VACATION DETAILS

Once a busy port, the university and cathedral city of Exeter, England, on the River Exe in Devon, was once filled with ancient houses, winding streets, Roman artifacts and buildings dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. Although bombing during World War II took a severe toll, enough remains to be worth investigating.

Stroll along the quay to see the Customs House, then visit the Tower Clock of St. Mary's Steps, the old Guildhall (a great museum), the cathedral (with a stone screen, wood carvings and an astronomical clock) and preserved Roman pavement (in the old Court House on Waterbeer Street). Those who aren't particularly claustrophobic should tour the 14th-century underground tunnel system.

If time permits, stay an extra day and visit nearby Dartmoor National Park, with its truly beautiful wild landscape—a 365-sq-mi/945-sq-km dome of granite covered with granite tors, heather and bracken. In addition, the park has hundreds of miles/kilometers of footpaths and one of the last castles built in England, Castle Drogo.

Exeter is 35 mi/55 km northeast of Plymouth.

London is undoubtedly one of the world's finest cities. In addition to numerous monuments from its more glorious past, London is equally well-known for its pageantry and tradition. London has something for everyone - wide boulevards buzzing with excitement far into the night, quiet squares and explorable alleyways. Visit this famous city's parks, museums, galleries, monuments, abbeys and churches, skyscrapers and ruins, Georgian squares. Take in such events as the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower, or the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, or even one of the many theatrical productions. Some of the most exclusive shops are found along Oxford, Bond and Regent Streets. An old favorite and one of the world's premier institutions is Harrods - offering everything from Chanel suits and sliced salmon to caviar and even pets.