• Big Ben, Westminster, and the Thames at night, London

July Tour News

Hi from Rick: London "Yesterday and Today"

I just spent two weeks in London, updating my guidebooks and filming a new public television special. While yesterday's London — with its Beefeaters, red buses, and Big Ben — is still a sightseers' delight, today's London features skyscrapers with attitude and the regeneration of once churning then abandoned industrial sights — like the Battersea Power Station.

A century ago, this brick beast was a symbol of London's coal-fired might, producing one-fifth of the city's energy needs. But its 300-foot-tall smokestacks also pumped out terrible pollution that turned lungs black and helped London earn its nickname, "the Big Smoke" — and as coal fell out of favor, Battersea fell silent… Read more

In this issue


Yeoman beefeater, Tower of London

Slideshow: Best of England, Day by Day

This day-by-day slideshow gives you a sneak peek at the best two weeks England has to offer. Your Rick Steves guide will welcome you in the elegant Georgian town of Bath. From there you'll tally-ho… Read more


south-coast-england-ocean-overview

Slideshow: Best of South England, Day by Day

Our Best of South England tour brings you to the very roots of British history and culture. Your Rick Steves guide will introduce you to locals who have talents to share and stories to tell… Read more


Tour guide Liz Boardman

Meet England Guide Liz Boardman

Liz set out to work in tourism after she watched travelers experience a bad tour and thought: "We can do better than this." She has naturally evolved from working with the English Tourist Board… Read more


Castlerigg, Keswick, England

Raves About Touring England

From the hustle and bustle of London to pastoral countryside and enchanting villages, England is a delight offering a marvelous mix of history, art, royalty, and memorable moments… Read more


British Museum

Video: World-Class Museums of London

At the peak of its empire, England collected art and artifacts as fast as it collected colonies. Join Rick as he strolls through the British Museum — the showcase of all these art treasures… Watch


woman and swiss alps

MNT: Next Up in July

Join us for Monday Night Travel on July 21 to learn about Dresden's bewitching Baroque architecture and phoenix-from-the-ashes history. Then on July 28, come trekking in the Austrian, French, and Swiss Alps… Register