If there were such a competition, London would be one of the cities short-listed for the title of 'world capital': diverse, exciting and cutting-edge while also being old-fashioned and traditional. This guide to London will give an idea of what to put on your travel list if you are planning a city break in London.
London is a sprawling metropolis which is known for swallowing newcomers and making (some of) them hate it. Be ready to look past the dirt and the (apparently) dodgy underground system, though, and there is a wealth of amazing things to see and do in London.
The British Museum is home to all the amazing stuff that the British managed to accrue during their globe-ruling days, the museum houses one of the greatest collections of Egyptian exhibits and the marble friezes from the Parthenon in Greece. If you can, take a look at the key to understanding hieroglyphs: The Rosetta Stone.
The city is known for and proud of its club scene. It can cater to any taste, from indie to drum n' bass, with plenty to choose from. There are some legendary clubs that you should try to visit, but get into the smaller, grungier ones tucked away under a railway arch and see what London is really all about. Ask some people who look like they are into what you're into for advice. Londoners are actually a lot friendlier than their reputation would have you believe.
The Tower of London is one of the best days out in London. Be shown round the thousand-year-old fort by a Beefeater and learn about the long, rich and sometimes perverse history of the British Monarchy. See the Crown Jewels and the carvings left on cell walls by imprisoned members of the Royal Family.
The area immediately surrounding Buckingham Palace has many of the tourist sites you may want to visit. Located within a mile or so are: Trafalgar Square, National Portrait Gallery, Covent Garden and more. Lunch in St James' Park makes a nice break in the middle of the day. If you are on a budget trip, take your own; eateries, like everything else in London, are expensive.
The huge turbine hall of the Tate Modern is used for installation art, and depending on what is there, it can really take your breath away. After entering that massive space the galleries may feel cramped but there is much to be seen. Even if you are not an art lover there will be things in the Tate to interest you.
London is such a vast city with so many things to do that it's easy to miss out on some of the best ones - to make sure you see as much as you can, get your hands on some London travel guides.