4. FIND THE BEST THINGS TO DO

The guy on the corner introduces himself and the 'blokes' to his left. Before you can ask, he swears that he's 'bloody thirsty' and invites you to the 'pub.' You're fairly sure that you're not in Kansas anymore. Thank God. So if you're ready to take in some of the more 'smashing' sites and experiences, follow our lead.

First off, you should buy a budget travel book. But we're nice, so we'll help you start planning your trip with a few suggestions.

London
Bath
Cambridge
Oxford
Canterbury
Leeds
Wimbledon

London

At some point in your trip, you WILL stop in London; chances are you'll start your travels there. So we suggest that you start off in Royal London, where the historical sites are.

Start at the very center of London: Trafalgar Square. You'll see hustle, bustle, and tons of those double-decker tour buses. Head a few steps north to the famed National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, where you will find treasures by the greats (Botticelli, Seurat, Turner, Velazquez, daVinci) and portraits of the greats (all the Henrys, Johns, and Elizabeths that you can shake a stick at). And guess what: both of these museums boast free admission!

Then make your way over to Buckingham Palace, where kings and queens have lived since Her Majesty Victoria left Kensington Palace in 1837. The palace boasts 600 posh rooms, and the public has been allowed to walk in wonder though the state rooms from August through October.

More exciting than what you may find inside the palace is what you can see and hear right outside. At 11:30 am, watch for the Changing of the Guard, a tradition that dates back to 1660. The Queen's Guard hands over keys to his replacement, accompanied by music, parades, and tons of hoopla. You'll also see those guards in the big black hats that aren't allowed to react to anything you do or say.

Next on your hit parade should be Westminster Abbey, where most of the English monarchs received their crowns. While there, check out the Poets' Corner and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

Next, remember to take a gander at Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and 10 Downing Street. They're all near each other, so it's easy on the feet.

If you have more than a day or two to spend in London and want to see more than all the biggest tourist attractions, here are some interesting suggestions:

  • Portobello Market: A mile of vintage clothing, antique furniture and jewelry, music, art galleries, and trendy restaurants. You can go during the week, but the best time to go is Saturday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., when the most stuff is around. And remember to negotiate the prices. That's the best part.

  • Theatre district: It's not Broadway, but it may be even better. Big name venues line the West End streets, so look for entrance bargains with student IDs and at discount ticket windows in the Piccadilly Circus area. If you have the time and you're visiting from May through September, you should really take in an outdoor performance at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

  • Tower of London: The chapels and towers are oozing with history, as costumed tour guides offer tales of the royal families and courts, their lives, their fortunes, and their executions. This is where the history lies.

  • Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum: The world's most famous wax museum, it features startling replicas of hundreds of celebrities, from Elvis Presley to Al Roker.

Bath

Jane Austen wrote that she would always talk of Bath, and the city itself seems to pay her and other Victorians equal tribute with its charming design and tea-time elegance. Take a day to see the Pump Room and Roman Baths built as a tribute to the goddess Minerva.

Jane Austen fans will also want to visit the Assembly Rooms she made famous, which house the amazing Museum of Costume. And after you've toured the Bath Abbey, the Pulteney Bridge, and the Circus, you've probably worked up an appetite. Good, because you must make a stop at Sally Lunn's for a foot-long tea biscuit piled high with clotted cream.

To reach Bath, take a train from Paddington Station for one hour and 25 minutes, or a three-hour coach rise from Victoria Station.

Cambridge

Now thirty-one colleges strong, Cambridge has produced the likes of Thackeray, Byron, and Wordsworth, to name a few. Take a long walk and breathe in the country air, or read poetry under a tree like artists and scholars of yore.

Travel there by train from London's King's Cross Station or Liverpool Street Station in an hour, or by coach from Victoria Station in two hours.

Oxford

The "other" site of genius, Oxford University is the older of England's upper-crust institutions, dating back to the 11th century. Yes this is where all of those Rhodes Scholars (including a young Bill Clinton) head. While Oxford is more industrial than Cambridge, it too boasts of charming gardens and gorgeous scenery. Rent a bike at the Magdalen Bridge, and join those who travel across the lush landscape. To gain a sense of the city's history, stop at the Oxford Story, where you'll take a Disney-style ride through the eyes of a medieval student. Also check out Britain's oldest public museum, the Ashmolean Museum, for some rare artifacts and Michaelangelo drawings.

Trains to Oxford leave Paddington Station and take 55 minutes, while coaches travel in one hour and 40 minutes from Victoria Station.

Canterbury

In Canterbury lies the famed Cathedral where Thomas a Beckett met his death. The cathedral has welcomed visitors like yourself for 1,400+ years or more; the stained glass will amaze you, as will the beautifully imposing architecture. If you arrive before late afternoon, you will hear "Evensong" performed by the Church's musicians.

Trains for Canterbury leave from Victoria and Dover Priory.

Leeds

Leeds is one of those smaller cities that is every bit the more fantastic because of its huge culture. If you do stop in Leeds, make sure you're there for a night of fun, as pubs and clubs are famed. Also, if you're traveling during the autumn, consider Leeds so that you can catch the annual International Film Festival.

Hop on a coach at Victoria Station, and you'll arrive in Leeds in 4-5 hours, depending on which route you take.

Wimbledon

If you happen to be in England during the last week of June or the first week of July, you owe it to tennis fans everywhere to put on your snappiest sun visor and head to the Wimbledon championships. After a short trek on the London Underground, a shuttle bus will take you straight to the venue, The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club. Just be sure to secure your tickets beforehand.