Where in Europe has the best food?

Why was it so good? Was it consumed in a nice restaraunt or from a food wagon in the streets?

Your answers will help the EuroBuzz community get a ‘taste’ for their next European vacation.

Please leave your stories in the comments box. We’ll share the best stories next month.

On behalf of everyone, thank you for your input.

However, believe it your not, there are some outstanding airports out there. A nine-month customer survey, that attracted more than 11 million participants, the ‘World Airport Awards’ has judged these to be the 10 best airports in the world.

Have you flown to or from any?

1. HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – WINNER

Over 50 million passengers (2010), 160 destinations, 900 daily flights by 95 different airlines saw the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) named as the Worlds Best Airport by air travelers across the globe.

The HKIA gives customers easy access to downtown Hong Kong, excellent shopping facilities with a bright and airy terminal ambiance, with the food on offer exquisite. The airport has continued to improve, its security and immigration processes also contributed to the HKIA success.

2. SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT

Although a respectable runner up, Singapore Changi Airport was voted the 2010 winner for Worlds Best Airport. Even though the airport was undergoing a terminal refurbishment, it still scored highly on customer satisfaction.

It caters for over 42 million passengers every year (more than 7 times the size of Singapore’s population), handling 100 international airlines flying to some 200 cities in 60 countries. Primarily a traditional airport, Changi Airport boasts 40,000 square meters of commercial shopping space, making it a busy shopping destination too.

3. INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Making up the top 3 for 2011 is Incheon International Airport, which was the winner of this award in 2009. Unsurprisingly, during recent years, Incheon, along with Singapore Changi and HKIA, fight out for top spot in these awards.

The airport has a golf course, spa, private sleeping rooms, ice skating rink, a casino, indoor gardens and a Museum of Korean Culture. The main passenger terminal (496,000 sq metres) is the largest airport terminal in area in South Korea, and the ninth largest passenger terminal in the world.

4. MUNICH AIRPORT

Munich Airport is smaller than some others, in-fact it’s Germany’s second busiest airport with just over 34 million passengers a year. However, size isn’t everything and it’s Europe’s highest ranked in the top 10.

Convenience, comfort and airport hospitality has seen Munich Airport retain its position at number four, as well as its consistency and reliability. The airport itself has its own commercial center which houses an array of shopping, business and recreational facilities and is located between its two terminals.

5. BEIJING CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Moving up three places to fifth in the Worlds Best Airport list, Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) is continuing to improve and aims to compete with the big three of HKIA, Singapore and Incheon.

The BCIA is now the second busiest airport in the world and it’s newest terminal, terminal 3 building, is also the second largest terminal in the world. The airport, located 20 miles northeast of Beijing’s city center, offers semi-tropical surroundings, supported by great customer satisfaction.

6. AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL AIRPORT

Busy than Munich, the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport secured sixth place in the overall ranking. Another success is that the airport is climbing the rankings and has moved up a place this year from the 2010 rankings of seventh.

Just over 45 million passengers pass through the airport, and it remains an extremely popular choice with travelers. The Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has large shopping areas, both landside and airside. The Schiphol Plaza shopping center, which is located before customs, is very popular with both air passengers and non-traveling passengers.

7. ZURICH AIRPORT

Zürich Airport is located about 7 miles from downtown Zürich and connects its passengers to destinations all over Switzerland via its very own train system. This makes it one of the most convenient airports for travel within central Europe.

One of the many areas that Zürich Airport does exceptionally well is baggage and its delivery. One of the biggest sources of complaints comes from baggage, whether its been lost or damaged, the airport is reassuringly good. Zürich Airport also offers a large selection of shops, restaurants and services from over 180 different companies.

8. AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Auckland International Airport is the 2^nd busiest airport in the Australia/Pacific region, servicing more than 13 million visitors a year. 70% of visitors enter of leave New Zealand via Auckland International Airport.

The airport delivers a typically friendly Kiwi service, while its security and immigration procedures have been improved. This has seen the airport climb one place in the rankings from ninth in 2010.

9. KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has retained its position in the top 10, having slipped four places to ninth – the biggest fall in the top 10. However, it continues to maintain a high level of staff service for immigration procedures.

KLIA is an airport in a forest, yet a forest in an airport. Confused? Well KLIA is surrounded by lots of green space, both inside its main terminal and outside. It’s also the first airport, within the Asia/Pacific region, to become 100% BCBP (Bar Coded Boarding Pass) capable. The KLIA is connected to Kuala Lumpur by a non-stop express train, which takes just 28 minutes.

10. COPENHAGEN AIRPORT

A new entry to the top 10, the Copenhagen Airport climbs five places from 15^th position. Service, comfort and ambience rated highly here and ticks a lot of boxes for its passengers.

The airport is located just 12 minutes from the heart of Copenhagen, while the distance from the train platform to the check-in counters is less than 100 meters. The airside shopping is good too. Passengers have access to 50 shops, numerous restaurants and bars, conference facilities, a hotel area and a sauna.

Have you visited any of these airports and what was your experience? Do you agree, or disagree with these results, would you have another airport in this top 10?

If you’re traveling within Europe, whether that’s for business or taking a vacation, don’t forget to take a EuroBuzz European Cell Phone or SIM card. This allows you to keep in touch with family, friends and business colleagues.

The World Airport Awards are run by Skytrax.

There’s much more to Europe than the famous cities like London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Amsterdam and Athens. While we already feel familiar with these places, much like visiting an old friend you’ve not seen in a while, there are other cities that are also rich in history and culture – maybe you should consider visiting one of them.

To call these cities ‘lesser known’ isn’t accurate, however we can say that they are less popular. Why? Because, us – the trusted traveler, has to work a little bit harder to get away from the main stream.

So here’s a little guide to those ‘Other Cities’ and the wonders that they have on offer.

Antwerp, Belgium.

Offering a celebrated club scene within its historic narrow and winding streets is quite a paradox – and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Antwerp is an artistic haven for a lot of cutting edge contemporary culture. So whilst you walk through the old streets you can take in the great masterpieces of artists such as Rubens and Van Dyke. Visit one of many modern galleries and stores, and if you’re looking for that special gift why not give the world-famous Diamond District a try.

There are plenty of restaurants, friendly bars and alehouses to choose from if you fancy eating out, or you’d like to sample the local beer. As previously mentioned, Antwerp has excellent nightlife, with lots of clubs and bars open till late, or early, depending on which way you look at it.

Koycegiz, Turkey.

One for the adventurer, Koycegiz is getting rather popular with the backpacker and the more independent traveler.

Koycegiz translates to ‘small poor village’, but in fairness it’s nothing like that, just a little rough around the edges. This ‘roughness’ has seen its popularity grow, its not quite mainstream yet, but it’s getting there. With lots to do, it’s a great place for the adventurous spirited traveler. Visit mud baths and waterfalls, whitewater raft down the Dalaman River where the rapids can reach up to a Grade 4, or take in the ancient Caunos ruins.

There’s also a number of independent shops of all sizes, but after a hard day of exploring and adventure you may just want to settle for a homemade ice-cream that are sold in the town center.

Cinque Terre, Italy.

Becoming more popular with travelers taking their vacation, this is a fine example of the European Destinations – The Other Cities.

Situated on Italy’s Northeast coast, the impressive ‘Five Villages’ are delightful. Located between Genoa and La Spezia, the stunning villages offer golden sandy beaches, steep cliffs and beautiful sapphire waters. Each village, or town (as some of them are bigger than typical villages found in Europe), offer a quiet alternative to some of the bigger tourist destinations such as Florence or Venice.

The ‘Five Villages’ are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore. At any one of them you can enjoy sleeping in and relaxing on the beach, or if you’re feeling a bit more energetic go hiking and take a picnic with you.

The Lake District, England.

It is the second largest national park in the UK and one of the most breathtaking regions within it. The Lake District sits just under the Scottish border, in Cumbria Northwest England.

The Lake District was formed by repeated glaciations that have occurred over the last 2 million years. This carved through the landscape to create the magnificent lakes, mountains and valleys on show today.

