London

As one of the major European hubs for travel, London is an easy city to get to, and there is a wealth of options for the business or leisure traveler looking to get to London. Naturally, most international visitors will arrive by air. If you're flying in to London, you'll find that many airlines fly direct from major US and world cities, so there's no need to change flights. Depending on your destination, it may be necessary to change flight in a city such as Paris or Dublin, but typically you'll be able to arrive direct in London.

Once you've arrived, your choice of transport into the city will depend on which airport you're flying into. Most major airlines fly into Heathrow Airport, which is the largest airport serving London, or Gatwick, which is situated to the south of the city. Both airports have their own high-speed rail link into the centre of London, as does Stansted Airport.

If you prefer to take a taxi into town (this may be quite expensive depending on your destination), it's easy to find one at the airport taxi rack. This is a good alternative if you're flying into Heathrow, but as the other airports are further from the city, the costs of taxis will rise.

It is also possible to arrive in London by train via the Eurostar. This high-speed train uses the Channel Tunnel, and there are multiple arrivals every day from both Paris and Brussels.

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London is one of the largest cities in the developed world, and as such, getting around can sometimes be a bit of a challenge! Quite apart from the ever-present possibility of getting lost, it can be difficult to get from one side of the city to another, particularly if you're trying to travel any time around rush hour.

Most people's first choice for transport around any large city is the taxi, and reception staff in your hotel will be happy to phone for a cab, or alternatively you can catch one on the street. However, London traffic can be very slow, particularly during busy periods. For this reason, you should take advice before setting off on a journey - don't assume that a taxi will be the easiest way of getting from A to B, because a Londoner using the Tube might get there in half the time at a fraction of the cost!

The Underground is often criticized by Londoners and it can get very crowded - a Tube train around rush hour in the middle of summer is not the best way to travel. On the other hand, it's often the quickest way of getting around, so take a look at an Underground map and work out if you can get there quicker by Tube. The same applies to buses; over long distances they may not be the best option, but if you're staying a little outside the centre of town, they may be the easiest option for getting in to the centre. As with the Underground, you can buy single tickets for cash, but if you're in town for a period of time, it may be better to buy a travelcard or purchase a prepaid Oyster card which offer significant discounts. Further details are available at all stations.

In the centre of London itself, you'll often find that it's quickest to walk. Why not set aside half an hour to take in the sights as you walk?

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Where to start? London is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world, and there are enough tourist attractions here to last you six months. No matter what your particular preferences and how long you have to spare to see the sights, there are certain attractions that you simply must see while you are in London. Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster, the seats of the British monarchy and democracy respectively, are both well worth a visit. The waxworks at Madame Tussauds are situated close to the London Planetarium, which is a fascinating and educational afternoon for all the family.

Trafalgar Square, Marble Arch, and the Embankment are great outdoor attractions, as are Hyde Park and the unrivalled wildlife collection of London Zoo. If museums are more your thing, you're spoilt for choice in London; from the National Portrait Gallery to Tate Modern, London has some of the best art on display anywhere in the world - and most of it is entirely free, too. It's a prime cultural centre, too - take in a show in the West End's famous Theatreland, or a classical concert in the South Bank Centre or at the Barbican.

As for the shopping in London, it's among the finest anywhere - from the opulence of Harvey Nichols and Harrods to the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street and Carnaby Street. It is no exaggeration to say that however long your stay in London, you will find plenty to occupy you.

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London is rightly renowned for the quality of its restaurants, which now attract rave reviews of which many chic Paris bistros can only dream! British food is a million miles from the stereotypes of days gone by; indeed, you can eat better in London than many other European cities, particularly at the higher end of the market. Many of the most popular restaurants can be booked weeks or even months in advance, so if you are planning a trip to London and are serious about eating in the finest establishments, then book ahead!

One of the benefits of the mass immigration that has transformed London into one of the most international and cosmopolitan of cities is that you can find just about any world cuisine within just a few miles of your city centre hotel. British people are particularly passionate about "Indian" food, which is shorthand for the various cuisines of the subcontinent including Pakistani and Bangladeshi dishes. All can be found here. There's also a bustling Chinatown with a range of restaurants serving dim sum and other Chinese specialties. But beyond these obvious choices, and others such as Thai, Italian, or French, there are also Moroccan, Afghan, Greek, and Vietnamese restaurants - something for everyone, and often at surprisingly competitive prices.

