London is a shoppers paradise.  If you are looking for chic boutiques for the latest in designer labels, try Bond Street in the West End, the King's Road in Chelsea, or Knightsbridge where the famous department store Harrods is located. Oxford Street in the West End is great for high street stores like Topshop, Nike Store, etc. A new addition slightly outside central London is the new mega shopping mall Westfield which is located in White City / Shepherd's Bush in West London. There are also a number of famous markets located in Notting Hill and Camden for bargains and unusual, unique items of clothing, jewellery and the bizarre!

London is most definitely a city for foodies.  You can get just about any type of cuisine you can imagine, from traditional fish and chips through to the most exotic foods such as Lebanese, Indian, Chinese, Thai etc. There is something to suit every budget, so whether you want to experience Michelin star excellence or a  tasty sandwich, you will find plenty of choice. London is particularly excellent for vegetarians and vegans. Almost all restaurants will offer a selection of vegetarian and vegan options. For upscale, try Gordon Ramsey at Claridges, for Thai try The Blue Elephant in Fulham, for Indian try the Cinnamon Club in Westminster, for Chinese try the trendy Hakkasan in Soho, for Italian try Agassi in W2.

London has a fantastic nightlife, whether you are interested in the trendiest dance clubs like Ministry of Sound in the West End or the world-class West End theatre productions, you are sure to find plenty of things to do in the evenings and into the early hours. Pubs and bars are very popular in the UK and can be found everywhere you look. Check out lively Leicester Square on the weekends, the location for major film openings, a 24 hour casino, bars and restaurants; and also nearby Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus. For more chic, upscale nights out you can try the very fashionable King's Road in Chelsea where you will find chic and trendy little bars and nightspots. To get back after your night out, you can take a taxi, or there are night buses available.

London oozes culture. Whether you are interested in West End shows, museums, or historic monuments you will find plenty to do in London. For the theatre and shows you will find plenty of choice in the West End of London. For historic monuments, places of interest you can visit the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, for something unusual try the London Dungeons for a bit of a scary journey into medieval London. The most famous museums in London are the Natural History and Science museums in Kensington, the Imperial War Museum and London Transport Museums. For art you can try the Tate Modern and Tate Britain, the National Portrait Gallery and the Wallace Collection off Oxford Street.

If you love open street markets, then you are in for a treat. London has some amazing street markets on offer: whether you are looking for fashion, bargains or some interesting finds, you will find plenty of markets to choose from. These are the most famous markets in London: Camden Market, Portobello Market, Greenwich Market, Old Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane Market, Petticoat Lane Market, Columbia Flower Market (Sunday mornings only) and Borough Market.

London is generally a safe place; however, like all major cities, it does have its fair share of crime. In busy central London areas it is safe to walk around, but you have to be careful of pickpockets and petty crime. Avoid unfamiliar inner city areas after dark, or use a taxi. Although in most cases you will be fine, it is advisable not to take chances just to be extra safe. When taking taxis it is advisable to use official London black cabs. Public transport is on the whole safe at night as it is quite well patrolled by the London Transport Police. Our advice: be vigilant, don't take chances and you'll have a fantastic time in London.

London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom.  London has a population of approximately 7.5m living in 32 boroughs.

London, like most major cities, suffers from congestion and traffic; however, the public transport system is pretty good and will allow you get to most places relatively quickly. London has an underground (metro) system, buses, overground trains and the world famous black cabs. A recent addition is the Oyster card, which is a credit card sized card that you top up with cash and can use on all public transport without continually having to buy tickets for each journey. Using the Oyster card also saves you money, as each journey is cheaper compared to buying a single or return ticket.