London

During the summer months, Buckingham Palace — the official residence of King Charles III — opens the doors of its elegant State Rooms to the public. As well as proving a very fancy backdrop for many official royal engagements, the rooms contain some of the finest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings, sculptures and fine French furniture.

Take a tour of the Palace of Westminster, also referred to as the Houses of Parliament, and experience 1,000 years of history. Visitors are welcomed into the building through Westminster Hall, before following in the footsteps of the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament. Marvel at the Victorian splendour of the Lords Chamber and see the famous green benches in the Commons Chamber. Audioguides and tours are available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Mandarin.

At a staggering height of 135 metres (443 ft), The London Eye offers a superb view of the capital's most famous attractions. A full rotation around the observational wheel in one of the glass capsules lasts some 30 minutes and it is so popular that each year it receives more visitors than the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramids of Giza. And once you've taken a 360-degree ride on the wheel you'll understand why.

See London from a different angle by taking a cruise along the famous River Thames. Glide by some of London’s top attractions from Westminster to Greenwich, and listen to the entertaining live commentary as you pass sights such as the Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London.

Soho is an absolute must-see, since it's so multifaceted. Dean, Frith, Beak, and Old Compton streets are lively around the clock, and long-running Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club can be found here. Shaftesbury Avenue attracts theatre-goers, while Carnaby, Oxford and Regent streets and the iconic Liberty's department store are there for your shopping needs. Music shops, small cafes and quaint bakeries are on every corner! The energetic streets of Soho are the most popular nightlife destination. The neighbourhood still retains a somewhat risqué vibe with bars, cafes and restaurants that cater to hip crowds of international creatives. Soho is also known as the centre of LGBTQA+ community, so don't miss out on all the gay and lesbian party spots in the area.

Locals know King’s Cross as one of the city’s busiest train stations serving much of the country since 1852. The place became internationally famous when Harry Potter used the station on his train journey to Hogwarts. Take a picture with a trolley disappearing into the brick wall and get some wizarding memorabilia from the Potter-themed souvenir shop.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre is a reconstruction of the original open-air theatre where playwright, William Shakespeare, first staged many of his famous plays such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Midsummer Night’s Dream. On the banks of the Thames, just a few hundred yards away from its original location, the Globe stages classic and modern interpretations of Shakespeare's works as well as of brand new plays. There is also an exhibition with audio guides available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese as well as expert guided tours.

London's Chinatown is a vibrant neighbourhood full of authentic Asian restaurants, shops, supermarkets and secret bars, adorned with red lanterns and red arches. Try some authentic buns at BaoziInn Romilly Street, Cantonese staples such as roast duck on rice at Café TPT or drop by Gerrard’s Corner for a generous portion of nostalgia and the adorable retro vibe. There is always something new to explore here!

Leave the hustle and bustle of London behind to discover England’s storybook villages as you tour the charming Cotswolds and the medieval town of Stratford-upon-Avon. Walk in the footsteps of England’s most iconic playwright as you tour Shakespeare’s birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon. Revel in the quintessentially English villages and thatched-roof cottages of the Cotswolds as you visit Bibury, Burford, and Bourton-on-the-water.

Step into the magical world of Harry Potter and visit the film sets where the movies were shot in the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London — The Making of Harry Potter. On the tour, you can nose around Dumbledore's office, enter the Great Hall, walk down Diagon Alley, see how they made Harry Potter fly on his broomstick and watch special effect animatronics come to life. A must-do for fans of the world's favourite wizard.

The 17th century St Paul's Cathedral on Ludgate Hill is one of the capital's most iconic buildings. Designed by the illustrious Sir Christopher Wren, St Paul's was the tallest building in London until as late as 1962. Use the touchscreen multimedia guides or take a guided tour to learn about the famous interior or, if you're feeling fit, climb up to the Whispering Gallery and try out the acoustics. From there you can carry on making your way up to the Golden Gallery atop the dome, where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of London. You can also descend into the crypt where you'll find memorials of important historical figures such as Admiral Lord Nelson.