London, England: Covent Gardens

The centerpiece of the Covent Gardens district of London is this structure. Formerly, it was the home of a large market. (That facility ist still around in a sense, but it has moved about three miles away.) Now on the site, there are all sorts of little boutiques, restaurants and stores. It's all quite charming, if at first glance a little pricey.

What's more, the Royal Opera House sits right across the street from the market area. Nearby are several theaters and other entertainment options.