London is one of the world’s great multicultural cities. It is both melting pot and British icon. Indian, Arab, and Pakistani populations are flourishing in the metropolis where Chinese take-aways compete with fish and chips shops to serve the fast food needs of working Londoners. The city is embracing the twenty-first century with an excellent underground transportation system (colloquially called the Tube), the world’s largest Ferris wheel, and the futuristic-style Millennium Bridge, while preserving its historic look with Parliament still working in the famed buildings adjacent to Big Ben. Even though almost everyone has a cell phone, you’ll still find the famed red telephone booths throughout London, though they are increasingly less likely to have working phones inside.

A walk along the Thames is one of the best free history lessons you’ll get in London. While many of the city’s sites, restaurants, and attractions are expensive, with a good guidebook, a keen eye, and decent walking shoes you can take an informative and fun historic stroll. Big Ben, Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, the London Bridge, Tower Bridge, and Tower of London are all located on the river with sites like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Trafalgar Square just a short detour away.

On the edge of London, Windsor Castle sits shrouded in mystery (and often mist) ready to pull you into the London of centuries ago even as the smell of French Fries wafts from fast food restaurants across the street. Take a tour of the restored rooms of Kings and Queens past, check out the wine cellar in Queen Victoria’s dollhouse, and then linger on the grounds, which feel far away from the bustling city just beyond the thick stone walls.

British food has long held a bad reputation overseas as bland, overcooked meat and potatoes, but this not the case, at least in England’s capital city. Some of this food is British, but much of it is foreign. London has become a melting pot of cultures over the past decade nurturing immigrants from India, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe searching for prosperity. You’ll find some of the best Indian food in Europe here as well as Thai, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, American and almost any other type of cuisine you might have a craving for.

While in London, you’ll also want to grab a meal or two at a pub. Find one off the beaten path to get a dose of the true London pub culture. Pubs are more than just restaurants, they are places to socialize and relax. Sit at the bar, order a pint of local ale, a hearty English dinner like Shepherd’s Pie, and tuck in for the evening while chatting up locals, ordering another beer or two as needed.

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