London is both traditional and trend-setting - the home of ceremonious pomp and pageantry and the "anything goes" aura of Soho. You can hang around the Tower of London or seek out the happening spots. Dine on fish and chips, try modern British cuisine, or take advantage of great ethnic restaurants, including Indian, French, Chinese, and more. Take in the historical sites or explore diverse neighborhoods. This guide gives you the latest scoop on: the hottest clubs and night life, the coolest shopping, and the thriving performing arts scene; attractions ranging from pubs to palaces to Parliament; incredible museums, including the British Museum with its antiquities, the Tate Modern, and the National Portrait Gallery with likenesses of famous Brits, including pop icons like Elton John; four itineraries to help you pack the most into your stay; and, five day trips to Bath, Stonehenge, Stratford-upon-Avon, and other attractions.Like every "For Dummies" travel guide, "London For Dummies, Fifth Edition" includes: down-to-earth trip-planning advice; what you shouldn't miss - and what you can skip; the best hotels and restaurants for every budget; and, lots of detailed maps.

Table of Contents

Introduction. Part I: Introducing London. Chapter 1: Discovering the Best of London. Chapter 2: Digging Deeper into London. Chapter 3: Deciding When to Go. Part II: Planning Your Trip to London. Chapter 4: Managing Your Money. Chapter 5: Getting to London. Chapter 6: Catering to Special Needs or Interests. Chapter 7: Taking Care of the Remaining Details. Part III: Settling into London. Chapter 8: Arriving and Getting Oriented. Chapter 9: Checking In at London's Best Hotels and B&Bs. Chapter 10: Dining and Snacking in London. Part IV: Exploring London. Chapter 11: Discovering London's Top Attractions. Chapter 12: Shopping the Local Stores. Chapter 13: Following an Itinerary: Four Great Options. Chapter 14: Going Beyond London: Six Great Day Trips. Part V: Living It Up after Dark: London Nightlife. Chapter 15: Applauding the Performing Arts. Chapter 16: London's Best Pubs, Clubs, and Bars. Part VI: The Part of Tens. Chapter 17: Striking a Pose: Ten (Or So) Famous London Statues. Chapter 18: Making Amens: Ten Noteworthy London Churches. Chapter 19: Ale's Well That Ends Well: Ten Historic London Pubs. Chapter 20: Ten Important Royals - Past and Present. Appendix: Quick Concierge. Index.

Author Biography

Donald Olson is a novelist, playwright, and travel writer. His newest novel, Memoirs Are Made of This, was published in the U.K. by Hodder-Headline in 2007 under the pen name Swan Adamson. Two earlier Swan Adamson novels, My Three Husbands and Confessions of a Pregnant Princess, were published in the U.S. and translated into French. Donald Olson's novel, The Confessions of Aubrey Beardsley, was published in the United Kingdom by Bantam Press, and his play, Beardsley, was produced in London. His travel stories have appeared in the New York Times, Travel + Leisure, Sunset, National Geographic books, and many other publications. His additional guidebooks England For Dummies, Best Day Trips from London, Irreverent London, Germany For Dummies, and Frommer's Vancouver & Victoria are all published by Wiley. London is one of Donald's favorite cities, and England is one of his favorite countries. England For Dummies won a 2002 Lowell Thomas Travel Writing Award for best guidebook.