Experience the vibrant tapestry of London’s culture and attractions with this immersive 24-hour itinerary. From royal landmarks to culinary delights, this detailed plan ensures you capture the essence of the city in just one day.

Morning: Royal Landmarks and Scenic Strolls

8:00 AM: Breakfast at The Wolseley

Kickstart your day at The Wolseley, an iconic venue celebrated for its sumptuous breakfast menu and elegant European decor. Indulge in traditional dishes like the full English breakfast or fresh pastries, setting the perfect tone for your day ahead.

Recommendation:Arrive early to avoid queues, as this popular spot can get busy.

9:00 AM: Stroll Through St James’s Park

Post-breakfast, embark on a leisurely walk through the picturesque St James’s Park. This green oasis, flanked by royal palaces, boasts diverse wildlife, including its famous pelicans. Meander along the tree-lined Mall, soaking in the tranquil ambiance as you approach Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the monarch since 1837.

Recommendation: The Changing of the Guard ceremony typically occurs at 11:00 AM, so plan accordingly if you wish to catch it.

10:00 AM: Explore Westminster’s Historical Marvels

Continue your journey to Westminster, where history comes alive. Stand in awe before Westminster Abbey, the site of royal ceremonies, and admire the iconic Big Ben along with the Houses of Parliament. Take a moment to reflect on the significance of these landmarks that have witnessed pivotal moments in British history.

Recommendation: Consider booking an audio guide for Westminster Abbey to enhance your experience with detailed insights.

10:30 AM: Scenic Views from Westminster Bridge and South Bank

Cross the iconic Westminster Bridge for stunning views of London's skyline. Arriving at South Bank, immerse yourself in a lively cultural hub featuring modern art at the Hayward Gallery and the famous London Eye, offering breathtaking panoramic views. Family-friendly attractions like SEA LIFE London Aquarium and Shrek’s Adventure! provide fun for visitors of all ages. 

Recommendation: If time permits, enjoy a quick coffee or snack at one of the riverside cafes along South Bank.

Lunch: Culinary Delights with a View

12:30 PM: Lunch at The Swan or Borough Market

Enjoy a leisurely lunch at The Swan, located next to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Savor classic British dishes while enjoying sweeping views of the River Thames. Alternatively, explore the bustling Borough Market, where you can sample a variety of gourmet street food from diverse vendors, perfect for a quick but delicious meal.

Recommendation: Try the artisanal cheese toasties at one of the stalls for a local favorite.

Afternoon: River Journeys and Aerial Views

2:00 PM: Thames River Cruise

Board an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers at Bankside Pier for a scenic cruise along the Thames. This unique experience allows you to take in the city’s riverside landmarks, providing a fresh perspective on London’s architecture and history.

Recommendation: Look for the commentary provided on board for interesting facts about the sights.

2:30 PM: IFS Cloud Cable Car Adventure

Upon reaching North Greenwich, ascend into the sky aboard the IFS Cloud Cable Car. This thrilling ride offers spectacular aerial views of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The O2 arena, making it a highlight of your afternoon.

Recommendation: Try to sit on the side facing the city for the best views.

4:00 PM: Discover the Tower of London

Reboard the riverboat to Tower Pier, where you’ll explore the historic Tower of London. Marvel at the Crown Jewels and listen to captivating tales from the Beefeaters, who bring the Tower’s rich and sometimes gruesome history to life.

Recommendation: Allocate at least an hour to fully appreciate the exhibits and the grounds.

Evening: Skyline Dining and Theatrical Experiences

6:00 PM: The View from The Shard

As dusk settles, walk across the majestic Tower Bridge to The Shard. Ascend to the observation deck for breathtaking 360-degree views of London as the city lights begin to twinkle. For dinner, indulge in a culinary experience at one of the Shard’s upscale restaurants, such as Hutong or Aqua Shard, where you can savor exquisite dishes while gazing out over the skyline.

Recommendation: Make a reservation in advance to secure a window seat.

7:00 PM: West End Theatre Extravaganza

After dinner, catch the tube from London Bridge to Leicester Square, where a world of entertainment awaits. Book your tickets in advance for a West End show, ranging from enchanting musicals to side-splitting comedies. Experience the buzz of the theatre district as you settle in for an unforgettable performance.

Recommendation: Check for last-minute ticket deals at the TKTS booth near Leicester Square.

10:00 PM: Nightlife in Covent Garden or Soho

Conclude your day with a taste of London’s vibrant nightlife. Enjoy live music and cocktails in Covent Garden or the energetic atmosphere of Soho. Whether you prefer a cozy pub or a chic champagne bar, the city offers a plethora of options to suit every mood. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider dancing the night away at one of London’s renowned nightclubs.

Recommendation: Look for happy hour deals to make the most of your evening.