If you’re Scotland bound, the Lake District makes an ideal stop off point. You can choose to relax and unwind by the many lakes or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can go hiking or climbing one of the many mountains in the area.

Tallinn, Estonia.

Tallinn has emerged from Soviet occupation as a thriving and exciting center filled with many awe-inspiring buildings, which have somehow escaped any damage from more difficult war-torn times.

The cities subterranean bars serve locally made vodka, amongst other alcoholic beverages, and their old stone doorways cast an enticing glow. Walk down dozens of winding, cobbled streets with high wall and ramparts. Stop off for a sandwich, made on native thin, dense black bread at one of the many cafés, or ‘kohviks’.

Estonia’s capital is one of the last remaining truly medieval cities in Europe, with breathtaking Gothic buildings, and is largely undiscovered by visitors from outside the EU.

Dijon, France.

This historical city is the capital of the Burgundy region in France, that lies Southwest of Paris and North of Provence, in the shadow of the French Alps.

Dijon is a lively Renaissance city and one of the great European centres of art, learning and science. It’s home to a large number of museums and churches, notably the Notre Dame de Dijon and Dijon Cathedral, the crypt of which is dedicated to Saint Benignus and dates from 1,000 years ago. The city has retained its varied architectural styles and is distinguished by, among other things ‘toits bourguignons’ – roofs made of tiles glazed in terracotta, green, yellow and black and arranged in eye-catching geometric patterns.

Dijon was largely spared the destruction of wars such as the 1870 Franco-Prussian War and the Second World War, despite the city being occupied. Therefore, many of the old buildings such as the half-timbered houses dating from the 12th to the 15th centuries (found mainly in the city’s core district) are well preserved.

Chora, Greece.

Another fine example of a Greek whitewashed village, perched high on a hill over looking the calm blue waters of the surrounding sea.

Chora is a traditional Greek village, complete with port and access to some amazing sandy beaches. During the day, it is a quiet village made for relaxing and sightseeing. If you want to get away from the beach for a while, why not take a walk through the village square, down windy cobblestone streets and take in the beautiful local churches. However, this all changes as the evening draws in as partygoers start filling the bars, cafés and nightclubs that occupy the once quiet cobbled streets.

At the top of the village hill there is a scenic amphitheatre where some local events take place. You can appreciate the vastness of your environment whilst here, taking in the stunning views of the sea, cliffs and sandy beaches.

Innsbruck, Austria.

Located in a valley, in the midst of the surrounding mountains, Innsbruck is a picturesque city that changes with the seasons.

During the winter months, Innsbruck is one of the top destinations in Europe for skiers, and is also internationally renowned for being a winter sports center, having plenty of excellent resorts to stay at. During the summer months the city explodes in greenery, exposing mountain lakes and superb hiking trails for you to conquer.

The natural environment is amazing, and is well complimented by the city’s architecture. With lots of museums, churches and parks there is plenty to see and do in Innsbruck.

The Hague, Netherlands.

Home to Holland’s Queen Beatrix, the Hague will enchant you with a colourful mix of culture, history and natural beauty.

One of the big attractions is the Maurithaus museum which presides over the canal and houses Johannes Vermeer’s ‘Girl with Pearl Earring’. Take a wander down to the various flea markets, or enjoy a stop off at a smokers coffeeshop. You’re not too far away from the beach here too. Go for a stroll along the beautiful wide beaches and Victorian promenade, which becomes a popular club scene at night. Whatever time of day it is, there is so much to do here.

You would think it was the capital city, given that the Queen, Parliament and all foreign embassies are located here, as well as a center for the United Nations, but that title of capital city is given to Amsterdam. Strange.

Ljubljana, Slovenia.

This small town really punches above its weight. Full of history and culture, with resources typical of its capital city stature, Ljubljana makes an ideal case for being an ‘Other City’.

Ljubljana is a melting pot full of different influences, from Italians to Austro-Hungarian, so it makes for a rather unique atmosphere. Take a trip through the Baroque old town where you’ll find a number of quaint cafés and traditional shops, or take in the local street performers playing tunes in the main square. The castle is another popular attraction, dating back to medieval times it’s undergone some transformation which makes it all the more interesting.

