Business travel to London: Around the corner from The City's Financial District

Our Local Expert Says:

Skip the crowds close to the buildings, cross the Thames and view these iconic structures from the South Bank.

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Think of London and the very first image that springs to mind will be that of the grand clock towering over the Thames river. Big Ben is actually the nickname given to the bell inside the tower. The tower is officially called St. Stephen's Tower. Ben chimes every hour on the hour and the smaller bells ring every 15 minutes. Unfortunately, as much as it beckons, only UK residents are allowed to tour Big Ben and even this has to be arranged well  in advance by their MP. The good news however is that next to the famous clock tower, the Houses of Parliament - which are made up of the House of Lords and the House of Commons - can be toured by overseas visitors. The building which is home to both "houses" is the (former royal) Palace of Westminster, once home to the British monarchs. Every year in England, November 5th is commemorated with fireworks and bonfires which celebrate the foiled gunpowder plot of Guy Fawkes in 1605. Listen to the chimes of Big Ben

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When it comes to Indian cooking, Cyrus Todiwala certainly knows what he's doing. As do the countless city-types that flock here during the week, squashing an excellent meal into their lunch-hour or post-work debrief. By contrast, Saturdays offer a relaxed and unhurried ambience, with a notable reduction in watch-watching and mobile phone chatter. The cuisine sweeps through Goa, North India and Kashmir, with tandoori dishes a speciality - make sure to check out the weekly specials menu first, though, for some more imaginative creations. Particularly recommended is the beef xacutti which, with over 20 ingredients, is one of the most complex curries to make.

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During World War II, newsreel footage reaching America showed St. Paul's Cathedral standing virtually alone among the rubble of the City, its dome lit by fires caused by bombings all around it. That the cathedral survived at all is a miracle, since it was badly hit twice during the early years of the bombardment of London. But St. Paul's is accustomed to calamity, having been burned down three times and destroyed by invading Norsemen. The old St. Paul's was razed during the Great Fire of 1666, making way for a new structure designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710. The cathedral is architectural genius Wren's ultimate masterpiece.

The classical dome of St. Paul's dominates the City's square mile. The golden cross surmounting it is 110m (361 ft.) above the ground; the golden ball on which the cross rests measures 2m (6 1/2 ft.) in diameter, though it looks like a marble from below. In the interior of the dome is the Whispering Gallery, an acoustic marvel in which the faintest whisper can be heard clearly on the opposite side. Sit on one side, have your traveling companions sit on the other, and whisper away. You can climb to the top of the dome for a 360-degree view of London. A second steep climb leads from the Whispering Gallery to the Stone Gallery, which opens onto a panoramic view of London. Another 153 steps take you to the Inner Golden Gallery, situated at the top of the inner dome. Here an even more panoramic view of London unfolds.

Our Local Expert Says:

Cross in the evenings for a stunning view of St. Paul's.

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London's first Thames crossing in over a century opened in 2000 with a well-publicised wobble, shut temporarily and was subsequently destroyed completely in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Magically the "Blade of Light" has recovered both from its engineering teething troubles and movie mayhem, and is now transporting Muggles across the river, 370 metres and 400 years back in time, from 21st century Tate Modern, to 17th-century St Paul's Cathedral.

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In the transformed Bankside Power Station in Southwark, this museum draws some 2 million visitors a year to see the greatest collection of international 20th-century art in Britain. How would we rate the collection? At the same level of the Pompidou in Paris, with a slight edge over New York's Guggenheim. Tate Modern is viewer-friendly, with eye-level hangings. All the big painting stars are here -- a whole galaxy ranging from Dalí to Duchamp, from Giacometti to Matisse and Mondrian, from Picasso and Pollock to Rothko and Warhol. The Modern is also a gallery of 21st-century art, displaying new and exciting works.

The Tate Modern makes extensive use of glass for both its exterior and interior, offering panoramic views. Galleries are arranged over three levels and provide a variety of spaces for display. Instead of exhibiting art chronologically and by school, the Tate Modern, in a radical break from tradition, takes a thematic approach. This allows displays to cut across movements.

