Aman-junkies no longer need to travel to far-flung locales to get their fix. London’s Connaught Hotel opened the celebrated Asian brand’s first spa. This little jewel on the lower ground floor of the Mayfair hotel has only five treatment rooms, a dark granite pool (not large enough for laps but perfect for a peaceful dip), a small gym and a relaxation area. The spacious treatment rooms all have separate dressing and shower areas, as well as attractive lattice screens, cedar flooring and footbaths with big stones. If money and time are no object, go for one of the four Rituals, two-and-a-half-hour treatments inspired by a different part of the world. To the other extreme, try the “to-go” treatment, where the therapist gives a fully-clothed guest a thirty-minute, loosening overhaul, the ideal warm-up for a flight home, for instance. Guest can also simply book a specific amount of time and the therapist will tailor a treatment to suit their individual needs and desires. Amen to Aman.

The Charles Dickens Museum occupies the only surviving London residence of the famous author, and it includes a treasure trove of memorabilia, including the portraits, rare editions, manuscripts and furniture such as the desk. It was while living in this house that Dickens wrote Nicholas Nickelby and Oliver Twist, whose success enabled him and his growing family to move to a more substantial home. Specialist tours and private visits can be arranged.

The refurbished Covent Garden headquarters of Charles Worthington occupy a lovely five-story Georgian townhouse with original fireplaces. Customers can be forgiven for forgetting they’re in a hair salon. Services start at £10 for a fringe trim; £55 for a blow out. Additional locations: 7 Percy Street in Fitzrovia and the Broadgate Club at 1 Exchange Place in the City.

A former site for cockerel fights in the middle ages, the Cockpit Arts is now a warehouse building that serves as an arts and crafts incubator, where artists can rent studio space by the month. Today, many talented jewelers, furniture and hat makers, tailors, cobblers, sculptors and silkscreeners work from here. Twice yearly, they host an open house. Otherwise, you must make an appointment in advance to see them.

Columbia Road, located in London’s East End and not far from Shoreditch, is transformed every Sunday into a bright, beautiful flower market that sells everything from succulents to climbing clematis. Behind the stalls that line this quintessentially British road are permanent boutiques offering antiques, home goods and garden supplies, plus food and coffee (open Sundays from 8AM until 3PM).

The beloved gourmet kitchen shop offers great cooking programs for both adults and children. Among the recent options for serious chefs were classes with a Michelin-starred chef and a Borough Market tour with a noted chef and cookbook author. The children’s classes are referred to as the Growing Gourmet Series and are held only at the Marylebone shop. Chefs instruct kids around such themes as Pasta Pronto or Crazy Asian. Kids’ classes and master chef nights are limited to twelve, so it’s best to sign up far in advance.

One of London’s most acclaimed theaters, the Donmar Warehouse is perhaps best known for the heady period when Sam Mendes (of American Beauty and ex-husband-of-Kate-Winslet fame) was its artistic director in the 1990s. Creative mastermind Michael Grandage came on board in 2002, after Mendes left, and garnered rave reviews of such shows as Othello, with Ewan McGregor as Iago, and Peter Nichols’ Passion Play. Then in 2011, Grandage was replaced by Josie Rourke, formerly the artistic director of the Bush Theatre, who in turn was replaced by Michael Longhurst in 2018, whose previous credits include Constellations at the Royal Court Theatre and Amadeus at the National Theatre. The Donmar now produces shows in more than one location in London and is known for big-name shows with famous actors.

The Dorchester's glitzy spa, designed by Fox Linton Associates, is not a place to detox but to luxuriate. From petit-fours at the Art Deco-inspired Spatisserie to the floor-to-ceiling glass cabinets lined with fluorescent bottles of nail polish (a throwback to Damien Hirst’s Pharmacy installation?), there are plenty of details that set the Dorchester apart. If money is no object, this is the spa destination of choice.

The foundation of Erick Estorick, an American political scientist and writer, displays his collection of early 20th-century Italian art as well as temporary exhibitions. The collection includes works by Boccioni, Carrá, Serverini, as well as Modigliani, Sironi, and de Chirico.

