London, England
Among the oldest of the world’s great cities—its history spanning nearly two millennia—London is also one of the most cosmopolitan cities and Britain's economic, transportation, and cultural centre. The City of London, its ancient core and financial centre, was founded by the Romans as Londinium and retains its medieval boundaries. The City of Westminster, to the west of the City of London, has for centuries hosted the national government and parliament. London's diverse cultures encompass over 300 languages and the city is home to some of the highest-ranked academic institutions in the world. Things to see in London are countless: its museums, galleries, libraries and cultural venues, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, British Library, and numerous West End theatres. London has four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London, Kew Gardens, the combined Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and St Margaret's Church and also the historic settlement in Greenwich, where the Royal Observatory, Greenwich defines the prime meridian (0° longitude) and Greenwich Mean Time. We recommend the following accommodations for your pre- and post-trip hotel: