As has often been said, London is really just a collection of towns and villages squished together into one sprawling metropolis, so it’s beyond futile to try and see the whole place in one trip. The best thing to do is to pick one or two areas (depending on how long you have) to really get to know and soak up. First time visitors will naturally want to head for Westminster and the West End, but keep in mind that the further you go from the centre, the more ‘local’ it becomes. In terms of getting around, the public transport system is old and rickety but highly effective (there are literally hundreds of Tube stops), and you also have the option of hiring bikes—perfect for exploring the parks on a summer’s day. Of course, a classic taxi ride or double-decker bus can be a fun way to get across town too.