National Gallery

Located in the very heart of central London, this is one landmark that should not simply reside on your “rainy day” list. My favorite museum in the world, the National Gallery is easy to find, completely free and easy to navigate for those who wish to spend an hour touring the highlights or the more dedicated who wish to spend the day. In addition to Buckingham Palace or the Tower of London, you can add to the marvels you see in this city by viewing works by the world’s greatest artists: Michelangelo, da Vinci, Monet, van Gogh, Caravaggio, Rubens, Renoir, Cézanne and Rembrandt.

Even if you are not typically a museum person, you owe it to yourself to spend some time within these walls. It is an amazing experience.

If you go, the Café in the Crypt is a wonderful place for lunch. Located directly across the street, you’ll find it in the basement of St Martin in the Fields church.

Hard to believe that in 1941, the museum pieces were moved to the Manod Quarry, a slate mine in the mountains above the village of Ffestiniog, to protect the collection from the Germans. A great effort that was well worth it. Housed in a magestic buiding in front of Trafalgar Square, The National Gallery of London hose an exceptional collection of western paintings. Visit to the permanent collection is free, but you may get charge for special exhibitions. No pictures or video are allowed (but you may sketch if you want). Inside, masterpieces like Monet's Water lily pond, Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Rembrandt's portraits, and the spectacular Da Vinci's 'Virgin of the Rocks' and Raphael's 'Madonna of the Pinks' to name few of the masterpieces in the museum. The Van Gogh room is out of this world and may bring tears to your eyes.

This museum is the best museum I've ever been to, except for the Louvre. The architecture is beautiful, and the artworks are fantanstic. There's no entrance fee...Just donations. The museum is not too small, but not too big, so you can see it all in a couple of hours. And trust me, you will want to see it all because it is spectacular! Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Renoir, Monet...You name it, they've got it beautifully displayed. They also have a cafeteria downstairs, which offers a great selection of snacks. I ordered a selection of cheeses with a squash soup that was the best meal I had in all of London...And super affordable. If you like museums, this is the place for you. And, if you don't like them, once you enter the National Gallery, you will fall in love.