Being centrally located in Slovenia, it makes the city an ideal base to explore the country’s mountains, lakes and caves. The city itself is full of kind and helpful people, willing to engage in conversation in a number of different languages.

If you’re thinking about taking a European vacation to any of these destinations, or any other European cities, don’t forget to take a EuroBuzz European Cell Phone or SIM card.

Where would you say is the most romantic place in Europe?

Why is it so romantic, what did you do there?

Your answers will help the EuroBuzz community plan their next romantic getaway.

Please leave your stories in the comments box. We’ll share the best stories next month.

On behalf of everyone, thank you for your input.

Congratulations to those who have made this top 25 list. For anyone that has visited and stayed at any of the hotels mentioned below please feel free to leave your feedback below on your experience.

The top 24 Hotels in the United Kingdom as chosen by Europeans, via Trip Advisor:

1 – Rudding Park Hotel, Harrogate
2 – The Old Rectory Hotel, Martinhoe
3 – Boskerris Hotel, St Ives
4 – Charterhouse Hotel, Torquay
5 – Abbot’s Brae Hotel, Dunoon
6 – Overwater Hall, Keswick
7 – Elmdene Hotel, Torquay
8 – Can-y-Bae, Llandudno
9 – Haytor Hotel, Torquay
10 – Apsley House Hotel, Bath
11 – The Seawood Hotel, Lynton
12 – Yeoldon House Hotel, Bideford
13 – Kingsley Lodge, Wilmslow
14 – Dunkery Beacon Hotel, Exmoor
15 – The Clarence Hotel, Portsmouth
16 – The Clontarf Hotel, Llandudno
17 – Tara Lodge, Belfast
18 – Hillside Hotel, Ventnor
19 – Avalon Beach Hotel, Bournemouth
20 – The Plough Inn, Llandeilo
21 – Hotel Una, Brighton
22 – Swinside Lodge Hotel, Keswick
23 – Green Bough Hotel, Chester
24 – Tremarne Hotel, Mevagissey

Click here and take a look for yourself at the whole run down, including pictures, reviews and a more detailed description of the hotels listed in this list.

 
Have we missed anywhere you have stayed that you could recommend? Please leave your comment and assist your EuroBuzz community.

Often we think of castles as dark, dank places with dungeons, or as something from a fairy tale where the happy King and Queen reside. You’d be right, at some point in history anyway, but without the neighbouring dragon for company.

If you do plan to visit Europe, I would like to suggest for you to take a look at one of Europe’s Best Castles.

Leeds Castle – Kent, England

Described, by the English, as the ‘loveliest castle in the world’ it dates back to 1119, where it replaced the Saxon built manor, and became a royal palace in 1278 to King Edward I.

As its status as a popular tourist destination it has lots for everyone to do, including a maze, grotto, golf course and, maybe the worlds only, museum dedicated to dog collars.

Prague Castle – Prague, Czech Republic

Where Leeds Castle was the ‘loveliest’, Prague is officially the ‘biggest castle in the world’. It steadily grew bigger and bigger between the 9^th and 18^th centuries, until it started to host government departments in the 20^th century.

This steady growth over time sees the castle incorporating a number of different architectural styles, which makes visiting quite a unique experience. It’s certainly an ‘international’ castle, with the guided tour being offered in six different languages.

Castelo de Sao Jorge – Lisbon, Portugal

This castle in Lisbon is located on the highest point of the Portuguese capital, offering stunning views of the city itself and the Atlantic Ocean.

The origins of the castle started early, in and around the 6^th century BC by Celts, and it has been used over time from this point by Greeks, Romans, Carthaginians and many others. During more recent times the first geodesic observatory in Portugal was assembled at the top of one of the towers of the castle.

Alcazar of Segovia – Segovia, Spain

The site where this impressive castle sits is actually on top of an old Roman fortification, of which the Roman Aqueduct can be found within Segovia, with the first reference to its current form being in 1120.

