Hyde Park London
When you are ready for break from bustle of London, head over to Hyde Park, 630 acres of tranquility and fresh air. Over the years, these grounds have played host to royal hunts, provided the backdrop for duels and even served as a potato field during World War II. Bordered by Kensington Palace on one side and Marble Arch and its accompanying monuments on the other, today's Hyde Park is a haven for sunbathers, boaters, children and tourists.

The Serpentine Gallery, located here, holds temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. The Gallery takes its name from Serpentine Lake which is popular for boating and bathing. Also, be sure to check out the Albert Memorial, Queen Victoria's monument to her husband.

One of the more curious aspects of the park is Speaker's Corner. There, every Sunday, in the shadows of Marble Arch, anyone is welcomed to exercise their rights of free speech. And they do - pontificating about everything from politics to religion to tourists!