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London's Christmas season began late last week with a tree-lighting ceremony in Trafalgar Square. Early snowfall has melted, and cheer is in the air. Here are five stylish and affordable ways to celebrate the holidays in the Big Smoke. Watch the paint dry (...no, really) At the National Gallery, artist Ben Johnson will add the finishing brushstrokes to his landscape portrait of Trafalgar Square. You can watch him as he works in an enclosed space on the building's roof. Johnson's painting is inspired by the work of Canaletto, an eighteenth-century artist whose depictions of Venice are on display in a special exhibition in the museum. free, for six weeks, starting from Wed., Dec. 8, nationalgallery.org.uk. A musical night at the museum On Friday Dec. 10, the National Portrait Gallery will stay open late, turning over its halls to various live performances. In the 17th-century galleries, for instance, pianists Will Dutta and Stuart Davies will play Chopin and Liszt. Grab a drink at a the bar, or check out this year's winner's of Britain's annual photographic portrait prize. free, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., npg.org.uk/lateshift. Have a gourmet holiday The German-themed Christmas stalls are easily found under the shadow of the London Eye, the enclosed Ferris wheel on the south bank of the Thames. But turn away from the river and walk around to the other side of the Royal Festival Hall to find much more delectable stalls. The Real Food Christmas markets will be open this weekend, serving all locally-sourced or sustainably farmed food, from fruit preserves to pork pies. A tip: Some of the stalls put items on two-for-one sale at sundown. (Dec. 10-12), Friday through Sunday, realfoodfestival.co.uk. Medieval Christmas The 900-year old Tower of London is always a popular attraction for families. From Dec. 27-31, it's also the setting for a reimagining of the 1284 court of Edward I. Kids will love the Great Christmas Pudding race, with costumed characters racing around balancing fruitcakes on spoons. The exhibition on life in the medieval palace provides historical context. admission includes access to the Tower, the Yeoman Warder guided tour, and standard highlights. adults £18.70 ($29.50); children £10.45 ($16.50), hrp.org.uk. Window-shopping with the locals When it comes to shopping, Oxford Street and Shoreditch draw most of the out-of-towners, but Mayfair's Burlington Arcade remains a treasure visited mostly by locals. Top-hatted, uniformed beadles keep out the riff-raff. Browse a clutch of fabulous independent shops, such as Heming, a jewelry shop since 1745, which has a sparkling shop window display. burlington-arcade.co.uk. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL London: Rent a bike for nearly nothing London shopping: A new mall with spectacular views London: Royal wedding-themed vacations

The prospect of going it alone on your travels can be intimidating. But going solo offers a sense of freedom and accomplishment you'd never get hitting the road with a travel companion. In an upcoming Trip Coach column, we're going to offer tons of tips -- and hopefully, assuage some fears -- for all travelers intrigued with the idea of taking an adventure with me, myself, and I. But first, we want to hear from you. Tell us about your concerns big and small regarding solo travel. Are you worried you'll be lonely? What safety issues are there to worry about, and how can a single traveler avoid getting robbed, or worse? Are you interested in getting advice for how to for meet locals and fellow travelers who can be trusted? Are you curious about places that are good destinations for solo travelers, and those that should be avoided if traveling alone? Want to know how and when it's possible to sidestep those pesky single supplement charges? Or about which tour companies, cruise lines, and resorts are especially friendly to single travelers? No matter if you've traveled alone dozens of times or you've never been bold enough to give it a try, please send us all of your questions regarding solo travel. We'll address the most pressing issues in an upcoming issue of Budget Travel. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL Going Solo in Southeast Asia Author Beth Whitman answers reader questions on solo travel Easier Than You Thought: Going It Alone and Avoiding the Single Supplement

