Marco Polo - London: Travel with Insider Tips

Neoclassical city residence of the British monarch

In 1275, the first parliament convened in Westminster; the bell of Big Ben has been marking Westminster Time for over 150 years now

Everybody who is anybody was crowned or buried here: a Whos Who of past centuries

Treasures of the worlds cultures in the worldfamous museum

One of the worlds most important art collections with 2000 masterpieces from the western European painting tradition

Symbol of Londons rebirth from the ashes of the catastrophic fire of 1666

The mighty walls of the Tower hold 900 years of history

Get an unbeatable view from the pods of Europes highest observation wheel

Cathedral of modern art in a huge converted power station on the Thames

Cross the Thames between the Victorian twin towers

Magnificent English Baroque complex on the Thames, nestling in the most beautiful park in town

How did the English get their green fingers? Find out between Victorian hothouses and decorative gardens

The Queens castle and the elite school of the nation a trip to bastions of the class system just outside the city

Part department store, part tourist attraction here youll find everything you never knew you needed

Caribbean carnival in a fashionable part of town: exotic costumes, music, finger food and good vibes

In the Orangery park caf in Kensington Gardens you can drink tea that was grown in Cornwall

The Queens Gallery allows you to admire the Michelangelos, Holbeins, Rembrandts and Canalettos in Her Majestys possession all year round

Heard of glamping (glamour camping)? Try it out at Lee Valley Camping & Caravan Park where little money buys you heated Cocoon cabins with camp beds and electric light

Join a beachcombing tour along the Thames, and you could find pottery, fragments of Tudor pipes or even Roman tiles

Learn the trendy Balboa swing step and find new friends in London. No need to bring your own partner!

This salmon smokehouse puts you in pole position for the 2012 Olympics, but Formans is a classy lunch option for a stroll around the Olympic area at any time

At lunchtime even small budgets can consider a fusion-molecular gastronomic trip to the Michelin-starred Viajante

Notes, Music & Coffee: a top-class shot of caffeine with selected DVDs and CDs for inspiration, attentive staff, long opening times

Dodge the shopping hordes of Oxford Street! Instead, head for quiet Marylebone High Street, with its trendy shops for designer clothing, cosmetics and cookery paraphernalia, the prettiest bookshop in London, delicious patisserie and much more

Up until recently, the Houses of Parliament were only open for visitors in the summer; now you can visit on Saturdays in other seasons too! A guided tour through the heart of parliamentary democracy

Hunt the bargain prices of the cool Hoxton Hotel. The legendary rooms for a pound might be a bit unrealistic, but if you put your name on their mailing list, you are in with a good chance for the 29-pound offers

@work in Pimlico lets you create your own silver ring under the supervision of a jewellery design professional

For those who always wanted to learn how to mix cocktails properly: after the crash course in the Rotunda Bar youll be a certified mixologist