The tenth-floor spa at the Four Seasons Park Lane is everything one would expect from the five-star deluxe hotel, namely friendly staff, quiet, gleaming white dressing rooms, granite steam, a sauna with a view and a vitality pool. But what sets this space apart from all other London spas is the view: guests can enjoy indulgent treatments while they gaze across the tree tops blanketing Hyde Park. Each treatment rooms comes with a private relaxation pod where the transition back into reality is softened with some peaceful relaxation over tea.

The spa by cult beauty brand Gazelli skincare is beloved by London beauty editors. Gazelli products (also sold in Harrods) were crafted by Dr. Zarifa Hamzayeva, an Azerbaijan-born leader in the field of genetics. The blossoming business is run by her charming daughter, Jamila Askarova. The plush South Kensington premises are designed to resemble a luxurious home; there’s no formal reception desk, just cozy décor, comfortable armchairs and arguably the best oxygen facials in London.

Hatfield House, a Jacobean home built in 1611, is one of the few stately estates people can easily visit by train. It’s only about an hour’s train ride from London’s King’s Cross station, and it also has a play area for children.

One of the largest parks in central London, Hyde Park is famous for its Speakers’ Corner, an area in the north-east corner public speaking is allowed (as long as the subjects are lawful). The park, which seems to seamlessly merge with the beautiful Kensington Gardens, is a great spot for a stroll and for letting the kids explore. Each holiday season, there is a Winter Wonderland, a sprawling Christmas market with rides.

Take an early morning walk in Hyde Park, and you're likely to see smartly dressed equestriennes out for a ride. While they're most likely Londoners who have been approved to exercise the Queen’s Household Cavalry, it's possible for visitors to ride less-elegant steeds through the park as well. One of only two remaining stables in central London, Hyde Park Stables sits tucked in a picturesque mews just by Lancaster Gate, in Bayswater. You can sign up for a riding time online; either for a park ride or a lesson in a small arena (popular with kids). Depending on your ability, you'll be matched up with one of a dozen or so horses—typically Irish cobs—that are rotated into the city from the stables' country farm. Escorts accompany all riders, and only those who are proficient will be allowed off of a lead and allowed to trot or canter. There are multiple slots every day, year round, but as times do book up in summer, it's advised to reserve a few weeks in advance to be on the safe side. Boots and helmets are provided and rides range from £115 in a semi-private group to £145 for a private ride.

With two galleries, two cinemas, a theatre, bookshop, bar and café—all with free admission—the Institute of Contemporary Arts is a one-stop showcase of the best new art from Britain and around the world. Covering visual arts, music, cinema, educational talks and events, it is the perfect forum for all sorts of creative industries. Located in central London on The Mall, the institute hums until late at night thanks to extended hours (til 9PM) every day but Monday, when it's closed.

The massive museum in Bloomsbury grew out of a private collection of manuscripts purchased in the mid-18th-century. The offerings include treasures like Chinese porcelain, a major Egyptian wing, Indian sculpture, and prehistoric and Romano-British collections. It also hosts major traveling exhibitions. Indagare members can contact our bookings team to arrange for a visit with an expert guide.

As the Monarchy’s working headquarters, much of the palace remains off-limits to visitors. The Changing of the Guard is still a popular attraction, however, and the nineteen State Rooms are also open. The Royal Mews stables are directly next door to the palace and make a great stop before or after the main event. Indagare members can contact our bookings team to arrange for a visit with an expert guide.

Churchill and his Cabinet stowed away in this underground bunker during the Blitz, and it now serves as one of the most interesting looks at London life during WWII. Interactive displays cover Churchill’s life as well as offering a glimpse of the conditions endured during the war. A must for history buffs of all ages. Indagare members can contact our bookings team to arrange for a visit with an expert guide.

With a treasure trove of spectacular historic estates situated just outside of London, a daytrip beyond the city walls is an excellent addition to any itinerary. Indagare members can contact our bookings team to arrange for a visit to the area’s best with an expert guide. The guide and driver will meet guests at their hotel and make all the arrangements for tickets as well as a good lunch stop along the way. Some homes (and guides) are better for children than others so be sure to specify if traveling with kids.

Kensington Palace has served as a royal residence since the 17^th century. Once Queen Victoria’s childhood home, today it is the official London residence of several members of the Royal Family, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and is one of London’s most grand and glorious palaces. During Indagare’s favorite private tour, a guide will have guests explore Queen Victoria’s life in her own words in Victoria Revealed, an exhibition featuring writings and personal objects inspired by the queen’s own journals. Tours may also include the State Apartments, the private, intimate rooms created for Queen Mary II and her husband, King William III. Indagare members can contact our bookings team to arrange for a tour.

