London regularly tops the lists of most popular cities because of its stunning attractions including unsurpassed theater, trendy shops and fine dining, and centuries of glorious history. Tourists especially love this English city because finding cheap flights to London can be relatively easy if you know when airfare prices change according to the seasons of Europe.

Flights to London

London is served by three major airports.

• Heathrow (LHR): Known as “the airport where the world changes planes”, Heathrow is located just 12 miles west of London and is the major hub of the United Kingdom’s flagship carrier British Airways and its rival Virgin Atlantic; it’s also a prime destination for American Airlines, Continental, Delta, United and numerous other carriers from around the globe.
• Gatwick (LGW):Located 28 miles south of Central London, Gatwick is the second busiest airport in the UK and another hub for British Airways, as well as Aer Lingus, EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic, plus it’s a destination for Delta, United, US Airways, and many others.
• London City (LCY): Just 7 miles east of London, this airport is also served by British Airways and numerous smaller carriers and is mostly used for short flights throughout Europe.

Attractions in London

It would be impossible to do more than scratch the surface of all this city has to offer, so here are just a few of the more popular attractions – a sampling of some of London’s many treasures:

Buckingham Palace: Official London residence of the British monarch; see the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and tour some of the palace’s state rooms in August and September.

The British Museum: Entry is free to this priceless collection which includes exhibits from around the world, dating from ancient to modern times; look for the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, and all those Egyptian mummies.

Tower of London: Construction on this grim edifice began in 1080; later, two of Henry VIII’s wives would lose their heads here. On the brighter side, the Tower is also home to the dazzling collection known as the Crown Jewels.

The London Eye: A symbol of modern London, this iconic super-sized wheel offers visitors views as far as 25 miles away (on a clear day, look for Windsor Castle in the distance).

Shopping and Restaurants

There’s more to London than Harrods and Fortnum & Mason, including the boutiques of Bond Street, the Oxford Street experience and trendy fashion districts throughout the city. As for restaurants, the days when London was best known for well-done roast beef and Yorkshire pudding are long past; London’s dining scene is a vibrant gourmet experience featuring cuisines from around the world.

More Information on London

Learn more about attractions, shopping and dining, and hotels – on these tourism websites:

Visit London: the official city guide and hotel directory – http://www.visitlondon.com/

Visit Britain: vacation planning throughout Great Britain – http://www.visitbritain.com/en/US/

Enjoy England: attraction information and planning for short trips http://www.enjoyengland.com/