Five-Night London Trip with Roundtrip Airfare and Sightseeing Tours

Despite popular belief, many of London's most recognizable landmarks aren't technically located in London, but in the twin city of Westminster. During your five-night stay in the royal city and with the included 48-hour self-guided sightseeing tour from Big Bus Tours, you can see stately historic icons such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey, whose Gothic spires have been a symbol of London since medieval times. The package also includes roundtrip airfare from John F. Kennedy International Airport, admission to Thriller Live, daily breakfast, and a boat tour of the Thames.

Day 1: After arriving at London's Heathrow Airport, guests arrange transfer to the Holiday Inn Kensington, which will be your headquarters for the next five nights. The hotel is a short walk from the Gloucester Road tube station in a culture-rich part of South Kensington that locals have nicknamed Albertopolis. The area boasts many free museums, including the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. The Victoria and Albert Museum holds more than four million art and design pieces, including elaborate Victorian frescoes and a futuristic blown-glass chandelier. With its 150 individual galleries, it's no wonder Frommer's referred to the museum as "perhaps the world's greatest collection of applied arts."

Days 2–5: The next four days are yours to explore London, whether by walking or hopping on and off the open-top Big Bus—which passes by all of London’s most famous landmarks—at your leisure for up to 48 hours. Stroll to the beautifully manicured Kensington Gardens, an enchanting 275-acre park with marble water fountains, an impish Peter Pan statue, and a 900-year-old oak tree trunk carved with whimsical elves and fairies. The gardens extend from Kensington Palace, which served as a home for several members of the royal family, including Princess Diana. You can tour the resplendent palace to see Queen Caroline's private chambers and a dazzling light sculpture made with thousands of Swarovski crystals.

While at Kensington Gardens, check out the Serpentine Gallery, which has been lauded by Frommer's as "one of London's leading contemporary art spaces." Upcoming exhibits spotlight works by filmmaker Jonas Mekas (December 5–January 20) and contemporary artist Thomas Schütte (through November 18).

If you tire of walking, riding, or hovering several inches above the ground, you can also hop on and off the included Thames boat cruise as many times as you like; the boat departs from Tower Pier, Westminster Pier, or Waterloo Pier every 30–40 minutes. The tour includes live commentary and passes by attractions such as the Tower Bridge, the Globe Theatre, and the Tate Modern art gallery.

At night, head to London’s West End for Thriller Live, an energetic musical revue that showcases Michael Jackson's hits from the Jackson 5 era to Thriller and beyond. After the show, dine on upscale cuisine at L'Escargot.

Day 6: Head to Heathrow Airport for your return flight.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.