Its main initial purpose served as a fortress and a residence, however as Madrid became the more important location, the Alcazar of Segovia turned in to a prison. The castle sits within one of the most picturesque areas of Spain.

Neuschwanstein Castle – Munich, Germany

Built as a retreat, and as a homage to the great composer ‘Wagner’, this castles construction started in 1869!

So, unlike some of the other castles featured in this list, it’s history is very modern. It played a big part in World War II and housed gold, artwork and other treasures. More recently Disney used this castle as it’s inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle within Disneyland.

Mont Saint-Michel – Normandy, France

Sitting on a rocky area between Normandy and Brittany, makes visiting Mont Saint-Michel a rather unique experience.

It was originally designed as an abbey for pilgrims, but has evolved throughout the years, incorporating the styles of the time and belongs to the Organization of World Heritage Cities.

Lincoln Castle – Lincolnshire, England

Constructed during the late 11th century by William the Conqueror on the site of a pre-existing Roman fortress, it is unusual in that it has two mottes.

It certainly carries scars, as it was where two major battles took place, but whatever was damaged during these battles they were either repaired or replaced. Starting in 1787, the castle was a prison for the area partially because its layout and build made it impossible for detainees to escape.

Chateau de Chambord – Loire Valley, France

Construction started in 1519 and is designed in a typical French Renaissance style. It retains the typical castle design with a keep and four towers, yet it was not built with defence in mind.

The Chateaux itself is surrounded by glorious woodlands and a game reserve, which compliments the luscious gardens and many water features. The château also features 128 meters of façade, more than 800 sculpted columns and an elaborately decorated roof and 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces, and 84 staircases.

Castle Frankenstein – Darmstadt, Germany

Lord Konrad II. Reiz von Breuberg erected Frankenstein Castle and had since named himself von und zu Frankenstein. He was the founder of the free imperial lordship ‘Frankenstein’, which was subject only to the jurisdiction of the emperor.

The castle has an interesting history, mainly through how the Frankensteins operated during their time inhabiting it. In more modern times it was used as a refugee and hospital after falling into ruins in the 18^th century.

Glamis Castle – Glamis, Scotland

The castle was built by 1376, even though their had been a hunting lodge their previously.

It’s famous for it’s ‘Grey Lady’, a ghost that resides in the castle, for whom a seat is left empty in the Chapel. This is supposedly the ghost of Lady Glamis. There are other local ghosts too, including King Malcolm II and ‘Earl Beardie’ who is involved in an interesting story about poker.

So, if you’re visiting Europe don’t forget about your EuroBuzz European Cell Phone – for ease of use, just when you need it!

If you’ve visited any castles or chateaux in Europe please share with the rest of the gang. What was it like?

Share your travel insight with the rest of your fellow EuroBuzz travelers.

It’s simple, just leave a comment on this article and we’ll do the rest and update you, via your EuroBuzz Newsletter, in January.

In the meantime, have a Merry Christmas and great New Year. Happy Holidays.

The EuroBuzz Team.

I’m sure that extra leg room, seats that fold down into beds, complementary food and drink on tap and a whole host of other little extras make arriving in Europe more of a pleasure than a chore.

However, flying first class cost money. Plenty of money. And unless you’re last name is Trump, or someone else is footing the bill, it’s just a fact of life that economy makes more sense.

But does this mean that first class is always going to be out of your reach. A place of mystery and dreams? Well, perhaps not thanks to the elusive upgrade. The upgrade raises us mere mortals to the ranks of first class beau monde.

But how do you get an upgrade? Here’s the advice of an airline employee of 15 years’ experience…

1. Frequent flyer clubs

You can join as many frequent flyer clubs as you wish, and as a member you’re going to be that little bit higher in the queue when it comes to deciding who should get upgraded.

2. Fly busy routes

One of the main reasons that people get upgraded is simply because the economy section is too full and their are spare seats in business or first class. Unfortunately benefiting from this is going to be more about luck than judgement, because everything is too busy you might even get bumped to a later flight if unlucky.

3. Dress to Impress

If you’re hoping to get upgraded to business or first class then it pays to look like you belong. Taking business clothes on your vacation may seem like an extra hassle, but if you really want to try and bag that extra leg room then it could be worth it.

