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You've seen Mary Poppins gliding through its skies, while cock-er-nee cab drivers bellow, "Ah don't go sath of tha riva" and gents in bowler hats cradle bulldogs like small children. Big Ben bellicosely booms as Buckingham Palace parades the Queen's Guards and David Cameron prowls the streets like a Prime Ministerial madman.

London - the city where everything is happening. But sometimes, through the madding crowd of Union Jack memorabilia and tourist trap tat, finding something to suit your tastes can feel daunting.

That's why we've put together this list of the London less travelled. So, strap yourselves in, drop your car off at the Gatwick meet and greet and ride on through to these oddities.

Time for War!

Whether you're a pacifist or a warmongering nut job, there's no doubting the seismic impact that the Second World War had on the history of civilisation. And what better way to feel what it must have been like than to stand in the very room Winston Churchill used to strategize in.

Opposite the Churchill Museum, the War Rooms were the focus of Allied efforts to repel the Nazis. If you're a history buff, you'll be fascinated - bar a few scribblings on Churchill's legacy, the rooms have been authentically preserved.

If you find yourself looking for something simpler, more meditative or relaxing to do than the normal rounds of restaurants, bars, and shops on your next break, consider spending time listening to music. From the pure sounds of choirs, to the pulsing beat of Japanese drummers, or the haunting melodies of classical compositions, there are musical concerts, programs and events open to the public across the globe.

Instead of spending hours buying often pointless souvenirs or clothing on a shopping spree, you could uplift your mind listening to sacred sounds. Whether you choose to search out sombre chants, rhythmic drumbeats, or rousing exaltations, you're sure to find a sound to stir your soul. Read on for five top spots around the world where you should take some time to just stop and listen.

Gone are the days of students having to travel thousands of miles in search of a good education. In an effort to secure a career, it wasn't abnormal for youngsters to need to fly the nest and move to another city - or even a foreign country - to gain the skills they needed to get ahead. 

These days, however, institutions around the globe offer a veritable smorgasbord of degree choices, all designed to meet the needs of education hungry students, without the need to up sticks if they don't want to.

But what if you fancy something a little more unusual that's not readily available on your doorstep? What if you want to study in a foreign land? What if you want to endure 12 months of rain?

Well, away from your archetypal undergraduate subjects such as accounting, law or humanities, the UK is positively bubbling with a range of atypical courses designed to get your grey matter tingling. Whether you fancy a degree in viticulture and oenology or a solid grounding in Viking Studies, Dear Old Blighty really is the place to be.

To get you started, check out three of the most unusual degrees you can study in Britain ...

On Thursday 18th September, people in Scotland will hold a referendum on independence from the United Kingdom. This comes 15 years after the devolution of some powers to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, which most Scots now agree was a good decision.

However, the architectonic critics consider the futuristic design of the new parliament building (above) ruined the historical skyline of the capital. The building was designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles who died even before its completion. By coincidence, another Spanish architect, Anthony Gaudi, did not live to see the final version of the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona, which is where thousands of Catalonians now gather demanding referendum on independence from Spain. According to the Catalonians living in Scotland, for Scotland independence is an option, but for Catalonia a necessity.

Although I live in Slovakia, I know and like both of the concerned countries, and Scotland is even often compared to Slovakia. Plus, the topic of my Master's thesis was Scottish and Welsh independence. 

If you're studying in Dubai you'll be living in one of the most thriving, cosmopolitan cities in the world. Nearly half a million students choose to study in Dubai and this United Arab Emirates (UAE) city has a great deal to offer when it comes to off-campus activities.
Dubai offers a very high standard of living and boasts a diverse international student mix. Of course it doesn't hurt Dubai's popularity that this Emirate also has plenty of glamorous nightlife options, superb shopping and restaurants, not to mention some amazing beaches.

Eating in and out in Dubai

A reasonably low cost of living means that eating out in Dubai is inexpensive and there are plenty of value for money restaurants and cafes in the city. Dubai also hosts the big name international restaurants and coffee shops as well as some great-low cost traditional eating options in the markets and bazaars. You can enjoy immense shopping malls such as the Mall of Emirates, home to cinemas, 500 retail units, one of the world's biggest indoor ski resorts and around 100 dining establishments. You'd also be in luck if you prefer to order food in while you're studying, since there are plenty of Dubai delivery restaurants serving just about every cuisine imaginable.