London, the Second Time Around

Centrally located near St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tate Modern museum has four floors of compelling contemporary art. Cross the River Thames via pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge and take in the bustling waterway before delving into 60,000 pieces of international art. Enjoy a light lunch at the museum's Cafe2 (lunch £6-8) and snap a photo overlooking the river.

Tube: Cannon St. or Monument
After a bite to eat, stroll along the river in a northeast direction back to London Bridge. Nearby is Winston Churchill's Britain at War Experience, a painstaking permanent exhibition which re-creates bomb shelters, period homes and even a bombed-out slice of neighborhood. The war looms large in the cultural consciousness of Brits, and this historical tour provides a richly textured context. Visits take about an hour.
Tube: London Bridge

DAY 2

Camden Town in Zone 2 offers a heady bohemian vibe and exotic eats for a fiver. Browse hundreds of open air and covered markets for crafts, clothing and quirky jewelry. Camden can be quite crowded with locals and tourists alike on weekends, so aim for mid-week if possible.
Tube: Camden Town

In the afternoon, walk along historic and charming Portobello Road, a treasure-hunter's heaven with antique shops so plentiful they're often devoted to one theme, such as sporting equipment or chinoiserie. Vintage Gucci bags and Halston dresses abound in vintage clothing shops.
Tube: Notting Hill

DAY 3

Pack lunch and spread a picnic blanket among the 350 lush acres of greenery at Hyde Park, London's version of Central Park. Besides the Diana Fountain, be sure not to miss the small, avant-garde Serpentine Gallery, which showcases big names and an impressive art bookstore. A recent exhibition included British artist Phyllida Barlow's striking large-scale installations.

Tube: Hyde Park Corner

DAY 4

The V&A Museum houses an extensive collections of sculpture, fashion, paintings, drawings and photography. The jewelry exhibit covers 3,000 years of human adornment - from prehistoric finger rings to Queen Elizabeth's emerald tiaras - and the museum gift shop sells textiles to die for. Walk a few blocks north along Brompton Road to retail mecca Harrods, the luxury goods store with a food hall that features cuisine from nearly every corner of the globe.

Tube: South Kensington