4. Travel alone

Spare seats in first class can be few and far between, so if you’re in a group the chances of you being picked are slim to none. And if you’re with children then you’re chances are none to zero.

5. Always move when asked

The cabin crew may not wish to advertize the fact that you’re getting upgraded to the rest of the cabin, and so may discreetly ask you if you would like to move seats, without indicating you’re final comfortable destination. Don’t refuse just because you already think you have a good seat, you might miss out.

6. Be nice

Airline staff have to deal with hundreds of people everyday, and it can be very stressful. This means that if you show any amount of kindness or helpfulness it is most likely to be very well appreciated, and will make you stand out a bit more from the crowd.

7. Be early

The idea that check in wait until the last moment to see if the flight is overbooked and then start to pick the late comers for upgrades is a myth. Instead, get their early and make your inquiry about the possibility of an upgrade. This will then put you into consideration (assuming you’re following the other tips too).

8. Share past experiences

If you’ve flown with the airline before and been inconvenienced then let the staff know. But don’t make a scene about it, just calmly and politely explain what happened.

9. Use the right card

Some credit cards have a redeemable miles program that works with a number of airlines, so check your credit cards to see if this is the case.

10. Ask about upgrade fairs

When you book your tickets you may have the option to pay a small upgrade fair. These don’t automatically mean you’ll be upgraded, but will increases your chances of being upgraded if it becomes available. You will pay a little extra on your ticket price for this upgrade, but nothing like the cost of a full first class ticket.

So, upgrades do exist, and there is no real science to how you get one. It is always a mixture of circumstances on the day. However, if you goal is to bag an upgrade then you should at least try to follow some of the tips above to put yourself in the best position possible.

Oh, and while we’re at it, here’s a few things you shouldn’t do…

…Slip the flight attendant a $20; complain about your seat; make up an illness; claim you or a family or friend work for the airline… well, I’m sure you get the idea!

At a bar in my late grandfather’s home city in Denmark I was served a Danish beer called Ceres. I noticed the coaster under my glass and asked the barman if I could have one to take home. He gave me a stack of them and they make great conversation pieces at parties.

Marie Farhang, Detriot, Mich.

2. Carry a twist tie in your wallet

Among other ingenious uses, a twist tie can temporarily replace a lost screw on a pair of sunglasses. Just peel the paper or plastic off the tie so you have bare wire, insert it where the screw was, and twist it to tighten. Unlike Scotch tape or a safety pin, a twist tie is small enough to hold until you’re able to replace the screw.

Lynn Fermino, Los Angeles, Calif.

3. Socks protect fragile items in luggage

Put your perfume or cologne bottles inside pairs of rolled-up socks to keep them cushioned during your trip.

Lucy Fisher, Harwich, Mass.

4. Pack your own picnic gear

A company called Orikaso makes brightly colored polypropylene sheets that can be folded to form a dish or a bowl or a cup. The sheets are lightweight and reusable. You simply flatten them when you’re finished.

Lori Fraser, Fremont, Calif.

5. Concierges are full of good advice

When I’m planning a trip, I almost always call the hotel concierge before I arrive (and if my hotel doesn’t have one I call one that does). Recently, I asked for advice on what to see since I had only four days in a new city. After I told the concierge what I thought I should try to do, she said I had too many things packed into four days. She gave me a list of hotspots to visit and places to avoid. With her help, my trip was much more enjoyable.

Linda Freeman, Venice, Calif.

Why go? – History, Architecture and Culture

Unusual Fact – Over 300 languages spoken by the local London population

Places to Visit

Tate Modern

Many Britons regard high culture with suspicion. Yet this gallery devoted to modern art effortlessly pulls in the punters and locals as well as the tourists, and ranks among London’s most-visited attractions. Part of its appeal is the building itself, fashioned by architects Herzog and De Meuron from a vast disused power station on the Thames’s south bank. In addition to blockbuster exhibits and live events, the gallery invites a prominent artist every year to transform its cavernous turbine hall: Olafur Eliasson turned the space into a misty, atmospheric sunset in 2003; Carsten Höller recast it into a modern playground in 2006, inviting visitors to lie back and scream their way down two interlocked towering, twisty steel slides.