You can cross the Millennium Bridge, a pedestrian-only walk from the steps of St. Paul's, over the Thames to the gallery. Or else you can take the Tate to Tate boat (tel. 020/7887-8888), which takes art lovers on an 18-minute journey across the Thames from the Tate Britain to the Tate Modern, with a stop at the London Eye. A day pass for the ferry costs £4.30 ($8.60); £11 ($22) for a family pass. Leaving from Millbank Pier, this catamaran is decorated by the trademark colorful dots of that enfant terrible artist, Damien Hirst.

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In the South Bank complex, on the eighth floor of the Art Deco Oxo Tower Wharf, you'll find this dining sensation. Down the street from the rebuilt Globe Theatre, this 140-seat restaurant could be visited for its view alone, but the cuisine is also stellar. You'll enjoy a sweeping view of St. Paul's Cathedral and the City, all the way to the Houses of Parliament. The decor is chic 1930s style. The cuisine, under Chef David Sharland, is rich and prepared with finesse. Menu items change based on the season and the market. Count on a modern interpretation of British cookery, as well as the English classics. The fish is incredibly fresh here. The whole sea bass for two is delectable, as is the roast rump of lamb with split pea, mint purée, and balsamic vinegar sauce. We were impressed with the roast filet of plaice with olive oil and truffle cabbage cream, and the roast squab with buttered cabbage and a foie-gras sauce.

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The original gastro-pub, The Eagle remains one of London's most popular dining and drinking venues, and is always packed to bursting. Stake your spot on a beat-up sofa, or grab a seat on an old wooden chair or stool. You'll need to be there the moment it opens to guarantee a table, but it's well worth it. The food is fabulous; think imaginative Mediterranean cooking, lots of grilled vegetables and beautifully cooked combinations. The best part is that the kitchen is in full view inside the pub itself so you can pick up a few cooking tips. Drink-wise, you could try the house brew, Eagle lager, but Guinness is the first choice for a lot of diners. Don't miss the wine; the list is short but interesting.

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Straddling the River Thames, London Bridge has long been a popular architectural attraction, despite continued warnings from children over the years who claim that London Bridge is falling down. In fact, in 1962 the bridge nearly collapsed. Fortunately, Robert McCulloch, founder of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and great American hero, purchased the sinking bridge and re-assembled it in the idyllic waters of Lake Havasu, Arizona. In London, thousands of locals and tourists travel across the quintessential London bridge on a daily basis.

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This is one of the world's most celebrated landmarks, and possibly the most photographed and painted bridge on earth. (Presumably, this is the one the Arizona businessman thought he was getting when he bought the London Bridge.) Despite its medieval appearance, Tower Bridge was built in 1894.

An exhibition inside the bridge commemorates its century-old history; it takes you up the north tower to high-level walkways between the two towers with spectacular views of St. Paul's, the Tower of London, and the Houses of Parliament. You're then led down the south tower and into the bridge's original engine room, containing the Victorian boilers and steam engines that used to raise and lower the bridge for ships to pass. Multimedia exhibits in the towers illustrate the history of the bridge.

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Vinopolis, a must for any wine lover, is an interactive, multimedia wine ""adult theme park"" opened along the Millennium Mile in the summer of 1999. It contains two wine bars, a champagne bar, a gift shop, an art gallery, wine schools and clubs, banqueting and conference facilities, a coffee shop and a gourmet, sit-down restaurant - they've thought of everything. Your entrance ticket allows you five tastings from over 200 wines. More tasting vouchers can be bought inside. Vinopolis also offers wine tasting introductory sessions and even tips for tasting champagne. This is the first of its type in the world and is sure to be of great interest to both tourists and Londoners. Under 18's should be accompanied by an adult. The admission price also includes a personal audio guide which is available in a variety of languages.

