London

The English writer Samuel Johnson famously said, "You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. More than two centuries have passed since Johnson's era, but his words still ring true. Life in London is nothing short of invigorating. And travelers find that one visit isn't enough to experience everything this two-millennia-old city has to offer. You can immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter and its distinctive and historic architecture in addition to learning more about the city's distinctive culture.

Here, the antiquated clasps hands with the contemporary. Imagine yourself standing close to the River Thames and admiring the Big Ben Clock Tower's timeless splendor. You can catch both Bard's works and modern plays at Shakespeare's Globe and its accompanying Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. And while Londoners still praise the power of tea, they now make room for Starbucks and Costa Coffees here and there and pressed juice too. A current leader in everything from politics and banking to fashion and music, London's culture compass is always attuned to what's next. Discover it all on one of London's best tours.

• Country: England
• Best Hotels: The Milestone Hotel & Residences, The Stafford London, The Lanesborough
• Best Things to Do: British Museum, Tower of London, Borough Market
• Best Months to Visit: March through May