It would be easy to spend the entire day in the gallery, but you might want to get out and walk around the neighborhood: Enter foodie heaven in nearby Borough Market, where the delis and restaurants are open all week and a farmer’s market operates Friday and Saturday. Directly across the river from the Tate is St Paul’s Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren’s most celebrated building. To get there you cross the £18.2 million Millennium Bridge, a suspension footbridge completed in 2000, which quickly gained the sobriquet the “Wobbly Bridge.” (They’ve since fixed the wobble.)

Marylebone Stroll

What’s the nattiest neighborhood in London? Not leafy Notting Hill, which lost its claim to cool after Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts frolicked through it in the eponymous 1999 rom-com. And not fashionable Hoxton or Shoreditch, even with their spiky-haired, skinny-jeans-clad tribes of cool kids. They’re all worth a look, but the real cool resides in Marylebone, an area so confident of its charms that it doesn’t need to broadcast them.

Lying north of the glossy Selfridges department store and south of Regent’s Park, Marylebone (pronounced mar-le-bone) is an affluent, strollable residential district of white terraced Georgian and Edwardian townhouses, the grandest of which are still single-family. It’s also home to the Wallace Collection, where the girl with the billowing skirts in Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s The Swing remains as seductive as when France’s dirty old master painted her in 1767. The main shopping drag is Marylebone High Street, but the whole area is packed with fabulous shops and restaurants: Come here for everything from haute couture and baby clothes to organic butchery and extravagant cakes. There’s also a specialist travel bookshop called Daunt Books that’s worth a detour just for its Edwardian fixtures and fittings.

The London Eye

Yes, it’s a giant ferris wheel, and, yes, it’s for tourists — but it’s a worth a spin. Once you’ve boarded your glass-sided capsule — each capsule holds 25 people — it will be a half-hour before you get back down. Creeping along at 0.6 miles (0.9 km) per hour, it’s an excruciatingly slow flight, as a trip on the London Eye is called, but from the top of the 443-foot (135-m) wheel you’ll be rewarded with gloriously unimpeded views over London. At night, take one of the special “champagne flights,” and you’ll find yourself in one of the capital’s best bars.

Inns of Court

You might easily overlook the small arched entrance to Middle Temple, one of the four remaining Inns of Court, which are responsible for training all of Britain’s barristers. The Inns were first established in the 14th century and housed in large, walled compounds; today, judges and barristers still work, study and sometimes live in these enchanted precincts. Beyond the gates of Middle Temple (locked overnight and on weekends), on the south side of the Strand where it morphs into Fleet Street, lies a time capsule. Step into the Elizabethan banqueting house, Middle Temple Hall. It’s a real-life Hogwarts, but twice as magical.

J. Sheekey

If you like your dinner with a side order of celebrity, head to one of Caprice Holdings’ restaurants: Le Caprice, a sleek art deco brasserie just behind the Ritz hotel, the Ivy or J. Sheekey; the latter two are in London’s theaterland. Their clientele rosters read like the guest list for a charity gala thrown by Bono and Angelina Jolie. When famed London restaurateurs Jeremy King and Chris Corbin left Caprice Holdings in 2002, the celebritocracy had a minor heart attack — wherever would they get their Spotted Dick (a traditional steamed pudding with syrup) now? But to their great relief, this trio of eateries — along their new sibling, the refurbished Scott’s restaurant in Mayfair — still have the edge over the competition, serving simple seafood and game dishes, perfectly executed and perfectly served. The most intimate of the bunch is J. Sheekey, a fish restaurant with leather banquettes, paneled walls and an impressive art collection. (King and Corbin went on to open two new hotspots, The Wolseley and St Alban.)