The world's most famous open-air museum is falling apart. In the past month, Pompeii, the ancient city, has seen a few of its structures collapse. Are Italian authorities doing enough to protect its fragile ruins and frescoes? In early November, a famous house collapsed. The cause is unknown. The house was once used by gladiators to train before combat. The likely culprit of the collapse is shoddy restoration work. Decades ago, a bad mix of cement and masonry was used to reconstruct walls and roofs. The alkaline in this mixture is apparently causing structures to crumble and paint to peel. Efforts to undo the damage have been slow. This week, two more walls collapsed, reports the BBC. Yesterday, the Italian government announced it would create a task force to protect the city, using European Union conservation funds "more effectively." Today, a delegation from the United Nations' cultural organization, UNESCO, arrived in Pompeii to inspect the site. Some Italian scholars are campaigning for the privatization of Pompeii's oversight. Government agencies seem incapable of keeping the precious ruins in good shape. In nearby Herculaneum, also an ancient city victimized by Vesuvius, the Packard Humanities Institute has stepped in with a large, long-term grant. But don't let the headlines scare you away from visiting Pompeii. There is still so much of beauty and wonder to see, as I found myself on a trip there two months ago. No horrific tragedy has given the world as much pleasure as Pompeii. The 163-acre site was covered in rocks, pumice, and ash from the volcanic explosion of Vesuvius, killing tens of thousands. That protective cover preserved the details of life in A.D. 79 for centuries. Today, the site receives about two-and-a-half million visitors each year. Given admission fees, it is a place that could be successfully protected. Up north, Venice's many fine buildings have been saved from disrepair and water damage by a multi-year private charity initiative called Save Venice. Maybe it's time for someone to start a "Save Pompeii" movement. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL Trip Coach: Is Pompeii a Daytrip or an Overnight Stay? Italian Menu Decoder 2010 Pompeii: Beware of Bad Tour Guides, and Don't Hurt the Ruins

So it's April 29th, and you're all invited: H.R.H. Prince William is making his marriage to Catherine Middleton into a "People's Royal Wedding." In the works are a parade, street parties, and a military fly-over. Soon, tickets will go on sale for a concert that weekend, starring Elton John and Susan Boyle. A special national holiday (combined with a previously scheduled one on the following Monday) will create a four-day weekend for locals. Many Londoners plan to celebrate, dressing up in spiffy clothes and fancy hats. There is political pressure on the Mayor to find budget money to put giant TVs in Hyde Park, which would broadcast the ceremonies. Local boroughs are certain to sponsor street parties, about 30 in every borough. Book your travel now. Prices will only rise from here on out. One sample offer: British Airways is selling wedding-themed air-plus-hotel packages from $865, before taxes. Can't make it April 29? Not to worry. Here's a guide to the top London attractions related to the royal wedding. Visit when you can. Westminster Abbey As you've heard, William and Kate chose this palace for the 15th royal wedding in its 1,000 years. £15 ($23), westminster-abbey.org. The Royal Mews See the Royal Carriage, the coach that the couple will most likely use on their wedding day. The queen's working horses are in the stable next door. £7.75 ($12), royalcollection.org.uk. Garrard & Co. Garrard claims to be the world's oldest jewelry shop. It's the source of Princess Diana's sapphire and diamond engagement ring, which Prince William took out of his rucksack and presented to Kate during a getaway in Kenya. garrard.com. Jigsaw After graduating from college, fashion maven Kate worked in the Kew branch of British boutique chain Jigsaw. You can check out her taste at the London branch at 126-7 New Bond Street. The store is a minimalist marvel, designed by renowned architect John Pawson 15 years ago. The fashion is relatively affordable for London. If you're looking to buy one "splash out" dress for the weekend's festivities, this is one place to shop for ideas and accessories. jigsaw-online.com. Club Mahiki One of Prince William's favorite hangouts, this nightclub is likely to be part of his stag party. mahiki.com. Clarence House Prince William currently lives near his Royal Air Force base in Wales, but his father, Prince Charles, announced the engagement from their official home lives at Clarence House.* Glimpse this Tudor building by walking up the Mall from Buckingham Palace to Admiralty Arch. Soldiers in sentry boxes guard out front. Book now for summer tours. royal.gov.uk. *CORRECTED on Wed. Sorry for the error. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL London shopping: A new mall with spectacular views Quiz: Think you know London? London hotels: Want that towel? You have to pay $2.40