Poets have sung its praises through the centuries. The writers get lyrical about their stories and mysteries.
Artists draw, paint and photograph its timeless beauty. Rome, Paris, Madrid, New York – each has its own special place in the world.
But none of these can come close, in both historical significance and modern magnificence, to London.
London.
A city where in the space of a few blocks, visitors can see the juxtaposition of the ancient Roman walled city of Londinium, the medieval Tower of London, the Victorian Tower Bridge and the modern shops along Commercial Road.
London is both exciting and intimidating, and the typical tourist rarely visits more than the usual well-known sites.
Almost everyone comes to see the Tower, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral, and for good reason: these, along with the distinctive red buses and black cabs, are the iconic symbols of London. the grandeur of London.
However, it is only after a few visits to London that visitors can begin to discover what the city is really all about. London is much more than the postcard tourist attractions for which it is famous.
The soul, the beating heart of this place is not in Westminster, but in its winding lanes, tiny alleys, hidden park gems and most importantly, the people who call it home.
London is arguably the most diverse and multicultural city in the world, and is home to people of all nationalities and religions.
From the invasion of the Romans that began around 43 CE to the current influx of Eastern Europeans, people throughout history have made London their destination of choice.
Today, the city has residents from approximately 270 countries speaking more than 300 languages.
Strollers through the streets of Hounslow will find Muslims living side by side with Hindus and Sikhs. Not far away, Richmond upon Thames is home to a significant South African population.
In the East End, many thousands of Bangladeshis have chosen to settle in Tower Hamlets.
This incredible variety of ethnicities is just one of the things that makes London so special.
Along with their languages and religions, these new Londoners have brought their customs and cuisines to the city.
England used to be famous for its bland and boring food, but today residents and visitors alike can choose from a seemingly endless variety of menu offerings.
A bit of local London lore says that the best way to determine the quality of an ethnic restaurant is to walk in and observe the other diners.
Find a group of Indians (or Asians, as they’re known in the UK) eating at an Indian restaurant, for example, and the food is pretty much guaranteed to be not only delicious but authentic.
From its newly chic restaurants, to its dark, winding Victorian alleys, to its glittering West End settings, this city would take lifetimes to explore and discover.
The only way to really get to know London, to become not a tourist but a traveler, is to leave the guidebooks behind, find a good map of the city and start walking.