Kensington Gardens

Londoners of a certain age will tell you that Germans shaped their city. They’re right, but the Blitz wasn’t the only thing that left its mark on London. In 1728, Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach, the German-born wife of King George II, commissioned works to the southern swath of Hyde Park — later redesignated Kensington Gardens — creating the Serpentine, an artificial lake, and landscaping the surrounding lawns and walkways. (A stately circuit of these ornamental waters will take you 40 minutes, and you can swim at the Serpentine Lido from May to September.) Queen Caroline lived in Kensington Palace, on the western edge of the park, which has been home to assorted members of the extended royal family and household, but will, of course, forever be associated with its most iconic resident, Princess Diana. Kensington Gardens is studded with shrines to the late Princess, including a fountain dedicated to her memory by the Queen in 2004.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

The poet Lord Byron was just one of many patrons of Berry Bros. & Rudd who submitted to a public weighing on one of the shop’s giant coffee scales. “Let us have wine and women, mirth and laughter/Sermons and soda water the day after,” wrote Byron. Britain’s oldest wine merchant and sometime coffee seller set up shop here on St James’s Street in 1698, and remains one of the world’s leading purveyors of fine wine. Despite its pedigree, it’s not snobbish. Staff happily expound on the virtues of the cheaper wines and spirits they sell, alongside the rarest vintages. If you can’t get to the original shop, there are branches in Dublin, Hong Kong and Shanghai, as well as a factory outlet in Basingstoke, south of London.

The Royal Court Theatre

The roll call of playwrights championed by the Royal Court is long and distinguished — John Osborne, Edward Bond, Joe Orton, Caryl Churchill, David Hare, Sam Shepard — not least by their propensity for tackling controversial themes and subjects. Dedicated to new and innovative work, audiences at this two-theater venue in Sloane Square first saw transvestite Dr. Frank-N-Furter strut his stuff at the 1973 premier of The Rocky Horror Show, and winced in 1995 at the late playwright Sarah Kane’s scandalous debut, Blasted, which was decried by critics for its graphic brutality — only to be hailed at its 2001 revival by some of those same critics as a profound and disturbing work. More recently, the theater has debuted Tom Stoppard’s international hit, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Christopher Shinn’s Now or Later, set on the night of a U.S. presidential election as the family of the Democratic frontrunner awaits results.

Smithfield Pub Crawl

London is far from being a 24-hour city. Alcohol licensing laws were relaxed in 2003, but finding a late-night drink still requires ingenuity. There is one part of city, however, that doesn’t sleep: Smithfield. The neighborhood is home to a historic meat market, which operates in ornate Victorian halls weekdays from 4 a.m. to noon — and many of the local pubs and cafes open early to serve pints and hefty fry-ups to the market workers.

Start your evening at Ye Olde Mitre, an 18th-century pub in the jewelry district adjacent to Smithfield; then, head east through Ely Place to the market, on the way passing St Etheldreda’s the oldest Catholic church in England. Taste the wines of southwestern France at the Cellar Gascon bar and Comptoir Gascon restaurant; their posh sister, Club Gascon, has bagged a Michelin star for its exceptional cooking. The Fox and Anchor boasts the tastiest scotch eggs in the country — and keenly priced accommodations. Catch a nap in one of the designer rooms above the bar or go straight back out to dance off the calories at the so-hip-it-hurts nightclub Fabric. You may want to refuel at Kurz & Lang, a tiny joint selling German bratwurst and beers; it’s open until 11:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and never closes on Friday and Saturday.

Before daybreak, try The Hope for your early morning pint, and Ferrari’s Snack Bar for an artery-clogging full English breakfast. Just what the doctor didn’t order.

Barfly and Roundhouse

If you get claustrophobic at the Hollywood Bowl or Madison Square Garden, then neither of the live music venues I’m about to recommend is for you. The Barfly, above a pub in Camden, is tiny, but that doesn’t stop punters from piling through the doors and turning the whole room into a mosh pit. It’s a regular staging post for new bands tipped for greatness: Oasis and Coldplay both performed here. But don’t let that deter you; other alumni include Blur and the Young Knives. Across the road, the Roundhouse shows it knows the meaning of eclectic, with a program that includes big-name musicians, left-field comedians and even circus acts, in a converted 19th-century steam-engine repair shed.