If you go to London

HOW TO GET THERE: The lowest round-trip air fare between Boston and London at press time was $373 on American Airlines. Avoid the temptation to take a taxi from the airport into the city, which will cost at least $50, and instead spend about $6 and take the convenient underground. The trip will take about 45 minutes but gives you some nice scenery and lets you catch your breath.

WHAT TO DO: Find general information at www.londontown.com or www.visitlondon.com.

London Symphony Orchestra

Barbican Centre, Silk Street

011-44-20-7638-8891

www.lso.co.uk

World-famous symphony in modern music hall. Cheap tickets available, especially during the week.

London theater

TKTS booth, Leicester Square

www.londontheatre.co.uk and www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk

Half-price tickets for certain shows, matinees, and evening performances, available day of shows at TKTS booth.

St. Martin-in-the-Fields

www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org

Trafalgar Square

Free lunchtime and inexpensive evening concerts most days in beautiful medieval church.

Tate Modern Museum

South bank of the River Thames near Blackfriars Bridge.

011-44-20-7887-8000

www.tate.org.uk/modern

Free, except for special exhibits, but donations are encouraged.

A brick-and-steel structure that brings together old and new with a remarkable collection of classic and modern art.

WHERE TO STAY:

Holiday Inn-Kensington Forum

97 Cromwell Road

011-44-87-0400-9100

london-kensingtonforum.holiday-inn.com

Large, newly renovated modern hotel in hip and centrally located Kensington neighborhood. Rooms generally $95-$150.