A Day's Worth of Sightseeing in London

You've got one day in London and want to make the most of it? Although you won't get to squeeze in everything you'd like, with the right game plan, you can spend a day that's totally British, from eating baps for breakfast to seeing Big Ben.

To cover as much ground as possible, you'll have to awaken at the crack of dawn. Even if you're not normally an early bird, become one. At the end of a fun but tiring day packed with sightseeing and good eating, you'll be glad you didn't fall prey to the charms of the snooze button.

Be sure to dress in smart, but comfortable clothes and shoes. London is a very pedestrian friendly city, many times making it easier and faster to get from point A to point B by walking rather than using public transportation or taxis.

Start your day early with breakfast at Leon Restaurant. Order one of their power smoothies or their signature "I Love England Breakfast Bap," a sandwich filled with mushrooms, tomatoes, sausage and bacon. To reach Leon, take the tube to Cannon Street. If you're a weekend visitor, get breakfast in or near your hotel as many places in the city open later on weekends, meaning a delayed start to your day. Bonds Restaurant in the Threadneedles Hotel serves a fabulous weekend breakfast in an upscale setting (Mansion House).

After fueling up, take the tube to Tower Hill and then make your way to the Tower of London, one of the most popular historic sites in London. The Tower features the famous White Tower castle and the crown jewels. The best bet is to take the hour-long tour led by a Beefeater guide, offering informative and entertaining insights into the Tower's past. It's best to arrive early to beat the crowds.

The Tower is adjacent to one of the most recognizable bridges in London, Tower Bridge. Although we don't recommend the tour, we do recommend taking a couple snapshots of this famous bridge.

After you've seen the jewels and had your fill of grisly stories of torture, make your way to St. Paul's Cathedral via the tube (St. Paul's). St. Paul's is an architectural masterpiece of the famed Sir Christopher Wren. Its dome affords outstanding views, and the Whispering Gallery, crypt, treasury and chapels are fascinating. Depending on time, you can simply stand in awe of the majestic outside or opt to tour the inside via a 40-minute audio tour.

Your stomach will probably tell you it's time for lunch, and that means a short walk to Sweetings on Queen Victoria Street, a traditional lunch-only spot that's been serving up British goodies like Welsh rarebit and grilled Dover sole since 1889. It's only open during the week, so if you're a weekender, here's your chance to try Leon with a branch at 73-76 The Strand open on weekends (Charring Cross).

Post tanking up on traditional British eats, take the tube from Mansion House to Charring Cross. This will lead you to the famed Trafalgar Square, London's most prominent square that pays tribute to the British victory over the French with a commemorative statue of Lord Nelson. A horde of now-famous pigeons also call the square home, making it a prime (and totally Londonesque) photograph spot.

Another favorite for visitors is the well-known address, #10 Downing Street, home to the Prime Minister. To glimpse the residence, walk south on Whitehall,  passing the lovely Banqueting House, and turn west onto Downing.

After spying the house, continue south on Whitehall, which leads you to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. All in all, it's about a 15-minute walk. The impressive, Gothic-styled Houses of Parliament occupy the original site of the Palace of Westminster. Combined with their famous clock tower, they're synonymous with London. Guided tours are available during summer months.

Exit the shadow of the Houses of Parliament and head towards the nearby imposing Westminster Abbey, the historical spot where kings and queens are crowned yet today and where many famous figures are buried. Highlights include the Gothic-style nave and the ornate coronation chair. Since the church is an operating one, tours are not available on Sunday.

Next it's on to Buckingham Palace, one of the places most identified with British royalty. A one-mile walk southwest along Victoria Street and then northwest on Buckingham Gate brings you to the residence of the Queen. Time permitting, you can visit the nearby Royal Mews that house the Queen's coaches and horses.

After this long but fulfilling day, it's time to return to your hotel and freshen up for dinner at the upscale Savoy Grill located in the Savoy, a Fairmont Hotel on The Strand (Covent Garden or Embankment). It features a classy Art Deco interior and outstanding modern British cuisine. Great views of the city, a first-class wine list and tantalizing desserts add to the appeal. Dress to impress as a dress code applies.

If you've still got some gusto to give, try visiting a club in the trendy SoHo area or the ever-so-cutting-edge Shoreditch neighborhood. Or, you can simply find a local pub that's near your hotel, order a drink and end the day like the locals do.