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Not far from the re-created Globe Theatre of Shakespeare's heyday, this place has been called a "Walk-Through Wine Atlas." In the revitalized Bankside area, south of the Thames near Southwark Cathedral, this bricked, walled, and high-vaulted brasserie was converted from long-abandoned Victorian railway arches. Although many come here just to drink the wine, the food is prepared with quality ingredients (very fresh), and the menu is sensibly priced. Start with a bit of heaven such as the pea and ham soup. Dishes are full of flavor and never overcooked. Pan-fried snapper, with crushed new potatoes and salsa verde, won us over. A rump of lamb was tender and perfectly flavored and served with a polenta cake. Many of the dishes have the good country taste of a trattoria you'd find in the countryside of southern Italy. Naturally, the wine list is the biggest in the U.K.

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The present Globe Theatre is a splendid reconstruction of Shakespeare's famous circular wooden playhouse (he was a co-owner) which stood close by until it burned down in 1613. "Globe II" was completed in 1996, faithfully adhering to the methods and materials of the late 16th century, and boasts the first thatched roof permitted in London since the Great Fire of 1666. Shakespeare plays are performed (April-October) just as they would have been in his day with an open-air auditorium, gallery seating and the "groundlings" in the pit. There is an excellent adjacent permanent exhibition which is a delight even for those who are unfamiliar with the Bard's work.

Our Local Expert Says:

Some of the best seafood in The City

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You name the seafood & Chamberlain's has it and does it well! Located in a former meat stall, the modernized restaurant hosts three levels of dining for their busy business clientele. In the basement a more relaxed dining atmosphere can be found where diners are digging into the house specialty, the fish pie. Perfect for the after work pint and fine wines. Private hire is available.

Our Local Expert Says:

Across from the Bank of England Museum.

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With luxurious panache, the Royal Exchange proudly provides you with all of your shopping needs - and then some. Whether you desire clothes, jewelry, art, fashion accessories, lingerie, or just a good drink and a meal, you can find it here. Founded in 1565 by Sir Thomas Gresham, the Exchange was originally touted as a center of economic commerce. Fortunately, it has not functioned solely in that capacity since 1939, when it ceased being a haven for stock brokers and grew into the oasis of retail that it is today.

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It may be housed in a converted bank (Grade ll listed at that), but the interior of this spacious restaurant and bar is modern and very fashionable. It boasts a neoclassical interior with a 20ft ceiling and domed skylights - no wonder City folk like to unwind here at the minimalist bar, though it must be said that the loud music seems a little out of place. The large brasserie serves typical French dishes such as Fish Soup, Coq au Vin, and Wild Mushrooms with Celeriac and French Beans. The smaller restaurant at the back is more haute cuisine - with dishes like the Carpaccio of Tuna and Scallops with roasted sesame seeds, oriental spices, black radish and lime. It is also open for breakfast.

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A swish rooftop setting in James Stirling's No 1 Poultry building offers a splendid view of the City skyline. It's worth a visit for the splendid panorama alone. The decor and cuisine, however, is top-notch to suit the expensive and refined tastes of City folk. The dining room - with starched tablecloths, walnut panelling and solid furniture - is able to handle all the testosterone. As a Conran restaurant, the French menu is very good and includes a variety of meat, fish and classics like Coq au Vin and King Scallop Nantaise. For a more relaxed meal, come for supper on Saturday, or for the barbecue lunch on Sunday.

Our Local Expert Says:

When you tire of the crowds in the central area, explore the interesting and bohemian little streets and alleyways leading off Covent Garden, particularly those around Neal's Yard and Monmouth Street

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Sheltered beneath a beautiful Victorian iron-and-glass arcade that once held England's largest fruit and vegetable market are the shops and restaurants that make up the heart of Covent Garden. Its famous piazza is the only area of London licensed for street entertainment and all performers are required to audition before they are allowed to perform. Buskers such as magicians, statues, opera singers, musicians, and jugglers perform for your enjoyment and in return you give them a bit of money. There's a nice buzz to the piazza and surroundings. It is always a child favorite even if it is quite touristy. Sample a freshly baked treat from Ben's Cookies or a Cornish pasty while people watching the entertainers. The market is perfect for souvenir shopping but be warned, at peak times it gets uncomfortably busy.