Looking for advice on the best use of our London lay-over (with provided day room) in July on our way to safari in Kenya. It will be two moms and three sixteen-year olds, two of whom have never been to London before. Should we schedule a guided tour? Recommendations?

type in "layover" or "heathrow" in the seach and there is plenty of advice of what to do.

You can do the same search on the Europe board and will find lots of advice.

Remember that 12 hours may not be as long as it seems. You may have to store your luggage and you will have to be back at Heathrow(?) 2 hours(or maybe more) in preperation for your next flight. Some people in your group might just want to sleep off jet lag. Not putting a damper on it...but I have travelled with 16 year olds!!!

Well, having stuck out a 12-hour layover in London on our way HOME last year, with my 60 year old husband, I would get the H out of that airport with three 16-year olds! I'd get into town, check out Big Ben and Westminster Abbey (at least from the outside) and take a ride on the London Eye. Do as much outdoor walking as possible because it will be a long flight to Kenya and any fresh air and exercise you can get between flights is a plus. All they will get is a taste of London. If you can possibly do a tour of the Tower of London, that would be terrific but don't try to do a whole lot.