London Tower

The site of political scheming, bloody beheadings, and the home of the Crown Jewels, the Tower of London is a terrific place to spend a fascinating - and slightly eerie - day. Legend has it that six ravens must guard the tower at all times, or else the kingdom (as in United Kingdom) will fall. The ravens are still there, and so is this nearly thousand year old complex of stocky stone structures. There's plenty to explore here, so give yourself lots of time to roam, but the White Tower is the most striking building. Inside you'll find - among others - Henry VIII's XXXL suit of armor in the Royal Armories collection. Also note that St John's Chapel, on the first floor, dates back to 1080, making it the oldest church in London. Though most famous for the imprisonments and beheadings held there it has, at various times, served as the royal residence, mint, menagerie, armory, observatory and as the holding place for the Crown Jewels - a function it still serves. Note that the line-ups for the Crown Jewels can be quite long, but if you can stand to wait, it's well worth it.

One can't-miss attraction keeps moving around inside the walls. And that's a tour with one of the Yeoman Warders. These men and women (popularly known as ‘Beefeaters’) have been guarding the tower for hundreds of years. Their 60 minute tours leave every half hour and start near the main entrance. Be prepared for tales of intrigue, imprisonment, execution, torture and other gruesome thrills.