11:00 PM: Relax at Your Accommodation

After a thrilling day, return to your hotel to unwind. Choose from a cozy boutique hotel, a unique hideaway, or a luxurious stay to reflect on your exciting day in one of the world’s greatest cities.

Recommendation: Consider booking a hotel in central London for easy access to all major attractions.

Can You Experience London in Just 24 Hours?

Absolutely! This detailed itinerary allows you to explore the richness of London’s offerings, from historical landmarks to culinary delights and vibrant entertainment. With careful planning, you can create unforgettable memories and fully embrace the spirit of this magnificent city. For those looking to extend their adventure, consider exploring additional itineraries for more in-depth experiences in London.

Kuwait has officially approved the issuance of seven-day transit visas for select travelers entering the country via land, particularly through the Abdali border crossing, as part of its strategy to streamline border procedures and enhance regional mobility. The new visa policy, directed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, specifically targets Gulf citizens, expatriates residing in GCC countries, European nationals, and diplomatic personnel, especially those arriving from Iraq or transiting through Iran.

Colonel Waleed Al-Azmi, Director of the Abdali Border Crossing Administration, announced that the transit visa allows eligible non-residents to stay in Kuwait for up to seven days, enabling travel between Abdali Port and Kuwait International Airport, or vice versa, to organize onward journeys or complete necessary travel arrangements. The visa is not extendable and does not permit holders to work or study in Kuwait.

To apply, travelers must present a passport valid for at least six months, a confirmed onward ticket, and proof of transit, such as accommodation details or supporting documents for their next destination. The visa application can be submitted through the Kuwait Port Authority, Kuwaiti consulates, or, for some nationalities, via an online portal. The processing fee is KWD 2 (about USD 6.50).

Diplomatic personnel and embassy representatives are also permitted to be present at the border to assist their nationals during the entry and exit process, ensuring smoother procedures and additional support. This move is coordinated between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with certain exceptions and special exemptions available for select nationalities.

The introduction of the 7-day transit visa reflects Kuwait’s broader efforts to facilitate cross-border movement, support regional connectivity, and maintain robust security and compliance at its borders

Thailand’s tourism sector is facing significant challenges as the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict disrupts travel from key Middle Eastern markets. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) warns that arrivals from five countries Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria could drop by as much as 50%, with early signs of decline already evident in popular destinations like Phuket due to airspace closures.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the TAT, explained that several major airlines flying to Thailand including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Oman Air, and SalamAir have rerouted flights to avoid conflict zones. Tehran-based Mahan Air has temporarily suspended its Bangkok and Phuket routes, causing the Iranian market to effectively vanish during this period.

These five countries represent about 7% of Middle Eastern visitors to Thailand, with the region (excluding Israel) accounting for 100,781 travelers in June 2024. The timing of the conflict coincides with the Eid al-Adha festival, a peak travel period that last year brought 7,165 tourists from these markets. This year, arrivals are expected to fall sharply to between 3,500 and 5,000 as tourists and airlines postpone trips amid uncertainty.

The TAT is also monitoring potential longer-term impacts on larger Middle Eastern markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, which together contribute 80% of Thailand’s Middle East tourism. Concerns over air travel safety could further dampen demand, affecting hotels in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, which are popular with Middle Eastern visitors.

If the conflict is resolved soon, arrivals may begin to recover in July. Some airlines, including Royal Jordanian Airlines, plan to launch new routes, such as the Amman-Bangkok service starting in August. However, a full recovery depends on how long and severe the conflict’s effects prove to be.

The TAT aims to attract 1.06 million visitors from the Middle East in 2025, an 11% increase over last year, and generate approximately 86 billion baht in revenue. As the situation evolves, Thailand’s tourism industry remains cautiously optimistic but vigilant about the challenges ahead.

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has reiterated that fees paid for exit and re-entry visas are strictly non-refundable, even if the visa is canceled—a policy that has been reconfirmed as thousands of expatriates plan their summer travel. This clarification was issued following a public inquiry from a resident, to which Jawazat responded unequivocally: “If the exit and re-entry visa is cancelled, the fees are non-refundable”.

Under current regulations, a single exit and re-entry visa costs 200 Saudi riyals and is valid for up to two months, with an additional 100 riyals for each extra month, provided the resident’s permit (iqama) remains valid. For multiple exit and re-entry visas, the fee is 500 riyals for up to three months, and 200 riyals for each additional month.

Notably, for residents who are already outside the Kingdom and need to extend their visas, the extension fees are doubled—200 riyals per month for a single visa and 400 riyals per month for a multiple visa.

The process for issuing, canceling, or extending these visas is managed digitally through the Absher platform. To cancel a visa, users must log in, access “Services for Sponsors,” select the relevant individual, and confirm the cancellation; however, the fee remains non-refundable regardless of the reason for cancellation.

