It was Samuel Johnson, poet and essayist of the 18th century, who is famously quoted as having said “… when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." which is as true today as it was then. As a traveler to the capital one can expect to experience the best the nation has to offer in terms of museums, galleries, the theatre, restaurants and nightlife.

London is steeped in history, with small settlements on the banks of the Thames being recorded from as early in pre-history as 8,000 BC. However the city was established by the Romans in the 1st century AD as an administrative and mercantile centre which they called Londinium: its history can be learned at the Museum of London charting it’s time-line through pre-history to the 20th Century but also worth visiting are the Natural History Museum with its displays on everything from dinosaurs to insects as well as the British Museum offering its unique global collection, and perspective of world history from antiquity to more modern times.

Art is represented magnificently in London at the National Gallery with its mainly European world famous paintings dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries and the National Portrait Gallery where important figures from British history are documented in both paintings and photographs. For the modern art lover there is the Tate Gallery with national collections of British art dating from 1550 and some international art being housed here too. There is also the more recent Tate Modern which was created from a disused power station in the year 2000 in the centre of London. At the Tate Modern you will find displayed a collection of international modern art and artifacts that is celebrated globally as a sublime assemblage of art since 1900, and regularly exhibits must see and extremely busy (be warned),stand alone exhibitions.

London theatre land is a huge draw for tourists. Andrew Lloyd Webber shows have consistently proven to be a big success for visitors looking to enjoy the spectacle of musicals like The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables as well as more modern offerings such as Chicago and the Lion King. Whilst there is always the opportunity to experience the traditional English theatre at The Globe where Shakespeare is well represented in the setting of the reconstructed play house There is also the opportunity to see contemporary plays at theatres such as the Donmar Warehouse or The National theatre and the Apollo which are noted for their high production values.

London has for many years been the focal point of the world for modern popular music and the styles and trends change year on year out. London plays host to some of the best in indie music the current flavour of the young and fashionable, at venues like The Shepherds Bush Empire, The Mean Fiddler and The Borderline.

London is also the centre of the nightclubbing universe. Since the heady days of the Summer of Love in 1988 the London dance music scene has been at the forefront of development for House music. Although in recent years the London clubbing scene has contracted and is not what it was two or three years ago the tourist can still venture out to the capital’s nightclubs - perennial favourites such as Fabric, Turmills, The End and The Ministry of Sound play a diverse mix of beats from techno to hip hop - deep electro and soulful house grooves.

Eating out there is a lot to choose from. For a simple pizza you can’t go wrong with Pizza Express which is a franchise with outlets all over London and reasonably priced by comparison. Or if you are feeling more adventurous pretty much all culinary tastes are catered for from Thai to Indian and Mexican to Italian anywhere in the world that has a reputation for good food has a restaurant represented in London.

British cuisine has experienced something of a renaissance in recent years largely due to the popularity of the country’s TV chefs. One of the most famous is Gordon Ramsay with three Michelin stars with his flagship restaurant in London’s Chelsea. Head chef - Philip Howard has earned his restaurant The Square two Michelin stars and has won many awards. Or why not try celebrity hang out the Ivy – book well in advance for all top restaurants which ever one you choose.

Be it the energetic nightlife – the expensive restaurants – the theatre and the shows or it’s culture steeped in history, London has something to offer all who visit and you are bound to find something to delight and entertain.