London, England: The Docklands

Survey London's skyline (or a Tube map), and it becomes clear that this grand city is shifting east. The thundering heart of this new London is the Docklands. Nestled around a hairpin bend in the Thames, this area was a gritty, bustling harbor and warehouse district back in the 19th century, when Britannia ruled the waves. Neglected for decades, today it's been gentrified into a futuristic, skyscraper-filled landscape rising from the canals and docks. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.