In 2010, the museum emerged from a three-year, £20 million overhaul to become one of London’s most fascinating institutions. Galleries tell the story of London and its people from 1066 to today, with all the accompanying grit and glam. Films and interactive displays take visitors through time from an 18th-century prison cell to a 1920’s Art Deco lift from Selfridges. Don’t miss the spectacular Lord Mayor’s gilded coach (which leaves the museum and tours the city every November) or the Victorian walk through a recreated street with shop fronts and real objects behind the various store windows. Indagare members can contact our bookings team to arrange for a visit with an expert guide.

Located in Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is London’s premier art gallery; thanks to free admission, it aims to educate and enrich as many people as possible. Spanning seven centuries and with masterpieces by the likes of Rembrandt, Leonardo and Picasso, it houses one of the greatest collections of Western European paintings in the world. Indagare members can contact our bookings team to arrange for a visit with an expert guide.

The Academy, founded in the 18th century, has a sizable collection, with treasures including works by Michelangelo, Constable and Blake. There are also excellent temporary exhibitions throughout the year. If you’re looking for a nearby place for lunch or dinner, try relaxed but refined Cecconi’s, classic Le Caprice or newcomer Murano. Indagare members can contact our bookings team to arrange for a visit with an expert guide.

Located at Millbank near Vauxhall Bridge in Pimlico, the Tate Britain is the most prestigious of the Tates. It houses the British national collections, ranging from the 16th Century to present day, and some international works. Older Highlights might include Gainsborough, Blake, Constable, and Reynolds and 19th and 20th century painters like Matisse, Paul Nash, Dali, and Picasso. When you're done, take the Uber Thames Boat (RB2) that runs between the Tate Britain and the Tate Modern every forty minutes. Indagare members can contact our bookings team to arrange for a visit with an expert guide.

This museum is a definite must-see. Housed in a former power station that was beautifully redone in 2000 by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, Tate Modern was voted the capital’s favorite building. Debuted in Spring 2016 was Switch House; a 10-story extension to the building named after the section of the power station that the new galleries occupy. Switch House expands the Tate’s existing gallery space by 60% to accommodate surging visitor numbers, and includes the Tate Modern Terrace Bar with prime city views and Level 9 restaurant.

A scenic way to approach it is from the north side of Lord Norman Foster’s graceful, pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge, which links the museum with St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Uber Boats that run between the Tate Modern and Tate Britain are also a great way to arrive (take the RB2 line). There are usually weekly playdate events geared for families with kids (and alot of activities and games for kids online, too). Indagare members can contact our bookings team to arrange for a visit with an expert guide.

Founded by William the Conqueror and added on to by successive British monarchs, over 900 years, the Tower of London is a landmark that provides a dramatic way to explore the history of England, and in particular, life in London. The complex encompasses palaces, prisons, torture chambers and the royal treasury where the Crown Jewels are kept. A visit can include seeing Henry VIII’s armor, the Sceptre of the Cross with the world’s largest uncut diamond, the execution block where Sir Thomas Moore and two of Henry the VIII’s wives (Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard) were beheaded, cells carved with prisoner’s pleas as well as moats, Beefeaters, the legendary seven ravens and twenty-one towers. Given how rich its history is, the Tower is best toured with a knowledgeable guide but be sure to leave plenty of time for exploring. Indagare members can contact our bookings team to arrange for a visit with an expert guide.

Plan at least a half-day to visit this, the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design. More than 140 galleries hold objects that include textiles, costumes, jewelry, furniture and ceramics. The Cast Courts, a collection of reproductions of great art and architecture from around the world (including an exact replica of Michelangelo's David), are particularly fascinating.

The V&A's cafe is worth a stop for a coffee–with grand chandeliers, glass, enamel and ceramic decor, it looks almost exactly the same as it did in the 1860's. When it was built, a newspaper compared it to "one of the richly and gaily-adorned cafés of Paris." It is considered to be the world's first museum cafe.

There are also massive changing exhibits that are years in the works. Indagare members can contact our bookings team to arrange for a visit with an expert guide.