Love drinking? Love learning new things? How about mixing the two together – pun intended – at a mixology class! London is known for having incredible cocktail bars, and some of them have begun to open up for intrepid cocktail fans to try their hand at making a few of the house specialties – or at least standard cocktails – themselves...

While most people plan their travel days, some of us are savvy enough to realize: you also need to plan your travel nights! Every destination has something special that happens once the sun goes down, and London is no exception. There are plenty of things to do in London at night, for everyone from culture vultures to foodies to those who appreciate the ambiance of starlight...

Some people might find it sad, but you and I know better: solo travel is great. It's empowering and freeing – and sure, it's also sometimes a little bit scarier than going with the comfort of a group. But that won't stop us from taking those solo trips when the mood strikes and the budget allows. London is one of those great places in the world where it's easy to travel solo – and there are lots of great things to do in London alone...

Is there anything more magical than that moment when the lights go down and the silver screen lights up with the first frames of a great movie? Personally, that's one of my favorite experiences – and London is home to some great cinemas and movie theaters. When I called London home, I was a member at several of them, and loved splurging to visit other theaters for specific shows and films I wanted to see...

When you picture London, you probably have a clear image in your mind. What is it they say in the movie Snatch? Oh that's right: "Yes, London. You know- - Fish, Chips, Cup o' tea, bad food, worse weather, Mary ****ing Poppins, London!" Okay, maybe that's not what you see in your mind's eye... mine's a bit more Big Ben, pints in the pub, daffodils in bloom. (To each their own...) ...

As you walk around, one of the first things you'll notice is that London has a lot of street art – especially in certain areas of the city. Find yourself in Whitechapel, Shoreditch, or Camden, and you'll be astonished at the incredible artwork literally all around you. Most interesting for those not familiar with street art, there are actual masterpieces of the craft on public display and exposed to the elements – and the risk of being covered up by future works...

If you love it, London is one of those places that you can never get enough of. That's how I felt after my first trip over a decade ago, and I've been traveling back almost every year since – plus I moved to London for a year at one point because I enjoyed spending time in the city so much. One of the reasons I like London so much? It's a truly beautiful city, no matter the weather...