Sir John Soane's Museum, London

While visiting London for the first or 50th time, I urge you to make time for the eclectic "SIR JOHN SOANE's MUSEUM". When a colleague adamantly told me this was a "MUST",I was skeptical. I'm thrilled to have experienced this gem and can't wait to return. Sir John Soanes was one of GB's foremost architects. He designed buildings such as the Bank of England and also taught architecture. Soane's bequeathed his London home as a museum, to be kept in the condition as when he was alive. His home/museum today is a breathtaking trip into days past. Soane's had the most magnificent collections...architectural design pieces hang everywhere...books, pictures...collections grouped together taking one's breath away. You need not be an architect or artist or collector to be enveloped by the warmth, charm and exquisite detailing of Sir John's home. I was amazed that children 8 and up were so fascinated by the rooms and floors of mind-boggling pieces. There is no entrance fee, but kind people will donate a pound or two for the museum's upkeep. A lovely, tiny gift shop sits in one of the rooms with pretty postcards, books, notepaper and such. Soane's Museum faces a lovely little park and is close to Charles Dicken's home, should you want to drop in on him as well. Easy to find taxis and tube. ENJOY and pass the word!

This place dazzles and amazes. Forget what you know about museums. Instead come prepared to look out every window and look up in every room. The museum attendants are truly knowledgeable and enthusiastic. And when you're done here, go straight across Lincoln's Inn Fields to the Hunterian Museum at the Royal Academy of Surgeons. It'll make for a day of the most curious of collections.