Kids St Patrick’s Day Loads Of Luck Toddler Boy. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. He does all of this with the help of more than 100 well-traveled staff members at Rick Steves’ Europe in Edmonds, WA (near Seattle).
When not on the road, Rick is active in his church and with advocacy groups focused on economic and social justice, drug policy reform, and ending hunger. To recharge, Rick plays piano, relaxes at his family cabin in the Cascade Mountains, and spends time with his son Andy and daughter Jackie. Find out more about Rick at www.ricksteves.com and on Facebook.
No matter your reason for visiting, London has something for everyone. History buffs looking to brush up on the British narrative will delight in the Tower of London. Fans of the monarchy shouldn’t skip Buckingham Palace, and true devotees will consider Windsor Castle a must-visit. Admirers of art or theater will praise the National Gallery and the West End Theatre District. Literary buffs will want to see the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens. Witches and wizards will want to make time for all things “Harry Potter,” including the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter, plus a guided of self-guided tour of the sites around the city.
Other quintessential London activities include popping into a tea shop for afternoon tea, riding a red double-decker bus, stopping at a pub for a pint or two and seeing the ever-popular Big Ben and Parliament from the Westminster Bridge.
Although London lives up to its reputation as one of the most expensive cities to visit, it does boast an array of attractions that are free to visit, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, among others. If you’re overwhelmed by the amount of things to do, consider signing up for one of the city’s top tours to enjoy the guidance of a local. You can take a bus tour, a walking tour or a bike tour to explore the best of London.