London is a city rich and varied in history and yet has a blend of modern facets to please any type of traveler. With hundreds of art galleries, museums and dozens of other attractions including zoos, music, theater and nightlife, it is no wonder that London is one of the most popular cities in the world. A visit to London should include these five must see attractions:

Westminster Abbey

This church, burial ground and coronation site, all rolled into one, is the final resting place of great kings, poets and other British notables. Westminster Abbey is still used as a church for religious services and events on a regular basis. The works of art, which are contained in the Abbey, make the visit truly worthy. Inside the west entryway hangs a painting of Richard II. This portrait was painted in 1390 and is the oldest portrait of a British monarch on display today.

When visiting London, especially if it's your first time, there are a few sites you should experience to really appreciate this ancient city. With the rich majesty and unique historic landmarks, London is a city that has something for everyone.

1) The Tower of London & Tower Bridge

The original tower, the White Tower, was begun by William the Conqueror in 1066. Henry VIII had two of his six queens (Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard) executed there on Tower Green for treason. Home to the Crown Jewels, the exhibit contains 5 English royal crowns including one of Queen Victoria's.

Learn the superstition of the ravens from the Yeoman Guards (or better known as Beefeaters) and see the infamous "Traitor's Gate" from which royal prisoners rarely returned alive. Tower Bridge, which crosses the Thames, is located next to the Tower and is still a working drawbridge.

There are many destinations in Europe, which are famous for the quality of the beaches, their temperate climates, and the excellent assortment of resorts that are available. These destinations can be the ideal location for a great beach vacation. Here are some of the more popular beach vacation destinations for vacationers looking to relax in Europe:

Spain
In Spain, you can choose from beach vacation resorts along the mainland coasts on the Mediterranean Sea, or go to one of Spain's many island beach spots located on Menorca or Majorca. These areas are very popular and offer high quality vacation options at a reasonable price.

Travelling to Europe can be a wonderful and life-changing experience, but many people don't enjoy it the way they could and should because of the little annoyances that pop up during the trip.

Here are a few tips to ensure you can make the most of your travel through Europe:

1. Instead of taking a taxi to your hotel it might be a lot better to share an airport shuttle with a few other travellers. Airport taxis are usually more expensive and some unscrupulous drivers will take side routes or even mess with the meter just to get more money out of your pocket.

With an airport shuttle you save money and you don't have to worry about directions or finding the hotel; plus, you can get picked up again at the end of your stay and dropped off at the airport.

Turkey is a unique country that lies along two continents. One part of Turkey is part of Europe, while the rest is geographically situated in West Asia, (also called the Middle East). Many languages are spoken in Turkey, such: as Greek, Armenian, Kurdish, Arabic and their official language, Turkish.

Travelers that come from Western Europe are not required to have a visa, except those coming from the UK. It is still possible to travel to Turkey by means of a train from Europe, albeit not very practical. This is done by those who are driven by the romantic notion of traveling by train, made famous by the movie the Orient Express.

The bathhouse was finished and ready for a most important visitor. The Legion was prepared with armour polished. Flags fluttered in the breeze bearing the symbols of a mighty power. Into the city rode Constantius Emperor of Rome. Alongside rides his son Constantine.

It was in 1196 that Stratford-upon- Avon was first granted the right to hold a market and recognised as a town. Its name has become synonymous with its most famous son - William Shakespeare who was born here in 1564.

Being one of the largest and most populated cities of Europe, London, the United Kingdom's capital is a cosmopolitan area in which a highly diverse range of peoples, cultures and religions coexist today.

Traveling through Europe is definitely an exciting experience. To ensure a smooth and enjoyably safe tour, here are some tips for your Europe vacation.

1) Documents.

* All of the people in Europe, including tourists, are obliged to own documentation for personal identification.

* Since the increasing number of terrorists that try to enter Europe, the checkpoints on all borders have been strictly controlled. All tourists, depending on which country in Europe they intend to visit, should always have their passport and visa wherever they go.

* When you are unable to surrender your valid visa or passport when authorities ask for it, you would be deported or even jailed.

The summer of 2005, my friend and I decided to apply for a summer program as part of our graduate degree and travel from United States to Europe and specifically to Brugges in Belgium, so as to attend an intensive seminar at The College of Europe on Politics, Policies, Lobbying and the European Union.