When I was 16, I got to take a trip to London, England. I can’t even begin to explain how amazing it was. Luckily, I was armed with a camera and a little bit of money, so I was able to walk away not only with some of the greatest memories I have, but also some souvenirs and lots of pictures. I’ve spent years figuring out how I can make my way back there. Even though I had to deal with a missing passport and finding the right kind of electrical adapters, getting to go to London proved to be one of the most inspiring and unforgettable moments of my life.

One of my favorite locations was the Tower of London. I spent a whole day reading about it’s history and seeing first hand what it was like. Probably most well known as a royal prison and place of torture, the Tower of London also served many other uses, from menagerie to stellar observatory. One of the most interesting parts of the Tower of London was seeing it’s famous ravens. The ravens that walk around the Tower have been occupants there for generations. A very old superstition keeps them there, one that says if the ravens leave, the kingdom will fall. The ravens have some of the most royal treatment of the Tower’s inhabitants, with their own personal handler and living quarters.

Everyone knows Big Ben as one of the most iconic monuments for London. Movies, stories, and art have been representing Big Ben for many, many years, and seeing it for yourself will show you why. I also recommend that you visit Parliament. This is where laws, bills, and other legislation takes place for the government of London. I’ve really never been interested in the workings

of government, but seeing it in action is pretty inspiring. Getting to see the “behind the scenes” government action was really special, and it amazed me how accessible it was.

As cliche as it is, I had to see the Changing of the Guards. Although I didn’t try to make him laugh or kiss him or anything, they are armed after all, but I did get my picture taken. But who knows? If I go back, maybe I will end up kissing one. Many different locations have a Changing of the Guards, and I recommend seeing one for yourself if you are in any of these locations. The plethora of gardens and parks located in London is unbelievable. Huge plots of flowers of every color roll on the landscape, surrounded by swans and beautiful artistic sculptures. Since it is free, and since it makes walking anywhere amazing, I definitely recommend going.

London’s shopping scene is just awesome. I got to visit Camden Market, which isn’t your ordinary shopping spot. Stretching on for as far as I could see, Camden Market offered everything from handmade bags to leopard print Doc Martins. So grab some money and your passport, as there is something for everyone at Camden Market, and I guarantee after a long day shopping, you can’t help but walk away with tons of stuff.

London holds something exciting for everyone in your family. I walked away from the week-long London trip with some amazing memories, and I still dream of getting to go back there someday. If you’ve never been to London, I very highly recommend it. I promise it’s even worth having to locate that missing passport.

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