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One of the most popular nights out in London is at the theatre. Look in the newspapers to see what's on, or pick up one of the many brochures you'll find in London hotels. If the show you're keen on seeing is very popular, it will pay to book ahead. Alternatively, you may find last minute seats become available. Try calling up the box office or going to the half-price ticket agency in Leicester Square, which often has tickets for the most popular shows at a fraction of the usual cost, providing you're flexible about what you see.

London's collection of cinemas is second to none, and particularly good for watching independent and arthouse cinema. Alternatively, you could go to a classical concert at St Martin in the Fields, or at the world-famous Barbican centre.

A visit to Britain wouldn't really be complete without visiting the pub, would it? But London has so many options beyond the traditional oak-and-brass environment of a classic English pub, with some of Europe's best nightlife and cutting-edge clubs within a very short walk. Try walking round Soho after dark - a sight for sore eyes indeed!

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London has more hotel rooms than almost any other city in the world, and to suit all budgets. London is not a cheap city, of course, so as you near the budget end of the market, choice becomes more limited, although there are enough options to suit most wallets. Alternatively, you could consider one of the many youth hostel facilities around the city, particularly in areas with a younger student demographic.

Towards the middle and top of the market, there is simply a huge range of choice. Nonetheless, it's always wise to book as far in advance as you possibly can. Before you choose your accommodation, have a think about where you need to be situated - if all your meetings or preferred tourist destinations are in a particular area, then it may well be worth paying a little extra to stay within walking distance of the part of London where you'll be spending the most time.

At the luxury end, London boasts some of the world's finest hotels, with names that will be instantly familiar. Prices at these establishments are suitably stratospheric, but they usually provide experiences that are worth the money.

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Some might say that the best way to get around London is to walk! Harsh though that is, there is an element of truth. Depending on what time of day you are traveling, how far your journey, and how quickly you need to get there, there are a number of possibilities. For the casual tourist or visitor, it remains true that the easiest and best way to see London is by Underground. By getting a Travelcard, or purchasing a pre-paid Oyster Card, you can get around quickly, easily, and relatively cheaply, particularly for destinations in or near the centre of London.

There is also an extensive network of buses, as well as a couple of light rail services, in certain parts of the city. Together, these public transport options are convenient for most destinations. If you wish to travel in a little more comfort, you can hire a taxi; these can often be expensive, but a licensed minicab firm will provide the same service for a lower fare that will usually be agreed in advance. This can be booked through your hotel for maximum convenience.

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London hotels have excellent business facilities, even at the lower end of the market, so you should have absolutely no problem in connecting up to your head office, sending email, or just staying in touch with family. Most hotels that cater for business travelers will have in-room facilities such as laptop connections, wireless, and the like, and many hotels also have dedicated business centers which you can use to fax or photocopy. Even where this is not the case, hotels will be happy to send and receive faxes on your behalf.

Wireless connectivity in London is improving every year, and many public spaces, as well as most conference centers, now have excellent facilities. You should have no problem in connecting your computer to one of these networks - just make sure you have a travel adaptor! Hotels, conference centers, banks, and even the airports are well set up to cater for any other business needs you may have, making London one of the best cities to do business in, anywhere in the world.

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If you find yourself in need of help in London, it's near at hand. The large number of international visitors to the city means that you won't be the first to find yourself in need of assistance. The highly visible and friendly police - the London bobbies - are a good first point of contact in case of mishap, and there is a large specialist division that caters for foreign travelers in London.

Alternatively, London is very well served for embassies and consulates, many situated in the city center and West End of the city. If you've lost your passport, or been involved in an accident, your embassy will provide you with assistance - details of exactly how they can help will of course vary from country to country. Your hotel will be able to furnish you with details of your own national consulate's telephone number or address in case you require assistance.

Hopefully, this will not be an issue. London is a safe and friendly city considering its size, and welcomes millions of visitors every year without mishap.

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