Recent regulatory updates have also introduced higher fees for expatriates outside Saudi Arabia, including doubled extension charges and increased costs for renewing residency permits (Iqama) abroad. Penalties for not using or canceling a visa within the allowed time can be steep, starting at 1,000 riyals for the first offense and rising to 3,000 riyals for repeated violations. Overstaying outside Saudi Arabia after a visa expires incurs a fine of 100 USD per month.

These rules apply to all visa holders, including professionals, domestic workers, and dependents, and are part of broader changes to residency and travel regulations aimed at streamlining processes and ensuring compliance. Authorities urge residents to carefully plan their travel and visa applications, as changes or cancellations will not result in a refund of paid fees.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is showing promising signs of recovery, with a 33% year-on-year (YoY) increase in tourist arrivals during the first 10 days of June 2025. The island welcomed 43,962 visitors compared to 33,017 in the same period last year.

The daily average number of tourists also rose significantly, reaching 4,396 visitors per day, up from 3,302 during the first 10 days of June 2024. This uptick is encouraging, especially given that June is traditionally an off-season month for travel to Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) projects 177,257 arrivals for the entire month of June. However, industry stakeholders remain cautious due to a shortfall in arrivals during the first five months of 2025. From January to May, tourist arrivals missed projections by a cumulative 279,452 visitors, underscoring ongoing challenges in converting interest into actual visits despite improving macroeconomic conditions.

Between January 1 and June 10, 2025, Sri Lanka welcomed over 1.07 million tourists, marking a 16% increase compared to 927,196 visitors during the same period in 2024. Notably, arrivals in January, February, and May 2025 exceeded pre-pandemic levels seen in 2018, highlighting Sri Lanka’s renewed appeal as a travel destination.

Despite these positive trends, consistent growth remains elusive. A key hurdle has been the delay in launching a global tourism campaign, which has not been updated in 16 years. The much-anticipated ‘Nation Branding’ campaign, set to launch on June 26, is expected to boost Sri Lanka’s visibility in key markets and drive higher arrivals during the lucrative winter season.

In June 2025, India, the UK, and Bangladesh emerged as the top source markets, contributing 12,362, 3,740, and 2,717 tourists respectively. Year-to-date, India leads with 216,422 arrivals, followed by Russia (111,285) and the UK (100,014). These markets remain central to Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery strategy.

Sri Lanka aims to attract 3 million tourists and generate $5 billion in tourism revenue by the end of 2025. To meet this target, the industry needs to draw approximately 1.93 million visitors 64.2% of the annual goal during the remaining months of the year. So far, the sector has generated over $1.54 billion in revenue in the first five months, with $3.46 billion still needed to reach the target.

In 2024, Sri Lanka’s tourism revenue reached $3.16 billion, a substantial 53.2% increase from $2.07 billion in 2023, reflecting the sector’s strong recovery momentum.

Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming Nation Branding campaign and further developments in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

Starting July 1, 2025, residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) holding valid residency permits will be able to enter Armenia without a visa, marking a significant expansion of Armenia’s visa-free travel policy. Previously, only UAE nationals enjoyed visa-free access, while expatriate residents had to obtain visas on arrival.

The new policy applies to residents with residency permits valid for at least six months and allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism, leisure, or business purposes.

This change is part of a broader Armenian government initiative to enhance tourism, investment, and economic ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. The policy also aligns with Armenia’s visa-free arrangements for residents of the European Union, the Schengen Area, and the United States.

The Armenian cabinet approved this reform in May 2025 to facilitate easier travel for expatriates living in these economically significant regions and to boost Armenia’s attractiveness as a destination for short-term visitors and business travelers.

Armenia’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, combined with its rich cultural heritage—including UNESCO World Heritage monasteries like Geghard and Khor Virap—and natural attractions such as Lake Sevan and Dilijan National Park, makes it an appealing destination for UAE residents, particularly expatriates.

The country is accessible via direct flights from Dubai and other UAE cities through airlines such as flydubai, Air Arabia, and Wizz Air. Armenian tourism officials expect the visa-free entry for UAE residents to increase tourist arrivals, strengthen economic relations, and promote business engagements between Armenia and the GCC.

Lusine Gevorgyan, Chairperson of Armenia’s Tourism Committee, emphasized that this milestone reflects Armenia’s commitment to making the country more accessible to regional travelers seeking meaningful cultural and leisure experiences. The visa waiver is also expected to encourage more frequent travel and investment flows, with officials optimistic about a rise in direct flights and business cooperation.

In summary, from July 1, 2025, UAE residents with valid residency permits will benefit from visa-free entry to Armenia for up to 90 days, a move designed to enhance tourism, business, and bilateral relations between Armenia and the GCC region.