The only English department store classed among monuments and museums on every visitor's list, it hardly needs an introduction. It's swanky and plush and as deep-carpeted as ever; its spectacular food halls are alone worth the trip, and it stands out from the pack for fashion, too. You can forgive the store its immodest motto, Omnia, omnibus, ubique ("Everything, for everyone, everywhere"), because there are more than 230 departments, including a pet shop rumored to supply you with anything from aardvarks to zebras on request and a toy department -- sorry, "kingdom" -- which does the same with plush versions. During the pre-Christmas period and sales -- the legendary one is during the last three weeks of January, but another storewide event, usually only one week, is held in mid-July -- the entire store is a menagerie. Tube: Knightsbridge.