London

Few cities reward a first visit like London. In one day you can pass a medieval fortress, a royal palace, a glass-and-steel skyline view and a market selling food from every continent. Many of the great national museums are free, the Thames makes a natural spine for walking, and each neighbourhood has its own personality, from the grand streets of Westminster to the street art of the East End. It is busy and fast, but it also has quiet parks and old pubs when you need a pause.

Talking points

• Many major national museums charge no entry, which makes it easy to build a budget-friendly itinerary.
• The Thames path lets you walk past a huge share of the big sights.
• Every district feels like a different town, from royal Westminster to creative Shoreditch.
• The Underground, nicknamed the Tube, is the oldest metro in the world, so expect history underground too.