive its dynamic arts scene that includes a rip-roaring live music circuit and a club culture second to none. London is eminently walkable with every corner revealing new vistas and a grandeur that has largely survived the centuries. And when you feel like an antidote to the urban grit, open spaces abound with Hyde Park, Regent's Park and Hampstead Heath among the best. The only limits to this city are the weight in your hip pocket and the size of your imagination.

About the Expert

Alan Murphy is coauthor of Lonely Planet's Britain, Scotland, India and North India. He has been writing and updating travel guidebooks for the past eight years.